Cindy going overboard? 'Protesters disrupt Dem conference on lobbying reform'

[Ninja Jordan]

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2007/01/01/daily13.html?from_rss=1

[madfloridian]

1. They actually stopped the conference? Of our new Democratic congress?

I resent that, and there are other ways.

[rockymountaindem]

2. I resent that too

But most here feel she can do no wrong. The meeting wasn't even about the war.

[Demoiselle]

5. I'm sorry that she did that...and although I am utterly sympathetic to her...

I don't believe she can do no wrong. You're making too sweeping a statement about us here.

[rockymountaindem]

7. I wasn't talking about people like you

Perhaps I misspoke. There seem to be a lot of people who think what she did was a great idea, though.

[AZBlue]

17. No, your statement was right.

That poster may not be among them, but there are many here at DU who feel Cindy Sheehan can do ABSOLUTELY NO WRONG. PERIOD. Thankfully, some are beginning to see things logically, but I believe there's always going to a certain number of members who would back her no matter what she said or did.

I started out backing her 110% - but over the last 12-18 months she's increasing lost my support with her attitudes, stunts and miscalculations. I believe that now she's actually hurting the very cause she supposedly supports. Perhaps her grief has blinded her to the reality of the situation, but I find this, and some of her other actions, not only reprehensible but completely stupid.

[GeorgeGist]

90. NO actually...

the Dems ran away.

[madfloridian]

95. If someone yelled where I could not be heard...I would leave also.

There is just something about outyelling elected Democrats without even giving them a chance.

[William769]

3. The Phelps syndrome?

[AZBlue]

19. What is the Phelps Syndrome?

I googled but didn't see it...

[David__77]

23. Your insinuation is disgusting. (Unless I misunderstand...)

Are you actually comparing anti-war fighter Cindy Sheehan, whose son was slaughtered in this immoral war, to FRED PHELPS, fascist, racist and anti-gay lunatic? If so, I must restrain what I wish to say in response...

[Tom Joad]

72. Seems that way. Talk about going overboard.

[IndianaGreen]

A disgusting comparison to the biggest homopho(b)e and hatemonger in the country :-)

You should be ashamed of yourself!

On edit:

Some of my fellow DUers got really excited at my subject line in which I had homophone, rather than homophobe. Sorry! Luv & kisses :-)

[Critters2]

51. Okay, this is both disrespectful and off topic

and I apologize in advance....but the word "homophone" made me chuckle. Now I keep wondering if it's a special electronic device helping gay folks speak to one another,

or if there's a special gay language spoken only by homophones...like Francophones, etc.

Sorry....carry on. ;)

[cui bono]

56. OMG you absolutely need one for gay phone sex. n/t

[Critters2]

59. I'm wondering why I don't have one. Do you have to be full-on gay,

or do bi types have to make a special application?

[cui bono]

62. I think if you're bi you need the conference calling option. n/t

[Critters2]

66. Thank you!! I'll look into it.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[AZBlue]

92. You can buy it in stores - it's on the shelf next to the gaydar detectors!

B-)

(sorry...I just couldn't resist...)

[Critters2]

108. I got me one of them, so I know where to look!! nt

[k_jerome]

4. it was overboard. and not constructive. nt.

[Mz Pip]

6. She's turning into

a real drama queen. I have so much sympathy for her because of the loss of her son. God only knows how I would have reacted had it been my son who died over there. But now she is just coming across as a media hound who is not doing our cause any good.

Want to trash the Democrats? Wait a bit and see what they do first. They've only been in power for about 5 minutes.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[timetoleave]

9. My problem is she is right about the need to

stop the war. Maybe she chose a wrong way but how else, the only way the madman in the White House will be stopped is to cut the funding, and the leadership will not even entertain that thought. That I'm afraid means nothing is done

[snowbear]

8. I know a couple of DU'ers will disagree.. but I too think she's going overboard..

As critical as she's been of the Democratic Party, I wouldn't be surprised if she's switched to the Green Party..

Whatever the case though.. we all feel badly about her son Casey, but seriously Cindy -- enough is enough.

[Cameron27]

76. This DUer agrees with you. n/t

[earthside]

10. Democrats for War

Well, people voted for Democrats last November ostensibly because they wanted U.S. troops out of Iraq.

But since November, most of what we have heard from the Democratic "leadership" has been -- stopping funding for the war is off the table -- maybe sending more troops will be okay -- we need to increase the size of the military -- impeachment is off the table.

