SOOOo the President of The United States of America was in my city yesterday, at Spectrum Health, a hospital about 3 blocks from my house. We have known he was comming for a month or so, and a lot of people have been wondering what they could do to make a stand, and so it was decided they would protest, and protest they did.
About 150 people, ranging in age from about 16 to 60 stood outside the hospital for hours, holding signs saying things like, "George W(warhorse) Bush," and "war takes away human rights" and various other slogans and sayings, some were actually quite funny, but they escape my mind at this moment. After a while the police were there, and about a mile of road was blocked off, they took over the street and yelled and marched for hours. It may have been the most beautiful thing i've ever seen in my entire, all those people, drawn together by a common cause, it was, for lack of a better word, amazing. Of course on the news they made it sound like these people, who only want peace, started riots, and faught, and of course 10 people were arrested, to set an example. But, There is a huge uproar around here towards the anti-war movement. I got a flier from a friend of mine that reads:
"fEBRUARY 15, 2003
STATEWIDE PEACE MARCH- MICHIGAN SAYS NO TO WAR IN IRAQ!
In the even of A US invasion of Iraq, the plan is to meet that day outside the Grand Rapids Federal Building- 110 Michigan- for a demonstration. For those interested in more direct action, there will be a meeting at the IGE at 7pm the day we invade at 1118 Wealthy st.
all i can say is, there are thousands of people just here, in my city, willing to fight against war. I dont know what good it will do, but damned if we dont try, i guess.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
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tashasimone
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- Location: Michigan
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
Right on Tasha! Right on!
You experienced the lies of the press and the police firsthand.
I remember the WTO when women and children and businessmen were gassed in the streets of downtown Seattle and then the next day there were labled anarchists by the press.
Anarchists in business suits?
Anarchists in high heels?
Anarchists in Gap Kids?
The lunatics are running the asylum.
The asylum is called Our American Democracy.
You experienced the lies of the press and the police firsthand.
I remember the WTO when women and children and businessmen were gassed in the streets of downtown Seattle and then the next day there were labled anarchists by the press.
Anarchists in business suits?
Anarchists in high heels?
Anarchists in Gap Kids?
The lunatics are running the asylum.
The asylum is called Our American Democracy.
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tashasimone
- Big Ears
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:01 am
- Location: Michigan
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
the thing that really gets me, i mean, REALLY GETS ME is that these people were soooo peacful about it, they truly just dont want to fight, so why would they fight about not fighting? it just makes no sence to me at all.
Thats amazing that you could expirience that first hand, sloth. What better way to lose faith in your country than to witness what it does to its own people, huh?
Thats amazing that you could expirience that first hand, sloth. What better way to lose faith in your country than to witness what it does to its own people, huh?
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
Here's one for you. About a month ago the London Times newspaper said that they had info that said that the US would invade Iraq on Feb. 21. Basically it said that no matter what happened with the arms inspectors the US was going in. A couple of days ago Rumsfeld said that they would have enough soldiers in the gulf region for an invasion within three weeks. You do the math.
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tashasimone
- Big Ears
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- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 9:01 am
- Location: Michigan
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
Well i really dont think that 150 people protesting are by any means going to stop the war. Not at all. But, I think its important for bush to know he is not supported by everyone. I think It's important for our COUNTRY to know that it's not supported. I know that the war will happen, but damnit, it's becasue we live in this country that we can say, "damnit, george, stick it up your ass, im not fighting!"
