Advice Needed--Democratic Convention
The problem: We all know that establishment Democrats and the mainstream press are laying the groundwork for violence at, or, more likely, outside, the Democratic Convention in Philly. They are doing this by spreading the message that Sanders supporters are violent goons. Given the clear signs in the media of this, most of us assume that there will be, for lack of a better term, "ringers" sent into the protests posing as Sanders supporters who will do violent things in an attempt to make the demonstrations spiral out of control, thus "justifying" whatever the Philly cops do to protesters, and sealing the deal on the ongoing character assassination on Sanders supporters which, despite many tries, hasn't yet been successful.
The solution: There are some tried-and-true countermeasures for this (everyone who is going needs to get non-violence training). However, some of us have other (non-violent) ideas we'd like to use as strategies as well. Mine involve shifting the terrain of expectation--in other words, they expect anger and a battlefield, so we give them something radically different; when ringers try to start something, we respond in an extremely unexpected way.
The wrench in the works: Anything we discuss online is going to be known by the other side, if not immediately, damn near. So what we do *won't* be unexpected.
Questions:
1)Is encryption any good? This has many sub-questions, like: even if it is, won't that keep enough actual Sanders supporters from knowing the plan? Or is it feasible--do we have enough time--to decide on strategies in an encrypted environment, and then send the people who were in on the discussion out IRL to their communities?
2)If encryption is a good idea, can somebody teach me and others how to use it?
3)Are we worried about the NSA, or just about David Brock et al? If all we're worried about is Brock-like entities, then perhaps we could evade their notice without too much trouble, maybe without having to learn encryption first (suggestions for this would be welcome).
I'd seriously welcome any and all advice.
Comments
Damn, I thought you had a plan
am looking for good stuff. My state convention is in a month and I guarantee we are woefully underprepared. We have a mole in our prep group trying to pass himself off as on our team. Many believe he is. He's been on the payroll of someone on the other side, however and his recent past has striking ethical abridgments.
So we know that visual and auditory tactics will be verboten in Philly, at least - I think everything must be very small to be done. Also, I think humor is key.
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
I wouldn't call it a plan. I'd call it ideas, at this stage.
If nobody gives me some good advice on how to talk to each other in, well, a more secure manner, I will probably say "Screw it!" and post a diary on those ideas out in the open.
My ideas will work well, I think, in a protest environment. In a convention environment, maybe not as much. In general, humor, non-threatening, even childlike actions will be key (obviously not involving actual children, who should not be exposed to what could happen in Philly).
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Good afternoon CantStoptheSignal,
Not sure I understand about the childlike actions, but I love the idea of using humo. There are so many important reasons to keep clinton away from the white house we could have a 3 ring circus. We could have a hillary lookalike in a dunk tank etc, all relating to evidence against her viability in this sham primary.
Encryption escapes me, just like you. I'm not sure we are big enough to draw much attention, but I could be very wrong about that.
I would really like to hear your ideas.
'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "
Well, for instance--
This is just one idea, and most of my ideas are goofy, btw, but that's what might make them work.
OK, so when somebody gets or starts to get violent, we could form a ring around them and sing the following:
Sunny day, chasing the clouds away
On the way to where the air is sweet!
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sanders Street?
Come and play, everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there, that's where we meet!
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sanders Street?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmcdBnj4ZOg]
Yes, it's stupid, but what we want above all is to shift the ground away from the Very Serious Angry Violent Adult Battleground.
I also had the thought that peacekeepers could identify themselves by having small stuffed animals attached to hats, or belts, or fanny packs. I personally would use this one: https://secure.parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/disneyparks/blog/wp-...
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I vote for Mr. Rodgers theme song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4nI7AgUKwk
Now that's awesome.
Funny, and sweet, and I think Fred Rogers would actually approve (no idea what his politics were, but I know he was against violence.)
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Spontaneous square dancing?
Maybe some river dancing as well? Just trying offer some equally silly/sillier ideas.
Duffy is awesome :-)
I am going to give this some more thought (been kind of busy today). As a counselor at a residential facility, I did something very like what you are suggesting here. For example: I had 2 guys who had to wear strange hats with "Police" written on them and kiddie sheriff badges. one had a bell, the other had a bike horn and they would arrest people and then give them a warning and let them go. Like your circle?
I hope I explained this clearly enough, pretty tired. May I send you a message in the next day or so?
'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "
Sure, no problem. By the way, I love your sig.
I'm a big fan of Harvey.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I know, right?
