Ithacans Sing, Debate at 'Impeach-In'

Copyright © 2003 by The Cornell Daily Sun, Inc. ^ | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 05, 2003 | By BRIAN TSAO

[Behind Liberal Lines]

ITHACA--As the sun set on the Ithaca Commons yesterday, the strumming of author Rich Zubaty's guitar floated in front of See Spot Community Arts Space, accompanying lyrics such as "There was a president lying to me" and "We want our country back."

While Zubaty was merely part of a three-person group singing his song "Impeach Bush Blues," over 30 individuals came to his organized teach-in and later echoed similar views supporting the removal of America's president.

According to Zubaty, the teach-in was organized a couple of months in advance with friend and muralist Daniel Burgevin. Zubaty, who considers himself "nomadic," was frustrated with antiwar events and especially the Bush administration while living in Hawaii. He said that Bush has put America "in a state of fear that there was an imminent threat."

"What Bush has done is he has lied about a war," Zubaty said. "We have the worst president in a couple of hundred years."

Each teach-in participant had three minutes to discuss his or her views on the Bush administration, its foreign policy and the reasons why Congress should impeach Bush.

"In a town like Ithaca, I felt if there was ever a place to discuss these issues, it's here," Burgevin said.

Many participants criticized Bush for the way he handled the situation in Iraq and his possible misinforming of the American public. While many accused the government of being overly influenced by corporations, one individual said Americans should take a page out of the French Revolution and "chop some heads off."

"I want to be able to be proud of this," said teacher Paula Berman while holding onto an American flag. "It is a symbol of freedom ... not a symbol of the Republican Party."

Others suggested that the reason why the impeachment is not an issue for Bush is because many Americans are afraid of speaking their mind.

Retired teacher Julie Weber said that she was puzzled over why Clinton's impeachment case, which revolved around a "trivial issue," gained so much fanfare when, she said, Bush fabricated evidence on several counts.

"A lot of people are seriously beginning to wonder if George Bush is the man to lead the country right now," said Prof. Fred A. Wilcox, writing, Ithaca College. "I can't recall a more arrogant person in the White House."

Some individuals contended that the Democratic Party was equally responsible for not standing up to Bush. Because of the way he has handled various economic and political issues, one person said that even "Republicans say Bush can't run this [country] properly."

After the teach-in, Zubaty said that he was disappointed by the turnout. Weber said she would have liked the discussion to focus more on the issue of impeachment rather than "preaching to the choir," although most, including Zubaty, were impressed by the different perspectives at the event.

"I think it's really important that America builds a grassroots movement to remove the most powerful man in the world," Burgevin said.

Zubaty is the author of two books, Corporate Cult and Your Brain is Not Your Own. He plans to go to Germany later this month to promote his books, which focus on "corporate takeover of the country."

"Bush is a terrifying and terrible man," Burgevin said. "It's going to get much worse before it gets much better."

[Behind Liberal Lines]

"What Bush has done is he has lied about a war," Zubaty said. "We have the worst president in a couple of hundred years."

Well the United States is only bit older than a "couple of hundred years." So I guess that Zubaty is saying Bush is the worst President EVER...worse than Harding...worse than Grant...worse than Nixon even.

"I want to be able to be proud of this," said teacher Paula Berman while holding onto an American flag. "It is a symbol of freedom ... not a symbol of the Republican Party."

Then why do so many liberals, especially in Ithaca, display U.N. flags and "PACE" flags instead of Old Glory?

one individual said Americans should take a page out of the French Revolution and "chop some heads off."

Man, I knew these lefties were no Francophiles, but this is ridiculous. Chop off heads, eh? Hmm....some pacifist (rolls eyes). You know if that were a Republican saying that (ex: Ann Coulter) it would be decried as "hate speech")

"Bush is a terrifying and terrible man," Burgevin said...Others suggested that the reason why the impeachment is not an issue for Bush is because many Americans are afraid of speaking their mind.

Funny how liberals keep having public protests and appearing on TV talk shows, all to tell us how Bush is evil and must be overthrown and, in the next breath, that Bush is quashing dissent. I guess he isn't doing a good enough job, since we keep hearing from these nut jobs.

most, including Zubaty, were impressed by the different perspectives at the event.

