Dear CODEPINK:

[cali]

Seeing as you post here, I'm hoping you'll see this post and respond. I have a question:

What do you think you're accomplishing by such acts as occupying Pelosi's office, setting up "Camp Pelosi", and disrupting dem run Committee hearings?

My observation is that your organiztion is swiftly alienating people; not drawing them to your side. Even on DU, which is composed of people who are considerably to the left of the general public, most people don't think you're recent tactics are helpful .

I look forward to a response.

[Catherine Vincent]

1. That wasn't CODEPINK, it was CODESTINK.

:)

[izzybeans]

2. Seconded. Alienating is right.

I disagree with the tactic for that reason alone. There is a time when agitation must turn to the pursuit of allies. Agitating an ally isn't a good strategic move.

[PurpleChez]

3. There is often a fine line between activism and exhibitionism,

but I would give the benefit of the doubt to activism, until convinced otherwise.

[AikidoSoul]

71. Much of activism is theater. Resource-wise activists use theater to their advantage.

It's a legitimate tool and it definitely gets a reaction.

Some DUers worry me about their expectations -- it's like they think if activists are quiet and polite that they will be "seen" and "respected" -- but the truth is that they are most often invisible.

If anyone has lobbied on the hill for attention and consideration you gotta know that the odds are next to impossible to get anyone's attention.

[The Count]

125. True. But was it to OUR ADVANTAGE? - this is the question here.

[proud2BlibKansan]

143. It's about ending the war - period

It isn't about playing any political games.

[Kagemusha]

4. They know this bill may make the Democratic party look better but

it'll do nothing to end the war a day sooner.

I don't think CODEPINK is gonna do anything to end the war a day sooner either. The only thing that's gonna do that is more bodybags and more administration failures beyond some critical point that I don't even know realistically exists in a "low intensity" conflict with a stubborn President immune to public criticism.

[cali]

12. I disagree.

The supplemental is a step towards ending the war. It took something like thirty proposed bills to end the Vietnam war. Had Pelosi gone with legislation to simply defund the war, she wouldn't have even been able to muster 80 votes. It would have collapsed any effort to end the war before 2009.

[karlrschneider]

17. Exactly. Smart politics is the art of accomplishing the possible...

not tilting at windmills. Wanting everything RFN (right fucking now) is part of the mindset that got us into this mess in the first place. Sadly, there's no pie in the real world's sky.

[Kagemusha]

24. So what would the next 29 be over? There's only 1 war supplemental per year.

So why would another 29 be considered whatsoever, except insofar as Bush vetoes this one? And if he vetoes this one, how is it not going to result in "a worse bill" just like Pelosi said a House defeat would? What's she gonna do, not fund the troops, period? I might, but I don't expect it of her.

So I guess I just don't understand.

[nadinbrzezinski]

132. bush has sent a bill every two months on average

since they do not include the cost of the war in the regular budget.

So there will be more

[Lydia Leftcoast]

87. It's a "step" that leaves the door wide open for the Bushboy

to attack Iran, as well as allowing the Iraq debacle to continue.

It's a chickenshit initiative. It is utterly appalling and shameful that the Democratic Party can't UNITE to demand withdrawal from the four-year extended war crime of the Iraq invasion and occupation.

Withdraw by September 2008? Puh-leeze! We could lose another 3,000 military personnel and a few hundred thousand Iraqi civilians in that time.

That was no triumph. It was a pathetic gesture by a party that refuses to stand up for the best interests of this country.

[Jack Sprat]

131. I think you are right.

I don't want to think you are right, but I think you are. People want an end to this war and its' expenses, both human and monetary. The waste is a tragedy.

[nadinbrzezinski]

133. You did miss the statement both houses have made

regarding Iran, didn't you?

As to casualties, well, it took three years, read it again, THREE YEARS to defund Nam...

It will take, quite possibly, just as long, and for god sakes they had better numbers too

[helderheid]

5. It's a tactic I wouldn't have chosen but they have every right - and this war is evoking very strong

emotions in us all.

[cali]

8. Of course they have every right

I just don't understand what they hope to accomplish. Alienating people doesn't make them effective.

[Moochy]

35. Nancy might just switch Parties!!!

If Code pink annoys her once more I swear she's gonna take Joe Liebermann with her to the republican party! I'm Series!!1111 don't make our leaders mad! they may be alienated! :sarcasm:

[AikidoSoul]

76. Politicians expect activists to put pressure on them. Don't worry about

whether Code Pinkers "alienate" them.

Dems look at groups like Code Pink as a normal component of politics. Posturing. Theater.

Really.

