US braced for anti-war demos (FOOLS ALERT)

BBC News ^ | October 26, 2002 | BBC News

[MadIvan]

Demonstrations are taking place around the world in protest at a possible US-led attack on Iraq.

As many as 100,000 are expected to take part in protests later on Saturday in San Francisco and Washington.

Organisers expect the US demo to be the biggest anti-war protest since the Vietnam War.

They're just saying that because they want to score some "grass" and hope Jefferson Airplane will come out to play the event - Ivan

Other marches are taking place in Rome, Berlin, Stuttgart, Freiburg in Germany, Copenhagen, Denmark; Tokyo, South Korea and Mexico City.

South Korea particularly galls me. They live right next door to a neighbour that now has nukes and they yet have no idea how dangerous this kind of thing is? - Ivan

They are calling on President George W Bush to abandon plans to topple the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, and to spend the billions of dollars needed to conduct a military campaign on social programmes instead.

I'd rather he spent the money from social programmes on guns and bombs instead. An America armed to the teeth is one in which the likes of Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko, Gorbachev, Fidel, Quadaffi and so on, behave themselves. Social programmes just foster a bunch of socialists who keep whingeing about how they need even more money. - Ivan

The US Congress has granted President Bush the power to wage war on Iraq - with or without the approval of the United Nations.

The protest rally and march in Washington opens with speeches at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

How ironic. These blighters can wonder how many names on that wall got killed by similarly treasonous activity of their predecessors - Ivan

Rally speakers were to include the Revs Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, both prominent civil rights leaders, actor Ossie Davis and former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark.

Satan's familiars, once more - Ivan

"We will mount an angry, loud opposition, just as we did in the Vietnam War," said Brian Becker, co-director of the of the International Action Center, one of the dozens of groups that comprise the organising coalition, International Answer.

Yes, giving aid and comfort to murderous dictators. Lefties never change. - Ivan

The protests come after an opinion poll conducted for the New York Times and CBS News earlier this month suggested that half of those questioned were uneasy about the prospect of war with Iraq.

Supporters of the march also point to successful internet fund-raising and letter-signing efforts as signs of the support for their cause.

Eli Pariser, representing MoveOn.Org, said an appeal for donations for the anti-war cause resulted in thousands of contributions totalling more than $1.8m over the first 11 days.

This was the same organisation that wanted to give Bill Clinton a pass on perjury. How can an organisation that values lying to such a degree be expected to tell the truth? - Ivan

"Clearly the peace movement is moving to put its money where its mouth is," he said.

And Saddam thanks you for every penny. Now he has to get back to administering high voltage shocks to the genitals of some political prisoners - Ivan

Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches and a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, said he remains optimistic that war can be avoided.

"I don't think that, just because the House and Senate voted, that the barn door is open and we're going to have war," he said.

Being a wishy washy person, Bob, you obviously haven't ever seen the steely glint of determination before. President Bush has it. - Ivan

The US is putting pressing the UN to accept its resolution on disarming Iraq.

Bush softens

But it has received opposition from Russia and France, who can both veto the resolution.

Veto aid to Russia then, and most favoured trading status. Boycott French goods. Let's see how they like their intransigence then. - Ivan

President Bush earlier this week dropped a hint that Saddam Hussein might be allowed to stay in power if he complied with the UN.

"The stated policy of our government, the previous administration and this administration, is regime change, because we don't believe he is going to change," Mr Bush said following talks with Nato Secretary General George Robertson.

"However, if he were to meet all the conditions of the UN, the conditions that I've described very clearly in terms that everybody can understand, that in itself will signal the regime has changed."

[MadIvan]

I've commented heavily, but the Anti War protestors are a disgusting bunch. They are also too inutterably stupid to see they are serving the needs, wishes and desires of a brutal dictator.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[wimpycat]

They are calling on President George W Bush to abandon plans to topple the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, and to spend the billions of dollars needed to conduct a military campaign on social programmes instead.

