Adam Kokesh: "When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty"
By Logan Murphy Sunday Sep 16, 2007 11:46am
Last Saturday's ANSWER Coalition protest in Washington D.C. was filled with many great speeches, but this particular speech by Iraq War vet and member of Iraq Veterans Against The War, Adam Kokesh, was particularly powerful and I wanted to pass it along.
Kokesh, who was recently arrested for posting signs promoting the protest, took aim at General Petraeus, President Bush, military recruiters and anyone who still supports the occupation of Iraq -- as well as those members of Congress who will not stand up for the troops and refuse to carry out the will of the American people. Kokesh's words moved me to the point of yelling out loud, perhaps it will have the same effect on you.
Download | play 
Download | play
Kokesh: "...As we all know now, we were lied into this war and it is lies that are keeping us there. They lied about weapons of mass destruction, they lied about Jessica Lynch, they lied about Pat Tillman, they lied about al Qaida and Saddam -- and those are just the lies we know about. But, I'm not so mad that I was lied to, as I am that I cannot trust my government any longer. It astounds me that yet so many Americans want desperately, more than anything, to believe the government. When will we wake up and realize that the power of truth is greater than any force brought to bear by any army ever fielded."
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I would love see O'Reilly et al attempt to belittle Adam Kokesh to his face. Adam's right bicep could crush 99% of the reich-wing bloggers in one swift flex.
P.S. Frist.
The phrase that really sticks is "in solidarity with the Iraqi people"
Some interesting discussion about the war in Iraq moving forward took place yesterday on Meet The Press w/ Russert. You can see them here if you haven’t already:
Meet The Press – Kerry & McCain Talk Iraq
http://beta.redlasso.com/ Community/ ClipPlayer.aspx?i=fc90713d-4bba-4831-b134-4dd9dcf6a76d
Meet The Press – Political Experts on ’08 Election / Iraq
http://beta.redlasso.com/ Community/ ClipPlayer.aspx?i=8ce66bd7-4ffd-42bf-b5f2-6fc5f22809e2
ugh, cant believe I screwed up those links - wish I could edit my posts :/
Meet The Press – Kerry & McCain
http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=fc90713d-4bba-4831-...
Meet The Press – Political Experts on ’08 Election
http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=8ce66bd7-4ffd-42bf-...
Thank you C&L for writing about the march in Washington on Saturday. It seems that most info on this event has been scrubbed from the web sites last nite. What a shame this was an important event and it is sad it is only worth 24 hours of attention since there was very little in the first place.
I only found out about this protest days before, there was not enough time to make plans to get to DC and be part (I also want m,y school age kids to take part). I wish there was a "clearing house" where protest around the country can be registerd so that those of us who don't live close can make plans to attend.
Saturday's demonstration featured numerous veterans and veteran organizations. But that didn't stop the media from presenting the event as anti-troops. Even C-SPAN got in the game with on-screen graphics that labeled the demonstration as "Anti-War" but labeled the counter-rally as "Pro-Troops." I got screen grabs here:
A Tale Of Two Rallies
If you look at the pictures and not the labels, it's clear which side really supports the troops? C-SPAN should be more careful not to editorialize in their so-called non-partisan programming. And they must stop perpetuating the right-wing meme that if you favor an end to the war you are somehow opposed to the troops. The truth of the matter is that ending the war is the best way to show support for the troops.
"If you will not make peace for us, then we will make peace for ourselves. Power to the people."
Ignore at your own peril. The sleeping giant stirs.
Kokesh is cute. I wish he'd take his shirt off.
Mark @ News Corpse @ 9:
Terrific screen shots though....the shot that included men and women in uniform were anti-war and the few scrawny wimps supporting the murder of Americans were the pro-murder/war group.
There was a good turnout for the peace demonstration in Oklahoma City on Saturday--about 40 or 50 people holding signs, I'd say, including some former military people, Christians, and at least one Republican.
We got lots of honks for peace, but also plenty of one-finger salutes. I just consider those people deluded and misinformed.
Two local tv stations covered it, but I didn't see either.
8 Clytemnestra--good point. Contact MoveOn.org. They send out notices.
Young veterans, wearing fatigues, arms raised in protest, looking far older than their years... it seems I saw these same photos a long time ago.
Why didn't we learn? When will we learn? Will there soon be an organization called Iran Veterans Against the War?
"The ANSWER coalition. Why are they always in charge of the protests?
Creepy stalinoids are not the ANSWER."
This point can not be overemphasized. ANSWER is a front organization for the Revolutionary Communist Party, a Maoist cult based in the San Fransisco bay area.
Any association with them (or the "Free Mumia" people, for that matter) by the antiwar movement is a gift to the right wing, who would use such association as a means of discrediting the broader antiwar movement.
DonkeyKong @ 3:
I was in the rally with a small contingent of Asian Immigrants, and I must say, the ANSWER guys really did a heckuva job organizing something like this (organizer numbers put it at 100k, while MSM sources put the numbers at 7k. I'd say it was about 70-80k). If you're all creeped out about the ANSWER people (Stalinoids? seriously?) I strongly suggest that you create your own formation that doesn't "creep you out" and DO SOMETHING other than posting on sites. We'd gladly march with you. Right now this inter-left throwing tomatoes-at-each-other-while-sitting-on-the-sidelines is just getting a whole lot of people killed, which would make us not that much better than the Neocons/Neolibs.
peace.
It's Miller Time.