I'd say Cindy Sheehan is keeping the pressure on these Democrats so that we can stop the senseless shedding of any more American (and Iraqi) blood.

Pro-war and cautious, spineless Democrats watch out!

Most of us stand with Cindy.

[madfloridian]

12. My God, give them a chance. Cindy is getting some bad advice.

She got some before, and I got attacked because I said so. I respect that she lost her son, but we are anti-war also. I want our Democrats to have a chance to get things organized.

Cindy should not have done this.

And stop being ugly to those who disagree. Our Democrats have a rough road ahead to save this country.

[mzmolly]

69. Agree fully.

:hi:

[Tom Joad]

70. Rahm Emanuel was instrumental in recruiting war supporters to run on the Dem ticket.

he is doing a heckuva job.

[madfloridian]

87. If you think I like Rahm read my journal.

Cindy is not perfect, I am not the bad guy.

[Ninja Jordan]

99. Like who?

[Mz Pip]

13. I'm sure her tactics

will be most affective in changing the minds of said Democrats. :eyes:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

14. We must not be reading the same newspapers.

Because I haven't seen any great enthusiasm for extending our stay in Iraq from our side of the aisle. As for suspending funding for the war being off the table, I'd like you to cite some examples of Democrats actually saying that. Furthermore, impeachment has nothing to do with ending the war.

[earthside]

22. Here Ya Go

Levin Advises Bush: Tell Iraq U.S. Military Support Isn't Forever - Detroit News

... Levin also made what is probably his strongest statement yet that Democrats should not threaten to cut off funding for the war if Bush refuses to change course. Because the Constitution places control of foreign affairs and the military in the president's hands, Congress's only real power to force a change is exercising control over the budget. And in January, when a $100 billion-plus war-spending package comes before Congress, they will have that chance. But using the "power of the purse" would be a bad move, Levin said.

Democrats Expected to Increase U.S. Military Spending - Aaron Glantz/One World/CommonDreams.org

Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress are likely to drive U.S. military budgets even higher in 2007, experts say.

Brief Troop Surge OK in Iraq, Reid Says - Washington Post

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Sunday he would support a temporary troop increase in Iraq only if it were part of a broader strategy to bring combat forces home by early 2008. ...

It really boils down to this: Democrats have two ways to force Bush to bring our troops home. One, they can cut the funding for future deployments and/or waging the war. Or, two, they can threaten to change the 'commander-in-chief' (and his sidekick) through impeachment.

If Bush and Cheney will not abide by the will of the American people to end this war, then they should be thrown out of office -- impeachment has everything to do with ending the war.

If Democrats do not use the only power they have by cutting the funding to get the troops home, then I hope Cindy Sheehan disrupts every press conference they have.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

24. What a bunch of fucking bullshit.

A vague statement from Levin, an irrelevant article that has nothing to do with troop levels or funding for the war, and something that's completely out of date containing statements Reid has already repudiated.

Do you collect dirt on Democrats as a hobby?

Bush ain't getting his surge. And people who have nothing better to do than verbally eviscerate the Democratic party are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother posting here, given the rampant vitriol aimed elected Democrats.

Fine. I'm sure Cindy Sheehan's protest will bring a propmpt end to the war, just like all of the other anti-war protests over the past four years have done so much to end it.

[earthside]

35. Hack Partisanship

So here we go already ... holding Democrats accountable for their own policy statements is "collecting dirt"?!

That attitude reflects the same intolerant political philosphy as the Bushites.

Sheehan is making sure that the position of the majority of the American people is heard ... I'm sure a DLC-type Democrat like Rahm Emanuel would like to see the Iraq mess swept under the carpet. Or, as long as Bush gets all the blame it doesn't matter how many GIs or Iraqis get killed.

But Democrats are going to have to deal with this problem; I don't think we are in the mood to again go through the agony of what it took to get us out of Vietnam.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

104. What policy statements?

It amounts to "I might consider something, maybe, but only under the right conditions, which don't exist."

There is no policy statement from the Democrats on the war. And there won't be until Bush announces whatever is stupid plan is going to be.

As a candidate for office from the Green party, I'm sure you feel free to make whatever "policy statements" you want, safe in the knowledge that you'll never have to actually implement any of your agenda. But then again, should I really be surprised to find a Green trashing Democrats? Your party has contributed so much to the political reality of the 21st century.

