After Hung Jury, 4 Who Poured Blood at Upstate Army Center Face U.S. Trial (NYT re Cindy)

The NY Times - International ^ | Sept 18, 2005 | Michelle York

[summer]

ITHACA, N.Y., Sept 14 - On the verge of America's invasion of Iraq, four left-wing activists went into the vestibule of their suburban Army recruiting center and poured vials of their blood, about four ounces each, onto the walls, windows and American flag.

They wanted the fresh recruits, the ones they believed had been seduced by video games and government lies, to see the blood and think about those destined to shed it: the Iraqi people and American soldiers. They refused to leave and prayed while they waited to be arrested.

Jesus of Nazareth inspired them, they said, as did their parents and several well-known Vietnam-era protesters, including the brothers Daniel and Philip Berrigan.

In an unusual move, the protesters are now facing federal prosecution and harsher potential penalties after a jury deadlocked in state court. "It's a clear attempt to raise the stakes for those contemplating civil disobedience around the country," said William P. Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University who is a friend of the defendants and their legal adviser....

[summer]

From article:

...[T]he church has withdrawn its support[.] [T]he protesters are busily planning for a weeklong "tribunal" to coincide with their trial, including speeches and prayer. Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a serviceman killed in Iraq and an increasingly national figure in the antiwar protest movement, supports them and had hoped to attend but will be unable to, her spokeswoman said.

Members of the peace movement nationwide are following the case....

[summer]

comments to come...

[summer]

A fascinating article and well worth a read, despite its obviously sympathetic slant toward these anti-war protesters. They were foolish to turn down the original offer of NO JAIL from the local district attorney. Now, they may find themselves in jail for several years as a result of this federal trial.

[summer]

PS - Cindy, you should never again criticize President Bush when you yourself will not meet even ONCE with these anti-war protesters on trial -- a trial being described as the most important anti-war protester trial in 50 years, and is being watched nationwide by anti-war protester lawyers. You should be with these people if you actually "support" them as you claimed.

Don't use one standard on President Bush and a less one for yourself. People see right through THAT!

[summer]

PS - Cindy, you should never again criticize President Bush when you yourself will not meet even ONCE with these anti-war protesters on trial -- a trial being described as the most important anti-war protester trial in 50 years, and is being watched nationwide by anti-war protester lawyers. You should be with these people if you actually "support" them as you claimed.

Don't use one standard on President Bush and a lesser one for yourself. People see right through THAT!

[The Brush]

Jesus of Nazareth inspired them, they said

Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

[summer]

Well, I know this: I don't recall Jesus ever saying people should go and destroy property.

I think these protesters want more time in the spotlight -- and weren't planning on heading to jail for a few years, which is what it looks like may now happen.

[summer]

Also, I was just so stunned at how she has a "spokesperson" say she, Cindy, "supports" these protesters - but, oh, well, she will not be standing with them.

When President Bush said that, Cindy Sheehan criticized him to no end and remained near his ranch.

But, now - Cindy Sheehan says the same thing -- but, oh, never mind says the NYT. Very odd to me. Very strange. Is Cindy saying she now agrees with President Bush? And the NYT is agreeing, too? So, President Bush was right? OK, well, that's what FR always said. And, that's what it sounds like to me, when Cindy refuses to stand with these protesters, especially through her "spokesperson."

At least President Bush did actually meet with Cindy. Cindy sounds like these protesters can go take a hike.

[EricT.]

Do you have something from a reputable source to back this story up?

[loboinok]

Heres one from newsday. Somewhat better than the times... http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--recruitmentprotes0917sep17,0,2042219.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

[Triggerhippie]

Sounds like the recruiters needed to "volunteer" some more blood out of these protesters.

A sucking chest wound would work, but I suspect that a head wound would suck MUCH worse.

[thegreatbeast]

Last month Christ Episcopal Church withdrew its offer to hold a rally supporting the protesters after a resident threatened a lawsuit that would try to revoke its tax-exempt status, the protesters said.

Thank you, John Q. Public, the churches shouldn't get a pass on political issues. I'm Catholic but I have nothing but contempt for Catholic Wobblies.

[PeteB570]

And on the other foot.....

By changing the players - Anti-abortion activists pour their blood on the doors of an abortion clinic.

Imagine the howls from the left "Sick people" "Throw the book at them" "Jail 'um for life" "Hate crime" "We need new federal laws". It would be front page news all over the country.

[summer]

Re your post #13 - That's a very good point you're making there. The context you describe (with these same protester actions) would have resulted in a screaming headline all over the place.

And, again - I am all for free speech - that is not at issue here. Destruction of property is at issue.

The environmental protesters are another group that goes so far out of bounds they lose supporters because of their tactics.

[summer]

Re your post #9 - My post #1 re Cindy is an excerpt of the article published in the NYT. That article is linked. Read the article and you will see.

To me, this is a big story. I hope the MSM media wakes up. It seems to me the NYT tried to bury it so as not to offend Cindy. I am not looking to "offend" her either, but she has a very bizarre way or evaluating others, like President Bush -- since the same criteria she uses for him is suddenly off-limits with respect to herself. She is involved in a very obvious quest to become a national figure. But, what - her standards for tearing down others do not apply to her?

[summer]

or evaluating others, = of evaluating others...

[summer]

RE my post #14 - And, not all environmental protesters are totally wacko - but, some do go way out there. That is not helpful to the environmental protesters who can make a case without destroying property.

[EricT.]

Sheesh. I was just making a lame joke about the NYT.

[summer]

The problem isn't that your joke was "lame" -- rather, the problem is you did not indicate it was a joke. Next time, write (sarcasm) like others do online, so I will know you were, in fact, joking. Sheesh! :)

[MEGoody]

Jesus of Nazareth inspired them.

Yeah, right.