Posted on 02/23/2006 9:35:20 PM PST by LdSentinal
A small group of activists disrupted a campaign event for U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl and challenged him to sign a pledge against the War in Iraq.
Calling themselves members of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, seven anti-war protesters interrupted Kohl as he was about to speak to supporters at the Orpheum Theatre Wednesday evening.
"We all now know that the war in Iraq was based on lies," protester Jim Murphy, a Catholic priest from Portage, read from a script. "Too many innocent lives have been lost and too many dollars have been spent. We are here tonight to appeal to your conscience and ask you to sign a pledge."
The activists asked Kohl to endorse a timetable for troops to withdraw from Iraq as fellow Democratic Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold has done. They also called on Kohl to vote against a supplemental spending bill that includes about $72 billion more for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The group surrounded Kohl following his introduction by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Libby Burmaster. Kohl was preparing to make brief remarks before debuting a 10-minute campaign video to a crowd of about 150 supporters in the theater's lobby.
Instead, Kohl stood and listened attentively to the activists as his supporters looked on in disbelief.
"We support our troops by ending this illegal and immoral war and bringing them home," protester Bonita Sitter read from a script. Sitter has a stepson in the Minnesota National Guard and said he is scheduled to deploy to Iraq next month.
When the protesters finished, Kohl supporters applauded and chanted "We want Herb! We want Herb!"
When the demonstrators did not step aside, Kohl told them that they "made their positions very clear" and asked for them to give him the same courtesy he accorded them.
After he told them he would not sign their pledge, Ben First, son of organizer Joy First, said, "Every minute we waste, people are dying!"
Kohl responded, "You have had your say and you should move away. I believe you are diminishing the effectiveness of what you are trying to convey."
The senator has served nearly 18 years and is asking supporters to send him back for a fourth six-year term. A multi-millionaire who self-finances his campaigns, Kohl, 71, told supporters that he doesn't have to take money from special interests.
"I may be the only person in Washington who doesn't solicit money," he said.
"I've been asked to comment on Iraq," he said. "I believe the president has misused his authority and the authority we gave him back then. We need to do much more, much more quickly and much more effectively."
He received enthusiastic applause when he said the Bush administration needs to make clear to the Iraqi governing body that the United States. is not going to remain in Iraq "for some indefinite time in the future."
"We can and should draw down our forces," he said.
In an interview before the event, Kohl said he was unsure about the specifics of Feingold's timetable to withdraw troops.
"My own position is we ought to do much more to encourage, if not insist, that the Iraqi government, the leadership, come together in a unified manner so that they can number one, govern their country and number two, take over security. That will enable the U.S. to draw down and then hopefully phase out of the occupation."
As for the $72 billion in additional military spending, Kohl said he hasn't had a chance to look at the bill since the Senate is in recess this week.
"I haven't had a chance to see it. I don't want to say what I'll do."
About 20 protesters from various political and peace organizations demonstrated in front of the theater and across the street before the event. State worker Bill Adamski, 54, read the names of Iraqis who have died in the war.
Some of the activists came inside the theater but only a handful approached Kohl with the pledge.
Many of the senator's supporters were disgusted by the confrontation.
"It was pretty disrespectful to do it when they did it and how they did it," said state worker Cindy Hoffland.
Helene Stern Goodman came from Kenosha to meet Kohl and said she was offended by the protests outside before the event. She refused to take any of the fliers demonstrators were handing out.
"It was very insulting and in very bad taste," she said. "I don't like being harassed out there. That's freedom of speech I don't like."
Even a seasoned protester like Ben Masel, who stood with the demonstrators outside the event, criticized the way the activists behaved inside.
"As an experienced heckler, I thought those guys were in poor form," he said. "When you are given the podium as they were, you want to make your point and get off before anybody has to tell you you're done."
"When you are given the podium as they were, you want to make your point and get off before anybody has to tell you you're done."
Give 'em enough rope...
According to Dante, wasn't one of the worst circles of hell reserved for those who do evil in god's name?
Interrupting a proceeding and refusing polite requests to leave is a form of violence. So much for the group's name.
Jesse Jackson and Johnnie Cochrane were unavailable for comment.
And yet, the person SAID to be slated for service didn't show up by this protestor's side. Provided it's true they have a member slated for service, since many of them have a tendency to lie, It's quite telling.
Also telling is that Liberals that obviously feel as these protestor's do, are now cutting their own down. LOL At least the protestor's are honest about what they want. Whereas the other Liberals are at least showing sense finally and chastising the overthetop behavior of the protestor's. This is going to be an interesting fight.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Hmmmm.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Since it doesn't list Kohl's party, I'm guessing he's a Dem.
Cause I'm sure if he was a Republican it would be a dozen times in the story.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Liberals eating their own...
Apparently our dear priest did not get the memo about those tapes that are being translated as of late.
Up in smoke those claims are going.
A new lib major?
"Interrupting a proceeding and refusing polite requests to leave is a form of violence. So much for the group's name."
Would you categorize the lunch-counter sit-ins of the civil rights era as violent then? NOT comparing the two, since these current protesters clearly made fools of themselves, and in response to the most accommodating response possible, but just wondering.
Don't get semantical on me, people who want to get in your face and get their way will do whatever it takes, and these people are doing that. Just because you like their cause doesn't make it right. It's no different than a spoiled kid stamping his feet and holding his breath. If they want to protest, they can do it out in the street, those are the rules of engagement in 2006.
You're right, my point was nothing but semantics. And I'm not a big fan of these protesters (or their cause). From this story they really showed themselves to be classless.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
those peace lovin' nicks.. using violent means to get their way... am I missing something?
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