After having run as a Green in a district where the Democrat lost by about 120 votes, your come here and expect us to take your positions seriously?

Get real.

[Critters2]

54. Please. I heard a long discussion of this on that most rightwing of media

outlets, NPR, just this afternoon.

"The Leadership" is in full "rollover and play dead" mode.

Just as I predicted.

[KingFlorez]

91. Give me a break

The new Congress hasn't even been sworn in yet, give them a chance to find the solution.

[unlawflcombatnt]

98. I agree

The undertone coming from the newly elected Democratic Congress seems to be that of not doing anything to stop Bush's Iraq policy. Furthermore, they're they going to even try very hard.

The newly elected Democrats need to worry more about getting the U.S. out of Iraq, and less about whether some Right-Winger considers them "soft on terror."

The newly elected Dems need to stop trying to "split the difference" with the Republi-thugs, and start worrying about their Democratic base that wants our troops out of Iraq.

There is no "winning" option. We have only 2 options remaining.
#1. Leave now and lose, or
#2. Leave later and lose badly.

The latter option will result in far more American and Iraqi deaths than the former course.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

106. In the interest of full disclosure...

Noting the link in your sig and your username, before you start trashing Democrats, perhaps you should have mentioned that you were a Green party candidate for the House from Colorado:

Dave Chandler and his family have made their home in Arvada, Colorado, for over fifteen years. He, and his wife have two children attending public schools. He is a stay-at-home dad and is editor of www.Earthside.com. He presently writes editorials and political commentary mostly for web-based publications.

Dave was chairperson of the local Sierra Club-Rachel Carson Group from 2001-2002 and was chairperson of the Accountability Committee at his daughter's school from 2002 to 2004. He has previously run for Arvada city council and has been a leader in balanced growth and government reform efforts in Arvada since 1995.

Chandler was the Green Party candidate for U.S. House of Representatives for Colorado's Seventh Congressional District in 2002. He was a delegate to the 2004 Green Party National Convention in Milwaukee, he is a past chair of the Green Party of Colorado, and is the current chair of the Green Party of Jefferson County.


Sourced here:
http://www.metrodenvergreens.org/2006/05/index.html

I have no idea whether you acknowledge your political affiliation on DU, but it stands to reason that your Green Party affiliation is highly relevant when you start trashing Dems on their first day in the majority.

[leveymg]

11. It can be a difficult transition from opposition activist to coalition builder

Requires two different approaches and skills sets. The strange thing is that she's done both pretty well in the past.

I think you only get a few second-chances to change gears after something like this.

[Ninja Jordan]

15. The ironic thing is that lobbying reform may actually help PREVENT another unneeded war

A Congress that isn't in the pockets of big business lobbyists is a Congress that doesn't vote for wars of choice.

[welshTerrier2]

21. excellent point!

of course, in many ways, the missing piece is that leading Democrats have failed to cite corporate greed as the MOTIVATION for war ... that's the ultimate tragedy here ... they'll argue they were mislead (they were); they'll argue bush and rumsfeld are inept (they are); they'll argue for diplomacy (they have) ... but they just will not say what I think most of them know is the truth: it's all about money and greed ...

the Democratic Party's focus on the war is more of a "bush screwed it up" theme ... until the Democrats get serious about Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex, we are going to find ourselves in another Iraq and another and another and another ...

as the old song goes, "when will they ever learn" ???

[cui bono]

61. You're right. I was glad to hear Olbermann say it last night

And the war’s second accomplishment — your second accomplishment, sir — is to have taken money out of the pockets of every American, even out of the pockets of the dead soldiers on the battlefield, and their families, and to have given that money to the war profiteers.

Because if you sell the Army a thousand Humvees, you can’t sell them any more until the first thousand have been destroyed.

The service men and women are ancillary to the equation.

This is about the planned obsolescence of ordnance, isn’t, Mr. Bush? And the building of detention centers? And the design of a $125 million courtroom complex at Gitmo, complete with restaurants.

At least the war profiteers have made their money, sir.

[flpoljunkie]

25. A Congress that continues to allow lobbyists to hold fundraisers for them is not really reforming.

What the Democrats have proposed as lobbying reform is a start--but only the beginning of real reform. As long as lobbyists can literally serve as fundraising chairmen for members of Congress, the Democrats' current proposals are reform in name only.

