REPUBLICAN CONVENTION DELEGATE SPITS ON VETERAN
First-hand Accounts of Yesterday’s Protests in NYC
[Announcement: Tomorrow’s Bush arrival in Des Moines has been moved up. Click here for the latest details.]
Dean Supporters Report In
These protesters post as "SylvieNYC" and "Agatha" on Blog for America.
Reporting from NYC…
What an amazing day! I arrived at Union Square around 10 am to meet Agatha (and David and Mike, but we never hooked up.)
Although it was a hot day again, the breeze made the heat much more tolerable than [the day before] — a good thing, since it took us, at first, two hours to walk two blocks — that’s how crowded it was. The organizers’ count is more than 400,000; the police, 125,000; the New York Times said “hundred of thousands,” but CNN.com and MSNBC talked of “ten of thousands” — yeah, right!
One of the best parts was when we arrived next to Madison Square Garden, where the chanting got suddenly very inspired as the crowd spotted “Welcome RNC” signs, as well as a Fox News giant screen.
But the very best part, as in most New York demonstrations I have been to, was the amazing display of creativity, good spirit, fun, and yes, peace. New York in demonstration is New York at its most civil.
Agatha went on to Central Park, where many protesters were going to “hang out” after the march, but I have not heard of any trouble going on there either.
Posted by SylvieNYC at August 29, 2004 11:11 PM
I’m sweaty [and] I’m exhausted. . . . Sylvie, it was amazing demonstrating with you and the “French delegation.”
After the rally, I went to Central Park and had a “peace and love” time in the Great Meadow. We made human peace signs on the lawn. The police mingled. Very nice.
THEN, as I was leaving the park to go home with a group, we were told that a bunch of delegates were dining at the Boat House, an OUTDOOR restaurant. Isn’t it curious that the RNC chose to dine at an outdoor restaurant in Central Park on the day thousands of protesters were expected to be in Central Park? Were they setting us up for something? Stay tuned. I joined a group (about 200) and protested. We were not in the restaurant’s property; we were on PUBLIC PROPERTY, where we were very visible and audible.
OK, I’m guilty of flipping the bird and saying the word “f*ck” a few times. However, I felt the need to be serious. Here are some of the things I shouted out:
1000 American soldiers dead; 37,000 Iraqi civilians dead! (OK, I slightly rounded up the # of dead Americans, but unfortunately, I’m not that far off.)
How can you eat with blood on your hands?
Criminals!
I believe in democracy, not plutocracy!
Over 2,700 people died on Sept. 11, and you’re using this as an excuse to party!
And so forth. And, I bellowed SHAME and wagged my finger repeatedly.
One [demonstrator] was really angry and passionate, and I told him to calm down because the press had arrived. Let’s call this guy “Bob” for privacy purposes. Do you know what happened to Bob? A delegate lounging about SPAT on him. And, I got to know Bob. Bob is awesome, and I understand now why he was so angry. He is an Iraq veteran. He didn’t go to Iraq, but he was on duty, and he knew a number of friends who died in Iraq. He had recently attended a memorial service for one of them. And, his father was laid off by Enron and lost his pension.
So, excuse me for all the shout outs, but I really want all of you to know what the main media will probably not reveal (but Bob did get an interview with a reporter):
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION DELEGATE SPITS ON VETERAN
And, much later on, when Bob lost his voice, I shouted for him. When delegates were leaving the restaurant, Bob gave me a list of three friends who died in Iraq. One of them was 19 years old. For Bob and the dead, I read their names and demanded the delegates apologize. (No, we did not get one.) Instead, they laughed, at which point I asked them how hearing about dead people is funny.
When I shouted out about what the delegates thought about one of their fellow delegates spitting on a veteran, one of them called back, “It’s hilarious!” Let me shout out that for you: HILARIOUS.