Not A Senator @ 10:
I say the same thing about Lara Logan.
The United States is in a state of distress, and flying the flag upside down is the most caring thing that an American can do at this time.
Kudos to this guy.
Craig @ 14:
as long as the majority of the american population continues to delude themselves about the reasons, causes and effects of war; as long as our economy depends on war; as long as americans think that we are actually fighting for democracy then things will never improve.
america's constant warfare has not been to support democracy, but to stifle democracy.
we are economic neocolonizers, NOT freedom fighters
Kokesh's speech moved me to tears. Bravo, Kokesh!
We the people are rising up!
ysbaddaden @ 17:
Add Amy Robach to that list. She drives me crazy.
AMEN BRUTHA!
Gollum @ 14:
c'mon, guys, honestly. we're still framing this entire debate in the Fox-News corporate MSM paradigm. Frankly, at this time I don't care what the "right wing" would use anymore. I don't care if they go out on FOX and brand all of those people who marched "the fringe left". I. don't. care. anymore. and neither should all of you. if a bunch of commies go out and slam this war and say it's all for corporate profit, then god bless them. I hope we're still not waiting for the "democrats" to stand up for us for the sake of being "moderate". the dems are in on it, and they're not budging UNLESS we unite whatever is "the left" in this nation, and MAKE them budge. "moderation" didn't stop this war. waiting on the "democrats" to change heart didn't stop this war. maybe people getting of their butts will.
Logan, you're right. Those are some powerful words. Like water to a thirsty nation.
Now that's what I am talking about......
"resistance has become our duty"
Feel free to send out some emails to the networks scolding them for not covering this stuff. I am.
it's simple...
compare adam kokesh with the laughin'-n-scratchin' likes of the "right wing mil-bloggers" in the next article...
about five years ago, when we were all but in iraq, i sat down at my machine here and made that distinction this way...
difference is that adam is clearly not defeated...
he appears quite ready to make things right again...
damn! that makes me feel good...
Power To The People!!!
I just wish large sites like C&L would bring attention to these marches before they happen. I knew about this march for at least a month. I had a sticker on my website for it. Unfortunately, I only have about 10 readers. With millions of readers, you could inform a lot of people. Why not advertise for large protests like this here? I never get that.
They lied about the catalyzing event!
Logan, I've been yelling outloud for quite some time now. I think the neighbors are starting to be concerned. Hopefully about the state of the country and not about me!
BTW....They said on CNN World that the Iraqi Government is kicking Blackwater out of the country. It's a start.
reyvn @ 23:
i completely agree with you reyvn.
they will kill Kokesh...mark my words!
Dr. Matt @ 21:
And Contessa Brewer. Hell, I'd even include Monica Crowley.
The Dallas Morning Nudes Sunday editorials is called Points, but unfortunately they don't include any nipples.
As long as you don't count Larry, the Cable Guy.
Resistance is futile. You will become assimilated
Lollimom @ 18:
I flew my flag upside down for just one month and all hell broke loose on my street and my wife took it down while I was out of town.
I got a letter from my Homeowners Association demanding that I put it right-side up. I overheard my neighbors say they were going to contact the Association because it really upset them (they didn't know I had received a letter already) and my other neighbor wrote me a letter telling me I was disrespectful of the nation and copied instructions on the correct way to fly the flag. My kids kept telling me I should put it the right way. And two other neighbors came to the door and informed me it was upside down.
I wrote to the ACLU of Maryland and they said it is my right to hang the flag the way on want and if anyone gives me any problems to call them back.
AntiFed1791 @ 36:
the bushes dine with the bin ladens
Put it on flyers and post it on windshields. Especially on those vehicles with a Bush/Cheney stickers or "support our troops" ribbons.
ysbaddaden @ 34:
Brewer and Crowley are silent dubyah supporters. They are not as blatant as Scarborough or Tucker Bowtie, but they still are.
Chip @ 36:
i don't know your neighbors (or you), but those that support the war, support bush, support our coporate/military empire are the ones desecrating the flag. it would be funny (if it wasn't funny) that so many americans get wrapped up in protecting the flag, asymbol of our country, yet are silent when the actually country itself (its people, its laws, its institutions, etc) is shredded.
Any links to some of the other speeches? I'm writing a column for my school newspaper and was at the rally, but unfortunatly forgot to take notes. Silly me, I was busy protesting. ;-)
Not A Senator @ 10:
Funny, I was trying to resist any gratuitous sexist comments (and I'm failing miserably) you're right. He is a hottie. If I were ten years younger, I'd take him for a hard ride. Ride 'em cowgirl.
Dr. Matt @ 39:
But who would invite them to the sack just to talk?
Adam Kokesh was, is, and always will be the man
They'll all be sent to a Reeducation camp like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ta9KMLpiHM&mode=related&search=
WOW! Powerful indeed. What a great speaker Kokesh is...and a beautiful one at that!
I don't know what else Adam Kokesh is up to by way of protest, but the words written in this thread attributed to him pretty well expresses my feelings on the matter being discussed... I too, am at least if not more so, angry that I cannot realistically trust my government now, period. Not as long as it remains in the hands of the people in control currently. Their continuing mendacity angers as much as any of the many many lies they have told in the past to date... The only thing I CAN trust with this administration is that tomorrow, there will be more lies and spin. It's all they got now.......It's all they really ever had...............JD
Chip @ 36:
That's amazing. I have chosen to NOT fly the flag on my house, but I'm getting mighty close to flying it upside down (and I'm surrounded by "Vote Bush/Cheney" people).