[Eric J in MN]

29. Real lobbying reform, yes. Not this bill, which is full of loopholes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3039651&mesg_id=3039651

[Jim Lane]

93. But the loopholes got no exposure because the press conference was cut off!

I would have no problem if people wanted to stand outside the press conference and protest the lobbying bill that was the subject being addressed. Sure, it wouldn't please Emanuel and the other Democratic leaders, but too bad -- we don't enforce "Kumbaya unity".

In this case, though, the message being sent was, "There is no issue worthy of Congress's attention except Iraq." That's just silly. It makes the antiwar movement look silly. Cindy Sheehan has done a lot of good, but this tactic seems likely to alienate many Americans who are disgusted with the way the lobbyists buy Congress, or who are struggling to get by on an inadequate minimum wage, or who know that their country is going deeply into hock so as to transfer hundreds of billions of dollars to the rich.

To stop the war we need a coalition. This kind of tactic undercuts coalition-building efforts.

[wordpix]

58. Iraq for Sale (the video) made that clear: iraqforsale.com

[welshTerrier2]

16. mixed feelings but i'm OK with this

every issue has its constituency ... would the protests have occurred if the Dems chose to make gay rights JOB ONE? how about global warming? election fraud? poverty? some issue had to go first ... lobby reform is critically important and might have even prevented the invasion of Iraq had the proper controls been in place ... after all, the lobbyists for the war were the military-industrial complex and Big Oil ... they're making millions on the war ... the anti-war protesters are rightfully passionate about their cause and, in my view, are under no obligation whatsoever to accept "being silenced" ... they have as much right to speak out and protest and take advantage of the Democrats "Day One" public forum as any legislator or any other citizen ... that's the bottom line ...

this was a very public stage and the protesters used it to their advantage ... the Democrats are free to choose any issue they wanted to make JOB ONE but they are not above criticism by those who disagree with their choices ...

some have said to "give the Dems a chance ... they just got there" ... fair enough from one perspective but the truth is that the Dems have thus far shown very little stomach to "stop bush" from prosecuting the war ... and it's not just about cutting off funds and it's not just about whether the Congress has any ultimate authority to conduct foreign policy ... it's about what the Party is telling the American people about the war ... perhaps you agree with their message; perhaps you don't ... either way, it's fair to say that today's demonstrators do not agree with the Democratic message on Iraq and they have every right to protest ...

i'm not overly fond of preventing people from being heard and that's the down side to this protest ... the Congressional Dems should have been able to address the public ... but those calling for the silencing of the protesters FOR ANY REASON are just as wrong ...

OF THE PEOPLE; BY THE PEOPLE; FOR THE PEOPLE ... let the citizens speak in the public square ... let no King silence them ...

[MonkeyFunk]

18. It was

a stupid thing to do. She needs better advisors.

[katsy]

20. Free Speech.

I'll always defend her right to exercise that right. Anywhere. Anyplace.

It's not like a bunch of Democratic Reps joined her when she was protesting outside of Crawford.

I don't know what I would become if I lost my only son in bush's* war of lies. Homocidal most likely... I'm a hot head though.

In any case... the voters gave a clear mandate to the Democrats in the last election. If the polls are to be believed, the nation wants an end to this war.

It may have been more appropriate to address the nation about the Iraq war rather than lobbying reform. Every one of Speaker Pelosi's goals for the 1st 100 hours could be accomplished post haste. But the 1st conference should have addressed our position about the war. Again, that would have been desireable if you believe the polls that Americans want this war stopped now. The Democrats felt lobbying reform would placate the voters. I don't agree.

I will never take sides against an individual's right to free speech.

[flordehinojos]

26. keep them on track. keep them on focus. keep them atuned to our voices.

thank you cindy sheehan for having just done that.

[IndianaGreen]

27. Rahm Emmanuel was babbling about lobbying reform while Iraq looms

Get it through your heads, Democratic members of Congress, you were given control of Congress for one reason and one reason only: Stop the war in Iraq!

The test will come next week when Bush announces an escalation in the war, surge and accelerate.

[Imagevision]

28. They're politicians, they must be observed and held accountable just like repugs!!

[madfloridian]

30. You don't shut down news conferences of your own party...

before they even take over.

This is just too much.

[IndianaGreen]

33. People are dying, and the DLC doesn't care!

They are as prowar as the other side. Democrats were not given control of Congress for lobbying reform or even minimum wage increases, however important those two issues are. The American people voted for change in Iraq, not more of the same!

