Posted on 12/10/2003 7:33:08 AM PST by Perseverando
Liberal activists gather for 'house party'
Sponsored by MoveOn.org and open to anyone, the meeting was held at Hollins University.
By Mason Adams
When Jens Rasmussen took the stage at Hollins University on Sunday night in front of a giant photograph of President George Bush labeled "MisLeader," it's safe to say he was playing to a friendly crowd.
About 80 people showed up to a "house party" Sunday at Babcock Auditorium, one of a reported 770 around the country, to express their disdain for Bush and the war in Iraq.
Rasmussen, an actor at Mill Mountain Theatre, organized the event and introduced the film "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War." The nationwide parties were sponsored by MoveOn.org, a liberal activist Web site. The 56-minute film was the centerpiece of an evening that also included a short conference call with the film's producer-director, Robert Greenwald, and a series of performances from No Shame Theatre.
"Uncovered" uses interviews with ambassadors, United Nations weapon inspectors, CIA administrators and even former White House Counsel and Watergate figure John Dean, to argue that Bush misled the nation in seeking support for the war against Iraq.
David Rackmales of Hardy said he already knew most of the information and arguments presented in "Uncovered."
"This wasn't meant to inform people as much as rally them," said Rackmales, the Franklin County campaign coordinator for Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean. "If you want to call it propaganda, it is that. It's a way to get people energized."
Richie Cannady, a No Shame Theatre organizer, said he wished more area conservatives had attended the party so there would have been a greater diversity of opinions.
"It's unfair that only the left wing is represented tonight," Cannady said. "I was really hoping someone would come and try to put us in our place."
But most attendees felt at home. Floyd residents David Zachow and Annie Guppy, who said they usually dabble only in local politics, came Sunday to rally with other people who felt pulled into national politics by the war.
"I've been extremely upset with the way this country is going under this administration," Guppy said.
Jeff Maiden of Roanoke said he followed "right-wing talk radio" and printed newspapers, but was there to get a "straight-forward liberal view."
Rasmussen said the Roanoke gathering was the largest in the region - larger than parties in Blacksburg, Charlottesville and Greensboro. Two smaller area parties, including one in Lexington sponsored by the Maury River Friends, and one in Lynchburg sponsored by a supporter of Gen. Wesley Clark, were also scheduled.
The party was one of a reported 770 around the United States on Sunday night.
Many of the attendees were Hollins students. Freshman Sian Thomas said she came largely out of curiosity.
"I don't try to get too involved, but it's something I want to learn more about," Thomas said.
Several people left after the film was over, but many stayed for "No Shame Goes to War," in which performers had about 5 minutes each to stage performance-art skits, most related to politics.
Cannady performed a spoken-word piece about the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, joking at one point that people upset by the words should quit using cash emblazoned with "In God We Trust" as well.
Another man, Simon Atkins, unleashed "An Angry Poem About Local Politics," a profanity-laced tirade targeting Roanoke School Superintendent Wayne Harris, City Manager Darlene Burcham, Botetourt Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle and "the f------ horse they rode in on."
People interested in viewing "Uncovered" can order it through MoveOn.org.
No Shame Theatre performs every Friday at 11 p.m. at the Waldron Stage on East Church Avenue. Admission is $5.
I was invited to one of these parties by my liberal friend, but chose not to go. I saw no point in arguing with people who already hate Bush, no matter what he says or does (they still haven't gotten over the 2000 election yet).
Amen to that....I used to live in Roanoke too. Most of hubby's family still does. His brother-in-law used to manage a credit union branch near the college. My favorite co-ed line of his: "I can't be out of money; I still have checks!"
oh boy what fun.
Moveon.org is a PAC (political action committee). At least this university that hosted them was a private school. There were some public universities that permitted this political event in their buildings as well as some 501c3 charities that violated IRS tax law by hosting this as well (such as churches).
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