Pelosi to be target of Sept 26th protest.

[Tom Joad]

Nancy Pelosi, the congresswoman of San Francisco, (probably the most anti-war city of the nation), has consistently voted to fund the occupation. Just last May she has voted another $82 billion to fund the occupation. Her words are that the war was a "grotesque mistake" but her actions, and her inaction, has done nothing to slow it down.

On September 26th, United for Peace and Justice Bay Area, with the support of a wide spectrum of anti-war groups, will confront Nancy Pelosi on this issue. Endorsers include Global Exchange, Code Pink, Progressive Democrats of America.

Here is the link to United for Peace and Justice, Bay Area
http://upj-bayarea.org

Below is the press release:

United for Peace and Justice Bay Area Sets September 26, 2005
as a Lobbying Day of Action to tell House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi,
“Defund the War! Defend Our Communities!”
September 24, 25 and 26, 2005 are National Days of Action Against the War in Iraq. On
September 26th at 12:00 noon a dramatic rally will be held by United for Peace and Justice Bay
Area. UFPJ is calling for direct action at the San Francisco Federal Building to protest House
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi’s voting record on Iraq. Notwithstanding her anti-war rhetoric,
Congresswoman Pelosi has consistently refused to support any measure in Congress that would
hold the Bush Administration accountable for its illegal war. She has a clear mandate to do so,
as evidenced by Prop N, which called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq
(passed by 63% of San Francisco voters last November). For more details about her voting
record, see http://ufpj-bayarea.org/Pelosi_Sept26/PelosiVotingRecordIraq.html.
Anti-war protesters will encircle the Federal Building carrying a community quilt with demands
that Nancy Pelosi provide leadership in Congress in supporting an immediate withdrawal of U.S.
troops and provide San Francisco with the antiwar representation that it has repeatedly asked for.
In a colorful street theater action, UFPJ will try Representative Pelosi in absentia.
At the same time, while voters from all over the United States are joining UFPJ in lobbying their
representatives to stand against war and military occupation, Democrats are telling House
Minority Leader Pelosi that if she is to lead, she must lead the US out of Iraq now.
DETAILS
Who: United for Peace and Justice Bay Area
What: Rally, Non-violent direct action
When: September 26, 2005 at 12:00 noon
Where: San Francisco Federal Building
450 Golden Gate Avenue

[Kenroy]

1. This has to be one of the stupidest protests

I can imagine.

[Jim Sagle]

Stupid or malignant?

[Kenroy]

8. Both, actually

It's like saying a witness to a drunk-driving accident who provides aid to the injured should be arrested for supporting drunk-driving.

[shadowknows69]

47. KI don't see this as constructive at all

It's not as simple as defunding the war. Only the soldiers get hurt. You think Bush gives a shit if they have body armor or ammunition. They'll turn it all back around again to Dems don't support the troops and the sheeple will buy it.

[mcctatas]

2. Sweet Jesus...

let the circular firing squad begin. Yep, the MINORITY leader in the Repuke controlled house is gonna be able to lead the US out of Iraq all by her little lonesome. No wonder we dems seem to be on a losing streak, the repukes don't have to do a thing, we defeat ourselves.:banghead:

[FreedomAngel82]

28. And are they going after Hasert or any other republicans?

Or just Pelosi?

[applegrove]

3. How silly. I wonder what the blond & designer purse quotient

will be at the rally.

[applegrove]

6. Looks like Rove has a new scapegoat to take town. On Democratic

leader at a time. Quelle Surprise! C'est tres important qu'on parle francais de plus en plus. La silence est d'or - le parole d'argent.

[Der Blaue Engel]

4. I was going to attend the anti-war protest, but I will not protest Dems

while these puke criminals are in office.

Ridiculous.

[Tom Joad]

5. Cindy Sheehan is asking the same question of Republicans and Democrats

Why can't we?

The truth is that Nancy has done much less than her Bay Area counterparts in Congress to stop the war. She has even done less than some of her Republican counterparts in Congress (even Freedom Fries guy is calling for a troop withdraw)

Many of the people at this protest will be Democrats. They oppose the war, like the overwhelming majority of the people of San Francisco.

It is stupid that we are demanding that Pelosi follow the will of the people she is supposed to represent?