[mzmolly]

38. Indeed America did vote for change, and we will implement that change.

:hi:

[Critters2]

55. And when will that happen, exactly? nt

[mzmolly]

65. March 13?

:eyes:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3039716&mesg_id=3039716

[IndianaGreen]

77. You do realize that there is a mass antiwar gathering on January 27

in Washington DC being organized by United for Peace and Justice? This March 13th thingy may not work at all!

[mzmolly]

79. Oh no, not an antiwar gathering?!

;)

Good, we must "gather." The bottom line though is that Democrats are aware that the MAJORITY of Americans want an end to this war. They are also aware that America is looking to THEM for a solution. However, demonstrating is something I'm all for.

[IndianaGreen]

82. I think it is scheduled to take place during State of Union Address

This is a counter to Bush's previous SOTUS of purple fingers and other Iraqi guests.

[mzmolly]

84. Good to know, thanks.

:)

[mzmolly]

31. Yes she is, given Democrats have promised policy that will seek an end to the war.

We don't need her protest - just yet. :shrug:

[IndianaGreen]

34. Democrats have promised hearings on Iraq

Bush has retorted with his surge and accelerate.

As much as many of them will hate to do it, Democrats will have to vote on the war. Support the surge, or vote to bring the troops home. At stake, keeping control of Congress in 2008.

[mzmolly]

37. No, they promised policy to end the war in Iraq.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070103/ap_on_go_co/congress_rdp_4

[Ninja Jordan]

39. Good link, thanks.

Using FACTS is always ood strategy against some here who wish to bash the non-Kucinich wing of the party.

[mzmolly]

45. Thanks.

It's annoying as hell when we do the right thing, and it gets no attention. We have said in no uncertain terms, time and time again, we will CHANGE POLICY IN IRAQ, and look to END THE WAR.

I don't get the pretense behind the "democrats must fight to end the war" movement. < That is a great big "NO SHIT." ;)

[Critters2]

57. "Look to end the war"?! How about just END THE WAR?!!

What does "look to" mean, exactly?

[wordpix]

60. Iraqis: We're broke and we're leaving

We'll buy your oil on the world market but meanwhile, we've spent a trillion on this war and that's it, King GeorgeBushit is getting cut off his addiction to war. If you want to try BushCo in your courts, we'll be glad to hand the lot of them over.

[mzmolly]

63. That means we still have a President who isn't LOOKING to end the war.

Democrats didn't use the words "look to" I did. See my post in GD, that is getting little attention because we'd all rather bitch apparently? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3039716&mesg_id=3039716

[PVnRT]

103. Wow, it's so easy!

Especially since the House orders the military around! All they have to do is say "STOP!" really loud!

Amazing how some people think that winning an election means you get everything you want within the first 60 seconds of a Congressional session. The first battle is going to be over the surge, not over withdrawing troops.

[DemBones DemBones]

74. Sounds like you want to bash

"the Kucinich wing of the party," which would also be the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. Democrats were put in power to end the war.

[IndianaGreen]

40. Policy must follow hearings

Biden and Conyers' hearings will be crucial to debunk Bush's claims that the surge is needed. A vote to bring the troops home is inevitable no matter what Pelosi and Reed say. The American people expect the Democrats to make a difference, not rearrange the furniture. A vote against Bush's surge is what is demanded.

[mzmolly]

42. Who's talking about rearranging the furniture?

Aside from a few vocal egomaniacs on the left, that is. WE KNOW we were elected to change policy in Iraq. Democrats have given every indication that they will be UNITED in refusing Bush's "surge." However, I am certain people will bitch no matter what we do.

[madfloridian]

44. Well, if Cindy et al intend to keep shutting things down...

how will they get things done.

Is there some courtesy somewhere here? Or not.

What about health care issues. Will she shut those conferences down also.

This was wrong.

Not all of the Dems are DLC, they need to be given some kind of chance.

[IndianaGreen]

47. Guess what? Can't do health care unless you stop the war!

The war is costing in lives and in money. No peace, no health care, no nothing on the Democratic agenda.

[madfloridian]

50. Yes, you can.

Tunnel vision is going on right now, and a lot of people are wanting to hear our Democrats speak. I want to hear their press conferences or I won't know what they are saying.

So I guess you will have to call me a Good German again, IG. I thnk she has no right to keep the Dems from being heard.