Thank heavens for Code Pink -- at least they're out there, visible, and doing something with spirit and energy to show that there is a real movement to end the war.

[tblue]

6. Why don't they camp out at Republics' offices?!!!! That I could back!

[Kagemusha]

9. Because they know R's won't listen and thought D's might.

They have been proven wrong on the latter so they might as well go home now.

[karlrschneider]

7. Well, they certainly provide more than enough ammuniton for the RW to hit us with.

The broad brush is called that for a very good reason.
:eyes:

[proud2BlibKansan]

144. Funny thing - the rw is pretty much ignoring them

I read rw blogs every day. And I read DU and other lw blogs.

Wanna guess who is more critical of Code Pink this week?

[dbackjon]

10. Agreed

Personally, I think the tactics of CODEPINK do more harm than good.

[The Count]

11. They should target the ones with the decision power to end war (Bushco)

The democrats just managed to introduce in the discourse the ending of the war, and make Bush say that he'd rather starve the troops than end it. Why not stage a protest against that?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. Agreed Cali. They've Completely Lost Their Way.

[mzmolly]

14. The funny thing is we didn't have a "Camp Hastert."

Thanks for questioning Cali.

[The Count]

18. Nope. Protesting Hillary more than Bush too.

[mzmolly]

19. Seems "odd" frankly.

I wonder about infiltration as well? I hate to speculate in this regard but if the shoe fits???

[Hissyspit]

15. Here's part of the answer...

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/49585

Disrupting Power: A CODEPINK Activist Explains How to Stand on Your Chair and Yell for Justice

By Gayle Brandeis, AlterNet. Posted March 22, 2007.

One activist's story of finding her courage to speak up to the powerful.

- snip -

I remember seeing Medea Benjamin confront Donald Rumsfeld during a hearing on TV several years ago, shortly before CODEPINK was founded; it was my first glimpse of Medea, and I was utterly exhilarated by her courage. I continue to be deeply inspired when I witness CODEPINKers disrupting conventions and hearings and speeches, putting their bodies on the line to speak for peace. I work to promote peace as a writer, but writing from the safety of my home feels very different from standing directly in front of the powers that be and demanding change. Last week, watching footage of our own Midge in her hot pink IMPEACH BUSH shirt standing behind Valerie Plame, I felt such a swell of admiration and pride.

- snip -

Jodie Evans arrived, looking like the goddess she is in all her pink glory, shortly after Hilda Solis started to speak. Jodie joined me at the table and we commiserated as Solis pimped No Child Left Behind, Bush's dubious education plan. Solis had some good and important things to say about global warming, about healthcare, but she didn't mention the war or funding at all until the end of her speech. She had been part of a women's delegation to Iraq recently, she said, and soldier after soldier asked her when they were going to come home. One told her he didn't have the light bulbs he needed to look for IEDs at night; one told her he didn't have scissors. When she asked why he needed scissors, he told her he wasn't able to bandage up his buddies without them. She bemoaned the horrible conditions and said she didn't support Bush's war, but then she also talked about how, with the supplemental this week, she had a chance to give the troops the funding they needed. Jodie turned to me and said, "I'm going to be sick." We decided that as soon as Solis' speech was over, we'd carry the DON'T BUY BUSH'S WAR banner to the front of the room.

When we stood up and unfurled the pink banner that had been folded in my backpack, the climate of the room changed: There was both a hush and a crackle of energy. We walked up to the front table, where Solis was shaking hands and having her picture taken. Solis smiled and nodded at us at first, but when we asked her to vote "no" on the supplemental, to not buy the war, her expression changed. She clearly wasn't expecting to be the target of our message. She clearly thought she was doing the right thing with the supplemental. We tried to open her eyes.

As Jodie and I walked out of the room, the audience clapped and cheered, some of them standing, when they saw the banner stretched between us. It was exhilarating to know that the people at large agree with our message, that they don't want Congress to fund Bush's war. I hope Rep. Solis was listening loud and clear to that response. We had a chance to talk with her again as she was leaving the event. She kept insisting that she was not buying Bush's war, but we told her that she was making a grave mistake. We asked her to please vote "no," to please help us end this dreadful war.

- snip -

Gayle Brandeis is the author of "Fruitflesh: Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write," "The Book of Dead Birds," which won Barbara Kingsolver's Bellwether Prize for Fiction in Support of a Literature of Social Change, and her new novel, "Self Storage." She writes the weekly alert that goes out to over 100,000 CODEPINK members.

[The Count]

20. The democrats are trying to stand up to power too...defining power is the trick

[cali]

34. Oh please.

I find that screed self-righteous and sadly simple minded.

