Are any of you planning to attend the big anti-war event in DC this weekend? If so, would you like to report on it for MM.com? If so, drop me a line and I’ll fax you and hand-drawn press pass.
Here, in case you haven’t heard about the event, is a little clip from the Washington Post:
Organizers said they are mobilizing nationwide for what could be the largest war protest since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq more than two years ago. Various coalitions are organizing buses, vans and carpools to bring in protesters from across the country.
“We can anticipate 100,000 people,” said Cmdr. Cathy Lanier, who supervises the police department’s special operations division. “There will be mothers, grandmothers and children — a huge, diverse group. They are very peaceful. We have been meeting with them regularly.”
The umbrella organizations staging the rally — United for Peace and Justice and the ANSWER Coalition — say they represent thousands of people and dozens of causes. They obtained permits for public areas that can hold about 100,000 people.
Organizers are asking protesters to gather at 11 a.m. Saturday on the Ellipse, where the rally is scheduled to take place. The march will cover a stretch of streets in the blocks surrounding the White House and Justice Department and wind up at the Washington Monument, organizers said.
Counter-demonstrators, who are planning rallies before and after the antiwar gathering, are expected along the march route.
16 Comments
Funny, I thought the war on Iraq was over and we were just trying to stabilize the government there.. I guess we are still at war with them though if you’re on the side of the “insurgents”.
John’s absolutely right. I saw the “Mission Accomplished” banner a few years ago.
I wonder if a hand-drawn press pass from markmaynard.com would be enough to keep someone from being arrested.
I didn’t get word that the war on terror was over, John. Or are you talking about some other war? It’s hard to keep up.
the poster said end the war on Iraq.
And Vietnam wasn’t a war either. It was a “police action.”
Call it what you will, I think that most people can look at the sign and figure out the meaning.
Are we attacking the iraqis or just killing the “millitants” most of whom are from syria and other islamo-fascist states. Its kinda like saying that during WWII when the alies were trying to rid france of the Nazi’s it was a war against France. I guess the definition of we are at war against depends on which side you are on. In the case of Vietnam were we attacking Vietnam or the VietCong? I’m sure Jane Fonda would argue the former..
Are the militants mostly composed of non-Iraqis? I wasn’t aware that that had been established as a fact. I was under the impression that most were Iraqis, but some are Baathists, some are Al Qaida sympathists, and some are people pissed off about having foreign troops in their country.
If you could provide a link (not just cut and paste a section from an article without linking) to support the notion that they are mostly non-Iraqi, JG, I’d like to see it.
BTW, most of the liberals I know don’t give a shit about Jane Fonda or her views, past or present.
Ugh, I always think of something to add after posting.
JG, I don’t want to suggest that I think the militants are ALL Iraqi, there definitely have been foreigners coming into Iraq to stir up shit. But I haven’t heard it established that MOST militants are non-Iraqi.
The most recent evidence (see the link I post a few days ago) seems to suggest that more and more of the so-called insurgents are Iraqis.
A few points for you to consider:
1) All the anti-war protest will have zero impact on when the USA gets out of Iraq.
2) All the rhetoric and hate spewed by BOTH sides (pro- and anti-war/Bush) serves to feed a psychological demon which is controlling BOTH through their partisan hate and “passionate” venom.
3) BOTH sides are missing the point ENTIRELY because Bush is not now now nor never has he EVER been in control of the unfolding crisis.
4) The Iraq War is NOT AT ALL about fighting Terrorism, profiteering from the oil business, Anglo-American imperialism, defending/promoting democracy, a neocon crusade, or ANYTHING ELSE that your left or right wing dogma orders you to believe.
5) Despite your desprate need to justify your passionate hate, the fact remains that your partisan efforts, whether for or against ANY of these issues, lose all relevancy as soon as you open your mouth and start beating a red or blue drum.
6) Of course, you can NEVER admit this, because what good would all your hate be then? What value would your passionate anti/pro propaganda have? So of course, your “sense of moral and/or civic responsiblity” reassures you that yes, beating those drums is a “good” thing, and if I denounce both sides then I must be abrogating those responsibilities. Of course.
7) Meanwhile, the true story behind the current crisis is unheard of and not talked about by ANY of you, because it does not feed the angry demon of duality who controls your minds.
8) Have a nice day.
Come on, don’t keep us in suspense… What is the “true story”?
I’m suspecting the illuminati.
You had me until 8. And yes Cathy, its me!
Abbie-
You had me until 1.
The event seems to have gone well.
Here’s the report from the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/24/AR2005092401701.html
And comments from some of the participants at Think Progress:
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/09/25/only-400-people-showed-up/#comments
It looks like while our side turned out 100,000 to 300,000 people, the pro-war folks were only able to muster 400 for their counter protest.