Peace groups will hold vigils (FReep Alert!)

New York Times/Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | 10/5/01 | Gustav Niebuhr

[ppaul]

Peace groups around the nation are preparing vigils and rallies on Sunday (10/7/01) to demand legal and diplomatic alternatives to war. The American Friends Service Committee, Pax Christi USA, the War Resisters League and others have asked their members to participate in the local gatherings, including a march and rally in New York, beginning at Union Square.

"We're encouraging peace groups throughout the country to get together and formulate their own way to speak out and promote peace," said Janis Shields, spokeswoman for the American Friends, a Quaker organization.

The idea, Shields said, is "to call attention to the fact that not everyone is calling for war in these trying days." Leaders in the groups say there has been a growing demand for public expressions of sentiment in favor of peace.

"It's really spontaneous," said the Rev. Chris Ney, national coordinator at the War Resisters League, a 78-year-old organization based in New York. "I wish I could say we're organizing it. We're just providing skills that we have."

Marches and vigils have already been held in Washington, Philadelphia and western Massachusetts. Besides the rally in New York, Sunday events are planned in Chicago, Philadelphia and Bangor, Maine, among other places. Organizers say events are likely in Seattle.

Common themes include not just opposition to war, but also condemnation of the terrorist acts, a call to defend American civil liberties and a rejection of bias against Arabs, Muslims and immigrants.

The ideas are stated on the War Resisters League's Internet site, warresisters.org, which also calls for peace through "economic and social justice." That reflects a view among peace groups that the United States must work to mitigate such problems as corrupt governments and poverty in developing nations if it is to eliminate the threat of terrorism.

The peace argument differs from another stand with a long history in Christian tradition, recently articulated by Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders, that there are instances in which war may be justly waged.

In a recent interview, Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Commission in the Southern Baptist Convention, said the central principle for allowing a nation to enter into war was "just cause." Land added, "War is only permissible to resist aggression and to defend those victimized by it."

In a letter laced with references to the theory of just war, the nation's Catholic bishops wrote to President Bush two weeks ago, saying military action must be considered as one option, along with diplomatic and legal means.

But opponents of war have argued that the terrorist attacks should not be regarded as an act of war, requiring a military response, but as an international crime, demanding legal pursuit, arrest and trial of the perpetrators, as well as diplomatic and financial penalties against the aggressors and their backers.

"We believe the perpetrators should be brought to justice, but under the rule of law," said Mary Ellen McNish, general-secretary of the American Friends.

[smorgle]

I'm not showing up for any peace vigils, but-- I've had Islamic fundamentalism in my face for three weeks, plus a lot of reminders of what life is like in eastern countries, and I'm actually kind of glad these peace groups are meeting. I mean I'm proud that America is a place where they can do that without being killed or jailed.

Yesterday I saw an Afghan man being interviewed in a Pakistani refugee area. His wife and a couple of children were in a tent that had nothing else in it. The man said "this is all I have." He told the reporter that Taliban men had come by and said they were going to kill him, so he and the family left at once. The reason they were going to kill him ? He belonged to the "wrong" tribe (not the one most of the Taliban belong to). It's ironic, but the peaceniks' freedom to demonstrate for peace is something worth fighting for.

[DoughtyOne]

It's time for the all new exiting Freeper Jeopardeeeeeeeeee!

Johnny Donovan:  Okay...  ladies and gentlement, heeeeere's Alex!

Alex:  Welcome ladies an gentlemen.  Our first contestant tonight wil be Ron Doughty, just an ordinary citizen who happens to be a Freeper.  Ron, by coin toss, you've won the right to go first.  Which category would you like

Ron:  Well Alex, let's try Famous Ignorant Sl _ ts for two cents.

Alex:  Okay Contestants.  Listen closely.

Mary Ellen McNish, general-secretary of the American Friends said, "We believe the perpetrators should be brought to justice, but under the rule of law."

For two cents, name the current or former global powers which have or had general secretaries.

(((Ding!)))

Alex:  Yes Ron.

Ron:  What is the Union of Soviet Socialst Republics and the United Nations?

Alex:  That's right Ron!  Johnny, tell the man what he's won.

Johnny:  Ron you've won the right to move on to the final round where you'll face one of America most embarassing Senators!

Alex:  Okay contestants, listen closely as I state the final question!

"American Friends" protests will take place this Sunday.  And I want the audience to know I use that term advisedly.  During these protests speakers are alotted fifteen seconds to address one topic, and fifteen minutes to address another.  For less than a wooden nickle and the game, name these two topics in the proper order!

Musical interlude: Da da da da, da da da, da da da da da da da da da da da...

Alex:  Okay Mrs. Clinton, let's see your answer.

Mrs. Clinton:  What are Peace and love?

Alex:  Nope, that's wrong.  And for the record the categore wasn't Famous Ignorant Sl _ ts!

