(Ithaca)Protesters splash blood on American flag

Ithaca Journal ^ | Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | By DIANA LaMATTINA

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Protesters splattered human blood onto an American flag Monday at a military recruiting station in order to draw attention to the anti-war movement.

A group of about 20 gathered in front of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps recruiting station at the Cayuga Mall in Lansing on Monday protesting a possible war against Iraq. Four protesters who entered the office were arrested by Tompkins County Sheriff's deputies.

[Blue Scourge]

"They used real human blood because it's a symbol," said Maryann Florence Grady. "We would rather see this blood shed than from those innocent in Iraq."

Oh, I agree completely with you ms., here, now you cut the one on your neck...all the blood you need.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Another far-left Gannett paper.

A Soldier's Letter to NION--Like it or not, this war is taking place In Your Name

March 18, 2000.

Members of International A.N.S.W.E.R.;

Signatories of Not In My Name; and

Citizens of the United States of America:

With the impending military action in Iraq I felt compelled to write this letter. As a member of the United States military I regret to inform you that, regardless of your race, sex, color, creed, age, national origin, political ideology, or any other delimiter, the actions that will take place against Iraq will be fully, undeniably, and irrevocably IN YOUR NAME. Despite of your signature on a piece of paper, this statement remains true.

In my fifteen years of service in the U.S. Navy (8.5 years active duty, balance reserve) I have raised my right hand six time to swear "that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States". That wonderful document which covers us, protects us, enables our way of life. The constitution provides our rights, sets our standards of law, and importantly in this context gives the President of the United States the power to set the foreign policy.

The constitution also provides the method of electing the President, and designates him as Commander in Chief of the military. I have also sworn "that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States", I do not have to like the president, I do not have to agree with his policy. I have served under four men holding that office, and made no distinction between them. When the President sets the military in action he does so by the power given him by the constitution and the people of the U.S. As a service member the President through the constitution ultimately directs my actions, the resulting action is therefore proscribed by the constitution. If you consider yourself a citizen of this country willfully covered by the Constitution, all military action is therefore In Your Name.

I know you might disagree with that statement, you may not like that statement, but the members of the armed forces will proudly serve in the name of all Americans. We will continue to provide you with security, with your freedoms, and your rights even if you do not like how, when or why we do.

Respectfully,

Stanley J. Wolczyk III

Petty Officer First Class U.S.N.R.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Update: A Democrat Judge has now allowed these protestors to leave the country, without bail, on a protest trip to Iraq, while awaiting trail in this matter:

ITHACA -- A planned trip to Iraq landed two defendants before a Tompkins County Court for bail review Monday afternoon.

Peter De Mott and Daniel Burns, who are scheduled to leave for a humanitarian trip to Iraq this week, were summoned to appear before Judge M. John Sherman.

The pretrial hearing was held so Sherman could evaluate if the two defendants were a flight risk, if bail needed to be set and if the defendants should surrender their passports.

De Mott and Burns are scheduled to appear in court in late January for a trial with their codefendants Teresa Grady and Clare Grady to face charges of second-degree criminal mischief.

The four were charged by Tompkins County Sheriff's Deputies after refusing to leave the military recruiter's office at the Cayuga Mall in Lansing on March 17 during a demonstration against war with Iraq. Property at the office was allegedly damaged when they poured their own blood on an American flag, and the interior and exterior of the office.

"The purpose was to bring the trip and the situation to the judge's attention and for him to decide what was needed," said District Attorney George Dentes.

"Anytime we have a case where a circumstance bears on a defendant's available, it goes before a judge for review."

At the court appearance, assistant district attorney Dale Worrall told Sherman that he felt the defendants leaving for Iraq when a "strong case" was pending was not proper.

Sherman said he saw no reason why the defendants could not participate in the approximately two-week-long trip organized through the Christian Peacemaker's Team.

"My only concern is that you be here on the date of the trial," Sherman said. "From what I've seen so far, you have a great interest in this trial."

Burns said he did not consider himself or De Mott a flight risk and was surprised when a sheriff's deputy served him with papers last week while he was walking at the dog park.

"I look forward to any chance to speak out against the war," Burns said. "I think this (preliminary hearing) is a waste of the county's resources."

As the defendants met with their supporters outside of the courtroom after the proceeding, De Mott agreed with Burns' statement.

"I was flabbergasted that the district attorney was asking for us to surrender our passports, it seemed unreasonable and repressive," De Mott said. "I think the trip will help me prepare for the trial mostly by giving me experiences of what war costs -- and in increasingly modern warfare the innocent are victims."

Ithaca is the City of Evil.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Any hope that they might choose to remain in Iraq?

[Behind Liberal Lines]

After living so long in Ithaca the freedom of thought now enjoyed in Iraq will be too alien for their comfort. ;-)

[.cnI redruM]

When these idiots arrive in Iraq, I hope they get strapped to the front of a Stryker, to fend off RPG-7s.

[Soaring Feather]

Curious.

[Kudsman]

update bump.

[dhs12345]

After spending a few weeks in Iraq, they may change their mind. A number of people protesting the war before the war visited Iraq. They returned with opened eyes and actually, albeit grudging, supported the war.

Ironically, the Brits are still ticked with the U.S. about waiting so long to enter WWII. Wonder how many of the protesters during Bush's visit feel this way. Remember *all* war is bad. I wonder how many Europeans, if given the opportunity before he became a threat, would have taken out Hitler?

Saddam could have been another Hitler.