Posted on 03/23/2007 5:34:34 PM PDT by Lady J USA 1981
Student's photo of war protest stirs controversy Posted by The Oregonian March 22, 2007 18:24PM Categories: Breaking News Apparently, "Portland hates America."
At least that's what conservative commentator Michelle Malkin of Los Angeles told the world on her Web site this week. Why?
Well, Malkin -- along with a Google-worthy list of her friends on the blogging right -- were goaded by the photos uploaded to Linfield College student Rachael Palinkas' online Facebook album.
An aspiring journalist, Palinkas snapped them during Sunday's anti-Iraq war rally and march in downtown. In one image, black-masked protesters burn a uniformed effigy of a U.S. soldier as a young girl cuddles up to her father and watches.
It didn't take long for the picture to explode in the blogosphere, with conservatives using it as reason No. 1 to oppose those who oppose the war.
"U.S. soldier burned in effigy," declared the Drudge Report on Tuesday. "What passes for an anti-war protest in Portland," huffed WhackyNation. "Brainwashing the next generation of troop-haters," said Shock & Blog.
Palinkas just wants them to stop.
"What they're doing is wrong," she said. "They're twisting my pictures and misrepresenting what happened on that day."
In the past few days, the 19-year-old mass communication major said she has learned the power of a picture. And the power of people with an agenda on the Internet.
Palinkas said she posted 240 photos from the peace rally and march that reportedly drew 15,000 people to her Facebook site. Almost all of them showed "people laughing, talking, dancing, marching" at what she called a "family-friendly" event.
"No one is linking to those photos," Palinkas said.
Palinkas attended the march with a group of college friends. Shortly before the march, she noticed that a group of about 30 black-clad people had broken away from the crowd in the South Park Blocks. Shocked to see them burning a uniformed effigy of a U.S. soldier, she started snapping photos. She also took pictures of them lighting an upside down flag afire.
Although she is opposed to the war, "I thought what they were doing was wrong," Palinkas said. "I had never seen anything like it. That's why I took the photos."
She said she has recieverd more than 150 emails about the photos. After the Drudge Report posted a link, she got hate mail from people who thought she was part of the radical group. Among other things, they said, she "should be tried for treason" and should be deported. In response, she told visitors to her Facebook page, "I don't support this."
Late today, Palinkas removed her Facebook album from public viewing so that people without permission could not use the photos.
Conservative Portland radio host Lars Larson posted three of the images on his Web site. "If you think recent anti-war protests are harmless free speech .¤.¤. let me give you a few more images to consider," he posted.
Larson, who supports military action in Iraq, gave no apologies.
He said he used the images because he felt they were the most newsworthy part of the protest. "I'm showing that some members of this community advocate killing soldiers," Larson said.
After spending months planning what was for the most part a civil demonstration, organizers say they are aghast.
Kelly Campbell of American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization, was frustrated. "We had a massive, peaceful demonstration against the killing and destruction going on every day in Iraq, a positive experience for thousands of people from different walks of life."
-- Joseph Rose: 503-221-8029; josephrose@news.oregonian.com
If you are referring to Oregon,I don't disagree, but the problem is that Oregon is within the terroritial boundries of the United States. But then again,so is Vermont.
Who needs Portland in the U.S.?
Well then, she shouldn't complain about it. She can't see her own moral dilemma and the fact that these haters are the heart and soul of the 'family friendly' demonstration.
Welcome to the Club, Portland, you earned your place among stalwarts of peace movement and human rights to the like of San Francisco, Berkeley, People's Republic of Malibu and other fine Cities throughout this fine State of Communists!
Again! Welcome, you make us proud!
My comment was stated as a “pun” or some such. It reflects my feelings about the strong leftist communities in this country and how they are not, in my opinion, American in their ideology.
I am fully aware of the geographical location of Oregon and that, in fact, it is part of the US.
As a person born and raised in the good ol’ US of A, it bothers me that some, in isolated communities, are not supportive of the Ideals that make up the US.
I don't know what it means either. Maybe it's the initials of the group the protestors belong to.
The zombietime site has a lot of pictures that contrasts the opposing groups.
I know who I would trust in any matters of importantance.
These hippie dudes got old fast in the 60's and have managed to become even more moronic with age.
I feel bad that the Vietnam vets have to re-live this BS.
I bet that she has every veneral disease known to man. And some that aren't.
The thing is that you were and are correct.
The sobs hate this Country and do not have the decency to leave.
The bad thing is that they are protected and encouraged by people in high positions of power.
Well said!
I didn't know the Mansonites were all out of prison.
So do I! It's really sad and pathetic. BUt then I guess thatthere will always be stupid, unpatriotic and ignorant people out there. I'd rather they make them selves known so we know what we're dealing with (plus they tend to be narcissists so they can't help but make themselves known!).
Right.
Thank god for telephoto lenses.
I was trying to figure out were I've seen that look before.
The Manson girls.
Exactly.
"They're twisting my pictures and misrepresenting what happened on that day."
Sure. Likely story.
Thanks NGZ, but I can't see the pic.
Hank Williams4th
I hate to have to crash into your reverie, but Oregon is way beyond anything that you can find in California. Eugene may be the most hateful, radical place on earth. Berkeley pales in comparison; even Santa Cruz can't match them. Portland is a bit more mixed, but still boils with hateful anti-american rage; not just liberalism like Berkeley and San Francisco, but true undying hatred of freedom and virtue.
It's actually ironic. Sherman's March to the Sea was done with Lincoln's blessing. Sherman's intent was to be so barbaric during the campaign that the South's will to fight would be broken. Sherman burned Atlanta to the ground and destroyed or pillaged everything from Atlanta to Savannah. If I recall correctly, the picture is a statue of Lincoln. Someone had scribbled "Abe wants Peace" on the bottom.
It's not so much that they are as you describe, and there are many of them who are quite talented in their area of expertise.
The divisive nature of their actions is what does the damage because it nullifies the strengths of the other side as well.
It brings the country to a standstill, and they don't have any solutions or remedies to undo the damage they cause.
Ignore them and try to derive some sort of humor out of their antics, however hard that may be.
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