Schwarzenegger at Santa Monica College Commencement, June 14th. NEED BODIES!

SMC Republicans | Tom Oster

[Amerigomag]

Gov. Schwarzenegger is ... being relentlessly pursued and hounded throughout the state by ... other assorted characters.

Good news and bad news.

You've directed your plea to the home base of the "other associated characters"; more commonly know as political conservatives. We'd like rid of Schwarzenegger as badly as the liberals

Don't fret. All are welcome at FR. You're not the first partisan that mistook FR for a Republican Party mouthpiece and you won't be the last.

[RonDog]

We'd like rid of Schwarzenegger as badly as the liberals...

I think that Gray Davis is still available... ;)

[RonDog]

College Republican PING, please!

[CalGOPTom]

I'll assume that you're speaking for yourself and definitely some others here. I understand that. I didn't assume FR to be a Republican mouthpiece, but I expect a big tent, of sorts.

I know for a fact that there are and will be some sympathetic ears on here. If that isn't you, that's perfectly alright. As far as I'm concerned, it is about marginal improvements and the lesser of two evils. I might actually agree with you regarding Arnold, but he's a damn sight better than the alternative around here.

In any case, in the context of this particular event, if you're looking for your fellow anti-Arnold travellers, you'll find them under the Che banners, red/black flags and International ANSWER posters.

[PRND21]

We'd like rid of Schwarzenegger as badly as the liberals

Speak for yourself.
If we listened to you we'd have Grey or Cruz in office.
You speak for a loud few around here. (S.O.S.)

[RonDog]

From www.answerla.org:

 Protest Gov. Schwarzenegger
in Santa Monica!
Fight Back! Stop Budget Cuts!
Full Rights for Immigrants!
Tues, June 14, 5 pm
Santa Monica College
(corner of Pico & 17th St), Santa Monica

On June 14, Schwarzenegger is coming to Santa Monica College to speak to graduating students. Meanwhile, he wants to cut education funding, teacher's wages, pensions and jobs across California. Join us at SMC to protest Schwarzenegger and his racist, sexist, anti-people policies. Let's build a united people's fight back to tell Schwarzenegger that students, teachers, nurses, workers, immigrants and retired people are NOT "special interests!"

 

Return Money to the Education Budget!
Hands Off Public Pensions!
Stop the Attacks on Immigrants!
Fight Racism & Sexism!

Initiated by: Santa Monica College Coalition in Solidarity with Cuba, Youth and Student ANSWER, Progressive Alliance-Santa Monica College and Global Resistance Network

All progressive organizations and individuals are encouraged to endorse and build for this important demonstration. To endorse, call 323-464-1636 or e-mail answerla@answerla.org. 

Flyer (English/Spanish)

[RonDog]

(corner of Pico & 17th St), Santa Monica

It appears that our opposition --

(the "cancer from A.N.S.W.E.R.")

-- has alreay chosen THEIR rally location.

[68 grunt]

There's no reason to pollute this thread. Besides which, your characterization is incorrect.

[RonDog]

Arnold's an alum.

From www.sacbee.com:

...Schwarzenegger, an immigrant from Austria, attended Santa Monica College and often credits his community college education as crucial to his success as a bodybuilder, movie star and politician.

[BillF]

Well put. In addition to an announcement, this also properly goes in activism/chapters because it is a call to activism.

It's surprising to me how many good FReepers, even long-time FReepers, mistake posts like this for a vanity. Likewise, some wrongly characterize After-Action Reports of a FReep as vanities. Others sometimes think that if they report what they heard on the radio or TV that it is a vanity. In both of the last two situations, the FReeper is effectively acting as a journalist to report an event.

No real harm comes from this error, but you were right to politely suggest that this is not a vanity.

[La Enchiladita]

Okay, it looks like we have our work cut out for us. According to local news, there were THOUSANDS of THEM at Pershing Square two days ago...

[RonDog]

From www.smccorsair.com:

Corsair - Opinion
Issue: 5/11/05

---

Schwarzenegger at Santa Monica College
By Nattashia Arango

Santa Monica College has invited Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to be the commencement speaker for this year's graduation.
This decision has upset many students, faculty and staff as a result of strong political beliefs.
What many students don't know is that the governor was enrolled at SMC from 1971-1974, which might be a reason as to why SMC seems to be his preferred community college.

Some who support the governor believe that the entire idea is a good one.
"It's a great idea for Arnold to speak to students, because he is in particular an inspirational role model," said SMC student Jason Melton.
Although some SMC students are in complete opposition to Schwarzenegger attending this year's graduation, some that advocate for Schwarzenegger in belief that his presence will be honored.

