People gather to protest a scheduled visit by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in Philadelphia, Friday, Dec. 1, 2006. Rumsfeld was scheduled Friday to be honored by the Union League of Philadelphia . (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Posted on 12/02/2006 11:20:25 AM PST by NormsRevenge
PHILADELPHIA - About three dozen people rallied outside Philadelphia's venerable Union League to protest the organization's decision to honor departing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Officials at the selective private club presented its Gold Medal to Rumsfeld at a black-tie affair on Friday night, but would not discuss the reason behind the award.
Under mounting pressure about the course of the war in Iraq, Rumsfeld resigned Nov. 8, the day after voters gave Democrats control of the U.S. House and Senate. He remains in office pending confirmation of his replacement.
"My family is traditional Republican, and they are sick about the Union League giving Rumsfeld a medal," said protester Elizabeth Doering, whose grandfather and father were longtime club members. "It's such a crass gesture."
When the league gave then-Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor its Gold Medal in 2004, the event received full press coverage. But the league kept the Rumsfeld medal cloaked in secrecy until the Philadelphia Daily News broke the story on Thursday.
Club member James A. Ounsworth told the paper that he was "astonished and ashamed" because "Rumsfeld is a failure. I don't think you should give an award for failure."
When asked about the secrecy surrounding the Rumsfeld medal, league spokeswoman Patricia Tobin said, "It's up to the awardee. We always try to respect the wishes of the awardee."
People gather to protest a scheduled visit by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in Philadelphia, Friday, Dec. 1, 2006. Rumsfeld was scheduled Friday to be honored by the Union League of Philadelphia . (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
"About three dozen people"? 36? That's it?
Most cities have that many scumbags in any given square block.
Liberating 30 million human beings from tyranny and giving them a shot at freedom and democracy is definitely a shameful act.
My family is Republican and we were happy to see Rummy get the award, you idiot. I am sorry that he resigned and still don't know the true reason.
ping
"My family is traditional Republican, and....
LMAO, it's a seminar protester! I wonder where they rolled this cow in from?
Yes, it must be so galling to these pukes that a man who stood against their terrorist friends and anti-American fellow travelers is being honored in any way. I'm sure if President Rat Face of Iran or the fascist tyrannt of Syria or the fat ass head of Hezbollah were being honored, not only would these filthy treasonous maggots not be protesting, they'd be camping out overnight in the hopes of getting good seats at the event.
I guess that's supposed to carry more weight than if her family were Dems. Sorry honey, you're still just a Rumsfeld hater.
Exactly. Also, I'm sure the number of supporters inside at the ceremony was vastly greater than this handful of nuts. Why does the press give them such credibility? Even their words show they are not in touch with facts, but are extremists.
"This means about six protesters, ten news media hacks, ten curious onlookers and ten panhandler/pickpockets."
Brad, I think your mathematical analysis of the situation is accurate!
WTG RUMMY!!!!
I dozen scum and 2 dozen media scum
ROTFLMAO!!! Yeah! Right!! And I'm Gunga din!
It is just plain ignorance to make such a statement. It is this kind of naive political correctness that will have us all bowing to Mecca if we aren't careful.
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