Replies to post #10364 on Nothing But Politics

[otraque]

I can't condemn him for, as they are conjectural, but i, nonetheless, find myself in increasing deep suspicion of the workings of Kerry's mind in the 60s and 70s.
From a outspoken opponent to anti-war protests at Yale(a co-wrote a proclamation denouncing the a anti-war demonstrators).
A person that showed signs of presidential ambition from the time it went sailing with THE JFK.
He wanted the Swift Boats because it was the closest thing thing he could get to logging a PT-109 episode in his life.
His third purple heart was awarded for what people dispute was but a scratch which; however, gave him the choice to be relieved of combat duty; a choice he took.
He comes back, finds the war is very unpopular, there are no parades and his state is the fiercest anti-war state in the U.S.
What would a calculating man FROM Massachusetts with project President in his telescope, do? Would not having BOTH now in his profile, decorated vet and anti-war leader, be a cover all bases move?
A scenario, that in view of his chameleon like convictions; that unfortunately does NOT sink like a lead ballon in my mind when i give it a chance to float.

[otraque]

The ruling saying Central Park can NOT be used for demonstration makes an absolute mockery of Democracy.
The protesters MUST challenge this, this is a major call for an act of Civil Disobedience.
Big Problem, the employed of forces of repression have 2 key weapons, machines that produce intolerable piercing sound and Pepper Gas.
I have no knowledge if cotton stuffed in ears is any defense against the sound.
I would say you need sound protection and 10,000(unarmed) with gas masks to en masse charge and challenge the police line at one point.
With another 10,000 to follow behind.
Object is to bring visual imagery to reveal we live in non-democratic repressive society thats aim is to crush the right of americans to gather and peacefully protest.

The issue is only FREEDOM!
If the such a challenge of the court ruling can not be mustered it will be a sad day for all americans that give a damn about freedom.

[otraque]

NY Court Says Anti-Bush Protesters Can't Use Park

Wed Aug 25, 7:04 PM ET Add Politics to My Yahoo!


By Grant McCool

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A judge on Wednesday denied anti-Bush protesters permission to rally in Central Park on the eve of the Republican National Convention, leaving open the question of where possibly hundreds of thousands of demonstrators will go after a march through midtown Manhattan.
The decision by New York Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Silbermann is the latest in a running legal battle between the protest group and the city. She sided with city officials, who say they fear the grass on the park's Great Lawn would be damaged and security could not be ensured for the huge crowd.


The lawn was restored seven years ago at a cost of $18 million.


"We fully recognize the vital importance of First Amendment rights," said Jonathan Pines, lead attorney for the city, in a statement following the ruling. "However, when dealing with an event of this magnitude, the city must balance all relevant factors, including the availability of other demonstration areas and the potential damage to Central Park."


Leslie Cagan, national coordinator for organizers United for Peace and Justice, said they would abide by the ruling and not rally in the park but would stage a rally nonetheless after the march, which is estimated to draw 250,000 demonstrators.


"We will not end at Madison Square Garden," said Cagan. "We are planning to have a rally some place else. We are talking about a location some distance away from the Garden."


The protest group had argued that their constitutional rights of free speech were being violated. The group is a coalition of organizations opposed to the U.S. war in Iraq (news - web sites) and Bush administration policies.


They noted that the city has given permission to huge events in Central Park such as the Metropolitan Opera (news - web sites) and a concert by the Dave Matthews Band sponsored by AOL last year.


"We believe the court is wrong and we believe this is actually a violation of our constitutional rights to assemble," Cagan said after the decision was announced.


Leveling criticism at Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg, she added: "A Republican mayor hosting a Republican convention has done everything designed to undermine the demonstration against policies of a Republican administration."


The group has a permit to march under the banner "The World Says No To The Bush Agenda" on Sunday past Madison Square Garden.


Republicans are holding their convention in the famed arena Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 under strict security amid a series of government warnings of a possible terrorist attack to nominate President Bush (news - web sites) for a second term in the race against Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites).


In a separate case on Monday, a federal judge declined to order the city to issue a permit for a joint civil rights rally in Central Park on Saturday by another anti-war group and an Arab-American organization. (Additional reporting by Christine Kearney)

[otraque]

Laird this country is going to fascist hell a lot faster than
i think when the libs are so comatose they can't grasp they are being stomped on.
Hell even in the 60s you didn't get places like the Washington Memorial closed to protest because of the grass, and some vague reference to security.

[CoalTrain]

At a time of escalating bloodshed in Iraq, multiple asset bubbles bound to collapse before long, stagnant wages, and huge economic imbalances --the main issue of contention between Bush and Kerry is their military records many years ago -- Bush in the National Guard and Kerry in Vietnam.

A truly DISGUSTING demonstration of political degeneration IMHO.


It`s a great scam by the war party. Bickering about ancient history instead of the real issues. All the time and energy spent talking about this is time not making observations and thinking about what is happening in the current war. Both candidates are committed to the war and many Kerry heads fancy themselves as "anti-war" I bet the arms manufacturers are sleeping well these days.


It reminds me of that picture I saw in MAD magazine many years ago that had two gas pumps, one regular, and one premium. Both pumps went to the same tank. LOL!