Rather than asking us to fly to Washington DC in a protest, it might be effective to have a national upside/down day. That way, people would learn what it really means to fly the flag upside down. It's a message of concern and distress, not disrespect.
Chip @ 36:
Of course all hell broke loose because people are idiots. You would be amazed at the amount of people
that think flying the American flag upside down is a sign of disrespect rather than distress. This is a
problem that begins in our suck ass educational system and the dumbing down of people when they
are kids. I also feel sorry for you that you have to live with the fascist tactics of a Home Owner's
Association. Though there are some advantages of living with a HOAs most of the time HOAs are nosy
ass pricks with nothing better to do and love to have their damn noses in your everyday life and business.
You should go through your HOA rules and see if there is any rule that says you cannot fly your flag upside
down...and there probably is not...and you should sue their asses. If your neighbors keep their shit up then
sue them for harassment because that is exactly what they're doing. HOAs have absolutely no right violating
your Constitutional rights for any reason and this is what they are doing!
I'd love to be as outspoken on the war as these guys, but I feel like it's not my place. We need more of them to take the lead at the grassroots level.
Lollimom @ 48:
Everyone should all make a sign with the words 'WHEN INJUSTICE BECOMES LAW, RESISTANCE BECOMES DUTY'
on it and put it in our front yards. This would also make a great Freeway Blogger sign.
What has not been reported on, except at Democracy Now!, is how the right wing group Gathering of Eagles [which should more accurately be described as Gathering of Morons] beat up a man at the anti-war protest in D.C. who had been dragging a coffin across the country to protest the death of his son in Iraq. One wonders if those less than intelligent superpatriots would have been so inclined to act in that manner if Adam Kokesh and other members of IVAW had been standing near that grieving father.
When I surveyed the written coverage NONE of the messages of this rally were conveyed.
Complicit Corporate Media.
Gollum @ 14:
As others have mentioned, get over these issues with ANSWER! I was there on Saturday and thought that ANSWER did wonderful job organizing the protest. ANSWER is not the enemy; the White House and their fellow criminal warmongers are. I'll march with anyone who understands this.
ysbaddaden @ 43:
Touché
Sadly this movement is about six years too late our democracy died the day bush was appointed and no one rushed the capital to demand the recount be allowed to continue. It will never recover time for a real revolution to start over from scratch.
Adam Kokesh, DAMN you FINE!!!
I hate ANSWER.
Byt Kokesh Rocks.
Where can I find out more about the supposed Maoist link to ANSWER? I did a google search and came up with nothing along those lines. Anyone got evidence??
If they go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, they're not going to make it with anyone anyhow.
to people who want to protest but don't have enough info see the answer coalition website. there are chapters in lots of places.
http://answer.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ANS_homepage
there's probably info on sites like www.votevets.org
and maybe at www.IAVA.org
for people who cannot travel for whatever reason make a sign and go to your courthouse and stand there with your sign for a while. it is difficult if you are a little shy...get one friend to go with you. or stand at a major intersecton...hang a sign from a bridge or building.
ask your grandmother or mom if they would like to go with you--take them a lawn chair if you want.
CD @ 58:
hate?
what gives? why do you hate this organization?
CD @ 58:
fine. Are you gonna go ahead and try organizing yet?
Would you march with Neo-Confederates or Fred Phelps because they are against the War? As long as ANSWER co-opts these marches, they won't be effective.
That's a fact. Not a rightwing, msm, meme, blah, blah, blah........
>>Last Saturday’s ANSWER Coalition protest in Washington D.C. was filled with many great speeches,
And it was muddyed down with other speeches about cuba, and palestine and other long winded drivel that that protest could have done better without allowing.
A perfect day in the sun for a protest against the crimes this administration is commiting, and we get bombarded with garbage.
So, today I emailed the ANSWER group this below:
----------
Let me get this straight.
You start a protest, get as you posted on your site "100,000" people
to come, you got cameras and bull horns and cops in every hotspot, you
SEGREGATE the march and make people stand in deep crowds for almost an
hour so you can get all those photo ops and TV cameras to get
pictures, you got garbage cans along the road asking for donations,
you provide no toilets for anyone, you put the troops out front to
make a great photo op just like bush, and then....
Wait for it...
And then you post almost NO pictures on your own damn site? And the
only ones you DO post, we have to dig for, as they're not posted on
the front page?
I was at the protest, I stood WITH you, I want this war over too.
And you handle all that, like this? No pictures?
Let me guess, worries about bandwidth and can't afford more, crap excuse.
Or are you people at pephost/answercoalition just plain stupid?
Run by children, acting like children the whole day, allow bullshit
about cuba and those others to speak instead of sticking to the real
reason we Americans all came there to stand with you, for what?
Only to get on the front page of your site, almost 48 hours later, a
sign up sheet to join answer?
Bullshit. Your group is bullshit, your site is bullshit, and all you
are associated with under the cloak of supporting troops and ending
the war, bullshit.
You muddyed the water on this one real nice. Makes the next march a
total waste of time. The only REAL chance you had to do it right? And
you fucked it up. Royal.
Great job assholes. No wonder there was little to no press coverage.
Who the hell wants to talk about cuba or those other issues when we
got more than enough issues of our own right here in our own front
yard.
This war will never end, these crimes against humanity by the US
government will never end, because assholes like you can't get your
act together.