Yep, they ran the gamet from liberal to ultra-liberal.

"In a town like Ithaca, I felt if there was ever a place to discuss these issues, it's here," Burgevin said.

Ithaca is the City of Evil.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

City of Evil bump

[goldstategop]

I wonder why the good Ithacans never ever do us a favor and move over to Canada. They'd be much happier there.

[OpusatFR]

"Each teach-in participant had three minutes to discuss his or her views on the Bush administration, its foreign policy and the reasons why Congress should impeach Bush."

I'n confused. Are you sure this wasn't the televised debate last night? Were the nine dwarves present?

Democrat/Socialist platform: Bush Bad. Bad Bush. Bad Bad.
Bush Bush.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Retired teacher Julie Weber said that she was puzzled over why Clinton's impeachment case, which revolved around a "trivial issue," gained so much fanfare when, she said, Bush fabricated evidence on several counts.

Ping.

[wysiwyg]

Zubaty, who considers himself "nomadic,"...

Well, it looks as if he's finally found a home.

[El Laton Caliente]

*...individual said Americans should take a page out of the
*French Revolution and "chop some heads off."

I like the idea, but I don't think they would agree on the line up. ;^)

[hellinahandcart]

Zubaty is the author of two books, Corporate Cult and Your Brain is Not Your Own.

weeping-with-laughter bump...

[You Dirty Rats]

Thirty people attended?

In Ithaca????

Thirty SENATORS would be less than one-third, and they need two-thirds to convict.

From what I've read, students these days are, as a group, not anywhere near as "liberal" as the professors. The fact that these clowns were disappointed in their low turnout shows that the Sixties are dying out.

[mewzilla]

They're as liberal. They're just a lot lazier. Principle doesn't count for much if it means stirring their stumps.

[TopQuark]

http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/writing/photos/fredw.JPG
Associate Professor

Areas:

Afro-American Literature

Irish literature

19th century British literature

literature from the Vietnam War

20th century novel

New Journalism
creative nonfiction

Office: 206 Williams Hall
Office Phone: (607) 274-3571
E-mail: FWilcox@ithaca.edu

Degrees:
B.A. Sociology and English, State University of Iowa, 1970
M.F.A. English and Creative Writing, Iowa Writers Workshop, State University of Iowa, 1973
D.A. English and Expository Writing, SUNY-Albany, 1988

Some Publications:

Fighting the Lamb's War: Skirmishes with the American Empire. (the autobiography of Philip Berrigan). Common Courage. 1996.

Chasing Shadows: Memoirs of a Sixties Survivor. The Permanent Press. 1996.

Uncommon Martyrs: How the Berrigans and Friends Are Turning Swords into Plowshares. Addison-Wesley. 1991.

Researcher/Writer for National Curriculum on Teaching the Vietnam War. Social Studies Education. 1990.

Waiting for an Army to Die: The Tragedy of Agent Orange (reissued). Seven Locks Press. 1989.

Waiting for an Army to Die: The Tragedy of Agent Orange. Random House. 1983.

GRASS ROOTS: An Anti-Nuke Source Book. Crossing Press. 1981.

[xp38]

I went to the City of Ithaca website. It says the population is 28k. To me that is not a city even if you add the temporary students. It's more like a hamlet of evil.

[Soaring Feather]

Remember, The Twilight Zone was created here and still lives on The Commons.

That should sum it up for everyone.

[hellinahandcart]

Oh man, are you ever gonna get banned.

[Constitution Day]

I missed that one.

[hellinahandcart]

You are faster than lightning (cough!)...

[hellinahandcart]

It was a picture. Trust me. You were lucky.

[Constitution Day]

Ah, I see... thanks.

[Ignatz]

Zubaty...plans to go to Germany later this month to promote his books, which focus on "corporate takeover of the country."

Great! Don't let doorknob hit you on the a$$ on the way out!
Oh yeah, and don't come back, either! Stay in Germany and see if you can revive the National Socialist Workers Party. They're more your ilk.