This is one of those things in which some parents will applaud, others condemn. Yet I am proud to say that my 13-year old son, Michael Dolan, attended the G-20 protests in Pittsburgh, from September 23-25, 2009. I will hasten to add that he was with adult friends of his parents, people we know very well. Mike had asked repeatedly if he could go. I nearly went myself, but I ultimately consented to let him go with our friends.

It was a great learning experience for him, and I am proud to be raising a young man who already is so engaged in this world. No one can afford to live in a bubble.

Not surprisingly, police were there in force, using liberal amounts of tear gas and sonic weapons to disperse legally and peacefully gathered crowds. Several very disturbing arrests were made -- disturbing because those being arrested were not doing anything unusual. In one case, a man was simply whisked away by men in military uniforms, who then drove off. At least this is how it appeared on Youtube. I only hope it was not what it appeared to be.

Here are some links to what transpired:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXqdQj098l4

http://www.prisonplanet.com/military-police-kidnap-g20-protester-shove-him-into-unmarked-car.html

http://www.infowars.net/articles/september2009/250909Intimidation.htm

I asked Mike if he was the youngest person at the protests -- youngest that he knew of, of course. He said he believed he was. Still, his maturity of mind puts him at a much, much higher level. He was never in the most dangerous confrontations, but did have a civil exchange with two police officers. He also gave out vinegar to help protesters deal with the tear gas. The loud sirens bothered him, he said. After returning home, he decided that "the confrontation between the people and the police was tragic: both were convinced they were right." I believe he will make his mark on the world.

Richard Dolan
Saturday, September 26, 2009