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Monday, August 30
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION DELEGATE SPITS ON VETERAN
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 30 Aug 2004 06:24 PM CDT
Behind The Scenes in New York
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 30 Aug 2004 04:28 PM CDT
Behind The Scenes in New York
A Message from ACT The Republican National Convention kicked off in New York City just a few hours ago. As President Clinton said yesterday, "It's time for the Republicans to put on their compassionate face." If you can handle the hypocrisy of it all, you'll see a parade of moderate Republican all-stars - McCain and Giuliani tonight, Schwarzenegger tomorrow. Their rhetoric will be of patriotism and compassion, praising George Bush's "resolve" and "leadership" and reminding us all that we are a nation at war.  But something far more important is going on behind the scenes this week. Republican strategists are planning a systematic campaign of voter intimidation and repression. It's something they freely admit is key to GOP victories in November. This ghastly plan needs to be fought by each of us - and everyone we can tell. Ask 5 friends to join the fight for truth today. Ask them to sign this petition. This isn't spin or hearsay, this is documented fact. Over the past few years, Republican-led campaigns of voter repression and intimidation have affected countless federal, state and local races. Here are just a few of the most blatant recent examples: Philadelphia, PA, 2003: Voters in African-American neighborhoods were systematically challenged by men carrying clipboards, driving a fleet of some 300 sedans with magnetic signs designed to look like law enforcement insignia. [NAACP/PFAW 2004]. Michigan, 2004: One of Bush's Michigan advisors, State Rep. John Pappageorge (R-Troy) was quoted as saying "If we do not suppress the Detroit vote, we're going to have a tough time in this election." [Detroit Free Press, 7/16/04] Louisiana, 2003: Flyers were posted in public housing projects which read "Vote!!! Bad Weather? No problem!!! If the weather is uncomfortable on Election Day (Saturday December 7th) Remember you can wait and cast your ballot on Tuesday December 10th." [Times-Picayune (New Orleans), 12/12/02] Through your active support, you are leading the fight against these dirty tricks. We need you to stand up today and take ACTion. Help uncover this important story now before it's too late. Start fighting back now. Reveal these shocking stories to everyone you know. Sign the pledge and forward it on to at least 5 of your friends. Get this story out! Republicans have used these tactics for far too long. They are despicable and must be stopped. We fight back not by picketing or protesting but by educating voters and getting them out to the polls. This is what ACT is all about. http://actforvictory.org/act.php/home/petitions/intimidation We have just 63 days to go. Let's get to work! Ellen Malcolm President America Coming Together More Shocking Stories NAACP and People for the American Way A powerful report from the NAACP and People for the American Way was released on Friday that highlighted these and other shocking stories. Read it now for more information: http://www.naacp.org/news/releases/jimcrow.pdf Sunday's Protests in Manhattan AlterNet.org ...A police spokeswoman told AlterNet at 8:30 pm on Sunday night that 200 arrests were made, a relatively small amount considering the sheer number of protestors – at press time, organizers estimated 450,000 according to news reports while the police have not yet released a figure – and there were no immediate reports of violence. ...Virtually all those in attendance were donned in brightly-hued t-shirts, holding an equally colorful sign, or wearing a politically charged button, many of them laden with the sort of sardonic slogans that have become symbolic of the left's criticism of the Bush administration. One man wore a shirt that read "I'll Mess With Texas." A woman held a sign which said 'Yee-ha Is Not Foreign Policy.' One elderly man raised a placard asking "Whose Taxes Would Jesus Cut?" A young woman grinned as she hoisted a cardboard poster which demanded "Pull Out Like Your Father Should Have!" [Oops! Excuse me for that one. My bad. That's a little racy for this tame blog!] (more) Come back to Blog for Iowa in a couple of hours to read two first-hand accounts of yesterday's protest in NYC.
September 2nd Parties: You’re Invited!