[Ninja Jordan]

52. Civil Rights legislation was enacted in the middle of Vietnam.

[MaggieSwanson]

109. Um, I think I missed something.

There is nothing in the link about a policy to end the war in Iraq.

The closest thing I could find was part of a sentence, "and constant prodding of the Bush administration to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq".

:shrug:

[zulchzulu]

32. Thank you Cindy!

I'm glad she's at the front line making sure Democrats don't bow down to ANYTHING the Republicans want.

Screw them. This is no time for "Kumbaya unity". The Republicans mock Democrats behind closed doors for wanting "unity".

It's time to slam them against the wall and make sure they know who's boss. Make sure there is fear in their eyes. And then it's time to wave the subpoenas in their face and get down to business. Impeachment should be front and center...no shouldas, no couldas, no excuses...

Anyone who thinks they want to be "bipartisan" or suddenly change their dirty ways is a sucker. Period.

[Ninja Jordan]

36. Kumbaya unity? 'Democrats Dictate Plans for Congress, GOP Says'

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6718656

Find another party if you dislike this one so much.

[zulchzulu]

96. Exsqueeze me?

I've seen it all before. This is no time for paper tigers. No time to let the leash go loose. Yank the damn thing around their neck the more they whine.

As far as me finding another party if I don't like this one so much, you completely misunderstood what I was saying.

I'm a salty damn soldier for the Democrats...I don't want ANY appeasement to the Republicans.

They are NOT to be trusted. Would you trust a pit bull that has bitten you on the neck a hundred times? That is how we need to look at the next two years.

They are to be punished for the hell they have created in this country the past 6 years...and they are even complicit in screwing up this country since the 1970s.

No time to acquiesce...they plan on pulling the same tricks they have been doing again and again.

Bush needs to be sent a message as serious as a heart attack.

He will not escalate the war, he will not destroy social security, he will not get anyone else on the Supreme Court, he will be stomped on and leave his term in utter, complete shame. He will indeed go down as a laughing stock for the history books.

[citizen snips]

41. she should have let Emanual finish his speech.

I though it was a bit rude.

[IndianaGreen]

46. I'll tell you what is rude: 3,004 dead GIs, over 600,000 dead Iraqis

Heckling a politician, a common occurrence in the UK, is the highest expression of freedom of speech.

Personally, I wouldn't have done it to Emmanuel, at least until Bush's surge came up for discussion in Congress and only if Emmanuel wanted to go along with it. Having said that, I am not going to criticize Sheehan or the Women in Pink for being outspoken. We have been shutout for the public discourse for 4 years war, and that's long enough!

[citizen snips]

48. she should have requested a meeting with the democrats

now with this she will probably get nothing.

[IndianaGreen]

49. How many GIs will die this week?

Don't let this war become a Democratic war!

[citizen snips]

53. I agree

I just think there are better ways of articulating someone's opinion.

[IndianaGreen]

75. Do you remember what a pest Act Up was on AIDS?

Act Up activists were making themselves obnoxiously present at every event in order to bring attention to AIDS. They even threw condoms at a homophobic Cardinal!

Guess what? Act Up performed a valuable public service in rousing people from their self-induced stupor about AIDS. They got the point across that AIDS was not a "gay disease" but a disease that did not discriminate among its victims. They are the ones that made the Red Cross accountable for not warning hemophiliacs that the blood supply was contaminated.

These antiwar activists are doing the same thing Act Up did. They refuse to let us take a nap while people are being killed in Iraq.

[DemBones DemBones]

80. Act Up disrupted Masses and threw consecrated Hosts on the floor.

How would you feel if protesters disrupted services in synagogues and threw the Torah on the floor?

Act Up's behavior was inexcusable. They could have protested effectively without committing sacrilegious acts.


Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink ought to give the Dems a chance to act rather than disrupting at this point.

[IndianaGreen]

85. I don't think Jesus was hurt when he was thrown on the floor

and many of those Act Up members were Catholics that were really pissed at the way they got treated by their Church.

Would I done that? No, I wouldn't because it was bad manners. Despite of Act Up's "excesses" and "zealotry" they made their point. A point that should have been made about a Church hierarchy that not only ignored AIDS, but protected sexual predators among its clergy, and pushed for policies in Africa that spread AIDS.

Sometimes bad manners are not as bad as bad conduct by those in authority.

