Hundreds call for forgiveness, not violence

The Seattle Times ^ | 9/23/01 | Christine Clarridge

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Crowded into Westlake Plaza yesterday afternoon were hundreds of people: professional protesters, anti-military activists and plenty of regular folks with kids, jobs and mortgages, who wanted to let the world, the city, anyone who would listen, know that they don't want war. They carried placards and signs that said, "One people, one planet" and "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."

And they cheered for speakers who called for reason, patience, compassion and forgiveness in the midst of a military buildup sparked by the terrorist attacks.

"Tuesday (Sept. 11) gave us a pile of rubble that was not only of bricks but also of bodies and hopes and dreams," said Gina Aaf, an Afghanistan native and University of Washington student. "There have been many piles just like that throughout history and one more pile isn't going to solve anything."

Ed Mast, a spokesman for the 911 Peace Coalition that helped organize the Alternatives to Violence rally, urged the crowd to be strong of heart.

"We are grieving. We are mourning," he said. "But let's not betray our grieving with more violence. Let's not betray our mourning with more deaths."

Many in the crowd acknowledged that there was an element of futility to their message: Their voices couldn't stop the buildup of arms and forces already under way in the United States and abroad.

But they said it was important for people to know that the war movement, while supported by many, is by no means supported by all.

"It's a very important thing to show that there are people who are opposed," said Ernest Mailhot, a member of the Socialist Workers Party.

"There's been this idea that if you are not backing the war drive, you're not mourning the dead, and that's wrong."

Cori Adler, a professor, writer and mother who brought her 2-year-old daughter, said she hoped the tragedy would inspire the United States to re-examine its role in the world.

"We can't put all our energy into being a superpower and then be surprised when we're viewed as bullies," she said.

Whenever one group attacks another, it's often described as a strategic move.

"Well, now that's happened to us and we know that all that symbolic posturing is really about real bodies, real blood and real lives."

The demonstration, which may have drawn as many as 800 participants, was overwhelmingly peaceful despite a small group of counterprotesters who gathered across the street with signs and flags.

"We're out here to support the U.S. and George Bush," said Crosby Olsen, a student at O'Dea High School. "All these people, if they got what they wanted, this country would no longer be free and they wouldn't be able to stand over there and protest."

Lee Tuimanu'a, a former Marine who served two tours in Vietnam, was driving through town on his Harley when he saw the demonstration and the small group of counterprotesters. He pulled over and took a stand with the smaller group.

An anti-war demonstrator, who didn't want to give his name, approached Tuimanu'a, wanting to know why the ex-Marine picked that side.

"I've earned my citizenship. I have a right to be here. You haven't earned anything," said Tuimanu'a, who was wearing a "Remember New York" T-shirt and a red, white and blue bandana.

After a few more exchanges, he lost patience: "Kid, you're a leech. You have the luxury of being here for free because guys like me made the sacrifice."

(emphasis added)

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"All these people, if they got what they wanted, this country would no longer be free and they wouldn't be able to stand over there and protest." Lee Tuimanu'a, a former Marine who served two tours in Vietnam, was driving through town on his Harley when he saw the demonstration and the small group of counterprotesters. He pulled over and took a stand with the smaller group. An anti-war demonstrator, who didn't want to give his name, approached Tuimanu'a, wanting to know why the ex-Marine picked that side. "I've earned my citizenship. I have a right to be here. You haven't earned anything," said Tuimanu'a, who was wearing a "Remember New York" T-shirt and a red, white and blue bandana. After a few more exchanges, he lost patience: "Kid, you're a leech. You have the luxury of being here for free because guys like me made the sacrifice."

If this Marine didn't earn any medals during his tour in Viet Nam, here sure deserves a medal for his words today! Unfortunately, the "leeches" have been allowed to suck the lifeblood out of our country for too long.

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[Lent]

These are the type of people who would have been inviting the hoards of raging Muslims to walk over Western Europe. The Vietnam vet is like the Charles Martels of the world. Good for him.

[DoughtyOne]

It would be interesting to know where all these peace protesters were on September 10th. I'm sure they were emploring Osama to practice restraint.

Check out the numbskull who states that she hopes the US will now re-examine it's actions. Translation: Look, we brought this on ourselves, so don't go blaming others.

