I read with absolutely no surprise that a Seattle jury had decided that protestors from the 1999 WTO demonstrations had their rights violated. Now, who in their right mind, knowing what goes on in "San Francisco North", would expect anything different?

You will no doubt recall that in November of 1999 when the World Trade Organization met in Seattle there was a major demonstration organized by those who protested the policies of the WTO.

It is one thing to protest an organizations policies, but it is quite another to take the demonstration to a thuggery level.

As I recall the incidents during that period there were store windows destroyed, people beat up for protesting the protest and civil disobedience run rampant. All in the name of freedom of speech.

I'll wager there are store owners who would like an explanation as to how freedom of speech fits into destroying their store fronts.

After the trial and the announcement of the jury findings, Seattle City Council president Nick Licata said, "The city could have done a better job in handling the protests."

I'll just bet the police who had to put up with the spitting and rock throwing and various and sundry insults were pleased to hear that gutsy statement from the council president.

There may be times when you are unhappy with the reaction to a situation by one of our council people, but I'll also put down a wager that there isn't one of ours who would fit that weasel mold in S.F. North.

Let's be thankful for small favors.