[AikidoSoul]

69. I'm glad you posted this because this IS what theater activism is partly about

and it is a good thing.

Too many DUers seem to expect a different kind of activism that's polite, starchy, wears blue suits, walks in a straight line, says "please" and "thank you", etc., etc.

Theater activism has to say a great deal in a short time through signs, clothes, words shouted (usually six words or less), and body language -- and strategic placements of activists at certain times.

Code Pink is CONTINUALLY reminding the Congress that there is a very large force in America that is against the war. If that energy disappears the Congress will think the movement is not as vital and not as powerfully present.

When the shouts go up all around the Code Pink Ladies from the crowds to show support -- that is a CLEAR message that Democrats hear.

Give credit where it is due.

[WilliamPitt]

16. Jeez

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x487268

[The Count]

21. I believe the discussion was about strategy. War should be protested - but why

target the ones who try to end it, rather than the warmongers?
We agree with Codepink's goals, just not its latest targets.

[Hissyspit]

25. He did discuss strategy. Did you bother to read the link at all?

From Will's linked post:

3. CodePINK protests Democrats because Democrats need to be pushed. The very fact that this bill is considered some kind of watershed is evidence of that. Go ahead and protest the GOP; you might as well protest a brick wall for all the good it'll do. THE WHOLE POINT of getting the Dems elected is because we are their base, and they can be pushed by us. Few groups have done better work than CodePINK, anywhere, period.

[progressoid]

32. But a bigger question remains, "were they effective?"

Yes, Democrats need to be pushed. But how they are pushed is important.

A public display against someone on your own side often has more negative consequences than positive.

[AikidoSoul]

77. EXACTLY! n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

108. I am not clear here

How is funding the war ending it?

[cali]

31. Jeez??

You mean a politely asked question is beyond the pale? Is Codepink that sacrosant? There was nothing nasty or unpleasant about the OP.\

Jeez yourself.

[fed-up]

22. Thank-you-dems need to SHUT DOWN gov til troops are HOME-not one more death

Not one more damaged and/or dead person from this ILLEGAL, IMMORAL WAR

how many is too many deaths for those here on DU that are pissed off at codepink??????

every F*cking day more and more troops, "insurgents and civilians are DYING, men, women, childen

DU has poisoned the land in Iraq

total body count is around ONE MILLION

over TWO HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND US troops medically treated, how many more if this endless war cheaps going??


how many more Iraqi casualties???

how many "new insurgants"???

how much is TOO much for some of you????

when will the madness end???


thank-you codepink for DEMOCRACY IN ACTION! instead of democracy inaction

end of rant...

[Marrah_G]

30. Some of us have flesh and blood on the line

I know camping in Pelosi's office isn't going to do one god damn thing to get him home. I also know that Pelosi and all the Dems are working hard to try and fix the huge fucking mess Bush has left. Shutting down the government doesn't help anyone, it wont get our troops home. Making an ass out of yourself while a woman is giving testimony on how fucking corrupt this administration is WON'T BRING MY BROTHER HOME! This shit takes time, there is no fucking magical speaker of the house power that allows her to will the troops home. All this crap does is help Rove and the rest of the assholes put the blame on the Democrats. "See, see even their own party thinks it's their fault"

Code pink needs to go after the pro-war or on the fence crowd and back the hell off people trying to accomplish what we all want. Constantly beating them over the head doesn't do anything. Maybe Code Pink ought to say "Thank you for your work, what can we do to help?"

Anyway, that's just my own opinion.

/rant off

(apologies if this sounded a bit harsh, it's been a crappy day)

[fed-up]

39. my BF's ex-step son is in Afghan RIGHT NOW-people in streets STOPPED Vietnam

am I having a bad day, yes, I am in severe pain

this rant is not directly at you personally

this is what, the fifth year of this war???

also have a brother that did time in Iraq in Gulf War One, which was also a bogus war

I have run out of patience.....

[ClayZ]

113. Go Code Pink! Go Cindy Sheehan! Go Women in Black!

And all the rest of us who march in the streets and write petitions and speak out against this GOD FORSAKEN illegal occupation!

I would like to see millions of people in the street!

Our neighbors, 80+ years old, Veterans for Peace, go to every protest in three countys! Both his house and ours have had eggs thrown at us for flying Peace Flags.



Argh!




:wtf:

[Hissyspit]

23. Where is all the evidence of DAMAGE that Codepink have done to the cause that I keep hearing about?

Right-wingers are yelling and making fun of them? Are you kidding?

Where is the evidence?

Show me.

What I see is a bunch of us reverting to the "Oooh, we have to be careful of what people think of us and what we say" mindset. Sorry. Don't count me in.

