05-22-2015, 03:05 PM
(05-22-2015, 02:46 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: All we have is forms saying you'll get travel reimbursement
Again, it's FUNDING which is different from reimbursement. And it makes perfect sense why they would attempt to release the money in advance so people can actually, you know, pay for their travel. And, hey, it's not just travel - after all you'll need money to make signs, buy bottles (more fun than rocks) and eat at McD's.
Because there's this nugget:
"Failure to provide a report back will result in no longer being eligible for future funding opportunities."
It's not nearly the same as being "paid" to protest, but it certainly does smell like a set-up to fund professional protestors. Not a shock, seeing as one of these was formerly known as ACORN.
And it may not be literally "bussing" people in, but it's certainly set-up so people can self-bus.
In general, I have 3 or 4 problems with this (each giving rise to multiple issues on their own)
1) when it's not a nationally organized protest (like a march on the Capital), then local protests should be composed of locals.
2) nothing wrong with traveling to support them and joining in, but then there's something about getting funded to travel that makes it seem much less genuine
3) the money would better be used to reimburse property damage and medical bills when these protests turn violent
4) they are literally soliciting people to travel and create stories
