Posted on 03/14/2006 4:58:16 PM PST by Thunder90
ghesselberg@madison.com The anti-war movement in Wisconsin is alive and expecting a busy weekend, if the schedule of vigils and pickets, rallies and gatherings everywhere from Hayward to West Bend to the Wisconsin Dells is any indication.
While the efforts of various anti-war groups have not drawn the sort of large demonstrations against the Vietnam War witnessed in Madison in 1969-70, that does not mean the "movement" doesn't exist. It is there, just making its point in a different context, suggested Joseph Elder, a longtime advocate for peace and a UW-Madison professor of sociology.
The Madison Area Peace Coalition, for example, lists 53 organizations and businesses as members and is meeting today to make signs for Saturday's Madison rally to commemorate the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, which traces its origins to the Gulf War in 1991, includes more than 150 organizations as members.
Elder said a better indication of the anti-war movement than the size of demonstrations is a look at polls that show support low levels of support for the war and the president.
It's easy!
Post your views or read others' opinions
"There will be anti-war rallies this weekend, signs are going up all over the city, and there will be lots of attention to getting people to vote yes on the referenda," said Elder, referring to the more than 30 Wisconsin communities that will be asked this spring about their support for the Iraq war. Many ask for a yes- or-no vote on a statement saying the U.S. should call its troops back immediately, and at least two municipalities have referendums requesting support for the war.
"The polls are steadily swinging around, reflecting just how badly things are going in Iraq, in Afghanistan," said Elder. "The poll figures are more dramatic than large marches on Washington."
He noted that during the Vietnam War, supporters of the government's actions claimed the anti-war movement was having no effect, "something they later discounted."
Three years ago, there were large protests before the Iraq invasion. "Those big crowds from three years ago are doubled and tripled as far as the people saying we shouldn't have gone in," he said.
Rachel Friedman, a spokeswoman for the coalition planning this weekend's rally in Madison, agreed there is not a "great big lead organization or any one group" running a national anti- war movement.
"But just because we all have different names, it doesn't mean we are not a united movement," she said.
What has also contributed to a perception of disparate support, said Friedman, is that different people and groups have organized to protest different facets of the war.
"We have critical thinking and difference of opinion. We have people protesting the financial impact, the impact on children, the cuts to veterans - there are so many components," said Friedman.
• Upcoming protests The main Madison event this weekend, Home Improvement Rally, Set America's House in Order, is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday on the Library Mall, with the rally to be held at 2 p.m. in the Orpheum Theater on State Street.
More information can be found a www.madpeace.org.
A schedule of events around the state is available at www.wnpj.org.
Ping...
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Upcoming protests The main Madison event this weekend, Home Improvement Rally, Set America's House in Order, is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday on the Library Mall, with the rally to be held at 2 p.m. in the Orpheum Theater on State Street
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1596185/posts
I was already on it earlier today. Old Hippy Alert! ;)
I don't think they understand the determination of George Bush. There will be no exit stragegy per se, only a victory strategy: when the time is RIGHT and not one day sooner. They cannot impose their will on this strong Commander-in-Chief. The idea of ANY POSITIVEness out of Iraq does not exist in their world. My only question would be: are they worthy of respect........seriously?
Too bad the RINO's won't allow the "white flag" ad to be run again on TV
Pass this "white flag" ad around on the internet
http://www.gop.com/Media/120905.wmv
"The polls are steadily swinging around, reflecting just how badly things are going in Iraq, in Afghanistan," said Elder.
And we find this news very pleasing and hope that the trend continues. Thus, Iraq will break out into civil war, tens of thousands will die, and we can blame that on the US, too!
Nah, I think I'll just sit back in the lap of luxury and enjoy seeing them waste away their freedoms by destroying any vestige of coherent and relevant thinking that they may tote via their moonbat actions. : - )
After all this is ALL we as liberals have to maintain relevance in the absence of any credible alternative, said Elder in honest and true verbiage.
Let's be honest......
They are trying to relive their glory days of '68-'69, but it does not translate to today's university students. Too bad!
They are trying to relive their glory days of '68-'69, but it does not translate to today's university students. Too bad!
I know alot of university students who believe that the war is wrong, but are too lazy or too busy to protest. (Mostly too lazy, as most don't have jobs)
They are the wackos who make up the bulk of "Stop the War" and the other leftobot orgs on campus.
Good Plan.......plus we are supposed to have snow this weekend. Good time for the hippies to be out.
Too bad it's not the same system that "dumped" over a foot of snow here yesterday and stifled travel!
Isn't the MSM disgusting? And transparent in their efforts to screw America. :(
On the brighter side, at least they aren't pegged for financial independence for via their present efforts and aggression they are lacking consideration as members in business.
After all, if they weren't moonbats, these moonbats could possibly be slated for achieving prominence in a free market. /(gasp)
They aren't disgusting however they are transparent in their endeavors as transparent can be.
....perhaps you ARE right....disgusting too!
We're due for only 6" starting Wed. night into Thurs. We'll see how the Hippies "Deal with it, Man." ;)
It's only going to be the same, unwashed 37 that show up for anything around here. Of course, their HUGE network of inter-breeding non-profit orgs will...also stay home, LOL!
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