After Action Report Schwarzenegger at Santa Monica College

6/14/05 | n/a

[absalom01]

I'm posting this at RonDog's request, and to give a quick update on a successful FReep at SaMo City College -- the gang is still "networking" at the after-party, so photos should follow!

Kudos to RonDog for organizing 20+ FReepers, plus some outstanding SaMo College Republicans who met at the corner of 16th and Pico in support of Governor Ahhnold, and to help counter the cancer from A.N.S.W.E.R. We had tons of media exposure -- all of the local TV stations, radio, and print outlets were there, and many interviewed folks from our side. We should see some of this on the local news tonight. The "alternative" press was out in force, and interviews were given, but you could tell that their hearts weren't in it!

We did have some attention from the smelly opposition, but nothing untoward occured, which is always good.

The bad guys were broken up into two groups, a block to the east of our location. The Mechistas and Answer commies had their little Klatch, and the Union thugs had a separate gathering.

My own little anecdote: as I was approaching our corner (late, per usual), a young woman warned me to "be careful, there's fascists on the corner". When I arrived at the corner, I didn't see any of those, just a bunch of nice people holding "go Arnold" signs. So, she was either engaging in hyperbole, or (more likely) is an example of the unhinged left.

Following the festivities on the street, we repaired to a local eatery, and were joined by the college Republicans. According to their report, no major nonsense occured during Arnold's speech, though a few members of the "progressive alliance" walked out, and some people made low-level noise to ruin the event for the rest of the people there.

Hoping others will fill in.

[MensRightsActivist]

"Yes, I don't understand who came up with the idea that screaming the word fascist would gain credibility no matter what, but these folks do have followers."

It would have been nice to have had video taken as these liberal zombies marched in Lot one at 18th place and Pico, especially the profanity spewing parts. Anna, or some other talented person in the film world could do a great spoof on Romero's Night of the Living Dead, interspersing cuts from the marching liberal protestors with the goonlike zombies walking in Romero's flick.

A third interspersing that would add impact would be to show the anti-war goons contrasted against the effects of Sadaam's reign. Also contrast the Pro-choice goons against the effects of abortion. It would also be nice to show the liberal goon zombies making their fascist comments, then cut away to shots of their own fascist intolerance against others like the Protest Warriors, when liberal goons beat on them at the Presidential inaguration, and started fires, etc.

[MensRightsActivist]

Thanks Edee.

[MensRightsActivist]

As I was at the truck on Pico Blvd. I met two guys passing by on the sidewalk who said they were with Portest Warrior, but I didn't get their names. I shook hands with the guy closest and said, "It's an honor to meet you guys." I would have liked to talk longer with them, but there was a lot of commotion going on all around.

[eleni121]

We all appreciate your efforts. Thank you!

[MensRightsActivist]

"Actions like this point out a political narcissism and absolutism that reveal nothing but the immaturity of Arnold's opposition." - Captain Ed"

Given the profanity and epithets that also characterize these liberals I would have said, "It reveals nothing, but their vulgarity." ...but hey, there's always room for another valid analysis, and you certainly expose another facet of the liberal, demented mindset. Isn't it ironic how lacking in magnanimity and graciousness, these liberals are when you actually see them exercising their concept of tolerance? The irony is not lost on David Horowitz who I seem to recall has referred to their concept of tolerance as "The Tyranny of Tolerance."

Lastly, it could be said that C.S. Lewis adds a facet of insight, that seems applicable, to "tyrannically tolerant liberals" like those who interrupted the Governor's speech yesterday at Santa Monica College:

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their consciences." -- C. S. Lewis

[Straysinger]

That statement was supposed to be tongue in cheek, since we all know how biased they are. Hopefully they will be able to set aside their prejudice enough to write a half decent article, but we'll see.

Someone also posted a copy of the article that they said had been updated with coverage of us. It might be that my eyesight or reading comprehension skills are a bit shoddy, but I still don't see any mention of FReep, CR's, or our protest. Am I missing something?