If you don't like how Codepink is doing it, go to Washington D.C. and do it your way.

[cali]

37. did I say they'd damaged anything?

Why no, I didn't. I don't think they're that important. I admire David Obey about a hundred times more than Medea Benjamin. I admire Pat Leahy about a hundred times more as well. They're people who were staunchly opposed to the war and are now in the difficult position of figuring out how to build a coalition to end it.

And I've been to D.C. I protest here at home. In fact I went into town to our regular Friday afternoon vigil against the war today.

What did you do today?

[Name removed]

126. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cali]

138. What cheney said to Leahy n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. LOL great point, Hissy

I have been checking the rw blogs fairly regularly for years now. I see no comments about Code Pink on those blog sites that are any more inflammatory than what I see here. In fact, I see much more hate for Code Pink here on DU than on any rw site.

And I agree that anyone who disagrees with Code Pink but wants the war to end needs to head to DC and do what they think will work to end it.

[cassiepriam]

26. People said the same thing about the suffragettes, the Viet Nam war protesters, etc etc

No one likes rabble rousing.
But they are the ones who changed the world.

[fed-up]

27. I hear RW talking points-am I on the freeper board or is this still Democratic underground???nt

[cali]

38. Polite questioning is a RW talking point?

Do you channel Joe McCarthy frequently?

[Moochy]

43. I'd like to channel Zell Miller

Do you have any tips?

[cali]

58. I suggest you direct that query to

the poster who's channeling Joe McCarthy. Hope that helps!

[shance]

127. Cali - honestly, when have you been polite?

Please........

[cali]

139. In the OP.

and please, for someone that just called me a coward and other charming little names, YOU are hardly in a position to criticize without earning a well deserved call out on hypocricy.

[alstephenson]

28. All these things you say CODE PINK should be doing.....

They ARE doing! And more. While we sit on our butts in front of our computers complaining about folks participating in peaceful dissent, these gals are out there fighting the good fight. Why so critical??? Do they make you uncomfortable? Good! Until this damn war is over, we should all be uncomfortable.

Visit their website: http://www.codepink4peace.org/ to see ALL of the actions they are involved in.

I don't expect that everyone would "get it", but I'm surprised at the level of animosity on this board. Lighten up, folks. The CODE PINK ladies I know are some of the most committed, dedicated and selfless people I've ever known.

[cali]

46. I was in town today

for our regular Friday anti-war vigil. What did you do today?

[proud2BlibKansan]

49. Code Pinkers like Midge have been doing this EVERY DAY for years now

Not to diminish what you did today, because it is more than many DUers did. But the Code Pink activists do it every day. Midge has been in DC sleeping wherever she can, eating when she can afford it, since November. I wouldn't dare hold up my twice weekly vigils for anyone's approval, as I know many Code Pinkers who do so much more.

[cali]

54. LOL!

You don't want to knock what I did today, are explicit about your own efforts, then say you wouldn't dare hold them up, thus knocking my efforts. Too funny.

Btw, I bet I was involved with anti-war efforts way before Midge. Prior to Gulf War I, I organized an anti-war vigil/demonstration with Dave Dellinger, Grace Paley and others. I've been involved in peace and justice issues since that time.

[proud2BlibKansan]

146. So you want a medal cali?

I am not sure what you are trying to say here or trying to accomplish in this thread. Is it that your way is the only way we should be working to end the war? Is this now a competition to you? Are we supposed to prove we are doing more than you are doing and what we are doing is more effective than what you are doing?

If that's the case, I guess I will see you at Camp Casey at Easter. Be sure to look me up and I will introduce you to Midge. :hi:

[PassingFair]

52. We didn't see YOU.

We did see Midge.

We DO know Medea Benjamin.

The 'pukes won't budge.

Without CodePink and Cindy Sheehan, our powder would be so dry it would
all have BLOWN AWAY BY NOW.


The new dems and the blue dogs NEED TO KNOW that the
we are serious about ending this war. I thank CodePink for doing the dirty
work. You standing around on a street corner in Boise with a candle in your
hand is only going to go so far.



Don't think of it as "protesting" the dems.

Think of it as getting their attention.

[cali]

53. Nope. Not Boise.

Again, what did YOU do today. Go ahead, belittle our little weekly vigil. What did YOU do that gives you the right to knock my efforts?

[PassingFair]

55. You're the one doing the belittling around here.

Dishing it out to CodePink and NOT taking it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

56. Yep

You nailed it.

[cali]

57. Gee, you don't want to answer my question:

What did YOU do today. What a surprise. Or not.

[PassingFair]

59. I didn't go around critizing CodePink.

I didn't critize any anti-war activist, even YOU.