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"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
"My battle cry is: No more Vietnams. No more Somalias. No more Koreas. No more fights that saw unprepared forces flung onto foreign battlefields to be chewed up like hamburger in a lion's den."
this statement was said by the militarys most decorated soldier, David Hackworth. although he spent the majority of his life definding this country-he finally gave up because he realized that the leaders of our country didnt give a shit who lost thier lives because of the idiotic decisions they make. he now the columist of "defending america" which helps the military and non-military realize that the government is not all flags and fireworks. so 150 people isnt alot BUT it, at least, is enough to make the "lunatics" aware they they are not supported.
right on!
this statement was said by the militarys most decorated soldier, David Hackworth. although he spent the majority of his life definding this country-he finally gave up because he realized that the leaders of our country didnt give a shit who lost thier lives because of the idiotic decisions they make. he now the columist of "defending america" which helps the military and non-military realize that the government is not all flags and fireworks. so 150 people isnt alot BUT it, at least, is enough to make the "lunatics" aware they they are not supported.
right on!
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
"Why am I so passionate? As a 19-year-old soldier I saw hundreds of young men killed, maimed or captured because of bad captains, inept generals and uncaring politicians. I witnessed this massacre for almost three years in Korea and then for almost five years in Vietnam, where 58,000 men died, 300,000 were wounded and a generation of young Americans were destroyed, our nation nearly split asunder.
The only way to stop such tragic misadventures and to insure your defense dollars are spent wisely is for the press to keep an eye on the bastards and keep you informed, so you can sound-off and make democracy work. All the reporting in the world won't cause a lick of change unless you, the reader, get the facts and scream to Congress and the White House to stop the slaughter and waste or get a new job!"- David Hackworth
The only way to stop such tragic misadventures and to insure your defense dollars are spent wisely is for the press to keep an eye on the bastards and keep you informed, so you can sound-off and make democracy work. All the reporting in the world won't cause a lick of change unless you, the reader, get the facts and scream to Congress and the White House to stop the slaughter and waste or get a new job!"- David Hackworth
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
Anybody know what role the current administration (Rumsfield & Cheney) played during the Vietnam War?
That would have been around the time of Cheney's first heart attack.
That would have been around the time of Cheney's first heart attack.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
well, good 'ol cheney dodged the vietnam draft all together and i think rumsfeld was in the navy during the korean and early vietnam but was never actually in combat
rumsfeld ended up as the assistant to president ford and cheney was the chief of staff --which i think is around his first heart attack
im a big military buff-ask me anything
the ONLY person in the presidents staff that has ever been in acutal combat is , of course, Powell.
rumsfeld ended up as the assistant to president ford and cheney was the chief of staff --which i think is around his first heart attack
im a big military buff-ask me anything
the ONLY person in the presidents staff that has ever been in acutal combat is , of course, Powell.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
xsquisid3 you rock.
I thought those guys would have been old enough to call the shots in Vietname but I guess I am wrong. I once saw a picture of them circa 1975 hanging out together and they exuded evil like Ferraris exude speed. They looked like a couple of dorks who stole the keys to the kingdom. They looked like... oh never mind.
Why is it that we are so proud to be from the land of the free and the home of the brave when it's all just a corporate slogan? No more meaningful or true than Maxwell being "Good to the last drop" or Exxon "Putting a tiger in your tank".
We deserve a break today.
I thought those guys would have been old enough to call the shots in Vietname but I guess I am wrong. I once saw a picture of them circa 1975 hanging out together and they exuded evil like Ferraris exude speed. They looked like a couple of dorks who stole the keys to the kingdom. They looked like... oh never mind.
Why is it that we are so proud to be from the land of the free and the home of the brave when it's all just a corporate slogan? No more meaningful or true than Maxwell being "Good to the last drop" or Exxon "Putting a tiger in your tank".