The Osamas of the world are looking to carry out more terrorism while lame brains like these demand we cower in silence.

These protesters think they represent what's best about the USA. Might I suggest that pleading the defense of Osami Bin Laden is not what's best about the USA.

[jae471]

Hundreds call for forgiveness, not violence

Millions call for retaliation and war on terrorism, not irrational pacifism.

[Storm Orphan]

Semper Fi, Mr. Tuimanu'a.

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[SurferDoc]

We will not be listening to these cowards this time around.

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[willyboyishere]

Old conceits die hard. How many thousands or millions more would it take to perish before "peace protestors" would have to admit we need to take military action? A hundred thousand? A million? Five Million?

[rockfish59]

they could give a rats ass about the 6,000+ victims. their agenda is communism, PERIOD!

[goodieD]

regular folks with kids, jobs and mortgages

Sorry, but "regular folks" understand that freedom (including the freedom to protest) was won with blood. And you don't get blood from sitting on your thumbs when someone attacks the foundation of this country.

[patriciaruth]

Don't they have to ask forgiveness before they can be forgiven??? Am I missing something here??

Oh, no. We forgive them. Say, "May Allah have mercy on your soul." And then we blow them to Kingdom Come.

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[Travis McGee]

Just wait until the leeches get their draft notices next year!

I can already hear their wailing and tearing of hair.

"You mean I have to FIGHT for freedom? I thought freedom was free!"

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[Triage]

The Vietnam protestors were spoiled brat emissions from World War II having a big temper tantrum. They Carter pardoned them, but he did nothing to get the POWs or MIAs back. I always tell those people that they can't have it both ways; if we were wrong to enter that war, then Kennedy, Johnson, and McNamera were liberal war criminals; if not, the protestors were all liberal traitors. I see the same mind set beginning again with the current peaceniks.

[ppaul]

Just wait until the leeches get their draft notices next year!

LOL!

Unfortunately, I am afraid that they would just rather surrender to the enemy than fight for the United States - that would require engaging in violence! After all, it's all our fault, why, with our ozone-layer depleting SUVs we consume far more than the rest of the world, and our support of the brutal Israeli regime against the peaceful Palestinian people - no wonder the rest of the world hates us! If we would just try to listen and understand them, we could live in peace and harmony. Can't we all just get along?

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try.....

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[Travis McGee]

Sure they have the right to protest.

Did anyone protest "the war" a week after Pearl Harbor? I didn't think so.

So when it comes time that they get their draft notices next year, will you support their "right" to "protest" by running to Canada?

Or will you ultimately agree that "freedom is not free"?

Or do you believe that parasites and leeches should enjoy freedom protected only by the blood of fellow countrymen, but never their own?

[ppaul]

.....let's not criticize people when they actually exercise those freedoms.

Why the hell not, pray tell? If it's okay for them to run down our country, our flag, the President, our way of life, giving aid and comfort to our enemies in doing so - why isn't it okay for patriotic Americans to exrcise our right to free speech and criticize them? Reminds me of an old Merle Haggard song:

Fightin' Side of Me

I hear people talking bad about
the way they have to live here in this country.
Harpin' on the wars we fight,
gripin' 'bout the way things ought to be.
Now I don't mind them switchin' sides
and standin' up for things that they believe in,
But when they're runnin' down our country man,
They're walkin' on The Fightin' Fide Of Me.

Chorus

They're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men
have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it,
Let this song that I'm singin' be a warnin',
When you're runnin' down our country man -
You're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.

Verse 2 I read about some squirrely guy
Who claims that he just don't believe in fightin',
And I wonder just how long
the rest of us can count on bein' free.
They love our milk and honey
but they preach about some other way of livin',
When they're runnin' down our country man
They're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Darn right!

[Mortimer Snavely]

Triage is correct, Vox66. You are wrong. You are enabling these traitors and they are assisting the Taliban. These assholes are giving aid and comfort to the enemy. What the hell are you doing at this forum, anyway?

[KQQL]

if our founding fathers were wussies.... we all be all dead//

too many pathetic people live in the USA

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You just signed up? Welcome to FR.

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[Texasforever]

I think you had better read the profile of the poster you just lectured. Then I am sure your sanctimonious "died for" bull sh&t will stop.

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[StoneColdGOP]

Losers. Screw them and forgiveness.

