Serbian Opposition leaders know how to protest effectively: throw smoke bombs. Just how well the tactic works remains to be seen, but for the time being, they’ve stopped debate on a bill that many say is full of graft. Okay, so a couple of people were injured, including one member who apparently suffered a stroke and is hospitalized in critical condition. So far, no one has died.

Here’s video of what happened.

Is this a good idea? Is throwing smoke a justifiable form of resistance? There are a few things worth noting.

First, this protest was not conducted by outsiders but by the members of parliament themselves. Outside forces would have met with forceful resistance by security. Members of Parliament, however, get a free pass. In the US, some members of Congress have even gone so far as to bring loaded weapons onto the House floor. The precedent has already been set.

Second, the smoke bombs only came out after other methods of protest didn’t work. Opposition members had been blowing whistles and carrying signs in an attempt to stop the debate, but those measures were largely ignored by the ruling party. The same type of thing used to happen here, members of Congress would yell at each other across the floor during debates. Democrats seem to have lost their appetite for such maneuvers, however.

This could be important given that President Felonious Punk is scheduled to speak to the full Congress this evening. Punk is promising, “This is going to be big,” which is likely code for something that is going to hurt the majority of us. Smoke bombs going off in the middle of such a speech could be a good way to shut off the nonsense.

Is there a Democrat in the US Congress who would ever consider such a thing as setting off smoke bombs? It’s not likely. Democrats willing to go head-to-head with the president are few and far between. They’ll go on talk shows, they’ll make speeches on the Capitol steps, and they’ll post firey messages on social media, but you won’t likely catch any of them being so bold as to actually disrupt proceedings of Congress itself.

Cowards.

The use of smoke bombs may be the demonstrative act that resistance fighters have needed. Marches haven’t helped. Economic blackout days pass by ignored by the masses who are told, “They won’t matter.” You know what does matter? Smoke, and lots of it.

There are plenty of events coming up that could give protestors the option to set off a few smoke grenades and see what happens. Be aware, however, that Felonious Punk has threatened to remove all federal funding from colleges and universities that allow ‘illegal’ protests. Always consider the consequences before taking any dramatic action.

Still, given the forcefulness with which this administration is tearing apart the country, the consequences may be moot. The president’s trying to shut down the Department of Education, anyway. Smoke grenades can be purchased at several places.

Just an idea.