I hope you stretch those donations out a long time, you'll not get any
more chances to suck on these political activists wallets again.
You've lost all credibility after Saturday. Go away, we'll take it
from here. And there will be pictures!
Have a nice life Morons
-----------------
Just what we needed, more crap to prevent a clear way forward.
DonkeyKong @ 63:
honestly though, comparing ANSWER to phelps' organization--that shows up at funerals to harrass and intimidate mourners due to phelps closet-homosexuality--is quite a charge. and deserves to be backed up.
what is it that ANSWER has done that is on par with what phelps does??? you are essentially equating ANSWER with the far right hate groups and i am interested to hear why you have this opinion...
CW @ 64:
all that ranting b/c they didn't post pictures on their website? are you serious? your reposnse seems quite reactionary.
your email to them is completely uncalled for and just plain bizarre.
i'm still curious to hear why some of you hate ANSWER with as much vitriol as you hate the righwing/the war/bush, etc. it seems so... self destructive.
DonkeyKong @ 63:
1. A group that states its main goal as "Act Now to End War and End Racism" is by no means comparable to Neo-Confederates or Fred Phelps. I'm not sure what's so complicated about that.
2. Being able to organize a largely peaceful march of almost a hundred thousand commited people in DC sounds a lot more effective than the cop-outs we've been getting from "waiting on the dems" or whatever crap we tell ourselves for the sake of "moderation".
3. ANSWER did NOT co-opt the march, it was a major Organizer of it. Meaning, the vets who chose to go to the march were not somehow tricked into marching with ANSWER, but were actually co-signatories to the march that they took the initiative of organizing. I guess here's where we say that the Iraq/Afghan Vets against the war has somehow turned Maoist to be scorned by all.
4.You know what's not effective? being angry on your couch and doing nothing about it, throwing tomatoes at those who actually spend time and energy organizing the grassroots.
blah, blah blah...
One of the giants of the anti-war movement died a few nights ago. David Cline was a Vietnam veteran who was a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War [VVAW] and was prominently featured in the documentary Sir! No Sir! which chronicled the history of the GI movement that took place at or near military bases both at home and abroad during the Vietnam war. He also was a past president of Veterans for Peace.
CW @ 64:
1. For the sake of clarity, I am not a part of ANSWER, but me and my organization was invited by them to their buses, where we found out what a committed and wonderful bunch of people they were.
2. Being an all-volunteer organization, I can see how they might need a couple of days to recuperate and regroup before they can actually go ahead and update their website with pictures. I don't see what's so vile about that. A lot of other people, myself and my girlfriend included, however, took a bunch of video and pictures and they are all over the internet and Youtube. It will not kill you to search them.
3. It's about time that ALL the left and progressive forces of this nation got together and fought alongside, not amongst, each other. It's pretty clear that it is the same group of people who are bashing immigrants, waging illegal wars in the middle east, continuing the blockade of Cuba, sending manufacturing jobs overseas, and spending gratuitious amounts of money to finance bulldozers in Palestine to knock houses down. Why can't ALL the progressive forces which are being affected by it, the progressive immigrants, the progressive Labor unions, the progressive democrats, get together and fight the common enemy? why is that somehow "muddying" the issue?
Let's all get our acts together. we're all in the same boat. We are not each other's enemy.
Charles @ 50:
Why would you feel it's not your place? Speak up. I'm not American, yet I go around deriding this war and the USA to anyone who will listen, and all the time!! Mostly all of them listen, and agree. Some are more outspoken than me. (The US ain't too popular anywhere overseas, if you didn't know.)
Steering Committee:
IFCO/Pastors for Peace
Free Palestine Alliance - U.S.
Haiti Support Network
Partnership for Civil Justice - LDEF
Nicaragua Network
Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines
Korea Truth Commission
Muslim Student Association - National
Kensington Welfare Rights Union
Mexico Solidarity Network
Party for Socialism and Liberation
That's the "Steering Commitee" right off their website.
Yeah, no co-opting there!
As for the comparison of Phelps group and ANSWER. What are the policies governing gay rights in North Korea, Cuba or even the Palestinian territories?
If ANSWER is a democratic grassroots organization, then let people who attend determine the speakers on the stage.
I rest my case.
Edwin @ 70:
I'm not too sure if "deriding" the USA is somehow helpful to this. We have to separate the State apparatus and the corporates that come with it from the actual, hardworking, honest masses of the USA, which, in case you haven't noticed yet, is getting as screwed as everybody else in the world is.
Ed @ 56:
YUP. Yes, that's entirely right. It's been 6 1/2 years too long down this road. I fear it will take America a good 50 years to get back to anywhere near "normal". That is if it changes course STARTING TODAY. The longer this goes on, the deeper the pit gets.
reyvn @ 71:
Fair enough, but as Ed@56 said, democracy ended when the American people accepted the Supreme Court's appointment of Bush as president. Where were the voices? Silent. Sometimes inaction is criminal too. I see it as being accomplices in the "crime".
Edwin @ 72:
i would NEVER argue that george bush is not the worst president in our country's history, nor that his policies are not detrimental to the life on planet earth...
but...
as a country we have been headed down a dark path a long time before bush ever lost election in 2000. from corporatocracy, to neoliberalism, to the IMF/World Bank/WTO, to our military empire, to our imperial arrogance, to our economic neocolonies, etc.
getting rid of bush is just the tip of the iceberg.