[Texasforever]

If you want to throw people in jail merely for exercising their Constitutional rights, you spit on the Constitution itself.

There is a bright constitutional line drawn when "free speech" crosses over to aid and comfort of the enemy. We lost track of that principle during the Viet Nam war and it cost several thousand US soldier's lives. I hope to hell we do not do it again.

[Snow Bunny]

Thank God for Lee Tuimanu'a and what he said and for serving this nation and helping to keep me free.<>p> Man I hate this so much , anti-war protestors. It feels like the 60's starting all over again and I am not a happy camper about this one bit.

NOT ONE PROTESTOR GAVE ME MY FREEDOM BACK THEN NOR NOW !!!! It was paid for with a very high price of those who have served this nation in every war.

I say Welcome Home Vets and a big (((((( HUG ))))) and thank you. These protestors can go to hell and let Jane Fonda drive them there.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I've seen the anti-war movement up close and personal in downtown Chicago
when I was discharged from the Navy in '69.
I was cursed at, yelled at, ridiculed, and denied entrance
to Nortwestern University simply because I was a Viet Nam Vet.
Then, as now, my support for the 1st amendment and free speech remains the same.
One thing HAS changed, if I see an anti-war protestor
HARMING anyone in the military OR anyone who supports our country,
OR damaging government or personal property
I will personally exercise my right to defend my country from those who seek to destroy it.

Support Our Soldiers, E-mail a service person.

Support our Troops NOW!

USO (website) Mission: Delivering America to our Armed Forces

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Just wait until the leeches get their draft notices next year!"

When do you think N.O.W. and all the other hardcore women's rights fanatics
are going to start demanding equal treatment for women,
like women being drafted also like they are in Israel and many other countries. LOL

[Lion's Cub]

said Gina Aaf, an Afghanistan native and University of Washington student. "There have been many piles just like that throughout history and one more pile isn't going to solve anything."

I can make a pretty good guess where one cell is...Hope she's not studying microbiology, advanced chemistry, or nuclear physics...

[Twodees]

Hmm, "hundreds call for forgiveness" while a few hundred million call for retribution. Sounds like another fart in a whirlwind to me. The kids are in for a let-down.

[KQQL]

O.k Houston we got a problem,,, look what our enemy is promised , so we better shape up or more Americans are going to die.!
There rewards are

Eternal life in paradise,
The permission to see the face of Allah,
And the loving kindness of 72 young virgins who will serve him in heaven.
The shahid also earns a privilege to promise a life in heaven to 70 of his relatives.
Only justice will shut this crap!

[ppaul]

Man I hate this so much , anti-war protestors. It feels like the 60's starting all over again and I am not a happy camper about this one bit.

Yeah. But what is especially troubling is the fact that in the early days of the Viet Nam war, there was no active "peace" movement (cultural bowel movement actually). That garbage didn't really start until years after the war had been dragging on with no resolution in sight. But today, the just action against the terrorists hasn't even begun yet and these old hangers on from the halcyon days of the SDS, Nonviolence Coordinating Committee, and all those fruitcakes from the late '60s and early '70s are all crawling out of the woodwork, along with their bastard offspring, to put down our country and poke their fingers in the eyes of the 9-11 victim's families. Shameful. Disgraceful. Traitorous rabble. This time, they should not get away with it. They need to be challenged at every opportunity and denounced for being the enemies of freedom that they are - scum, vermin, parasites, leeches. Lee Tuimanu'a hit the nail on the head alright. God bless him. I'm gonna try to look him up and send him a thank you note. I'd encourage other like-minded FReepers to do the same.

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[Gracey]

And they cheered for speakers who called for reason, patience, compassion and forgiveness in the midst of a military buildup sparked by the terrorist attacks.

I'd say, round them all up and send them to boot camp in Afghanistan, under Osama Bin Laden.

[Gracey]

their agenda is communism, PERIOD!

If they're not with us, they'll just die from biological warfare. How uneducated, these youth.

[metesky]

You probably forgot that we have First Amendment rights also. And we are after all engaged in a cyber conversation, expessing opinions.

Surely you wouldn't deprive anyone of their rights, would you?

Was 1966 the year you first raised your vox for pax?

[X918]

"All we are saying ..is give peas a chance...."