Alex:  Okay Ron, let's see your answer.

Ron:  What is the admonishment for crimes the alleged naughty people were forced to commit by the US, and an assorted laundry list of the evil things the US has done which justified the acts of the alleged naughty people?

Alex:  Unlike New York's resident Famous Ignorant Sl _ t, you've nailed it.  Johnny, tell this man what he's won.

Johnny:  Ron you've won less than a wooden nickle, but years ago you won when you were given a brain that was sufficient enough to recongnize Hillary and those who make up the base of her support for what they are.  Congratulations.  You win dude!

Alex:  That's it for today's show folks.  Tune in again tomorrow when another Freeper will lock horns with the nation's former congenital liar in chief.

Alex:  Remember folks, don't forget to spay and neuter your local neighborhood marxists / socialists!  Good night...

[ppaul]

Here's a mouthpiece for these "peace (pis) groups":

A peaceful solution would still be possible / Una solución pacífica todavía sería posible
Speech by "Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, President of the Republic of Cuba."

I pulled this right off of Ramsey Clark's website. These "peace groups" are enemies of the United States and should be regarded as such.

[agave]

"American Friends," my ass! What a crock. As for this nonsense about "I wish I could say we were organizing it..," that's disengenuous, too. Of course "they" aren't organizing it; they take their marching orders from a "higher authority," just like the scum who have tried to disrupt every meeting of the World Trade Organization and the G7. Same script, different "tactics."

Now these clowns are all dressed up with nowhere to go. Bush has outsmarted them and cut off their oxygen. He knows that, before we can go after the terrorists, we have to neutralize the fifth column at home first. No bombs, no traction for the marxist-anarchist peacenik dipwads. And now that we've cut off the money to the terrorists, the rent-a-mob folks at home will have no alternative but to "go home" and/or get real jobs. Screw 'em.

To every fool who has e-mailed me some stupid "peace" message, I have replied by sending them the Chicago Tribune piece about the heroes of that flight that crashed in Pennsylvania.

[ppaul]

How about posting that link here so we all can do the same?
Thanks.

[knews_hound]

I shall personally prepare a welcoming committee should they come to Northern California

If you hear of anything , PLEASE let me know, I would LOVE to give thes a-holes a taste of their own medicne, I'm in Sacto so give a shout.

knews hound

[ppaul]

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FYI

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FYI

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FYI

[Gamma]

Excerpt from "I Promise" thread:

"The Vietnam war was lost at home, by a nation intentionally divided and a media exploited by our enemies. The majority, with no easy way to express themselves, were easily ignored and silenced. We must not let this happen again. We must show each other, and the world that we will not forget September 11 and our resolve to rub out those responsible for it."

So, the national media are licking their collective fingers and sticking them up to see which way the wind is blowing. On the one hand their natural symphathies are with the sheep. On the other hand they have a nice juicy war in the offing. Which way will the media turn? If the war isn't "spectacular" they'll lose interest and go with the peaceniks, following their "liberal" hearts. We don't want President Bush having to wage this war with an eye towards what the media will think of it. That's how Clinton waged war - screw the results, I just want a show. Our best response might be just like the Israeli's after the Munich Olympic massacre, rub them all out covertly then say for public consumption, "Gee, how did all these mullah's die?". So we, the people, have to let the media know, "Hell No! We won't forget! and you better not even think about saying anything to undermine the nations will to fight".

We lost Vietnam because the "Silent Majority" didn't have a way to express themselves and let others know how they felt. The enemy was able to divide and conquor the American people.

Keep the media from going the wrong way by giving the peaceniks the Twin Tower's Salute and let them know which side you're on.

[Cool Guy]

Do you know of any in Nor Cal?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I still remember the anti-war protests that I saw daily in Chicago in 1969 when I returned home.
My 1st job after I got out was in downtown Chicago
and I worked directly across the street from the "Chicago Seven" trial, i.e. Abby Hoffman, Tom Hayden, etc.
And just a few blocks away were the daily "anti-war" protests at Dailey Plaza.
BUT THIS TIME AROUND THE MAJORITY OF THE USA IS ON THE CORRECT SIDE!
Our service people WILL NOT suffer the scorn and ridicule that we as Viet Nam Vets did.
So it is I who am so thankful for all that stand up and proudly wave the American Flag
in front of this new generation of traitors.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to Free Republic!

[Mr_Magoo]

From Warresisters.com

Oct. 7, Chicago, IL— Participants will gather at Buckingham Fountain at 5 pm for a candlelight vigil to voice opposition to U.S. military intervention and war; for more information or to volunteer for the Chicago Peace Response Vigil, call 312-427-2533; Illinois Peace Action, 312-939-3316

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Freeper Jeopardeeeeeeeeee!"

GREAT POST!