I just got off the phone with the managing editor of the Corsair who called me up in an attempt to explain himself and his actions at the protest. He told me that earlier that day he had been on campus when Arnold's motorcade showed up, and that security had made him step off campus onto the sidewalk in spite of his press credential. He apparently had an argument with security which, for whatever reason ended up with him standing outside the press box during the speech.

He said that his disruptive behavior was to protest his treatment by Arnold's security. I let him know what I thought about this, and he concluded that "we will never be in agreement" on the issue.

We talked at some length about press bias, and he assured me that the article posted is only the first in a series, and that we will be given plenty of coverage. He's going to call me tomorrow for an interview. We'll keep you posted.

BTW: It was nice to meet you all too last night.

[Feiny]

I knew your comment was tongue in cheek....that is why it was so funny. But, many reading the thread did not know the editor was protesting Arnold.

I guess now he will have to write an article on you guys since you caught him & called his bluff. But, I won't hold my breath.

[MensRightsActivist]

"We talked at some length about press bias, and he assured me that the article posted is only the first in a series, and that we will be given plenty of coverage. He's going to call me tomorrow for an interview. We'll keep you posted."

We would appreciate being apprised of any news from the Corsair (school paper) as the links to a current edition of the Corsair online are kind of hit and miss. Thank You.

[RonDog]

Someone also posted a copy of the article that they said had been updated with coverage of us.

That would be ME. :o)

Notice the caption under the following picture:

Media Credit: Morgan Genser

Left Nathan Cox stands with a sign
calling Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger a liar
with Schwarzenegger supports all around him
on the corner of 16th and Pico in Santa Monica California.
The protest was held as Governor Schwarzenegger
spoke at the commencement ceremony
for the 75th anniversity graudation at Santa Monica College

That picture was taken right in front of OUR designated rally (at 16th and Pico) -- just AFTER some bozo planted himself (with his anti-Arnold "Liar" sign) directly in front of us...

...but BEFORE we had him removed, which was within a few minutes, or so.

Note how clumsily the Corsair photographer and/or editor cropped out almost everyone ELSE -- i.e. the 20 or 30 PRO-Arnold people -- who were standing on that corner.

Note also, the MISSPELLING of "Schwarzenegger supports," "anniversity," and "graudation."

[RonDog]

See also, from www.malibutimes.com:

Schwarzenegger faces boos, turned backs at Santa Monica College

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Several Santa Monica College faculty members stood and turned their backs to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger when he took the stage during commencement ceremonies in the Corsair Stadium Tuesday evening. The sign held by two faculty members reads, "$80,000,000 buys a lot of books." Heather O'Quinn / TMT

The governor gave his commencement speech, enduring constant chanting and disapproval from faculty and students alike.

By Ryan O'Quinn/Special to The Malibu Times

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took the stage Tuesday at Santa Monica College's Corsair Stadium, which was filled with a maximum capacity crowd, and faced boos, chants, turned backs and signs of protest to his policies on education funding.

As the governor entered the stage to give his commencement address, a handful of people left the auditorium and immediately chants, boos and whistling commenced and continued during his entire speech. Of the 200 employees seated onstage behind the governor, most of which were faculty members, eight stood up and turned their backs and two of the six held a sign that read "$80 million buys a lot of books."

About 10 graduating students seated in front of the audience got up and turned their backs to the governor onstage, later that group grew to 16, and scattered throughout the audience five groups of 10 or so students booed. Several held a 10-foot by 6-foot banner that read "$80 million for higher education, not for special education." When Santa Monica police took the sign away from the students, it seemed as if the entire audience booed the action, and the 10 who were holding the sign held their hands out with their thumbs down and chanted.

Schwarzenegger gave his speech as if nothing unusual were happening, even receiving a cheer when he mentioned one of his movies "Conan the Barbarian."

He spoke of how Santa Monica College taught him to read, write and speak English, and spoke highly of his professors who encouraged him, telling him he could do anything he wanted to do. As his speech progressed, several faculty members seated behind him stood up and cheered the governor.

Other SMC faculty, staff and students protested at the other end of the campus in order to not disrupt the ceremonies.

Before and during the governor's speech, which began at 6 p.m., approximately 300 protestors filled Santa Monica's streets between 16th and 23rd on Pico Boulevard waving signs, marching and yelling. Santa Monica and other college faculty members gathered at 20th and Pico.

One woman was seen with three children, who appeared to be less than 10 years old, marching down the street. The children wore red and white signs that read "For Sale, by Arnold."

Malibu High School junior Teddy Siegel and his friend, Dane Sandberg, also a junior at the school, were among protesters Tuesday.

"I think it's absolutely spectacular that there's a big turnout against what Schwarzenegger is doing," Siegel said. "I hope this sends a message that California won't accept what he's doing."

Sandberg agreed, saying, "It's about time that people show their true beliefs about Arnold."

The governor has come under fire recently from a barrage of special interest groups and labor unions, including teachers, who say he reneged on campaign promises that included an increase in education spending.

This comes on the heels of another teachers union, The California Teachers Association, approving a dues increase to replenish monies the union plans to use to fight a special election Schwarzenegger announced on Monday. One ballot measure will call for a limit on the increase in state education spending and another increases the amount of time it takes for a teacher to receive tenure.

Sherman Lambert, a member of the union, United Teachers of Los Angeles, said, "The special election is a tremendous waster of resources. Our schools are already running short."

Another community college teacher, Cynthia Kastan, who did not want to reveal which college she worked for, said, "I want Arnold to stop representing corporate interests and start representing the interests of working individuals."

"Give back the $3.2 billion dollars you borrowed from education and do no cut my pension," she added.

The Schwarzenegger camp as well as the unions have taken their respective agendas to the street by using radio and television ads. Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson has accused the unions of distorting the truth and says the governor has spent more money per student than any other governor.

There was a small group of 30 or so supporters of the governor, including Genevieve Peters, a former teacher with the Long Beach Unified School District. "He's making really tough choices and that's what a governor should do," she said. "Also, it's not about money, it's about qualified teachers in classrooms."

Of the choice of the governor as guest speaker, Peters said, "He's a success story, he's an excellent representative for Santa Monica College."

Rumbles of SMC faculty planning to protest the governor's appearance surfaced last week as members circulated e-mails debating the pros and cons of protesting Schwarzenegger's address and how to carry out various protests to the governor's visit and subsequent speech.

The Malibu Times obtained a few of the intra-college e-mails by the SMC faculty and administrators.

One faculty member suggested that the faculty wear their graduation regalia as usual until Schwarzenegger takes the podium, then either turn their back or walk out on him during his speech. Another recommended that the faculty wear graduation attire while protesting outside the stadium.

Yet others in the e-mail correspondence reminded faculty that the event was a celebration for the students and their families, and encouraged a graduation without incident. One said any protest could backfire and cause the governor to emerge as the champion of students and also galvanize his opposition to community colleges.

"I've talked to a lot of people and I think there's a real mix of people on campus," said Bruce Smith, public information officer for the college, in an interview prior to commencement ceremonies. "There are students and employees who think that it's really cool that the governor's coming and they are excited. There are students and employees who wanted us to un-invite him and there are those who may or may not like the governor's policies, but feel that graduation is not the place to turn it into a three-ring circus."

Some administrators and professors claimed they would be doing the student body an injustice by not exercising their First Amendment rights by vocalizing their discontent with the governor's policies. Others, using the same logic, said professional educators must adhere to civil etiquette during such a gathering and save the public protests for before or after the ceremony.

"We invited [Schwarzenegger] right after he was elected," Smith said. "He is an alumnus and he wasn't able to make it in 2004, but was [able] in 2005. I think you are going to find that, among the protestors, most of them are off-campus people. It's a real mixed bag of sentiment about the whole thing."

Smith also noted that this is the first year the college has had to issue tickets to graduation. Corsair Stadium in Santa Monica had 5,000 seats for the event and all were distributed in a short amount of time, he said.

Near the end of his speech, Schwarzenegger said, "Don't just take, give something back," and, "Win, win, win and give back to the community." The audience responded with half cheering and half jeering.

After the governor left the stage, Robert Adams, vice president of student affairs, said, "This is a graduation I will never forget.

"This is about you. Let's focus on you."

The entire audience of family members, graduating students and faculty erupted into a deafening response of applause and stomping and cheering.

[DLfromthedesert]

I saw this on O'Reilly. How does the school let these thugs get away with this rude and disruptive behavior?

What about the graduates whose ceremony was spoiled because of these idiots?

[MensRightsActivist]

Here is the link to the story in the Santa Monica College school paper, Corsair, dated June 14, 2005.

The following statement (possibly a Freudian slip) pretty much sums up their one way thinking,

"Many different groups showed up to express there voice some where against the governor some where against him."

[MensRightsActivist]

Here are more photos of the event in the school paper Photo Gallery. Click: Congrats Students

[GVnana]

What about the graduates whose ceremony was spoiled because of these idiots?

Ridiculous spectacle, wasn't it? Libs are slime.

[RonDog]

Thanks, MensRightsActivist!

From www.SMCcorsair.com:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger supporters, Gladis Moreno and Angie Chaddick hold up signs on Pico and 17th St. in Santa Monica. June 14, 2005

Pico and 17th?

We were on Pico and 16th.

[Feiny]

"Many different groups showed up to express there voice some where against the governor some where against him."

Wow, that paper has a great editor & very educated reporters.

[Doctor Raoul]

Good job, very good job.

If you hadn't been there, the wackos would have had the stageto themselves and they'd have been seen as perhaps mainstream.

Plus you demoralized them and the media.

[RonDog]

Thanks, Doc!

My only concern is that SOME elements of the opposition seem to have abandoned any sense of HONOR...

...and violated one of the key principles of our "political warfare" by attacking CIVILIANS.

Over the years, we have certainly engaged the "cancer from A.N.S.W.E.R." many times in "street actions."

And, we have even tangled with the "union thugs" once or twice.

But as NASTY as both of those groups of people can be, I do not recall ANY of them pulling a stunt like THESE bozos did:

...directly attacking innocent political non-combatants: the graduates and their families.

[MensRightsActivist]

I saw Bill Oreily tonight and he was "outraged," to quote him, "at the behavior of the protesting instructors and other disrupters, when the Gov. was speaking." He asked, words to the effect "What's wrong with them?"

In fact the Fox cable News is on in the background as I write this, and I just heard the story airing on Neil Cavuto - again. Every one wants to know what's wrong with those people protesting the Gov.? I know what's wrong, "There commies!" ...or more specifically commie-crats."

Of course, I did get there about Noon (4 or 5 hours before the start of any scheduled protesting) and started circling the school in the little black truck with the 4 American flags on it (commies in Santa Monica hate the American flag). Of course, the SMC liberals had lots of time to read, "MAN-HATING FEMINIST LIES HARM US ALL." The flag flying from the end of that 4' X 8' plywood sign is 4ft. long by 30" high and I just love it, when it kicks out in full flutter in all its glory. Heads turn like spectators watching a tennis match.

Perhaps circling the school for hours before the event started helped to work these commies up into a lather so they showed their true colors yesterday evening - sort of like how cock roaches get frenzied and squatter about in a squalid kitchen, when you turn the lights on. If you don't illuminate their activities they just go about their sordid deeds in darkness, undisturbed. The kitchen in my home is clean, but I've serviced refrigeration in commercial kitchen's in the off hours of the night. Yikes! What a way to ruin your appetite.

When I got tired of circling the school I drove the route where those other protestors were preparing to walk from the Catholic Church to the school. In your face Commies!

[Straysinger]

Here are some more pics from the graduation:

Tom in Regalia

 

Hmm...maybe I'll just walk by and keep my mouth shut...

 

SMC CR's showing out in force