Harvey is timeless and wonderful.
'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "
I was thinking the song: "Up, Up With People", myself
Maybe this is a naive thought, but what about a private, members-only Forum on this ?
(In the middle of writing I remembered what an acquaintance who works tech for Obama admin once told us: 'nothing's private')
OK, I am gonna woodshed on this a bit.
I think it's very likely that we are gonna have to deal with moles. Nothing seems below the DNC.
G
Thanks for coming by, George--
and thanks again for your patience.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I noticed on fb today
there is a Bernie group that's organizing to peacefully demonstrate at the convention in Philadelphia.
OCCUPY DNC CONVENTION JULY 2016
https://www.facebook.com/groups/occupydncconvention/
https://www.facebook.com/notes/1699990956910208/PERMIT%20&%20PLEDGE/1709...
Check out their files section below the main picture, they seem very organized and stress non violence. They are trying to get a million people to demonstrate.
I don't tweet but I do fb. and have found it useful for organizing grassroots and local. I just joined this group and am interested to see if they can pull this off.
Thank you for the links Shaharazade :-)
I'm on my way to check this out. Sounds cool!
'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "
Ditto.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Oh dear.
People are actually thinking of bringing their kids. Seriously bad idea.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Actually, Kidz maybe NOT a bad idea
I mean, look...this is all about the Future of Their Planet.
Also, perhaps such presence would rein in actually crossing the line & fomenting violence (?)
I really hope so.
One kid getting hurt is one too many--
and also, one kid getting hurt changes the whole dynamic.
It takes a will of more than steel to stay calm if a child gets hurt.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
OTOH, if the forces of repression are willing to hurt kids,
it’s better for that to be made evident to people right away rather than later.
If Kent State and Jackson State had happened before November 22, 1963, people might have been more discerning about accepting just any old interpretation of events government officials felt like giving them.
These folks have done some serious organizing
For some reason, I can't post there, or reply, or whatever. I don't generally do FB. Zuckerberg is a rotten person. But I'm willing to step over there when there's a really good reason, and this is one.
But for whatever reason, I can't seem to post there.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Hello again,
I sent them a request to join and was accepted several hours later. That's the way to comment.
'Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd "
Oh, I see. Probably they haven't got
around to me yet.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Give peace a chance
I've got a couple of links someone here on c99 gave me:
http://www.eurasiareview.com/07052016-bringing-the-sanders-revolution-to...
https://veritynow.com/2016/04/23/thousands-prepare-to-march-on-the-dnc/
They both have logistics info.
You may say I'm a dreamer... but I think Bernie has a plan. We'll see.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Some Trump supporters' tactics online --
-- seem important to understand here.
Even though this info is about online behavior it shows (imo) that there are Trump supporters who have dedicated their lives to ratfvcking.
From today's BNR, a link to a 4chan discussion about how to mess with both Sanders and HRC factions.
http://boards.4chan.org/pol/thread/74655761/lets-troll-bernie-and-hillar...
*VERY* unpleasant reading, but I think it's a must-read. These people, imo, are our enemies.
Most of the Trump supporters I've talked to
Can't stand Hillary and more or less understand why I feel the way I do about her.
But, just b/c we're getting targeted by the DNC, doesn't mean certain elements of the right won't continue their rotten behavior. I'll go have a look.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Wait a minute--they actually think of the divide
between HRC and us as "divisions *ON THE LEFT*???"
Is this some special realm of non-thought I've delved into?
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
They think they need to *make us* split in two?
Jesus, these people have no effing clue. If they did, they'd just grab some popcorn.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Well, clearly they have no fucking clue whatsoever.
Or, looking at it another way, they've already got what they want. If they want to split the Democratic party, Clinton is their greatest ally.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
They say as much, praising Brock & his programs
(I'm responding to CantStopTheSignal's comment http://caucus99percent.com/comment/90678#comment-90678, in case this ends up showing as a separate comment.)
Yes, the 4chan guys love Brock and his 'Correct the Record' and sockpuppet commentors. Brock gives them cover to hide behind.
I regret that I have no suggestions re: convention safety and how to recognize/defuse agents provocateurs at the Convention. (This is one subject that Meteor Blades could make a contribution based on his past experience. However, he hasn't made his presence known afaik.)
If there's somebody on here who knows him personally
Perhaps they could pop over to TOP and send him a private message. Whatever the divisions between us, I'm certain he no more wants a replay of 1968 than we do.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Hey CSS, these are good things to discuss. TY for introducing it
I wonder if we know how many c99er are going to the convention: either as delegates or as protestors outside?