Sorry that not everyone went to your trademarked "Anti-War Demo 101" courses.

I donated money to DFA and sent a donation for flowers to Elizabeth Edwards,
I also went to work. Not that it's any of your business.

[alstephenson]

68. I don't find it necessary to brag about my anti-war activities.....

And I sure don't find it necessary to criticize others for theirs.

[cali]

72. When people challenge me with

comments such as "what did you do" and remarks about being a "keyboard warrior", I have every right to correct them. Tough shit if you think that's bragging.

[alstephenson]

82. Whatever.....

[AikidoSoul]

86. It's ironic that you are attacking DUers and saying things yourself that are "alienating" folks here

All of us are also trying to stop the war in our own ways. We each have our own style, resources and differences.

Are you having a bad day, or is attacking others normal behavior?

[cali]

89. Really? you see the OP as an attack?

It was a politely worded inquiry. Or are we not supposed to question sacred cows?

[AikidoSoul]

104. Your original post was not ugly, but your tone lost any semblance

of politeness when belittling others on this forum by implying that they are not doing enough to protest this war.

We all have our own ways and methods. Your methods may not be mine and vice versa. We all deserve respect for doing what we can.

[PassingFair]

91. It's like this all the time.....n/t

[yebrent]

29. It is good to have people protesting Pelosi from the left.

IMO, it makes her appear more centrist in the eyes the general public than she actual is. Code Pink and other anti-war protesters have completely negated the Repuke's strategy of labeling Pelosi as an SF liberal. I doubt that was Code Pink's goal, but it is what they have accomplished through their protests.

[AikidoSoul]

79. Excellent point. Code Pink Makes the Dems look like moderates n/t

[shance]

128. What the good ole boy media portrays is a lie for the privileged. Why do you give them power?

Please don't attempt the "left wing" excuse. It's called common sense to oppose this atrocity.

[Bronyraurus]

33. Hear hear

Go pester some Republicans, you dingbats.

[Hissyspit]

40. They have pestered Republicans. What have you done lately?

[Bronyraurus]

51. Pestered fellow posters on DU

same as you.

[Hissyspit]

60. Well, I've done a bit more than that.

Marched in D.C. and documented protests.

And as far as pestering, I'm not pestering anyone. I'm standing up for people who deserve it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

66. You can pester me anytime you want, hissy!!

:hug:

[BuyingThyme]

36. Code Pink is at least two years ahead of Pelosi.

People need to hound her 24 hours a day.

[cali]

42. LOL!

And they're not in Congress trying to herd 232 dems either. It's easy to criticize when you have none of the burden of leadership.

[BuyingThyme]

44. But Code Pink is the true leaders.

[AikidoSoul]

90. Code Pink are leaders... just different types of leaders

You seem to want them to be your version... whatever that looks like.

O.K. do it for us.

Describe behavior and tactics that you would prescribe for CODE PINK instead of what they're doing now.

That would be interesting to know.











edit for spelling

[Lydia Leftcoast]

88. Exactly, until she whips the Dems into shape as a genuine opposition

party.

The country has never needed a true opposition party more than now, and the Dems are wimping out.

[bling bling]

112. True. True.

The Dems keep on playing the game...and some of them may even be the *best* players in the whole world at this game.

But what we need right now are people who can re-write the rules because the sad fact is that this "game" we call our Government is ineffectual at stopping a war that nobody wants. Fer christsakes Dems LEAD LEAD LEAD. Make it happen we're not talking about raising/lowering taxes here or prescription meds we're talking about an illegal war that is destroying lives and breeding more hatred against our country by the minute.

Our government has lost it's way. And here we are making Code Pink a target for trying to push the government to end an illegal war? Sigh.

[H2O Man]

41. Interesting thread.

I respect Code Pink. I appreciate that there are a variety of views being expressed here. It indicates to me that they are doing their job correctly.

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Dear cali,

I am not a Code Pinker but I greatly admire their work. I am also good friends with Midge, the lady in the pink shirt at the Plame testimony.

Your first incorrect assumption is that Code Pink is supportive of Democrats. Code Pink is a PEACE organization. They are non-partisan. Some Code Pinkers are Democrats, some are Republicans, some are Greens and some are Independent. Their #1 priority is ending the war.

They occupy Pelosi's office to end the war. They disrupt committee hearings to end the war. They occupy Republican offices to end the war. They disrupt Republican events to end the war.