We deserve a break today.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
it gets worse..
georgew dodged the war by joining the national guard-who of which, if ever called would only protect against invaders to thier particular state.
cheney AND rumsfeld's head staff all dodged the draft and were all attending yale, columbia, harvard, whathave you. if you look down the entire chain of staff you will find that the governement (most of our country supports for war) doenst have the first clue the realistic rules of war- all they know is the nintendo version.
and dont even look to the joint chiefs of staff because if im correct only one maybe two have been in ACUTAL combat or been a commander in combat.
to give you an idea of how fucked we are-let me tell you how a general is made: first they go to military college or go thru the ROTC program at any university and if they complete the program, they gradutate from college and automatically a 2nd LT. and they are automatically promoted three more times until they make Major-that means they can be assigned to any reserve or nat'l guard until and sit on thier ass and watch the money roll in and get promoted-- sometimes you'll get the gung-ho type and go to the regular army BUT mind you all you did was go to college and you have NO KNOWLEDGE of what the REAL military is like-that means these people have never been to basic training!
alright, so, if you like to kiss ass and are up a generals ass you will be promoted LT Colonel and then Colonel. now the politics come to play- to get promoted to a general you have to be up the politicians asses because you can only be promoted to general by the president and their advisors. NOW if you have made it this far and you are a one of the few who are still left from the real wars, ex. Vietnam- if you even try to voice any logical thought, you will never be promoted again or they will just force you to retire. SO, to be a general you only have one star and if you notice all the joint chiefs of staff have three or four. you do the math.
i could go on for hours, but basically we are not all tree-huggers who are against this war effort.
georgew dodged the war by joining the national guard-who of which, if ever called would only protect against invaders to thier particular state.
cheney AND rumsfeld's head staff all dodged the draft and were all attending yale, columbia, harvard, whathave you. if you look down the entire chain of staff you will find that the governement (most of our country supports for war) doenst have the first clue the realistic rules of war- all they know is the nintendo version.
and dont even look to the joint chiefs of staff because if im correct only one maybe two have been in ACUTAL combat or been a commander in combat.
to give you an idea of how fucked we are-let me tell you how a general is made: first they go to military college or go thru the ROTC program at any university and if they complete the program, they gradutate from college and automatically a 2nd LT. and they are automatically promoted three more times until they make Major-that means they can be assigned to any reserve or nat'l guard until and sit on thier ass and watch the money roll in and get promoted-- sometimes you'll get the gung-ho type and go to the regular army BUT mind you all you did was go to college and you have NO KNOWLEDGE of what the REAL military is like-that means these people have never been to basic training!
alright, so, if you like to kiss ass and are up a generals ass you will be promoted LT Colonel and then Colonel. now the politics come to play- to get promoted to a general you have to be up the politicians asses because you can only be promoted to general by the president and their advisors. NOW if you have made it this far and you are a one of the few who are still left from the real wars, ex. Vietnam- if you even try to voice any logical thought, you will never be promoted again or they will just force you to retire. SO, to be a general you only have one star and if you notice all the joint chiefs of staff have three or four. you do the math.
i could go on for hours, but basically we are not all tree-huggers who are against this war effort.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
xquisid, you are the shit. the next time i start a war, i'm gonna call you...
but really: the funny thing is that even after all this military brain washing is done, you get people like schwarzkopf (who recently said there is not yet a real reason to attaq iraq) or powell, who in my book is a pretty reasonable guy, at least in contrast to the country-club republican oligarchy running the country.
but really: the funny thing is that even after all this military brain washing is done, you get people like schwarzkopf (who recently said there is not yet a real reason to attaq iraq) or powell, who in my book is a pretty reasonable guy, at least in contrast to the country-club republican oligarchy running the country.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
i agree
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
I actually had the same impression about Powell. Not sure if I feel the same way nowadays. I think he's towing the line.
Did you all hear? The Irish are giving up smoking in their pubs!!!! The Irish! You wouldn't expect that, really, would you? And the guy in the Irish pub said "what do they think this is, a bloody health club?" "we can't get to heaven if we don't die" something like that, they said. It's hilarious.
Did you all hear? The Irish are giving up smoking in their pubs!!!! The Irish! You wouldn't expect that, really, would you? And the guy in the Irish pub said "what do they think this is, a bloody health club?" "we can't get to heaven if we don't die" something like that, they said. It's hilarious.
"riots" in Grand Rapids, MI
hehe yeah i posted about the crazy irish here. i thought about adding it to pax, but i forgot.