"It's a political thing. I'm pro-Schwarzenegger," said Melton.
Of course politics is involved so individuals have strong political views, which might oppose or support Schwarzenegger.
Some students are not fond of Schwarzenegger and how he has structured the budget deficit, let alone having him speak at graduation.
Numerous SMC students feel the recent fee increases are not the only answer to the state's budget woes, and most students blame the governor.

The governor has not addressed the state budget's structural deficit, thus he has failed to fulfill his responsibilities as governor.
"Having the governor at this year's graduation would be a disaster," said SMC student Lillian Navarro.

Overall, the idea of having the governor attend the ceremony will cause some controversy around campus.
Campus officials expect a large turnout of the media press and protestors, and many students who are graduating, may not be pleased.

Whether or not the students are pleased, the Governator, "Will Be Back."

---

[Rabid Dog]

Are there any Ventura County Freepers that can make it down?

[RonDog]

Okay, it looks like we have our work cut out for us.

According to local news, there were THOUSANDS of THEM at Pershing Square two days ago...

They may have QUANTITY...

...but WE will have QUALITY. :o)

(TED HAYES is scheduled to be there on OUR side.)

Here is a SHORT EXCERPT about our very good FRiend Ted -- from www.opinionjournal.com:

CROSS COUNTRY

Rasta Republican
Meet Los Angeles's Ted Hayes. He's black, dreadlocked--and belongs to the GOP.

BY JILL STEWART
Thursday, April 28, 2005 12:01 a.m.

LOS ANGELES--Condoleezza Rice and Ward Connerly once epitomized black Republicans in California. But their ilk now also includes Ted Hayes, a social activist and inner-city coach whose billowing robes and dreadlocks don't exactly conjure up an image of the GOP.

More blacks than ever support vouchers and faith-based initiatives, and side with President Bush on gay marriage. Mr. Hayes recently made the transition himself, ending a long journey for this former leftist who founded Dome Village, an outcropping of pod-like homeless shelters along the freeway in downtown Los Angeles.

There are other prominent black Republicans in California, of course, such as syndicated radio host Larry Elder and community relations expert Joe Hicks. But even among these unusual thinkers, Mr. Hayes stands out. He's an intense critic of L.A.'s powerful "black old guard"--Democratic politicians, charity bosses and inner-city preachers who, for a generation, have responded to poverty and illiteracy by demanding government programs and blaming white racism.

Not surprisingly, plenty of people wish pesky black Republicans like Mr. Hayes would just slink away. He has skewered L.A.'s entrenched black leaders as "Negro officials," and he has the street cred to get away with it. As L.A. endured another crisis between black leaders and cops recently, he refused to denounce police for shooting dead a 13-year-old, Devin Brown, after a car chase. Instead, Mr. Hayes's press release faulted black church leaders who, despite their great power, rarely point to the lack of parental responsibility...

-- snip --

[lodwick]

Just show up, fsa.

Cheers.

[QQQQQ]

When you actually count them, the Arnold haters here seem to be less than a dozen people, there seem to be more of them because they are very vocal and prolific.

But the bottom line is that a very large percentage of the people here, especially those from CA, are Arnold supporters, or at worst neutral.

Only a few are active Arnold haters, that no matter what Arnold does or would do, they would hate him anyway.

[Amerigomag]

There's no reason to pollute this thread.

There is every reason to speak out against partisan Republicans who support/supported Schwarzenegger. Against all reason and all conservative values they foisted upon California a social liberal and who is a born again libertarian with regard to business regulation.

Partisan Republicans should be ashamed what they've done to California. Their Austrian stocking horse has outspent and out taxed every one of his predecessors including Gray Davis.

Besides which, your characterization is incorrect.

Which characterization. I made four.

1) That FreeRepublic was founded by conservatives, not partisan Republicans.
2) That conservatives in California are fed up with Schwarzenegger who has increased rather than cut spending, is increasing taxes at the fastest rate in the state's history and who won't cooperate in the deportation of illegal aliens just to name three quickly.
3) That all political persuasions are welcomed at FreeRepublic.
4) That partisan Republicans frequently think that FreeRepublic is a gathering place for Republicans and frequently treat the conservatives here with disdain if they don't blindly follow the Republican Party mantra.

[QQQQQ]

"In any case, in the context of this particular event, if you're looking for your fellow anti-Arnold travellers, you'll find them under the Che banners, red/black flags and International ANSWER posters."


====

Good answer! Exactly right.

[QQQQQ]

"Santa Monica College Coalition in Solidarity with Cuba, Youth and Student ANSWER, Progressive Alliance-Santa Monica College and Global Resistance Network

All progressive organizations and individuals are encouraged to endorse and build for this important demonstration. "



Are you going to join these fine anti-Arnold demonstrators?

[QQQQQ]

"That conservatives in California are fed up with Schwarzenegger "


I guess you must not consider Tom McClintock a conservative, because he praised Arnold several times recently.