Edwin @ 73:
1. I agree wholeheartedly with samson-@74
2. I also agree that the silence is criminal. So what are we to do now? Are we to dismiss the American people and lump them with the multinationals and their government? or do we try and organize, and listen, and teach, and fight alongside them? the choice is pretty clear for me.
Hi all. Thanks for posting this. On my site, I am trying to put together as much as I can about the protests this week.
If anyone finds more videos or pics orreports, please link to my site and put a comment up about where I can find them. Thank you very much.
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/
reyvn @ 75:
No. I don't dismiss all the American people. I understand it's not all; everyone does. You get tarred with the same brush. It's human nature, or figurative; whatever you want to call it. When you talk about other "groups" do you always say, "with the exception of Joe and Jane Doe...". No, not really. The world at large sees an apathetic America that for too long has let its governement proceed down this path. I totally agree with Samson@74!!!! The difference this time is it's right in your (collective) face and hard to ignore. (Before it was easy --for some-- to ignore.)
The issue I see, is the only people that can change it are Americans, and they have not displayed a will to do so. Do you disagree? (So I deride.)
reyvn @ 75: or do we try and organize, and listen, and teach, and fight alongside them? the choice is pretty clear for me.
I don't want to copy the whole thing again. I agree. Let's do it. That's why I'm here and I'm engaged. I am limited though. I am a Canadian living in Asia. Kinda hard to go door to door. I still send lots of e-mails and try to educate people as much as possible. People I converse with tend to respect my opinions because I have earned their trust. But you can get right into the whole neighbourhood/community 'thing'. Go for it.
DonkeyKong @ 63:
In 1941 we joined an alliance against the Soviet Union to stop Hitler.
Regarding CW's point and the responses to it:
I was mildly irritated Saturday, after having expected the march to begin "around 12", lining up around one and having to wait until 2 for the whole thing to get moving. Emphasis on mildly irritated. People were getting bored, cranky, and really not wanting to hear yet another speech (we were, after all, the choir!). There were no bathrooms around (luckily that wasn't a problem for me). Now again, I was only mildly irritated. Once the march began, my mood and that of many others improved dramatically. Indeed it was a good march. And ANSWER did a good job of organizing this.
Now yet again, I don't get the positions of those, who are "horrified" that ANSWER has "co-opted" the movement. Do you folks seriously believe this? If so, you really are as silly as the right-wing moron, who felt it was his obligation to lecture us on the evils of ANSWER. You all need to get real! ANSWER is just part of the coalition; there were many others there. And if you think we are "dupes" of some Marxist organization, you really don't understand people and politics all that well!
i damn near cried here at work, powerful powerful truth!....damn it my generation needs to take a stand! It is the peoples turn to fight to make things right!!!!
Charles @ 50:
charles, it is your place...
mass demonstrations and group public protests do not generally change people's minds. these things may incite individuals who are already sympathetic to become more active and more vocal...
but generally, the purpose of rallies and demonstrations is to send a message to the political and corporate poohbahs and the media: we are no longer a few nutjobs; we are growing in number; your influence is waning; your days are numbered...
no, the way minds are changed is "at the grassroots level" as you say. it is done by talking to the people around you. it is as much a matter of listening to them as it is talking at them...
when you understand the fears and the rewards that motivate your family and your friends and your neighbors, and when you are able to set common interests and common goals on the table, and when there is goodness in those interests and goals, then we come just a bit closer to what we all really want...
the world is changed with weapons or conversation...
your choice...
Dana @ 49:
Thanks Dana and Lollimon,
First, I love that quote that Adam came up with, "WHEN INJUSTICE BECOMES LAW, RESISTANCE BECOMES DUTY," and I will use it next time someone approaches me about the flag. It is such an awesome quote. According to Adam it's my duty to resist.
I've actually been hanging the flag upside down off and on since the war started. But I would only leave it up a week or two at a time, mostly because it was starting to fade.
I wasn't untill this past July 4 weekend that I decided to hang it upside down and leave it that way. And that is when I started getting harrassed about it. I work from home and had the windows open and heard my two neighbors discussing ways to have me take it down. One neighbor who is on the HOA Board said he was planning to tell the board. He's the one who wrote the letter and told me I was being disrespectful to the US and told me the flag hangs upside down only during times of distress. Well-duhhh. The other guy just stared at the flag and told him how upset it made him to see it hang like that. I almost walked out there and said something but decided to let them enjoy their little pow wow.
They didn't know I already had received a letter from the board. And that is when I called the ACLU and the lawyer there said they would back me if the HOA gave me any further problems about it.
I looked it up in the HOA rules and the only rules pertaining to the flag are rules pertaining to flag poles.
I'd like to hang the flag upside-down again but can't find it. My wife took it down when I was on travel a couple weeks ago and it's MIA. I think its a great idea that we should have a flag upside-down day. Not sure how to even get something like that going.
This country is in distress. Our Constitution is in distress. I have a right to protest without being harrassed and will continue to do so.
So a warning. If you hang your flag upside-down be prepared for the harrassment that will follow.
Samson- @ 66:
Well let me ask you this, were you there? I was. And those that were there I bet, understand my comments. Uncalled for you say? I don't agree.
We marched to bring attention and try to make the point that this war is wrong. People (like myself) drove very long distances to stand with our fellow Americans, and to get there and be handed leaflets of propoganda of other topics not related to the US invasion of Iraq, to have to wait for the "program" to end discussing at length problems in other countries, was insulting to us a that came to make that stand.