Yes, they have been pressuring Republicans. That's where they started. Now they are pressuring Democrats because they are the majority power. They have the reigns. When the Republicans were the majority party, they pressured them. I participated in a couple of their actions against Republicans. So this talking point here on DU that they are only lobbying Democrats is just not true. The media was interestingly not very excited about their actions when they targeted Republicans. Now that the Dems are being targetted, they can't give Code Pink enough attention.

Code Pink has also done many many good things. They have been bringing attention to the tragedies at Walter Reed for many years now. They regularly support the troops by sending care packages and phone cards and giving them information about the GI Rights Hotline. And of course, working to end the war is very supportive of our troops.

You don't have to approve of what Code Pink does. They are not concerned about your approval or mine or anyone's for that matter. They just want the war over. That's it.

They would also support your right to express your opinion of their work, even if you disagree.

It's very simple. End the war. Bring the troops home. Take care of them when they get here.

Hope this answers at least some of your questions.

:hi:

[libnnc]

62. I wish I could nominate this post.

:thumbsup:

[proud2BlibKansan]

64. Thanks!

:)

[Hissyspit]

63. Thank you, Proud2BLib,

:thumbsup:

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

65. Hissy!!

Hey it's been a week, has it not? LOL

I dropped out of moveon today. They not only pissed me off with that push poll they sent out, but they fucked up the email notifications for our rally here in KC. They sent out a mass email telling their members that our rally was Monday. It was Sunday. I was the local organizer. I had given moveon the information to send out. I NEVER told them Monday! Our rallies are ALWAYS on Sundays. :grr:

Then today I heard Eli Pariser talking to Ed Schultz telling him that 85% of moveon members had voted to support Pelosi. But I had just read that not ALL of moveon's 3.2 million members had voted in their poll. I knew I hadn't voted. It was a lame poll, IMO.

So bye bye moveon.

And all this Code Pink bashing here on DU has been so disheartening. I haven't posted much here this week. It's frustrating when progressive Democrats slam the best peace group we have supporting the causes I thought progressive Democrats supported. :shrug:

[AikidoSoul]

92. I think I might be in love with you n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

105. LOL I'm married and old

But I can deal with an online friend being in love with me. :hug:

[AikidoSoul]

137. I'm crazy about old married people

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[uppityperson]

117. Exactly and thank you.

[proud2BlibKansan]

142. Anytime, uppityperson

anytime. :hi:

[countingbluecars]

147. Great response.

I support Code Pink in their effort/methods to end this war.

[dogday]

48. You are making this a political issue...

This is about human rights, saving lives, and the Constitutional right for us to address our elected representatives...

Just because it is our side of the aisle does not give them a pass...

We elected them to make changes and code pink is reminding them of that....

[ClayZ]

50. NO MORE WAR!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

61. They're drawing attention to their cause

That's really what it's all about when one is protesting. Not making friends or worrying if you're alienating anyone.

I don't see where they're doing any harm.

[piesRsquare]

67. *I* see where they're doing harm!

CodePink's arrests are a financial burden on cities!

The people in Pelosi's neighborhood are completely pissed off at CodePink--bunch of potential supporters now lost!

When SFPD has to deal with CodePink's little camp, manpower and other resources are diverted from other important law enforcement issues!

Nancy Pelosi is entitled to some peace and quiet when she's in her home! Her neighbors are entitled to the same! If you believe in peace, how about giving a little to Pelosi?

I'd be royally pissed if CodePink set up a camp in front of one of the buildings on my street...I wouldn't want the press crawling around here, the cops, looky-loos...nor the eyesore of signs and banners and mattresses!

Go camp on the White House lawn, or on the steps of Congress, or in front of Fox News studios!

Camping in front of Pelosi's house is not protesting--it's STALKING and TRESPASSING! It's not just upsetting--it's fucking CREEPY!

[alstephenson]

70. Huh? Are you for real?

A "financial burden on cities"???? People are dying in Iraq and you're concerned that Nancy might not get a little "peace and quiet"? Wow - thanks for putting things in perspective for me!

[MonkeyFunk]

73. Some people want to admire them

for "doing something". But the "something" that they're doing isn't helping their cause at all - it's hurting it.

[AikidoSoul]

93. Of course they are helping... and they're keeping the coversation about the war alive and well

See

it worked!

[ronnykmarshall]

99. Word!

I like Code Pink as well. But I sure as hell won't say "I support them in everything they do".

Please, I LOVE Cindy Sheehan, but shall I be labeled a "Freeper" if I don't agree with her 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000%???

Seems like in this neck o' the woods ... I am !

[Lone_Star_Dem]

74. As for the police issues

The same was said of the war protesters in the '60's. Yet they still managed to get attention from the media and made people pay attention to the war and started a great deal of dialogue on the subject.