If you get a group of c99 convention-goers together, you could run a group where all these logistical arrangements could be discussed. What do you think? Such a group could then be the nucleus to teach c99ers how to do nonviolent resistance up to the election.
Resilience: practical action to improve things we can control.
3D+: developing language for postmodern spirituality.
Gerrit due to financail
considerations and the fact that we run a btob which is deadline heavy out of our house were pretty much tied down. We can't go but would participate locally here in Portland Oregon in any demonstration during the convention. I wish there were more local/state organizing going on for marches or protests. OWS was great in that you could participate where ever you were. Horizontal movements are good.
Great point, shaz. It would be great if there were parallel
protests in all the cities and towns possible. Like OWS did. A Portland protest would enable folks like us, who can't go to participate in our home towns. Good luck with the business and enjoy your evening, my friend,
Resilience: practical action to improve things we can control.
3D+: developing language for postmodern spirituality.
I agree, and I think it would be great to start that process
here.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I would also promote this on Twitter.
I don't have thousands of followers, but I have around 800.Small potatoes, I know.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
You're welcome!
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Good idea
I'm an At Large candidate at present, but it's very unlikely I'd be selected (my district will send one male Bernie supporter). There are a ton of folks with similar credentials to mine, so nearly no chance I'll be selected other than the guy making the selection actually knows me by name and face (although he may not feel I've been sufficiently in lock-step - I think he's been naive about some things).
I noticed a name we'd all recognize from TOP is a candidate. I believe about a half dozen of us from TOP will gather ahead of the start of the state convention (planned ahead of March).
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
Does this have anything to do with getting naked?
ROTFLMAO
Well, that would work in the sense of being unexpected and not playing into their narrative--but I'm afraid that confronting violent goons NAKED might be a bad plan--also it would give the Philly cops a whole new reason to arrest you!
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Don't "streak"
because "streaking" is now called many things but it's a crime to expose yourself and nowadays in most areas you'd have to register as a sex offender.
Not worth it.
"Love One Another" ~ George Harrison
Oh, for goodness' sakes.
Streaking is not the same as raping someone or molesting a child (this irritation is not directed at you Janet, just at our stupid legal system).
I think it should probably be illegal, but certainly not on the same level as being a sex offender!
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I'm not an advocate of the law
just sharing some advice. I've done lots of protesting, infiltrating and a small bit of occupying. Be careful out there.
Granted it's not rape or child rape... but you REALLY don't want to be naked when a police officer comes across you. They can consider it a sign of many things - mainly that you are under the influence of drugs and therefore a threat.
When the "police" here in Ashland, OR, found an 11 year old girl naked by the side of the highway in the am hours, they didn't see it as a sign of possibly being a victim.. they figured she needed to be tazed and beaten.
"Love One Another" ~ George Harrison
I know. And I agree with you.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Even less insideous than streaking, public urination
http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/sex-crim...
is sometimes charged as indecent exposure and thus requires registration as a sex offender. A charge that will follow them the rest of their life.
How is it possible to make a law that so harshly punishes people for peeing in public. It's not like peeing is some fetish thing practiced by a handful of people. Peeing is something that every last single living human on the planet does regularly.
So yeah....stupid, stupid, stupid law.
The people, united, will never be defeated.
In Portland it was a death sentence for Chasse
They THINK he might have possibly peed in an alley. The "police" beat and crushed his chest.
"Love One Another" ~ George Harrison
I'm reminded of the Vietnam protests
In the early days there was that famous picture of a long-haired blonde putting daisies in the muzzles of National Guard rifles. Throwing flowers at the cops might be one tactic Bernie protesters could use.
Personally I loved the CA protest where they threw dollar bills at Clinton's motorcade heading to a big Clooney fundraiser. It was so potent a symbol that it drove the Clintonites crazy. That's the mark of a good protest.
Protests have to be demonstrably non-violent. There also have to be a million videos of all the protests so the media and the party can't lie about what happened. That's one lesson Las Vegas should have taught us well.
Please help support caucus99percent!
The maddening thing about Vegas
Is that there IS video footage and it supports us--but it doesn't matter. Big Lie territory.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I was sort of seeing lollipops
People handing out lollipops. I also think peacekeepers should consider going in costume (but bear in mind, it will be hot). If I do this, I will go as the Mad Hatter.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
The money-throwing protest is my all-time favorite
And since I'm 63 and have been politically aware for a long time, I have seen some good ones.