Social programs, indeed. The world needs another social program like it needs a hole in the head, which is exactly what many people will get if these nincompoops ever get their way.

[MadIvan]

Social programs, indeed. The world needs another social program like it needs a hole in the head, which is exactly what many people will get if these nincompoops ever get their way.

That line made my blood boil too. I am sick of being taxed to death for this sort of thing. If I am going to be taxed, at least use it to kill direct threats to my existence, such as Osama bin Laden.

Regards, Ivan

[Tijeras_Slim]

spend the billions of dollars needed to conduct a military campaign on social programmes instead.

They need a slogan... How about Victims not Victors?

[MadIvan]

They need a slogan... How about Victims not Victors?

How about, "All We Are Saying Is Give Communism (Another) Chance"

Regards, Ivan

[Asclepius]

... They are calling on President George W Bush to abandon plans to topple the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, and to spend the billions of dollars needed to conduct a military campaign on social programmes instead ...

A war on social programs. What an excellent idea. To the barricades, comrades. Fix bayonets. Squad as skirmishers, march. Let no social program survive.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

They keep overestimating the crowd sizes for these events.

In San Francisco alone it's only been hundreds, not thousands as they have stated. I doubt sincerely if it will be a hundred thousand, it will only be hundreds.

Besides, SF is becoming more conservative...there's been studies showing this.

[unclesam1]

I wish the D.C. Police would take care of these losers.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Well when these peoples relatives are dead in the streets from biological or chemical attacks, or they have been incinerated by an atomic blast, I guess we can just give them a collective "WE TOLD YOU SO" then tell them to move along...We all know that these people will be the first ones to turn around and say "oh no we weren't protesting..please do something about this". That is when we will give them the one finger salute and tell them to "Sit and Spin"..

[SheLion]

There is an anti-war/Bush Rally in Augusta,Maine today. I have been waiting to hear about it.

Anti War/Bush Protest Augusta Maine Today

[Mr. Peabody]

I really hate calling these people Anti-War or peace marchers are whatever. They are against democracies defending themselves against third world tyranny. They don't seem to mind when tyrants overseas wage war against their own people.

[Desdemona]

These idiots do realize that defense is the largest social spending program in the government don't they?

Oops. That requires complex thought and a good dose of reality. Nevermind....

[MadIvan]

Oops. That requires complex thought and a good dose of reality. Nevermind....

They haven't ever had a dose of either. Never mind indeed.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

We could call them the "Turkeys Voting For Christmas", or in American terms, "Turkeys Voting For Thanksgiving".

It covers both the fact that they wish to be roasted and well, that they're turkeys. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[WOSG]

My reply to the radicals ...

----

You say:

This IS NOT a call for physical confrontation with the police - though we believe in self-defense and don't believe property damage is "Violent".

---

Property damage is "not violent"? Wrong!
Property rights is a cornerstone of human rights.
If a group ame and burned down your house,
you wouldnt shrug, you'd know you've been violated,
just as surely as if thugs beat you up.

So your call for property violence is sickening and hypocritical.

Direct Action and "anti-war" is an absolute and utter contradiction in terms. IN FACT, YOU ARE NOT ANTI-WAR,
YOU ARE JUST ANTI_US POLICY. Which is too bad because at
least with respect to terrorism, The U.S. is on the side of good and is fighting evil.

You are defending DOMINANCE with your call to oppose the sane U.S. policy of confronting Iraq - you are defending the DOMINANCE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN IN THE MIDEAST and his tyrannical hold on Iraq.

Good luck defending the dictator and his pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Just saw this filthy scum on c-span.What they were saying was easily qualified as sedition and treason.ALLOWING THIS SCUM TO SPEAK IS WHAT MAKES AMERICA WEAK!

[Lizard_King]

"Besides, SF is becoming more conservative...there's been studies showing this."

