Flutterby™! :

For an insider's view of what's happening in Seattle right now, go read Rebecca's Pocket , where it appears the police are out of control. At least those charged with protecting the citizens have prevented the citizens from protecting themselves by banning "anyone from possessing, using or selling gas masks in the city". Jessamyn's journal also has Seattle updates . I'm not sure that I stand for all the protesters stand for, but it also sure looks like this situation turned ugly in a way that it wouldn't have with proper crowd management. Someone obviously wanted a fight, and it sure seems like it was the authorities. No idea why.