Twain Disciple
That's awesome for a protest
but not as much as a countermeasure for ringer/troll/provocateur violence.
Throwing things probably a bad idea in that situation.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
But the visual was priceless.
Twain Disciple
No kidding. :-)
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Agreed
Sure was wild how nuts it made HRC supporters that money was thrown her way. They were trying to cast it as that she was being called a whore, I think, but I don't think that re-branding attempt stuck. Brockovian efforts are only soooo effective.
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
They were trying to make it a sexist slur
Which is what they always do when they have no ready argument. Throwing money at a corrupt politician is a completely different context, and one most voters readily see. I think this protest should be repeated over and over. Arguing over whether it says she's a streetwalker or a corrupt politician is only going to further embed the latter message in people's minds. And Clintonites aren't smart enough to not fight that fight. It's a fight they can only lose.
Please help support caucus99percent!
Absolutely Agree
Keep it up, Team Clinton!
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
I'm jealous
I love the paper money protest. But here in Portland, if we did that - the robocops would beat us, pepper spray us and then arrest us for "Littering". Afterwards there would be many fine promotions and awards handed out.
Hell, paper "pink slips" is a "weapon" if thrown at a politician... donchaknow.
I've protested Ms. Rodham before. It's not pretty.
"Love One Another" ~ George Harrison
You don't have to hide your
You don't have to hide your plan. In fact, quite the opposite.
Make it Priority #1 that everyone outside the convention carry cell phones and be recording literally everything.
You want a revolution? When the masses see what is really happening, you'll have a revolution.
Honestly? I want to diminish the violence that is likely to
happen there.
I pretty much assumed I didn't need to tell folks to carry cell phones and record everything, but you're right, that's a given.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I'm expecting
signals will be jammed. I think pre-technological tools will be more reliable. Old school techniques will be more reliable is my guess.
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
Cameras, I guess.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
As children, many people may have read “The Wind in the Willows”
Toward the end of Chapter XI of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows there is a wonderful illustration of just this point:
Hey guys, I'm off for a bit.
Thanks for your comments, and I hope to pick this up again soon. I'm going to see if I can plug into that FB group Shaz mentioned. Maybe I'll figure out how to post there LOL. If so I'll bring back reports!
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I don't think protesting
I don't think protesting works anymore, because of the corporate media and because they have perfected cointelpro. I am not a delegate, so I am not going to Philly. If Bernie doesn't win, I am just voting for Jill Stein. Good luck!
Thanks!
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
The Idea of the March isn't necess. to change DNC's sick mind
...because that ain't gonna happen. The entire Party is a Cancer at this point.
It IS to illustrate our numbers...that, in fact, it really IS the 99%. Might also still be necessary to nudge Bernie into a 3rd Party run. A good, positive, YUGE demonstration would help that cause immensely.
From there, there are many potential avenues.
Just reminding folks of this....
G
Stay public but don't divulge anything
There are 3 types of encryption. What you are thinking of is called “end to end” encryption, which is the attempt to secure a conversation among a relative few. When Edward Snowden first attempted to converse with Glenn Greenwald, he suggested the primer discussed in this article :
Edward Snowden sent Glenn Greenwald this video guide
I’m not sure how effective end to end encryption will work in a setting of “mass communication”, where it is presumed the parties to the conversation are all “trusted”. This article should give you a good start on your quest for knowledge though…
Good luck and be safe…
Er, too late, though I'm not sure how much
it matter that they know we're contemplating singing the Mr. Rogers theme song at them.
I just feel, in general, it's better to keep as much from them as possible.
But weighing that against getting info out to allies is always hard.
Thanks so much for the link.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
:-)
Private conversations
Hey, CantStopTheSignal! Don't know if this would help. I honestly haven't figured out how to do encrypted Email. I have never seen a user-friendly version of it. But something I have used, is Pidgin IM app with the Off The Record plugin. It's just user-friendly enough to be useful.
Download Windows version: https://pidgin.im/
Download plugin: https://otr.cypherpunks.ca/
More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-the-Record_Messaging
-NOT to be confused with Google's "Off The Record", which came later, and which ISN'T. There is a version for MAC called Adium that has the OTR plugin already functional. If you use some flavor of Linux OS, Pidgin is available in most repositories, sometimes also the OTR plugin.