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 30 Aug 2004 02:12 PM CDT
 September 2nd Parties: You’re Invited! Iowa City PartyMore Bush & Grassley? Fuhgeddabout it! Does the idea of another round of Republican "leadership" make you want to scream? Then join us for the Art Small Meet & Greet and Great American Shout Out at the Hamburg Inn Thursday, Sept. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 319-358-1210. Time: Thurs., September 2nd - 7:00 PM Location: Hamburg Inn #2 Address: 314 North Linn Street City, State: Iowa City, IA 52245 Please click here to RSVP. Bettendorf PartyThis September 2nd house party is a combination of the Democracy for the Quad Cities Meet Up and a Democracy for America House Party. The party will raise funds for both DFA and for the student Democrats at one of the local colleges. Click here for the party bat. Dr. Alta Price is hosting the event, and she asks that you NOT RSVP through Meet Up. They want the Meet Up to be canceled so that folks don’t show up at a restaurant somewhere with no one else there. The party will be held at Alta’s house in Bettendorf at 7pm on Thursday, September 2nd. If you don’t know how to get there, contact Alta at: aprice@democracyforiowa.com At 8:30pm, Howard Dean will be calling into the party!
Greet Bush in Des Moines Tomorrow (New Time!)
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 30 Aug 2004 10:20 AM CDT
"Greet" Bush in Des Moines Tomorrow (New Time!)
George W. Bush will be flying into Des Moines on Tuesday (tomorrow) to attend the Farm Progress show. We're assembling a giant welcoming committee of several hundred people to show him that Iowa is Kerry/Edwards Country. We will be meeting at 11:45 AM (NEW TIME) at the Iowa Democratic Party Field Office at 5661 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, directly across the street from the airport. As a special bonus, everyone who attends can take home a Kerry-Edwards yard sign. This event will be the only place where we'll be distributing yard signs for a while, so if you want them, you should come join us on Tuesday! Please RSVP at 515-558-9580 x331 (NEW EXTENSION). Carpooling is encouraged due to limited parking.
Connie Wilson: The Fog of War, Part 3
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 30 Aug 2004 06:17 AM CDT
The Fog of War, Part 3
by Connie Corcoran Wilson Where we left off: We hear LBJ saying, “We’re not getting out, but we’re trying to hold on to what we have,” and, later, “This is a nasty little war that has turned into a nasty middle-sized war. But America wins the wars she declares. Make no mistake about that!” McNamara tellingly declares (after Lesson #8, “Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning,” appears onscreen), “What makes us omniscient? Do we have a record of omniscience? None of our allies supported us. If we can’t persuade nations with comparable values of the rightness of our cause, we had better re-examine our reasons.” In Robert Dallek’s extensive biography of JFK (An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963.), on page 685, Dallek notes, “Briefings of McNamara tended to be sessions where people tried to fool him, and he tried to convince them they cannot.” In the film, McNamara also relates how Tommy Thompson, former Ambassador to Russia, stood up to the President during a meeting, telling him that he (JFK) was wrong about whether Russia would accept the intended blockade of Cuba. “We must try to put ourselves inside their skins,” said Thompson, echoing McNamara’s Rule #1. Were it not for cautionary voices like Thompson’s, war might have erupted with the Soviet Union during three crises that occurred on JFK’s and McNamara’s watch. But, during the Kennedy years, open debate was the name of the game. Intelligent dissent was encouraged, not discouraged. The lack of healthy debate in the current administration is a point made most tellingly in Paul O’Neill’s book “The Price of Loyalty.” Dissent is not encouraged and nobody dares stand up to the President. One is “assigned” to speak. In fact, Cabinet members are not even encouraged to speak in their areas of expertise, such as Christie Whitman (former Governor of New Jersey) of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on topics that one would think should be their bailiwick, such as the issue of global warming and what the US position on the Kyoto Protocol should be. There is no debate in the George W. Bush White House; it is filled with ideologues who have already made their conservative Christian minds up, and who follow few, if any, of McNamara’s “eleven lessons.” They most certainly do not attempt to apply Lesson 6 (Get the data), as we now know from the 9/11 Commission report, nor Lesson 7 (Belief and seeing are both often wrong), nor Lesson 8 (Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning.). more » |
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