[citizen snips]

81. Good point

I can now see your point that tactics can bring about more awareness. I should also add that I do not have a favorable opinion of Emanuel because he chose to ignore a NC house race where a democrat lost by a small margin.

[Tom Joad]

73. She has been meeting with Dems. Pelosi promises us that the war will be fully funded.

Time to fight back!

[IndianaGreen]

78. The only funding should be earmarked for troop withdrawals

This Congress must do what a previous Congress did during Vietnam War and defund this war. Otherwise we will go on as we have for the next two years.

[Tom Joad]

83. Exactly. Pelosi doesn't get it. YET.

[Tom Joad]

68. oh my god, bad etiquette! Just because he supports a war with over 600,000 victims...

No reason to be rude!

[citizen snips]

71. read my other posts

[TheDonkey]

105. very rude and ignorant. Right now she's just burning bridges

very sad to see.

[Catchawave]

43. Sorry Cindy

I liked your message better when you went after Bushco.

[Tom Joad]

64. Dems shrinking from their responsibility to end the war?

[Tom Joad]

67. Rahm Emanuel was instrumental in recruiting war supporters to run on the Dem ticket.

Rahm should let Cindy Speak. and hang his head in shame.

Edited for citation:
http://www.counterpunch.org/walsh10242006.html

[beaconess]

86. And thanks to some of these "war supporters," Dems, not Repubs now control Congress nt

[SaveElmer]

88. Name them...

Name these Democratic war supporters that Rahm recruited, and please provide citation for your assertion of their views.

[ruggerson]

89. Hey Cindy

If you wish to run for Congress, I will gladly welcome your entry into the debate, and if I prefer your message to your opponent, will enthusiastically support your candidacy with time, energy and resources.

But, you see, when you disrupt a Democratic news conference, on the eve of the good guys taking power for the first time in twelve years, and by your disruption, you do not permit our elected leaders to exercise their right to free speech, what you are doing is effectively disenfranchising all the people who worked so hard to elect a Democratic congress.

I want the leaders in this congress to effectively communicate what they are doing to the public as they are doing it.

I also want to give them a chance to get off the ground and fly.

You did not do that today, Cindy.

You stopped the people we voted for from communicating with us.

It was not an action I can support, condone or appreciate.

[bling bling]

94. I think it was pretty brilliant, really.

And I wouldn't call myself the biggest Cindy supporter, here, either.

She shut down the Dems news conference and now SHE's the news. Her anti-war movement is the news.

I don't think she could have gotten this kind of coverage so easily any other way.

Agree with her methods or not, she did a fantastic job of accomplishing her goal.

And the Dems will just have to deal with it. They deserve it, even, based on the way they as a group bent over for the GOP for the last 6 years. They didn't gain control of the congress because everybody thought they were doing such a swimmingly fabulous job. They narrowly eeked out a majority win because the Republicans have gone insane or something and people view the Dems as the only hope to stop the madness.

The parents of the soldiers didn't send their own children to an illegal war. Bush did. And Cindy went after him first. He refused to listen so she's targeting the Dems. That doesn't sound all that irrational to me, even if it means she had to shut down their news conference on lobbyists. She thinks the war should be the front and center issue. It's hard to disagree with that, really, considering the circumstances.

[midnight]

97. It is hard to say. Someone who is so outraged by innocent

people dying, and making it known, at a time when it is a well known fact that this war is a lost cause might think it is their civic right. They are already surging. They are shipping two more ships over to the middle east as we type. Perhaps her disruption was to draw attention to that horrible fact.

[Vidar]

100. Rahm Emmanuel deserves to be disrupted. Kudos to Cindy!

[jonnyblitz]

107. my thoughts exactly!!

:thumbsup:

[tavalon]

101. Finally, I get an actual report about what happened

I showed up here in the middle of the night and saw so much angst about whether she did the right thing and blah, blah, blah. This democracy thing is so messy, isn't it? If the leadership is smart, they will get her in for a talk and if they are smarter, they will start holding town meetings with their constituents so that people don't have to resort to this sort of messy democratic action to feel they are being heard. Barring that, though, I think what they did was right. Right but unfortunately messy.

[happydreams]

102. Sheehan is doing what needs to be done. The pro-war

democrats like Rahm Emmanuel are, in many ways, worse than the Repugs. Sheehan is calling attention to the fact that Bush was not challenged by the democrats prior to the war. IMHO she is also more in tune with what the American people want than the elected officials.

STOP THE WAR!!!