With the OTR plugin installed, you have three methods to authenticate people you wish to talk to. All of them involve using some other channel like IRL, phone, snail-mail, etc., to agree on shared secrets, or a sign / counter-sign sort of pass-phrase. It is case-sensitive, of course. After you successfully authenticate the entity you wish to communicate with, you can store that in the app, so you don't have to RE-authenticate people you know every time. Unless you are on some super-paranoid trip, and suspect that those you communicate with online are being taken out, and replaced with doubles / moles / pod people. Then re-authenticating every time might be a plan. Basically unnecessary, though.
The authentication pass-phrases are the only hard part about using Pidgin-OTR. If you know somebody personally, talk with them on the phone, correspond with them regularly, then it's not so much of a problem. If you are VERY close, it becomes trivial. You could say, for instance, who was that math teacher we hated? First and Last name, all one word. -and bingo! you have a shared secret. For those of us who are pretty much strangers meeting online, it becomes trickier. If we already have to worry about moles, even trickier than that. If there are others that you feel you "know" from years of interaction online, that might be a good place to start establishing links. Those of you with positive history together might essentially form our backbone. For someone like me that is basically a loner, it really will break down to a simple "gut feeling" on who to trust. Anyway, I have a pretty good feeling about most of this crowd, here. But it's something to keep in mind. Not the mindless paranoia of TOS, but a rational caution concerning strangers. Especially recent strangers. Especially recent strangers that sound violent. But I digress!
THE BEAUTY OF THE OTR PLUGIN is that it automatically generates a separate encrypted connection for each time you connect to an authenticated entity. After that session, the encryption is disposed of, not used again. IF for any reason your computer is compromised, or your pass-phrase cracked or stolen somehow, then all it does is make that account useless from that time going forward. The OTR folks call this Perfect Forward Secrecy. The advantage it has over encrypted Email is that anyone breaking into the Pidgin account cannot go back and read EVERYTHING you have done with that account (unlike losing your encryption key for email). It would require breaking every single automatic session password, and if you haven't logged any of your conversations, there is nothing to read. -Also unlike e-mail.
This is the closest I have been able to find to the level of security one could reasonably expect from a telephone conversation, back in the day. The only record would be in the minds of the people having the conversation. I suspect that if one of the Big Brother orgs wanted to start trying to get around it, they probably could (with a LOT of effort), but it ought to be enough to stop the paid troll / Brock - level goons. And I must say, it is quite a relief to be able to speak freely amongst friends. For those of us who grew up in a free country, that is, with ACTUAL freedom of speech. A few more useful links:
For checking password / pass-phrase security: https://www.grc.com/haystack.htm
And for those running Windows computers, there are still a lot of openings left untended by default. The (above) GRC site can help you zip them up. I have used many of these freeware tools, back when I ran Windows boxes exclusively. Scroll down this page for their free services:
https://www.grc.com/default.htm
Another useful link for security concerns: https://securityinabox.org/
They have download links, but more importantly, tutorials for using various secure programs. It's an NGO promoting secure communications for activists of all stripes.
I don't think you have to worry about the NSA. The FBI, on the other hand, has a LOOOONG history of harassing the non-Right Wing. So, not only should you be recording EVERYTHING, but you should be streaming it live, with a back-up of using off-site upload locations in case they really DO jam all cell-phones in the area. You want it as live as possible, before spin and BIG LIES can take root. -And before recording devices can be confiscated. -And you won't have much time for that to happen. If you can find a high-hit website that would agree to take live feeds, that would be best. Don't know if TYT would, but somebody would. Also think the idea about circling anybody talking violent is good, but I would take the extra precaution of filming THEM, too. Violent moles should be outed! -And their faces broadcast. If they are attempting to provoke something, I would ASSUME that they are agents of some nefarious sort. Even if only Trumpites.
I will try to get back on soon, if anybody has any questions, but real life is turning very busy. It may be a few days. Cheers!
"Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all."
- John Maynard Keynes
For some reason I was drawn to pick up “The Wind in the Willows”
Of course it’s always good to remind oneself what’s important by reading to, or with, children or grandchildren, whether one’s own or someone else’s. The benefit to one’s spirit probably even works with grownups who are still children at heart.
I’d only gotten to the fourth paragraph when I came across this:
Well, I thought, as imagery to bring forth fertile free associations from the subconscious, one could do worse. Synchronicity?
Politics right now is forcing us to think about “moles” as saboteurs and malefactors. At the same time we are like the good-hearted and humble “Mole” of The Wind in the Willows. We are, or would like to be, “happy, and progressive”; while perhaps sharing a vision of a Democratic National Convention that has been “occupied” in the OWS sense.