As the Republican National Convention buzzes over the city like a cloud of fleas carrying bubonic plague, Mayor Bloomberg has taken some extraordinary steps to ensure peace amongst the protests: he's going to buy the hippies' love, of course!

Law-abiding protesters will be given buttons that bear a fetching rendition of the Statue of Liberty holding a sign that reads, "peaceful political activists." Protesters can present the buttons at places like the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Sex, the Pokemon Center store and such restaurants as Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too and Applebee's to save some cash during their stay.

Wow, we're totally selling out. Why waste time being politically minded when you can gorge yourself on Fajitas con Sizzle and check out some historical blow-up dolls?
Just Keep It Peaceful, Protesters; New York Is Offering Discounts [NYT]