Report from Boston, Massachusetts: Patriots face to face with Appeaseniks from A.N.S.W.E.R.

[A_Conservative_in_Cambridge]

A brief report from "behind enemy lines" at Park Street, Boston --------------------- A merry band of weather-resistant patriots was on hand this afternoon to greet an Appeasenik rally at Park Street. My Fellow Freepers included Lev the photographer and Aaron the poet. We handed out "FREE IRAQ" posters, an "ANSWER is not the Answer" flyer, and some brilliant propaganda pieces from www.protestwarrior.com (check it out). Most of the appeaseniks didn't know quite what to make of us, but there were about a half-dozen "thugs for peace" [sic], at least one of whom was from ANSWER. The thugs got VERY agitated when we stood backstage behind their "no blood for oil" [sic] banners, holding our Stars & Strips and our "Free Iraq" banners high. One fellow with a blond ponytail and a palestinian flag pin got right in my face and said "You are not welcome here." I replied that I was on public property and did not require a permit from him to stand here. My attempt at friendly conversation was rebuffed with a gruff "f__ your" and he stomped away. However, the Umbrella Lady (I use the term very loosely) was intent on blocking my banner from view, and so she & I proceeded to do a little duet with umbrella, flag, and Free Iraq poster. After a while, my new dance partner saw this wasn't working, and so she attempted to push me away from the backstage area. I complimented her on her counter-counter-protester technique, and asked her if she had learned this at a "nonviolence training" session. This comment REALLY p___ her off, but luckily several flag-wielding patriots arrived just in time to prevent the shedding of innocent blood.

I then attempted to befriend a rather sad-looking gentleman who was selling some soggy "Revolutionary Worker" newspapers. However, he didn't appreciate my a capella rendition of "The Internationale" in French. Hmmm, maybe I'll try it in the key of G next time.

All things considered, a good time was had by all. On the way back to civilization, we chatted with a Boston police officer. He laughted when I asked him which of the protest groups would be paying the bill for police overtime. He also assured us that so-called "civil disobedience" (e.g., blocking streets, blockading entrances to federal buildings) would be dealt with swiftly, and that the perps will spend quality time in a Boston jail for their efforts. We then got in our gas-guzzling 4-door sedan and zoomed over to Harvard Square, where a ROUSING Support the Troops rally was in progress. But that will be a story for another time . . .

[Dergie]

Click on the hollywoodhalfwit weblink, and it shows his pic. He was the other main star of MASH, the blond headed doctor.

[timm22]

General question for all: How many actual democracies has the U.S. actually created? Dictatorships?

For democracies, Japan, Germany, Italy, the Phillipines, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii seem like obvious cases. More could be added depending on how you define "democracy" and what level of involvement by the U.S. qualifies as creating one.

For example, U.S. military involvement restored democratic rule to France in the 1940's, U.S. aid has helped to preserve Israel, and it could be argued that U.S. diplomatic and political efforts contributed to greater democracy in South Africa and Eastern Europe.

As for dictatorships, again it depends on how that term is defined and how much the U.S. has to do to be responsible for it. The U.S. has given various forms of support to less-than-democratic to outright dictatorial regimes in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. However, that support was usually given to balance the power of even worse neighbors or competitors.

I should note that in some cases, a "democratic" regime may not be preferable to a "dictatorial" one. For example, a democratic regime in a certain country might mean imposition of harsh religious law or the liquidation of certain unpopular minority groups. A non-democratically chosen government that respects the life, liberty, and property of its citizens would be much better.

[Dergie]

Now,look who is calling for regime change:

http://drudgereport.com/kerry4.htm

With all this evidence, you can't tell me that these people's real intent is not to overthrow our government to impose their Socialism/Communism.

[ladyinred]

ANSWER, the undercover communists! Have you ever checked out their website? It reads like a who's who of Socialism.

[DBtoo]

Glad you made it through that! Those Boston left-wingers are some of the most radical. They really lose it when confronted with information they don't like. Good for you!

[yoe]

I prefer this Umbrella Lady's way of handling anti-war protesters:

This was written by a male commuter who found some joy in yesterday's protests in Roslyn (a suburb of DC).

I got off my train in Roslyn because I had to use the bathroom. When I was getting back on the train, there were protestors on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America. I politely declined to take one. An elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20ish) female protestor offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protestor put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice said, "Ma'am, don't you care about the children of Iraq?" The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey, my first husband died in France during World War II so you could have the right to stand here and bad mouth your country. And if you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your ass and open it."