[applegrove]

7. She is saying Bush is a liar & incompetent. Which he is. By handing

the contracts all over the Halliburton & the like - he left the Sunnis no where to go. So the insurgency that killed Casey resulted. Also Rumsfield made "new assumptions" about war. How it could be won without troops. And since day one there have not been enough troops on the ground.

Cindy is saying more than just "get out of war". She is saying get out of your lying, incompetent, mislead, misfought, corporate welfare war.

[Tom Joad]

9. From Cindy's truthful, powerful, heart:

"We have so-called leaders in our country who are waiting for the correct "politically expedient" time to speak up and out against the occupation of Iraq. It is no sweat for our politicos to wait for the right time, because not one of them has a child in harm's way. I don't care if the politician is a Democrat or a Republican, this is not about politics."

[brook]

13. This is not a well thought out move...

The only way in hell we'll be able to bring our troops home is with a Democratic majority. Which means, we have to circle the wagons and support people like Pelosi, who clearly wants us out of Irag and recognizes it ain't gonna happen til we are free of Bush and all his creepy, crawly enablers.

Democrats who care about extracting us from this morass of anguish which has been fed by the greed and faux-morality know that our most important mission is to take the 2006 elections. We can only do that by being as single minded as our opponents have been for the last 20-plus years.

I implore you to keep your eye on the prize! Divided, we'll be conquered once again.

[applegrove]

23. I think Pelosi has been in the Rove WH sights for about two weeks

now. They need to take out another of our leaders - the pigs are getting hungry for some blood. You have to keep them fed after-all. Keep the pot stirred - the blood boiling. They've been without a scapegoat for about three months.

[Der Blaue Engel]

30. Exactly. The minute she stands up to them, suddenly we should attack her?

Count me out. I know the enemy when I see it.

[bluestateguy]

10. What a bunch of whiny little twits

n/t

[ultraist]

11. Talk about off message!

Why are they diverting the attention off of Bush's illegal and immoral war to attack Dems? That sucks.

[Tom Joad]

12. The question is the war, and only the war.

It is not about political parties. It is not our fault that Pelosi is so committed to funding the war, for refusing to support any resolution in Congress to seek its end.

It is a major mistake that Nancy has done so little to end the war, it is detrimental to the good fortunes of the Democratic Party. Much worse than that though, it makes it easier for the war to continue, which means so much misery for so many.

[LittleClarkie]

14. Because they're NOT Democrats

I imagine.

It's the "dime's worth a difference" brigade coming to town.

[oasis]

29. I wonder if they took out a permit for lead balloons.

:shrug:

[jim3775]

16. Not just that but ANSWER is co-opting the protest to complain...

about Palestine and Haiti. These protests get so muddled and the message gets so diluted, these groups are working against us and they don't even know it, not to mention the stupid anarchists that ruin everything with senseless destruction. I really do think this protest is going to be a mess. I hope I'm wrong.

Kos Diary link

[QC]

18. If ANSWER is there, can the Mumiamaniacs be far behind? n/t

[Betsy Ross]

15. This is why I am not a member

of Global Exchange, Code Pink, United for Peace and Justice, and a number of similar groups. I will not join groups which try to tie their multiple agendas together.

These groups would do better to go after some repuke hawk, exposing the hypocrisy of war profiteers, etc.

[Frances]

17. I agree totally, Betsy Ross

nt

[Tom Joad]

20. So you disagree with the approach of Cindy Sheehan

That is your right, and i understand that, but for many Cindy's words have the ring of honesty and truth and integrity.

"We have so-called leaders in our country who are waiting for the correct "politically expedient" time to speak up and out against the occupation of Iraq. It is no sweat for our politicos to wait for the right time, because not one of them has a child in harm's way. I don't care if the politician is a Democrat or a Republican, this is not about politics."

[mcctatas]

22. Not supporting a circular firing squad is not the same as disagreeing with

Cindy Sheehan. If any politician were to vote against an Iraq spending bill they would be painted (incorrectly) as anti-troops. When you are in the minority party, when your country is being corrupted and dismantled by the majority, and when we are looking at an opportunity to retake congress in 2006 you do not protest your own. Cindy Sheehan is right on all counts, but sometimes it is better to be cautious than right. We CANNOT afford to eat our own right now because frankly to save our country it is about politics.

[LittleClarkie]

25. Like ANSWER as well?

I've heard not so good things about them as well, that their pro-Palestinian bent gets in the way of their anti-war bent.

[Tom Joad]

48. Being for Palestinian rights is being anti-war

Promoting Human rights is the way to peace.

If you want peace, work for justice.

[LoZoccolo]

42. It seems to be a purpose of a lot of groups...

...and not neccessarily intentionally by the groups you mention, but some of the more radical ones, to try to get you in the door with one issue and try to squeeze you into another with some social pressure.

[TankLV]

19. Oh, shit - this is NUTS!

Circular firing squad.

Ready.

Aim.

FIRE!

I can think of a hell of a lot more deserving targets - in fact, I cant thing of 54 Senators, and hundreds of congress idiots.

Hint: They're the REPUKES - you know - THE ONES THAT CONTROL EVERYTHING!

[LittleClarkie]

21. Pelosi consistently gets nailed by the Right for her outspokenness

What was it she got nailed for specifically. I have a brain like a seive... DSM I think was one of them. She's often come out swinging. And people like Rush target her for it.

I will not join them. Viva la Pelosi.

[electricray]

24. I totally understand the protest, but...

I disagree with the thought that voting for funding the occupation is akin to support for the occupation. Funding feeds our soldiers and since we as Dems don't have the clout right now to get us out, we need to at the very least fund them until we can get them home.

With '06 elections so close Pelosi doesn't have much choice in matters that could be construed as troop support. I understand the argument that this is about more than politics, but my principals tell me that votes against troop funding only create losing Dems, not the image of solid anti-war values.

If we harrass our representatives to propose legislation that bars profiteering or that requires oversight of all war funding bills perhaps we would get somewhere, but for now we should spend all of our energy trying to get a majority in both houses. Coming off of the 24th with an anti-Dem rally risks the story on MSM being the oft-mentioned circular firing squad and not the massive anti-war sentiment of the world.

[Tom Joad]

27. I understand where you are coming from...

However, she has done more than vote for funding.
She opposed a resolution that was attached to a funding resolution by Lynn Woolsey, H.Amdt.214 to H.R. 1815 – proposed a non-binding amendment to develop a plan for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq. 128 Members of the House voted YES; Pelosi voted NO. All her Bay area colleagues voted in favor. Why did she vote no?

[electricray]

31. color me corrected.

that is pretty unforgiveable.

[Marleyb]

49. 128 Members of the House voted YES; Pelosi voted NO

Nancy Pelosi is an enabler. We need to stop enabling democrats who do not serve US. She is supposed to be the opposition leader. Where is the opposition? I am talking about actions, not words. The democrats need to take a stand. The only way they will do that is if we stand up and demand that they serve WE THE PEOPLE. 52% of Americans support immediate withdrawal from Iraq. It is easy to support doing the right thing now....and yet....

I wasn't around but I have read that it was congress stopping the funding of the vietnam war that finally brought it to an end.

[LoZoccolo]

26. I thought these people were the saner alternative to ANSWER.

Oh well.

[BayCityProgressive]

33. take off your partisan blinders people

First of all yes, ANSWER does support palestine because it is PART OF the anti-war movement...Palestine is the reason fro at least 75% of the violence in the middle east. Why should we support any Repig or Dem who doesn't support an immediate withdrawal? Civil Rights came from protesting the entire system not just republicans. I will be happy to join a protest to light a fire under either party. To all who think it is a great idea to keep funding this war I hope you or your children are the next to go overseas. Ridiculous.

[LittleClarkie]

36. Is it true they wouldn't let a Rabbi speak at one of their events?

I was hearing something about that over at Kos, but the poster couldn't verify. Can you?

[Doris32r]

41. I respect your opinion...

But we made this mess. Even if you didn't vote for Bush or if you protested the war in Iraq. It would be very wrong for us to pull out of Iraq. You can't shake up a hornets nest and then throw up your hands and go oh, well and walk away. The people protesting at Nancy Pelosi's door should be speaking to her to make her understand that she needs to make certain that we not go any further... That we don't invade Iran or Syria, etc, etc. We're in Iraq. We can't turn back that clock. But we can try and stop the govt from making any bigger mistakes. I think it is a waste of their energy to protest against her re: Iraq.

[Tom Joad]

38. I don't like ANSWER either in some respects...

because some of its supporters are Lenninist (certainly not all, but i would think it would be fair to describe the Workers World Party like this).
They condemn anyone who does not give unqualified support to the Party. Very unhealthy attitude. wherever it is found.

[KharmaTrain]

32. Nice Try...Play Again Another Time...

A month ago my bags were packed, the tickets were ordered and I was gonna be in DC on the 24th...now I'll wait til the next show.

I can see the "giddiness" of taking to the streets turning into all sorts of messy loose ends. I've tried to follow various organizations and what plans they had for the weekend and found more about parties than marches and tying in all sorts of other agendas.

So by embarassing the Democratic Minority leader...which is sure to get some media, if not blogosphere buzz, this creates an alternative headline to the main purpose of the protest itself. Smooth!

[BayCityProgressive]

34. She should be embarrassed

she is complicit in slaughter. I do believe she was anti-war but I strongly disagree with support for continuing the war which she is doing.

[KharmaTrain]

43. Walk, Run, Fly...

Complicit in slaught? Are you saying she advocated this war? That she voted for all the resolutions leading up to this folly? That she's profited from this war? Let's get a grip here.

Yes, she's voted for the funding, but after the horse has left the barn...forced into the weak position of not appearing to be weak on "terrorism" and national defense and not supporting the military...two highly political issues, and we're dealing with politics here. She'd had to play with a deck stacked against her and take what few opportunities she has to turn the tables and put some breaks on this regime...and you're going to chop her legs out from underneath?

I'm no big Pelosi fan. I see her reacting rather than acting and leading...but I see this protest as an effort to embarass her in a way that can fuel the right wing propaganda machines and distracting from the major message that has to be delivered in Washington...American are united against this invasion. If Pelosi and others see a million people all speaking up against the war...just like a million marched strictly for civil rights or against Vietnam, then it emoldens the party's leaders.

Disagree with her position but do so in the proper perspective.

Peace...

[applegrove]

44. I don't think this is grass roots thing. Go to Washington. That is.

[Tiggeroshii]

35. That's crap.

Some people need to wake up. And when I say "wake up," I mean "rip off that slimy creature that's been living on your head the last 5 years. Yes. That's a hungry brainsucker and the more it's satisfied, the stupider you get..."

[never_get_over_it]

37. These appear to be people in her district

I don't think there is a thing wrong with lobbying even in the form of a protest your member of Congress if he or she is not representing you - couldn't be more American...hopefully other local groups are taking action to lobby their reps - Dem or repunk alike. And remember she is our leader in the house so in a way all Dems are her constituents.....

[LittleClarkie]

39. No, it looks wider than that

they boast that there is a broad spectrum of anti-war groups involved. I doubt they are all in her district.

And announcing it here would seem to be trying to get more folks involved, likely also not in her district.

I agree that folks in her district have the right to protest her. I do think this is more than just that, though.

[Tom Joad]

40. Yes, we live in her district, (or close by) for gosh sakes

We are not "outside agitaters". ANSWER is not even endorsing the protest.

The Democratic board of Supervisors, in san francisco, called on Pelosi to support Lynn Woolsey's resolution to bring the troops home. The people of San Francisco have spoken. Pelosi refuses to listen.

We will bring to her our grievances. We hope she will change her stance.

[never_get_over_it]

46. Well like I said

since she is the Dem leader in the House in some ways we are all her constituents. I for one think we need to hold our Dem leaders accountable - I know many here think we shouldn't bash the Dems but I am sick of waiting for them to do something - bide their time - blah blah blah - if they can't go after * now with his approval ratings so low they never will - also there has been so many different articles and comments that we can't win in Iraq time for the Dems to stand up and support a plan to cut our losses get the hell out of there. Something has to be done to stop this atrocity in Iraq

[Independent_Liberal]

45. Gee whiz.

This is totally ridiculous. What's the point in attacking Pelosi's voting record on Iraq? Pelosi has been doing lots of good lately if you ask me. If I was her, I wouldn't let these people bother me.

[Skinner]

50. Sorry folks

If you want to protest against Dems, you'll need to find SOME OTHER WEBSITE to do it.