Not posting pictures seems bizarre to yell about, to you? Not sure why. Why do you come to C&L each day? FOR PICTURES! to see whats happening in places you can't get off your butt and take part in!
The problems in this country are, IMHO, that no one wants to bitch. Yea sure, ann coulter bitches and gets free time on TV, Bill orielly bitches and gets top ranking ratings nightly, malkin, the same.
But heaven forbid a democrat who's sick and tired of the muddy water that's defeating the cause to bring peace to this country speaks up and does some bitching.
Holy cow! "that's uncalled for and bizarre"
Reactionary? Give me a break.
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more" is more like it.
Lets start with one problem at a time, seems its kinda tough to multi task these days on this end of town.
Stand up, scream loud, and make those that work for us, change.
Sitting silent has not done you nor I any good. Standing by and listening to problems in Cuba or palistine? WORTHLESS!
For the record, I donated to ANSWER, I showed up for the march, I stood and listened to them chant the crowd for an hour while we "waited for the program to finish" I marched thru town, I looked around at thier organizational skills of over 100,000 strong and no toilets, did you?
Uncalled for? HELL NO. ENOUGH is ENOUGH! As we all yelled during that march, "WE DON'T WANT NO FUCKING WAR!"
Your comments are reactionary. Not mine. We're losing, people are dieing. And you want to complain that my email seemed bizarre?
The biggest protest march since the bush crime family took over your country, and you don't think the WORLD should see pictures of it?
ok, fine. Excuse me for caring.
When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
DonkeyKong @ 71:
1. So you "proved" that ANSWER "co-opted" a march that they ORGANIZED by...posting their steering committee? I don't get it.
2. As for Gay rights, I believe that homosexual marriage or partnerships are recognized in North Korea and Cuba, i'm not sure about the Palestinian territories. I don't know what that has to do with ANSWER being like Fred Phelps though.
3. As for "letting the people decide" on who's going onstage, are you seriously suggesting that in the middle of the demonstration, a ballot be put out to everybody who attends, and ask them who they want to speak, and then make sure that all those votes are counted, and make sure that the people who were voted actually want to speak, and THEN have a program? Because the people who did go up on stage are leaders, or at the very least allied to the organizations who ORGANIZED the thing in the first place.
I HOPE that's not your entire case because this is turning out to be a huge waste of time for the both of us.
Truth is widespread American war crimes in Iraq. World working to end it.
CW @ 85:
1. I think the biggest problem in your statement is the part where you say that the occupation of Palestine, the blockade of Cuba, the racist case of the "Jena 6", somehow have nothing to do with the invasion of Iraq and it was somehow "worthless" to discuss them there. I think all of those things have EVERYTHING to do with the invasion of Iraq. They're all questions of justice. Ever heard of the saying, "an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere?" Children are dying in Cuba too, because of the US blockade on food and medicines. Children are dying in Palestine too, because the US sponsors Israeli bulldozers that clear off Palestinian villages to make space for Israeli settlements. They're all connected to the American and Iraqi kids that are killing each other in Iraq because of the invasion. They are all injustices that we haven't been stopping.
2. If your issue about ANSWER is that they didn't post pictures on their website fast enough, then let that be your issue. I'm not sure where "Hurry up and put up the pictures so the world could see!" is somehow synonymous to "have a nice life, morons".
3. And no, your caring that the world see what we have done is not what's uncalled for. What's uncalled for is that you were ready to dismiss the tremendous effort and dedication these people put out, because "there aren't any toilets", and "they asked for donations" and "the didn't put the pictures on their website". (And FYI, there WERE toilets, but they were on the drop-off points. they weren't allowed to put them on the march route itself.)
Talcott @ 53:
There is a double standard you know. John Kerry saw far more actual combat than David Petraeus yet the Republicans saw no problem with sliming his combat record.
Situation Room September 13, 2007:
BLITZER: But let me challenge you, Geoff. Political appointee, this is a four-star general, he is a career professional who spent more than 30 years in the U.S. Army. Risked his life on many occasions not only in Iraq, but in Bosnia and elsewhere.
Actually, General Petraeus' only combat experience was as Commander of the 101st Airborne in Iraq in 2003. He has never fired a gun in combat. Of all of the soldiers in the 101st Airborne during that campaign, as commander his life was probably the least at risk. All of Petraeus' other overseas commands came after the fighting was over,
John Kerry saw far more actual combat than David Petraeus yet the Republicans saw no problem with sliming his combat record. John Kerry risked his life everyday day as a swiftboat captain. He could have been killed in ambush from the river bank on any one of his missions. Kerry actually earned his medals while under fire.
"In February 1999, the Cuban government instituted a new set of tough, anti-crime laws which stiffened penalties for, among other crimes, promoting prostitution and the corruption of minors. That followed a speech by Fidel Castro a month earlier in which he sounded the alarm against the threat of “moral laxity” and “corruption.” With the new law came the deployment in Havana of Brigadas Especiales, special police units with distinctive black berets, which gave the capital the feel of a city under siege. The crackdown resulted in a sharp reduction of prostitutes on the streets. (Navarro, 1999)"
"In the first half of 1999, substantial numbers of prostitutes were rounded up and either sent back home to rural areas or interned in “rehabilitation centers,” work camps where they receive counseling while putting in up to four years of agricultural and other labor. (Navarro, 1999; Tamayo, 1999) It has been unclear from reports by foreign and independent Cuban journalists whether homosexual prostitutes have been included in the rehabilitation program."
"The status of gay rights in North Korea is unclear due to the country's tendency towards secrecy regarding its internal affairs. Though homosexuality is not officially criminal in North Korea, the government condemns the practice as a vice caused by the decadence of capitalist society, and denounces Western gay culture as promoting consumerism, classism, and promiscuity.[1] "Violating the rules of collective socialist life" can be punished with up to 2 years imprisonment.[2] It is unclear as to whether this code of conduct is implemented to punish homosexuals."
Yeah reyvn, sounds like paradise.
As for the speakers on the podium, they should address ALL of the crowd, not pretend eveyone is there to hear about the "miracle" of North Korean Marxism, or the "Cuban Five."
reyvn @ 89:
Well it sounds to me like you're more concerned about "World Peace" right now instead of just stopping the bush crime family. Thats great.
As soon as they hang bush from that cherry tree out front of the white house, from his neck until dead, I'll join you. because from where I sit, a lot of the problems "world wide" have to do with this administration right now here at home. You want to solve the worlds problems? Wonderful. But stop confusing the issues with too many. This is a well known problem that people in this country only listen to sound bytes.
You want to ignore those facts, and solve the worlds problems all in one afternoon out front of the white house? I say to you too, have a nice life moron. You get what you get with that plan.
As for dedicated people, how dedicated are they that they are more interested in more signups to the site than to show who came yesterday? Promote what they've already done? Get more users by showing a pattern of good work. Show the world what the media won't show.
The comments by you and a select few others stink of something. I'm not sure what, but it sure resembles republican operatives having a fine time confusing the issues at hand.
"an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere?"
Yea well, one problem at a time. Lets start by making our elected officials do what we voted them in to do. Once we get that far, if we can, then we'll move on to more.
You want to pile it on and confuse and swerve off into other directions, go on your own.
Its the reason why they say the democrats don't have a plan. Too many side issues "that are important and must be concidered" To that I say bullshit.
One thing at a time.
Your rebuttal is worthless to me. Save it.
DonkeyKong @ 91:
1. I'm not sure where I said Cuba or North Korea are "paradise". Care to point out where? No? that's what I thought.
2. I was at the crowd and I didn't hear ANY of the speakers talk about the "miracle" of North Korean Marxism. Can you point out which one that was? No? that's what I thought.
3. The case of the "Cuban five", in case you haven't heard of it, is the case of 5 Cuban agents living in Miami, who alerted Cuban authorities about a plot of Cuban exiles to plant a bomb in a plane heading to Havana. They were arrested, essentialy, for stopping a terrorist plot. I don't know why you are apparently against hearing about them, or how you would construe talking about the "cuban 5" as a case for Cuba being "paradise".
4. So in North Korea, homosexuality is not a crime, but generally looked down upon, in Cuba, they're trying to put a stop to prostitution, therefore...ANSWER is like Fred Phelps?
5. The speakers were addressing the entire crowd. But the problem is that the entire crowd is a set of activists and first-timers that have an entire plethora of concerns, that are not contradictory, and are in fact, all on the same side of the argument. I don't see why the call to stop the occupation of Palestine is contradictory to putting a stop to the occupation of Iraq, since both occupations are done by essentially the same people.
6. I am not trying to fight you. I just think you're barking up the wrong tree.
Hey look! reyvn WAS there afterall.
http://rawstory.com//news/2007/D.C._AntiWar_Protest_Not_Scheduled_Unwant...
Go figure.
Chip @ 36:
Good for her. Why endanger your family?
The flag is like the cross -- a symbol. A powerful symbol that does NOT communicate this high-concept idea of an emergency, but rather communicates a hatred of America. So you draw down a lot of fire, and for what?
Post a SIGN, not an upside down flag. At least then you will be dealing with the cortex, instead of with some precortical brain mass too close to the aggression centers.
CW @ 92:
1. "youre rebuttal is worthless to me"? very neocon-ish, I must say. not up to the "listening" part of a two-way discourse? good. I'm sure a lot of things go well that way.
2. I'm not confused about the issues. I'm not sure why you seem to be able to process only one problem at a time. Take a look at the ANSWER steering committee. If everybody was handling "one problem at a time", then there would be no ANSWER coalition. Fact is, all of those people of various concerns, from immigration concerns, to the occupation of Palestine, to welfare rights, UNDERSTOOD that the Iraqi occupation is wrong for EVERYBODY. It's wrong for the American people, it's wrong for the immigrants, it's wrong for the poor, it's wrong for the Palestintians. If everybody were to handle "one problem at a time", the Mexico Solidarity network wouldn't be helping out in stopping the war and just work on immigration issues. I don't know about you, but I'd rather that MSN help out in ending the war. If everybody did "one problem at a time", then the welfare rights union wouldn't care less about stopping the Iraq war until everybody has welfare rights. That's BS. I'd rather they help out in ending the war.
3. I will not be as presumptious as to say that "you stink of something" and make veiled suggestions of you're being a "republican agent" because you don't want these people of different concerns banding together to stop the war. I'll just be as presupmtious to say that ANSWER-bashing, in a dismissive, "have a nice life morons" way, helps nobody but those who want the status quo. think ANSWER committed mistakes? then point them out to them and suggest how they could fix it. I actually saw a whole lot of the "Eagle" counter-protest holding out signs that simply said "you're morons". It was insulting, idiotic, and ultimately useless. Are we going to be like that to each other?