As for the rest, what does that have to do with protesting the war? As I said it's not about making friends or worrying about alienating anyone...it's about getting attention for ending the war. When it comes to protest there are as many types as there are different types of people in the U.S. and they all have a right to protest, even the ones whose ideas or methods you or I don't support or agree with.

The fact is that Code Pink has people hearing about their protest, and those people are also talking about what they're doing and why they're doing it. The very fact that you and I are having this conversation means they've accomplished their goal.

[H2O Man]

75. Yes, but

they don't wear neck ties. I'm not sure that this helps us with the professional people. Shouldn't they consider wearing a neck tie? Or, better yet, wearing two neck ties?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

78. So long as they're not pink

I, personally, am offended by the pink. It reminds me Pepto-Bismol, which in turn makes me think of being sick to my stomach, which makes them ineffective due to their choice of being associated with the color pink. I swear, what were they thinking?!

[alstephenson]

84. Not Pepto-Bismol, bubble gum.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

98. Which brand

And it had better be sugar free...or are they promoting tooth decay now too?

[H2O Man]

85. I've been feeling

a bit of anxiety over the fact that Code Pink members prefer Coke to Pepsi by 56% to 44%. I can see this whole thing back-firing on the democrats in general, the generals in specific, and specifically the anti-wart crowd. Can't Code Pink at least consider Dr. Pepper?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

97. You really don't get it. The high fructose corn syrup is the real issue here.

That's very bad for your health, hollow calories and all that. So, as a good progressive Democrat I simply cannot support them. It's my duty I'm sorry to say.

[AikidoSoul]

96. One thing for sure

-- you know who the Code Pink members are when you walk in a room

Maybe standing out by the loud colors is part of their goal

[Forkboy]

80. Thousands of dead people are even creepier.

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. WTF?

Do you support the war too?

I suppose it has not gone through your mind that our troops are being inconvenienced. But then, in your world, I guess freedom ain't free.

Oh and Pelosi works for US! Geez, why is that so hard for people to understand?

:banghead:

[stillcool]

81. Judge much?.... n/t

[Forkboy]

83. They should all march with banners saying "Dont mind us!"

[Jacobin]

95. lol

thanks. I needed that.

you have to get the military industrial complexes attention with a 2x4, not a 'pretty please'

:thumbsup:

[PassingFair]

101. Don't forget the twin-sets and the oxford buttondowns.....n/t

[Jacobin]

94. I support CodePink fully

I was one of those unwashed 'raging anti war people' Clinton dismisses from the 60's. I helped stop that fucking war and CodePink is doing it today. You don't stop the war machine with petitions and posting on a board. YOu have to get in their faces and make their lives miserable....and the ones who get the brunt of it are the ones who may do something about it...NOT republicans.

they have my undying gratitude.

[omega minimo]

100. What gall to claim what "most people think" on DU

"Dear CODEPINK: Posted by cali
"Seeing as you post here"

Codepink is not a person, dear cali, who posts on DU. Members of Codepink are individuals and are using tactics that are familiar to folks who lived in more human, more fun and less paranoid times.

" Even on DU, which is composed of people who are considerably to the left of the general public, most people don't think you're recent tactics are helpful."

You can't assess what "most people" "even on DU" "think" about this. Those who feel the need to attack Codepink may seem petty and misguided to those who don't waste time in those threads.

"What do you think you're accomplishing by such acts as" attacking people who are DOING SOMETHING. You may not like the package. So be it.

"There comes a time when silence is complicity." MLK Jr. "Even on DU" it also takes a lot of gall to attack people who are putting themselves on the line and standing up as American citizens, acting as if there is such a thing as Democracy.

The attacks and incomprehension of Codepink is an example of the conservative behavior and lockstep, conventional thinking that these times suffer from. Sheeple! Bitter sheeple sneering at activists.

What a waste of time to attack activists and EAT OUR OWN. :puke:

"My observation is that your organiztion is swiftly alienating people; not drawing them to your side"

CodePink is not "swiftly alienating people." Those people are already alienated: from life, from reality, from human feeling and from the ACT of democratic participation.

[proud2BlibKansan]

102. Applause!!

[ContraBass Black]

115. "Codepink is not a person, dear cali, who posts on DU."

There's a new DU member named "CODEPINK."

[mmonk]

103. So they're striking a nerve?

Why should it bother you?

[Swamp Rat]

106. IMPEACH!

[proud2BlibKansan]

109. LOL BEST RESPONSE EVER!!

[Swamp Rat]

111. heh

:D

[AikidoSoul]

134. Swamp Rat... you are brilliant!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:




edited because I pasted the wrong icon.

brain fog

[ClayZ]

114. Yeah, Swamp Rat!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

116. Sweetie, I love this one.

Have I told you that lately? If I have then just let me confirm it one more time. Excellent!

