Fucking disgusting - false fire alarm used to run and hide from protestors

[CatWoman]

Abusing the first responders
For all of its talk about honoring troops and cops and other "first responders," the Bush administration has never shied away from using men and women in uniform as props, as foils, as backdrops for political shots.

During the 2004 presidential campaign, the Bush-Cheney campaign liked soldiers so much that it Photoshopped a few extras into a campaign ad. As victims of Hurricane Katrina waited for help last year, FEMA flew in 50 firefighters to pose behind George W. Bush as he toured the devastation. And earlier this month, when the president and the vice president threw out first pitches at Major League Baseball games, the White House tried to insulate them from booing -- it didn't work -- by sending Iraq war vets out to the mound with them.

So maybe we shouldn't have been surprised by this report from Bush's visit to Stanford University Friday, but it took us aback anyway. When protesters blocked the route Bush was to take to the Hoover Institution, somebody apparently thought it was a good idea to create a ruse by driving a firetruck toward the crowd and claiming that it needed to get through for an emergency.

The protesters didn't buy it, ugly words were exchanged, and Bush ultimately had to have lunch with former Secretary of State George Shultz somewhere else. If officials at the Secret Service or the White House had a hand in this -- and given recent events and our own experiences, we wouldn't be surprised -- they owe the protesters, the firefighters and the people they're supposed to be protecting some kind of apology. If local cops or firefighters took this one upon themselves, then they have only themselves to blame the next time someone doesn't yield to their flashing lights.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/

[GirlinContempt]

1. It doesn't sound like they know it was false

[CatWoman]

4. you have me completely stumped

who didn't know it was false?

[GirlinContempt]

5. No where in that article does it state that

the fire engine trying to get through was proven to be attempting to pass for a falsified emergency. It says the protesters didn't buy it. In fact, the articles author even states he doesn't know who was responsible, and never states that there is any verifiable responsibility.

Are there any other articles on this?

[wtmusic]

8. They say they "created a ruse"

and no where is there any report of a fire...what do find so incredulous about this?

[GirlinContempt]

12. Who says they created a ruse?

The fire department? The police service?

Alarms go off without fires all the time. It happens. I'm not saying it WAS true, but I'm also not going to jump on and say these people were right for denying access to emergency personnel without proof.

[CatWoman]

14. the orignial article says they created a ruse, and the fireman cursed them

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=2740

[wtmusic]

15. "A fire truck made an attempt

to open the street around 4:30 p.m. by creating a ruse: telling protesters they needed to get to a fire.

Group members didn't buy the excuse and refused to leave."

From the "this report" link in the Salon article.

[GirlinContempt]

19. Still sounds like conjecture to me

But slightly more credible

[antonialee839]

28. I'm a firefighter, we are first responders, not only for fire

alarms, but EMS runs and just about anything else a person or persons call us out for.
If the firefighters cursed the protesters, it wasn't because they were part of the ruse,
it was because they honestly believed someone needed medical attention, or there was a spill response, or a baby was locked in a car, or whatever the hell they were called out for in the first place, and the protesters were keeping them from their job. I'd like to know the origin of the phone call. No matter what the call, we respond. So, although I'm sure one of these sneaky underhanded Bush creeps made the call, the firemen were just responding to what they thought was a legitimate emergency.

[AuntiBush]

29. My Brother is a Firefighter

and so I know a few in my time. They're only human, and will leave it at that in part.

Last summer along a bridge crossing over I-95 on a busy Saturday stood a one engine small local group, holding up signs for Bush & Cheney, tooting the truck horn and other EMS vehicles w/posters, banners, etc. They were very rude to my elderly relative and I as we tried to pass slowly when asked if we'd support them. Obviously they got a mouth-full from my relative who detests Bush&Co.

We were far from amused knowing this was on paid-time as they should have back at the station doing what they're suppose to do - ready to first respond.

Note: Not all are like this, so please don't take this wrong. Just reporting one incident that happened last summer. Most I know are actually Democratic minded.

[antonialee839]

30. In my city, you would be fired for a stunt like that.

Are you sure this was a paid company or was it volunteer? We aren't allowed to do anything political while on duty. We can't even run for office or go door to door campaigning on our own time.

You are absolutely right, there are some weasels, but for the most part, we are a decent bunch.

[CatWoman]

13. this article is linked to the Salon article

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=2740

Protesters jammed the street, some sitting on the ground. A fire truck made an attempt to open the street around 4:30 p.m. by creating a ruse: telling protesters they needed to get to a fire.

Group members didn't buy the excuse and refused to leave.

"F--- you," a frustrated fireman shouted at the crowd.

so now Cheney works for the Fire Department?

[ghostsofgiants]

6. The writer of the article maybe?

Quotes like "Somebody apparently thought it was a good idea to create a ruse" and "If officials at the Secret Service or the White House had a hand in this -- and given recent events and our own experiences, we wouldn't be surprised" sound just a little speculative to me.

[CatWoman]

16. ...

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=2740

[CrazyOrangeCat]

2. bunch of half-assed,

drip-dry nazis.

[wtmusic]

3. That IS disgusting

Cry wolf at the expense of people in dire straits...there is no level at which they will not stoop.

[wtmusic]

7. I like how the article corrects Bush's lousy grammar

"People (have) got to understand that if we don't educate our children in math and science, jobs are going to go to other countries," Bush said. "Math and science are vital to make sure that this country educates the engineers, the chemists, the physicists who (employers) are going to be looking for."

:rofl:

[CrazyOrangeCat]

9. Yeah, he's lived a life where everyone . . .

. . . smooths out every wrinkle for him. He expects them to correct his speech, lie for him . . . and shield him from those dangerous nineteen year-old girls with signs. And damned if he hasn't always gotten his way. Things are gonna get even more surreal and ugly in this country, when that stops happening . . .

[MGKrebs]

22. The funny thing is, NCLB doesn't even test for science.

Math and English only (at least, that's my understanding).

And I don't think they have a policy yet for evaluating "LEP's" (Limited English Proficent). Like George Bush.

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. Reading anything he says makes me cringe. He's so damn lazy,

too lazy to even speak correctly and the words that come out of his lie hole, prove he doesn't give a crap about the subject he is boring his audience with. Someone should tell the lazy shit that actions speak louder than words. I doubt he would understand, and I know he wouldn't care.

[Crankie Avalon]

10. Recommendation number 5.

[Dr. Jones]

11. Nixon & "wag the dog" all wrapped up into one

n/t

[CatWoman]

17. This article needs to be sent to Keith Olberman

and Randi, and Mike Malloy:

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=2740

[LeftyMom]

18. Then they planted a phony backpack bomb at the west sac demo

These clowns will do anything to break up a a crowd united against them.

[KeepItReal]

20. Don't forget Bush & Co holding up the CG for photo op with Brownie

Saw all those Coast Guardsmen trying to look busy in the background while Bush & Co. did a dog and pony show in that hangar with all those helo's around. IN THE MIDDLE OF A FRIGGIN RESCUE OPERATION.

Damn!

Even KOS picked up on that:



http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/2/121731/7215

[Kansas Wyatt]

21. If citizens raise a false alarm

They usually face criminal charges.

Yet BushCo & Republicans, Inc. use emergency personnel and resources as a prop for campaign purposes. Their abuse, corruption, and hypocrisy knows no boundaries.

Hail the Campaigner In Chief!

[FSogol]

24. What did Mean Jean say? Wasn't it: "Cowards cut and run" n/t

[warrens]

25. I have a mental picture of the Unelected Punk

Sitting in a limo a few blocks away, saying "did it work? Are all those nasty protesters gone, Unka Dick?" Then telling his driver that he has to go wee-wee, and NO he can't hold it, so find somewhere else for lunch NOW because I'm the preznit and you're not and no one voted for you so just do what I tell you or I'll get a new driver and hurry up before I go in my pants....

[Supersedeas]

26. the lengths a Coward and the Cowards supporters will go to....

[fooj]

27. Abuse of power...

plain and simple.