I thought they were being married by a priest with a Satan patch on his back.
Posted on 08/29/2005 11:40:55 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CRAWFORD – The bride wore an embroidered peasant top. The groom was equally casual in slacks and a short-sleeved shirt.
For all its informality, the Sunday wedding of Genevieve Van Cleve and Peter Ravella at the main Crawford peace rally site was very much a formal statement against U.S. militarism.
The Austin residents said Sunday that they support Iraqi freedom and democracy, but question the U.S. military's role in that mission. Van Cleve and Ravella said they felt it was appropriate to start their lives by affirming love and peace into their marriage covenant, which was sealed before an audience of at least 300 peace demonstrators at Camp Casey II.
“I wanted to add some joy to what has been a somber event,” said Van Cleve, 34, who performed slam poetry at Camp Casey II a week ago at the behest of Liz Carpenter, former press secretary and chief of staff for Lady Bird Johnson.
Van Cleve and Ravella were to be married in a more traditional setting in the fall, but Van Cleve said she was inspired to rush the wedding after attending the peace protests and meeting with like-minded people near President Bush's vacation home.
Ravella, 46, agreed. The pair was able to convince family and friends throughout the nation to take a drive or flight to Central Texas.
“It's not a zoo,” said Ravella, referring to the atmosphere at Camp Casey II. “Most people here are people who have never spoken out against their country in a public way É The guts (to do so) is incredible. Their courage is incredible.”
While some may question the insertion of politics into a wedding, the Rev. Tom Nuckols said a marriage is inherently about politics. Nuckols, a professor emeritus at Austin College, officiated the couple's wedding ceremony.
Marriage is “about which values you'll choose to live and to set priorities,” he said.
A wedding at a peace rally is a first for Nuckols. But he said he agreed to perform the ceremony because he thought the couple's intentions and political statement match that of Jesus, who sought justice and compassion for the lesser of society.
The couple insisted that they do not want their wedding to be viewed as a sideshow. Still, they asked Cindy Sheehan for permission to hold a wedding ceremony at the protest site.
Sheehan started a sit-in on Prairie Chapel Road on Aug. 6 to catch President Bush's attention in an effort to bring an end to the Iraq war. It has since grown to two camps within a few miles of Bush's ranch.
Sheehan, who sat on the front row of the Van Cleve-Ravella wedding, said she gladly approved of the nuptials taking place at Camp Casey II, the larger of the two peace protest sites named after her slain Army son.
“I was so happy when they wanted to get married at Camp Casey because Camp Casey is a place of love, and what better place to get married?” Sheehan said.
“But I'd like to have someone come and have a baby here,” Sheehan quipped.
tdejesus@wacotrib.com
Congratulations to the happy couple!
May their children grow up to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or a conservative President of the United States.
Some of them were sane. Pete Townsend whacked Abbie Hoffman over the head with his SG when Hoffman grabbed a mic to say Free Rueben Sinclair. KABONG!
“But I'd like to have someone come and have a baby here,” Sheehan quipped.
Maybe brother Al can oblige her?
She looks so happy too, doesn't she?
What the heck is "slam poetry?"
Okay self, take a deep breath.
No... laughing... at.. made up.... phony... pretentious... names..
Oh hell, Bwaaahaha!
(I bet her nickname is Muffy)
I thought they were being married by a priest with a Satan patch on his back.
of course, it could happen as long as they don't abort it first.....
I'm sure they didn't sign anything. Just so they make a statement about "question authority".
Are they playing music at Camp Casey? I don't think it would compare in any case.
Give'm another week and they'll be dropping acid and cavorting naked in raw sewage.
"“But I'd like to have someone come and have a baby here,” Sheehan quipped. "
Translation: It is all about MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
She is nothing but a little girl looking to be "popular".
Sorry, ladies, the girly man is taken.
By whom I mean, the guy in the story, not me.
Oh and here I thought you came out!!
Peace and love are all fine and dandy - births, too. But somehow, I don't think they are high on the priority list of terrorists flying jets into buildings and planting roadside IEDs
Must be lovely and peaceful to live in a perpetual state of delusion.
Joan Baez already made an appearance. They are well on their way to this.
Up next, Jane Fonda pulls up in her crisco powered RV.
I thought it was a little strange that she let it be about someone else long enough for them to get married there. I'm surprised she didn't have to hand them the ring or something.
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