[PA Democrat]

110. "Most people"? I must have missed the scientific poll.

[JetCityLiberal]

118. Dear cali

who cares.

Thanks for all who stand up in any way to end this.

[Pachamama]

119. I'm a CodePink member and have marched with them as recently in DC in January against the War...

but that said, I will say that I have had some issues lately with their tactics and so have a lot of people I have been talking with. I went to an event this week where a lot of women who like me are also "members" of Codepink and are active politically, have all felt that some of the latest tactics ranging from having a member stand up in the background of Valerie Plames testimony to Camp Pelosi in front of her home are not things we agree with. It's one thing to organize protests and campaigns, I support that, but I seriously feel that their tactics are helping them lose credibility even within their own "base" and with the general public who have supported them. They are also doing nothing to win Pelosi over with such tactics.

I haven't seen Medea Benjamin, founder of Codepink since January in DC, but next time I see her, I'm going to talk to her about it. I like and respect her very much and she is a very intelligent woman. I'm curious what she will say when I bring it up to her...

[Swamp Rat]

120. oi Pachamama!

:hi: :hug:

[Pachamama]

121. Hey Swamp'r!

:hi: :hug:

Have missed you!!!

[The Count]

123. Right on! I too went to their protests in NYC - but am now scratching my head

No one here wants the war to continue and we aren't party loyalists or anything.
Many of us speak up when needed, write or protest at their headquarters.
But activism has to be effective, not simply make a splash.
I believe they figured that as long as they target democrats, media will cover them to embarrass dems. So, in the end, they are just adding to the media attitude of "if its bad news, dems need to be attached to it, somehow".

[Breeze54]

129. Funny! I never saw or heard that much about CP on the MSM, until recently....

I wonder why that is? :sarcasm:

It has been like pulling teeth to get media attention at anti-war demonstrations.
I'm sure you know that. What's changed? Hmmmmmmm...

[AikidoSoul]

136. Maybe you could start your own group? One that's more polite? n/t

[Pachamama]

148. Nay....I'm a bitch....but I choose when its the right time to display my bitchiness...n/t

[live love laugh]

150. I am so glad to hear a voice of reason from someone who is actually a part

of Code Pink.

The new approach is a total departure from all that I've seen them do in the past--even posting here under the name CODEPINK is...different.

It seems like they are trying to get attention for being disruptive now than for making any type of political statement.

[cali]

151. Thank you very much for

your take on the whole thing. You said it well.

[Dastard Stepchild]

122. May I turn your attention to the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo...

They used the same types of tactics. I'd hardly call them an irritation.

http://www.yendor.com/vanished/madres.html

[The Count]

124. Not remotely related to the topic - unless they protested their political allies.

[kdpeters]

130. A HATE arguments like this

What are you trying to accomplish? What are YOUR tactics accomplishing? Hmmm?

[GeorgeGist]

135. Your sig line ...

is nonsensical.

[cali]

140. Only to those unfamiliar with

W.B. Yeats and what he was saying in his great poem. It's a famous and much discussed line of poetry.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

141. The Democrats' most consistent problem over the past 25 years

through the Reagan, Bush Sr., and Bush Jr. administrations, has been that instead of asking for what they really want, they ask for what they think the Republicans might give them, pretty please with sugar on it.

That's NOT a position of strength; that's a position of timidity, as if their biggest fear is not ruining the country but offending the Republicans, and it's disappointing to see how many DUers have adopted the same defeatist attitude.

Remember the one time they stood up together 100% united to protect Social Security? That's the way a REAL opposition party acts.

Code Pink is speaking for those of us who want the Democrats to represent the 75% of the population that is opposed to this illegal, immoral invasion and occupation of sovereign nation.

[Malikshah]

145. Memo TO: OP Memo FROM: CodePink

Dear OP:

Thank you for helping us fulfill our goal with your mini-diatribe.
Our goal is to have the US out of Iraq ASAP--

We are aware that the MSM and the average person doesn't pay attention to the situation and that the Average politician either A) supports the regime or B) plays politics with folks' lives.

Again, the average person ignores all this.

Hence our tactics-- We wish to draw attention to the cause, to be the inconvenient truth about the Iraq war for folks from all political paths.

Your presumptuous little missive did more for our cause than another sit-in. You've allowed our message to get out. You've provided another venue in which people will talk about our cause.

Thanks ever so much.

Think Pink!! :)

[Breeze54]

149. Right ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:toast: :bounce: :spank: :loveya: