I'm going to DC on Saturday

[globalvillage]

I have to see it for myself. I'm not sure if I agree with Sen Kerry's assessment of the war and withdrawl (gasp!), but I feel like I have to go.
Now? Soon? Hopefully one or the other.
I hope to meet up with Rox while I'm there.
Anyone else?

[ray of light]

1. I'll be there.

[whometense]

2. Just read this really

interesting and thoughtful essay on the protest Saturday. Provocative.

http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2005/09/rove_at_the_ral.html

Rove at the Rally?
Posted by Lorelei Kelly
"The liberals were pretty much right on Viet Nam. And what did that get them? They destroyed their reputation on national security for three decades"

This statement--coming from a thoughtful conservative journalist--was like a sucker punch at the luncheon I attended today. Especially since our nation is entering another public discussion about ending a painful bout of warfighting. This weekend, a massive anti-war march is coming to Washington. I'm not sure yet if I'm going, as I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. I think protesting the Bush administration's strategic blunder is right-on. I also think demanding a policy on how we're going to transition from a combat mission to a peace support role is vital.

My interactions with peace organizations have been encouraging in the sense that they are willing to entertain complex policy ideas instead of "Out Now" slogans. This rally has the potential to be a positive step forward in encouraging liberal Members of Congress to agitate for an exit strategy. The rally could be an on-message, problem-solving American exercise in participatory democracy. But the left has its own strategic blunders to worry about. Which leads me to the question:

Is the organization ANSWER working for Karl Rove? Only he could hatch a plot to offer up a message muddling "Palestine Tent" on the mall coupled with an anti-Israel march to the ellipse in front of the Capitol. So now every elected leader who comes to show support is going to have to bear the wrath of the Israeli lobby and fend off right wingers who love to paint liberals as anti-semitic. . . .

[blm]

3. Could you repost this in GD. I think alot of them need to hear this.

Some of the peripheral movements MUST be working for Rove. This tactic is not new....GOP operatives have infiltrated EVERY left organization since before McCarthy's days.

[whometense]

4. Okay,

done. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2107272

You might want to go and kick it - it's already sinking fast.

[globalvillage]

5. There are a lot of groups participating besides ANSWER

I'm not going to let some RW hack decide if I should or shouldn't protest this colossal fuck-up of a war. This is not about Israel. It's about America.

Here's my sign, BTW. Like it? I'm into recycling.

[karynnj]

6. ANSWER was involved in the Jan/Feb 2003 rallies too

My oldest 2 daughters and I went to DC (leaving my husband to take the youngest to Hebrew school). It would have been so much better if the rally were just on not goin to war. Some of the anti-war speakers were very good. The fringe isues were often ones we knew nothing about or disagreed with. It was their rally - but I think they do cause real leaders to avoid the rallies.

[rox63]

7. Offline from Friday morning 'till Tuesday night

I'm also doing some touristy stuff in DC, in addition to the rally. So I've turned it into a little vacation after Saturday's events.
Are y'all going to join any of the DU meetups down there? There's a specific location where DUers are assembling for the march on Saturday. See details at the link below:

http://www.brainshrub.com/dcdumeetup

[TayTay]

8. AngryDemocrat is going too!

I hope she reads this and finds you guys. This would be a cool little JK Forum meetup. We will want details!

Everyone stay safe and have a great time.

[rox63]

9. I'll be at the DU assembly location Saturday morning 11-ish

I'll be dressed in purple.

Here's where it is: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=15th+St+NW+%26+Madison+Dr+NW,+Washington,+DC+20004&spn=0.024085,0.040525&hl=en

Hope to see y'all there.

Rox

[Klimmer]

10. Wish I could be there. But I'll be there in Spirit . . .

And my DU screen name will hopefully be there on a large poster.

I haven't been back to DC since my days in the US Army Honor Guard, at Ft. Myer, VA ('82-'84). I miss the nation's capital. I really enjoyed the political, electric feel of DC. Something is always happening there. Very exciting city.

While you are all there, would someone please place a flower on JFK's grave site, and salute The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for me in Arlington Cemetery?

I would be there if I could and marching loud and proud and protesting this immoral war. Should never have happened --- it is a quagmire. The parallels with VN are striking. It is time to get out and lay the blame squarely on the lap of this corrupt Bush Administration.

Support the troops --- bring them home.

If you voted for Bush then go enlist.

On-edit: Hey, don't forget to have a few cold ones in Georgetown after a long day of marching and protesting. Be safe.
:toast:

[globalvillage]

11. Bye all.

I'm off to DC, hopeful that this thing will play out as a strong message against the war and the lies of this admnistration and not some platform for the far left or some fringe cause.
I was disappointed to see that CSPAN lists it as an ANSWER rally. And now many DUers are calling it a "Cindy" rally.
I hope it's neither.
The message should be about how we were lied into war, that we want to get out, and that the administration has no plan. We'll see. That's my message, anyway, and I'm taking it with me.
BTW, good luck to any Texans out there. The storm looks pretty bad.
Talk soon...
:hi:

[rox63]

12. Quick note from the hotel "business center"

WHEE!!! I'm about to leave for the area of the Washington Monument, where it all begins. :bounce:

This pitiful room with a total of 4 PCs (all of which are usually in use - I got lucky this morning) is currntly my only way to access the internets.

Rox

[globalvillage]

13. Hey Rox

Great to meet you today. Here's a couple of pix. Just got home, and glad I was able to make it to DC. Sure, there were some fringe groups, but the message was clear and the atmosphere was electric.
Hope you have fun while in DC.

[whometense]

14. The DU

banner is really great!!!

[TayTay]

15. That is great!

ANybody from this forum in there?

[rox63]

16. I'm in the posed DU pic

I'm the one on the right (in purple) behind the light blue sign that says "Bush Lies". And that looks like GlobalVillage in the denim jacket right next to me.

I didn't end up staying for the concert afterwards. My arthritic knees were in a lot of pain.

I took a lot of pics, and will try to upload them when I get home later in the week..

Rox