More conservative? That's news to me! All I run into are California 'tards who don't understand a thing about the real world...two sentences later I find out they are from Frisco.

I guess there is nowhere to go but up, especially given the suffering that must have been endured under the last few socialist administrations...but unless SF straightens out its educational system (especially bastions of outright communism like SFSU--with the "Cesar Chavez Student Center"), thery are doomed to at best a vicious cycle.

[Lancey Howard]

I heard a brief interview yesterday on NPR with a US protestor who was part of a throng at a Dick Cheney speech somewhere. The guy complained that the cost of a war would drain billions of dollars from "social programs that people need", and this would "hurt the poor". I could only laugh and laugh.

[Helms]

They're just saying that because they want to score some "grass" and hope Jefferson Airplane will come out to play the event - Ivan

What with the now old hag, Gracie Slick. This is one nasty picture in my mind. Watch out for the brown acid, especially if you see Janis, Jimi, Kurt, Jim Morrison or any one of the number of those who died trying to pursue what Neil Young has called the "hippie dream". As Young pointed out, "the wooden ships capcised in excess, if you know what I mean."

[hellinahandcart]

The antiwar protest in DC was broadcast onC-Span and will reoeat tonight at 8:00. It featured the usual suspects, plus the additions of Susan Sarandon, Ramsey Clark, Jesse Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, and Al Sharpton as speakers.:@ Here is the discussion thread.

The DC Chapter's Patriots Rally was held nearby and will also be shown on C-Span. We are not sure yet of the time. but knowing C-Span, it will be broadcast AFTER the A.N.S.W.E.R. protest repeats.

[Lancey Howard]

Any parent who deliberately tries to raise a child in San Francisco should be charged with child abuse. That sickening pigsty of homeless Democrats and their urine puddles is best left to the liberals who love them. I recommend staying away from that place.

Regards,
LH

[MadIvan]

I've always despised the hippies. They wrecked the clean, beautiful world of the 50's in their indulgence of excess, and we've been struggling to recover ever since.

The organisers, I suspect, are indeed people who want to relive the 1960's in some manner. Opposing the war in Iraq is the best they can come up with.

Regards, Ivan

[hellinahandcart]

What with the now old hag, Gracie Slick

No, they had another now-old hag there today. Patti Smith. Yeesh.

I'm also never going to buy Ben & Jerry's ice cream again, since Ben was there spouting off.

[LibKill]

These pukes are out of touch with reality.

I would love to put them through a few days of USMC recruit training. It focuses the mind on real things.

[SheLion]

Good luck defending the dictator and his pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

Well said.

One thing the anti war protestors don't seem to realize: They CAN protest in America. America is free. I would love to see them try this stuff over in Iraq! heh! They would be shot at sundown!

[Rummyfan]

Thanks for the post Ivan. With each passing day, these people take another step in their journey to irrelevance.

It's a new world now and they're still thinking it's 1968!

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

Ivan, YOU'RE THE MAN!

[Helms]

I found out yesterday that Chrisse Hine of the Pretenders is a major PETA supporter. These people have seen so much misery( lets face it- the rock scene is strewn with dead overdoses and duplicity-then again this the world in which they sucessfully manuevered and triumphed) that I fear they have given up on human beings and have embraced the lower anaimal kingdom. Some of these folks
just do not like other people (I am convinced of this).

[Helms]

Your part of the world is populated with the likes of Bob Geldorf, the Eurythmics and others who have not seen a benefit concert they could not twist into a political agenda. These fundraisers for Greenpeace and the like are legendary.

Rock in this country, like yours is littered with dead and overdosed suicides. And they want to lecture us!

These people are deep in cynicism and some like Chrissy Hine of the Pretenders have given up on people and prefer the company of animals. Sad that they have had such a dismal experience with their fellow man.

What is both rich and sick is that they have become multimillionaires.

[Fintan]

The front page of today's Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer.

Not sniper "news", not local Philly news, not even the World Series. Just the usual suspects...