Tamer Protests Expected for Second Inauguration

[Freddie Stubbs]

Some plan to turn their backs on Bush, but key liberal and antiwar groups are abstaining

By Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — Four years ago, thousands of protesters massed along the inaugural parade route to show their anger over the contested election in which President Bush gained his first term. Bearing signs such as "Hail to the Thief" and "Supreme Injustice," they crowded the subways, got into sidewalk debates with inaugural guests and gave a historic day a heightened sense of democracy in action.

This year, as George W. Bush is sworn in for a second term, the atmosphere promises to be calmer.

Once again, demonstrations are planned. An organization called Turn Your Backs on Bush says it will send hundreds of supporters to Washington to literally turn away from the president in silent protest as his motorcade passes.

Anti-Bush activists at an Internet website called bushblackout.com are suggesting that supporters black out their websites or silence their blogs for the day. And a group called Not One Damn Dime Day is urging a boycott of commerce on Jan. 20.

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-inaugural13jan13,1,1592779.story?coll=la-news-politics-national

[LudwigVan]

1. "Some plan to turn their backs on Bush"

and unlike Randy Moss, maybe actually drop their pants. (Bush actually did get mooned once in Pennsylvania, I believe.)

[xpunkisneatx]

12. Yup...in good old Lancaster...Conservative capitol of PA...

the "Smoketown Six" caused much controversy in little Lancaster, PA when Bush came through to talk at Lapp electricity. I believe the created a human pyramid and mooned the president. I for one found it hilarious, the rest of the county, however, did not.

[seriousstan]

2. an antiwar coalition of MoveOn.org

"We felt our focus has been and should continue to be this war," said Tom Andrews, national director of Win Without War, an antiwar coalition of MoveOn.org and about 40 other groups opposed to the administration's policies in Iraq.

Asked how he planned to spend the day, Andrews paused and said, "I'm going to try to sleep in."

[Oreo]

3. Of course

the stormtroopers that will be lining the parade route won't be a reason for it. It's b/c everyone wants this... we really want this! AHHHHHH!

[dbt]

4. That rag is LYING about those "thousands of protestors!"

We never saw them on the TV news, so stop saying that!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[Demit]

5. Yes, four years later they casually mention the protests as if they had

covered them in the first place. Only pulling them out of the memory hole now so they can downplay current events by comparison. I hope some day they find a conscience.

[Cadence]

13. Oh you beat me to it. That's exactly what I was going to say.

They're basically just setting things up so they don't have to cover these protests either.

[MidwestTransplant]

8. Just what I was thinking. Total travesty.

[Redstone]

6. Well, no shit. It's self-preservation.

What do you suppose the Storm Troopers will do to anyone who throws an egg, when the parade marchers have already been threatened with some vague consequences if they so much as look at His Royal Highness?

Redstone

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Throwing anything at someone with a Secret Service detail

is just about the stupidest thing a person could do.

[Megahurtz]

9. It's become the United States of Arrestia

It's sad that these days if you do ANYTHING more than turn your back to protest the dictator, they will arrest you.:(
And don't you dare look him in the eyes!

[k8conant]

10. From the USA Today article that mod wants here:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20050117/pl_usatoday/protestersplantoturntheirbacksonbush


The Florida recount energized protesters at Bush's 2001 inauguration. The primary motivator this time is the war in Iraq (news - web sites). Sgt. Scott Fear of the U.S. Park Police said authorities expect an activity level "very similar to last time." He said two of six protest permits went to groups supportive of
Bush, the rest to opponents.


WTF? Why do groups supportive of Bush get protest permits?

[Demeter]

11. Not One Damn Dime Day!

Let's see if the total boycott of the cash economy January 20th is a significant enough form of protest to catch the fickle eye of Wall Street, Main Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Not to mention the press.

[PassingFair]

14. Maybe this explains the "here's why we shouldn't protest" threads:

First, questionable posters say that we should "pick our battles".

They say we should sit this one out.

Looky, looky, the MSM is intoning the same thing.

If I were within a hundred miles of DC I would show up for what I hope is a HUGE turnout.

I fear we are being manipulated again.

Do not look the emperor in the eye.