4. If you go to their site, you could actually see photos an news of their other actions throughout the years. They may not be the quickest and most efficient website-updaters, but why does that suddenly stir up enough anger in you to actually dismiss all their other efforts?
5. Yes, I DO want to pile it on. Because you know what? The Civil rights activists of the 60's "piled it on" and helped out on the antiwar movement. The peace movement "piled it on" and helped out in the civil rights movement. They both won. I want that to happen again.
CW @ 94:
was that an attempt to humor by insinuating that the person who has disagreements with you and is trying to work it out with you is actually a conservative who crashed an antiwar protest? very principled indeed. I hope you're proud of yourself.
Hey.Was there done that.Answer schamster.On Saturday I stood W/ Americans againest this illegal ,immoral, unconstitutional war.Wife & I got on the road 6:30 came back at 10:00 .15.5 hours X 2 =31 hours to make sure our voices are heard.Third time this year,two more to go not to mention every Tuesday 6 - 7.Germans claimed they could never have guessed what was happening.I've personally insured 100's can never honestly make that claim.I have flown the flag upside down and was asked not to desecrate their flag at which I point out that this flag was brought by me and is mine.I would never fly their flag upside down.Get up in their face.I was also in Washington 37 years ago,some things never change.
There you have it. The time for endlessly rebutting the mendacities of the deranged power elites and their mobs of sycophants is over, if we want even a fighting chance to survive.
[...] is a great video of Iraq Veteran Against The War, Adam [...]
I have a site you have to check out- it's my favorite and I need to spread it
B50V.COM
pussy_galore @ 3:
There were more than a few, the one that struck me was,
'when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty'.
I see no dissent, no opposite views - how can there be a debate - when all the posts are one sided
why is it the most liberal among us become so rabid in the face of the opposition? I don't get it, and for the record I am not a neo con right wing nut job - what a waste, we cannot move forward because we progressives are so entrenched in our
own rhetoric that the message is muted, fix this house before you try and kick the roofers of our frightful neighbors.
arghhh!
For the folks who didn't hear about the Sept 15 march until it was too late, there's
another one on Sept 29:
http://troopsoutnow.org
It is pleasant to see this sort of civil unrest in light of the state of the union. In addition to getting out and marching make sure you vote in the upcoming primaries, so we don't have to vote for the lesser of two evils. And for the love of country please educate yourselves before you vote. Getting rid of the Federal Reserve and fractional banking system is the first step towards really knocking the feet out from under the war mongers. If they no longer have the ability to fabricate money they no longer have control. http://video.google.com/url?docid=-466210540567002553&esrc=sr1&ev=v&len=...
[...] Read [...]
We should make a BIG distinction between the Government (comprising lots of great people like you and me) and the ADMINISTRATION of it. I do --and I hope you do too.
It is the ADMINISTRATION of said Government that is so evil. NOT the Government.
Please remember this. It is a VERY important distinction.
The issue of lack of trust of these people was a part of the dynamic from the beginning; even before W was sworn in. Many Americans knew something was rotten in the state of Florida; even those who voted for him and who hoped for a new dawning in America. But a liar can't be trusted and a leader absolutely must be trusted when he takes a Nation into war. It was no longer a case of dirty politics as usual. Body bags were coming home. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians were shocked and awed. And the only response from the Administration was "Trust us." And many Kool-Aid drinkers did. But most Patriotic Americans began to realize they had been duped. There is no question now that those who lied us into War should be tried for War Crimes.
09/17/07 Countdown, at 6:00 pm (?) the Pentagon released a report that the violance in Iragi is at 2002 levels. Why isn't this discussed??
Apparently the general lied.
Bored George @ 104:
I know the folks who are organizing this one has huge differences with the ANSWER folks. But still, I encourage everybody who could make it to go march.
Let's take our country back!
Well said!!
I followed the Sept 15 Rally on my blog
www.dovv.net
Daughters of Vietnam Veterans
go here: http://www.dovv.net/forum/viewtopic.php?id=247
and for a lot of pictures visit www.americanbootcamp.com
Much love and give thanks!
www.harmlessasdoves.com
At oh nine hundred hours, 22 September, all members of 1st of the 5th,
First Cav. Division will be taking their shirts AND their pants off in mass
action protest against the whole damn setup. Out comes the lube
and one big orgy will ensue as first the Bn. C.O. and then in quick
order the brigade and then the division C.O.s go appoplectic.
How will William Kristol handle this?!
Rove down in Texas will say "First Mary Cheney and now this!!"
Then comes the airborne, 101st.
make love, not war - dudes/dudettes.
Thank you so much for posting Adam's speech. I live in Los Angeles and was unable to make it out. You guys rock, peace~
Adam Kokesh is a true american patriot. God bless him!
Go to Adam Kokesh's blogspot site. He is a wonderful writer and a fine American.
Be sure to check out the Troops Out site for the march on Sept. 29.
Kokesh has a listing of some of the upcoming antiwar events on his site.
Prism @ 117:
You can read the best damn Marine blogger @ Kokesh.blogspot.com
Peace~
Not A Senator @ 10:
I met Adam and the rest of the Operation First Casualty posse at the US Social Forum in Atlanta this summer (the day after I had lunch with Mike, Kathy and Molly Malloy). I'll have to get in touch with them and suggest they put together an IVAW beefcake calendar... might turn out to be a popular item for fundraising purposes. :)
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