Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Amherst, Marxachusetts, Nov 11, For a couple of long hours, I was the woman behind the veil
MassNews.com ^ | 11/13/01 | Izzy Lyman

Posted on 11/13/2001, 2:11:32 PM by RaceBannon

Amherst, Marxachusetts, Nov. 11

For a couple of long hours, I was the woman behind the veil ...

My pal, Dr. Donna Kelley, and I had donned homemade burquas (a head-to-toe garment) to participate in a Veteran’s Day Tribute on the Amherst Town Common.

The disturb-the-peace peaceniks were also there. They had lined the street for their weekly “I Hate the Military” rally. They were their usual personality-challenged selves (read: “obnoxious”).


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Editorial; Front Page News
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-28 next last
Izzy Lyman in burqua ... she's on the left.

Izzy sans burqua stands with two U.S. Army men on foreign soil at Amherst.

We carried a flag of Afghanistan decorated with a circle slash through it and a small entourage of friends took turns holding Old Glory and a sign bearing twin messages. “Taliban oppresses/depresses women” on one side, and “Happy Birthday, U.S. Marine Corps” on the other. It was our way of expressing “peaceful outrage” at the criminal treatment of Afghan women by the ruling Taliban, as well as honoring our armed forces. Multitasking at its finest!

By now, many of us have read the news reports about how the religious behavior of the fairer sex is monitored by the Department of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice of the Taliban. In this extremist Islamic society, Afghan women, for instance, can receive a flogging for appearing in public without a male relative or for showing too much ankle.

So, there we were on a chilly November day, clutching bed sheets we had draped over our jeans, walking in a hunched (read: “oppressed”) manner, and vowing to exercise our right to remain silent.

The patriots who had gathered at the Town Common immediately “got” our attempts at political street theater. Many, in fact, thanked us for taking a pro-woman stance and not one of my neighbors recognized me. (Hee-hee.) Donna and I appreciated the support because it was really hard to see through the awful mesh that covered our faces, and it would have been difficult to chase a backpack snatcher with all that cloth. “Like wearing a birdcage,” as UMass English professor Arnold Silver described our getup.

Peaceniks Were Not Nice

As we hobbled past a line of the peaceniks (read: “losers”), one grungy chick (borrowing a line from the tired-liberal-cliches manual) said to me, “I see racism is still alive.” An elderly lady also had encouraging words for me: “They’re bombing people like you.”

This woman behind the burqua decided to speak. “Shut up!” I snapped at one. “Get a life!” I ordered the other.

Not very original or nice, but my mummy wrap seems to have constrained my creativity and unleashed my bad manners. Nearby, I could tell that Dr. Donna was also going at it with a fourth grade teacher. Mouthy. We became mouthy. And disheveled. My headgear was falling off, and Donna’s pant legs were brazenly showing.

We were also clamoring for answers. Why would left-wing feminists, of all genders, hassle us, I demanded of UMass graduate student Ed Cutting, who was on hand to support the troops. “You don't honestly believe that those folks actually believe their own literature, do you?” asked Ed. “They are fascists, and thus they have no trouble being hypocrites.”

I know that, Ed. And, now, I also know why I quickly failed at impersonating a downtrodden female.

When you regularly enjoy liberty, opportunity, and adventure, acting like a victim is no piece of cake. And, yes, thanks to the selflessness of our nation’s veterans, American females, like Donna and myself, have grown accustomed to a life of liberty, opportunity and adventure. Right now, my hope for the women of Afghanistan, who are really stuck wearing the veil, is what Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has envisioned … “that Kabul be liberated and put back in the hands of responsible people.”

Let freedom ring!

1 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:11:32 PM by RaceBannon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon; Dutchy; LongsforReagan; nancetc; #1CTYankee; .303 Brit; 2nd amendment mama...
Izzy Lyman Alert!
2 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:13:03 PM by RaceBannon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Right now, my hope for the women of Afghanistan, who are really stuck wearing the veil, is what Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has envisioned … “that Kabul be liberated and put back in the hands of responsible people.”

Turn on the TV -- your hope will soon be realized.

3 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:35:56 PM by StarFan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
BTTT!

You know Race, if you bump yourself too often you'll go blind or grow hair on your palms.

4 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:39:54 PM by LoneGOPinCT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Thanks for posting this!!!
5 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:45:29 PM by OldFriend
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Thanks Race ... you continue to outdo yourself! Cousin Izzy, you too! Patriots all!
6 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:49:22 PM by 2Trievers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend
The picture does not do the woman justice, she is one cute gal
7 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:49:33 PM by Little Bill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Great idea and a great story...
8 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:49:46 PM by rface
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
You keep out doing yourself, Race. I liked this thread. Good work!
9 posted on 11/13/2001, 2:58:03 PM by TLBSHOW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Oh hey...is that the Lord Jeff behind Izzy?

Wish I was there that weekend. I tell you, I get more and more ashamed of Amherst everyday....maybe they just got jealous of Northampton?
10 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:00:44 PM by WyldKard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Taunting the peaceniks! Great job, ladies.
11 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:01:02 PM by dead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
You guys are great and I know you had fun. It's always fun when you get in their faces.
12 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:07:36 PM by eleni121
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
I would like to see the looks on the faces of those she told to shut up and get a life, lol.
13 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:08:43 PM by MissAmericanPie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
My headgear was falling off, and Donna’s pant legs were brazenly showing. ...............LOL

Great message Race, thanks!

To Izzy and the Doctor...fantastic idea you two did a good number on those traitorous communist cowards.

14 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:16:03 PM by Syncro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Izzie Lyman is HOT!!!

(Forgive me Freeperettes. My hormones are still raging at 25).

15 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:19:13 PM by Clemenza
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Little Bill
I was wondering who was behind "the curtain". Nice to see these new FREEPERS.
16 posted on 11/13/2001, 3:20:34 PM by eternity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon; Dutchy
...and to Izzy Lyman, Dr. Donna Kelley and all FReepers/Patriots present in Amherst, Marxachusetts on Nov 11:

What a creative show of support for our military in Amherst this past Sunday... excellent! Thank you all, patriots, for taking your brave stand against the "disturb-the-peace peaceniks" also!

17 posted on 11/13/2001, 5:09:43 PM by nutmeg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: firebrand; evilC; stanz; Swede Girl; Exit148; ELS; Clinton's a rapist; kattracks; Doctor Raoul...
ping
18 posted on 11/13/2001, 5:15:32 PM by nutmeg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
I think it's great that we are bombing the hell out of the Taliban but we aren't doing it to liberate the women in Afghanistan. I think Izzy and Donna would have been better off confronting the anti-americans with the real reason..............THE TALIBAN IS A BUNCH OF RAGHEAD TERRORIST HARBORING MFs THAT SHOULD BE ELIMINATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH FOR ENABLING OBL TO OPERATE FROM THEIR COUNTRY AND KILL THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT AMERICANS

I feel better now.

19 posted on 11/13/2001, 5:20:05 PM by ChuckHam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: eternity
I would like to find the clown who tried to scrape my "God Votes Republican" sticker off. Just noticed it when I went to the store.
20 posted on 11/13/2001, 5:49:36 PM by Little Bill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-28 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson