News-Record.com

Alan,

Your counterpoint is nothing more than partisan BS. Not all of the 10,000 that you say were there to protest the war were "pro-terrorist", "communists", "socialists" or "anti-American". When you start labeling those who disagree with your politics with such names, it discredits anything you say after that.

If you want to write a letter about what YOU think and how YOU feel, then present it as such and not as fact.

Great lte, Mr. Mullis.

Fonda and the other pond scum only show up when they and their minions are safely barricaded behind police lines and there are a few veterans in wheelchairs to spit at.

"Interestingly enough, the statement that the pro-troop groups were fewer than protesters came from the protesters and was readily repeated, even though totally false."

Once again, welcome to the lamestream media, Mr. Mullis.

I'm curious as to how they will spin the speakerette's tour to Syria to thank her supporters there.

"Unofficial estimates had the protesters at 10,000 and the pro-troop groups at 30,000. "

And this is more factual than the AP estimate how?

Might be right, but I see no evidence that it is more than a declaration much as his "evidence" of all sorts of disreputables populating the anti-war crowds.

The pro-war crowd was made up of ax murders and Nazis, child molesters, and anti-American groups.

See, anyone can say stuff.

Yvonne and Rufus,

Were you there? If not, you shouldn't belittle comments by people that were. Check the other LTE that appears today by a Marine that was there. He says much the same as Mr. Mullis. I've seen some of photos that were taken at that rally, and Mr. Mullis' descriptions are accurate. If you feel that Mr. Mullis is being unfair, investigate who oerganized the anti-war protest.

I have read some accounts that support what Mr. Mullis says. The week after the rally the News-Record printed a picture and a column by a local person that attended that gave a different slant. I sent an email to the editors challenging this, and, of course, I heard nothing back from them, as is par for the course for the News-Record. Anti-war protests will always be given big coverage by teh MSM, including the N-r, but anything positive will be slanted or ignored.

OOR,

Mr. Mullis made a bunch of unsubstantiated declarations. His numbers and description of the two crowds may be right on the money but he gave no evidence to support it. That was my only point. If you are going to get a counterpoint sized article then your should be held to at least some standard of development. His wasn't.

He also didn't claim that he was there.

make that

"If you are going to get a counterpoint sized article then your argument should be held to at least some standard of development. "

Is it me or did that Editor's Note appear to be fired off pretty hasty? It was even bad grammar.

Must have touched a nerve.

I agree with others that I could do without the demonizing of the protestors. There is no way to read the minds of all 10,000 (or however many) that were there.

present at the Pentagon, so that is where they rushed the police.

" They think that Sept. 11 was a plot of the U.S. government to start a war with the peace-loving Muslim citizens of the Middle East."

Must admit I've had those thoughts myself a time or two.

I find the recent trend of unquestioning glorification of the military and clenched-fist nationalism is a bit unsettling.

Any student of history will understand why.

My main problem with Mr Mullis' counterpoint is that most of it is a paraphrase, and some of it hardly changed at all, of material that appeared on right-wing web sites and periodicals during the week following 17 March. For example, search for Judi McLeod, and you'll find virtually the same thoughts and many of the same words.
A few questions for the RIGHTeous folks:
Why did your web sites and announcements say that protesters were planning to desecrate the war memorials in DC? I've been to them more than most of you have, and the only desecrations I've ever seen are candy wrappers and bird poop - most memorials are either unguarded or inadequately guarded, and you really don't need an invitation or a crowd if you're intent on doing them harm. Do you think so many veterans would have shown up otherwise just to pick up litter and wash off the everyday poop?

Was Jane Fonda ever supposed to be there? Who specifically invited her and said she'd accepted - did her publicist say she'd be there? Where were the Hollywood elites (?) who did protest protesting? Which of them had committed to come to DC and then "left Cindy Sheehan" standing in the weather alone? Wasn't the plan all along that she would wait for the marchers to arrive at the Pentagon?

Why doesn't Mr Mullis mention the Christians who protested against war, or the Iraqi War veterans who spoke in protest?
Speaking of the radicals, what happened in the middle of the march route that cut the apparent numbers of protestors? Where did the radicals go? What did the rest of the marchers do when that happened?

As for Mr Nixon's LTE, there was NO "official" count of the numbers of protestors on either side - the DC police haven't done those for some time. He again repeats the charge that there was a threat to the (a?) memorial, but I would welcome seeing any evidence of this beyond in right-wing propaganda.
However, as Mr Nixon so aptly says, he "wasn't there for or against Bush," but "for the troops." The rest of his LTE repeats apparently sensationalist charges that he was duped into believing. I am troubled only by his misplaced credulity, not his loyalty and honor.

'" They think that Sept. 11 was a plot of the U.S. government to start a war with the peace-loving Muslim citizens of the Middle East."

Must admit I've had those thoughts myself a time or two.'

NP,

Are you kidding??? The gang we've got in now couldn't organize a decent pantie raid!

I never had those thoughts, NP .. but would agree a 2001 WhiteHouse conversation might have gone something like this:

"We are the controlling power - legislative, executive, and damm near judicial - of the Worlds Super Power. We can do anything we want. Clearly the world would be a better place if those fools in the middle east would only follow our lead. So let's declare things and they will happen or we'll send in some power because, ya know we are the controlling power."

I take personal offense at the following; "The so called anti-war protesters were made up of communist, socialist and anti-American groups. This anti-war protest was an anti-United States, anti-military protest."

My offense is due to the fact that I had f/Friends who were there protesting. These Friends are Quakers! These people are FAR from being communist, socialist, and anti-American. These are peaceable persons who abhor ALL war and will protest such in a peaceable fashion.

I take umbrage with anyone who spouts off such statements without knowing ALL persons who are at such an event. I did not see Alan making note of that or, as others have noted, whether he was at the protest either!

Shalom

QUAKERS? That exsplains it. Of all the groups that were named, they are the worst of them all and have the least right to be there...

One hopes that Rock is being ironical, or insane. I thought we all had a right to be there if we wanted to. Maybe only Christian warmongers have that right, and the peacemakers aren't as blessed as Jesus thought. Maybe our troops in Iraq aren't fighting for OUR freedom after all, it's just another of the Bush administration lies, which is all the more reason for Congress to save my money and their lives.

Careful, don't offend Darryl, awful things can happen.

Thanks Dan. I doubt seriously that anything awful happens because I am offended. I just voice my umbrage at comments that are offensive.

As for what Rock stated, I will consider the source of that comment. There have been far too many others for me to not count the comments of Rock worthy of offending me. However, Rock needs to remember that the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) are the ONLY religious group/denomination to EVER receive a Nobel Prize (AFSC). So, at least some people using the gray matter between their ears saw something worthy happening with Friends.

Shalom

This letter is patently false. It barely merits comment. The jingoistic claptrap is tired jargon not to mention an exercise in historical illiteracy.

Now as one who was there I suggest the the author of this drivel, Mr. Mullis, was either not in attendance, needs extended math skills, has bad eyesight or is simply lying for his pro-war agenda.

The protesters outnumbered the pro-war zealots by scads. Four or five to one at least most likely much greater. But hey who's counting?

BTW over 600,000 Iraqis have been slaughtered. Oh and nine more US-UK troops died today with at least 20 injured, maimed, blinded whatever.

Way to go Mr. Mullis you are a cheerleader for murder and therefore a small-time collaborator yourself. You must be proud.

Folks you can see some pictures here and decide for yourself:
http://digitalgrace.livejournal.com/