September 11 walk stirs ire of anti-Iraq war protestors

[sabra]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050812/pl_afp/usiraqattacksmarch

September 11 walk stirs ire of anti-Iraq war protestors 50 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon is dismissing claims that a "Freedom Walk" marking the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attacks and honoring US troops is merely a sinister stunt to build support for the Iraq war.

Walkers will leave the Pentagon parking lot this September 11 to trek two miles (3.2 kilometres) to Washington's National Mall, in an event culminating with a concert by Country Music star Clint Black.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said Tuesday the walk would wind its way past some of Washington's most famous monuments "reminding participants of the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous generation that have so successfully defended our freedoms."

But critics say the Pentagon-sponsored "America Supports You Freedom Walk" is the latest bid by the Bush administration to connect the invasion of Iraq with September 11, despite the lack of evidence an Iraqi role in the 2001 attacks.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. What do you bet they cancel the whole stupid motherfucker?

[rodeodance]

22. I think that would be the last thing they would do.

[NYC]

33. What if no one signs up?

You have to register, giving name, address, phone number in advance. What if not enough people express an interest in being investigated before they can participate?

That could cause cancellation to avoid the embarrassment of sparse attendance.

[lala_rawraw]

2. March sponsored by military, where have I seen that b4?

[im10ashus]

4. Nazi Germany? n/t

[DURHAM D]

7. All that remains is for Lennie Reifenstahl to come back from the

recently dead to film it.

[im10ashus]

3. People should be OUTRAGED at this.

This is DEFINITELY a ploy to connect 9/11 to Iraq. This administration is shameless and will all be rotting in the inner circle of hell when their time comes.

[Eloriel]

18. I'm outraged for a different reason

It's FASCISM

See point one (and the rest of the article as well):

Wake Up and Smell the Fascism
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm

1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

[xxqqqzme]

5. I have a friend who wants 2 register

w/ of course no intention of going. She thinks thousands should register who have no intention of going.

They have all the information from me they're going 2 get.

[Rainscents]

6. Does your friends really want to give Pentagon free informations

about them? Fuck that shit! If they want to find me, they can work for it.

[im10ashus]

10. I must say that's not a very good idea.

If thousands were to register, that would give them the idea people are behind them, and we're not. Just my opinion. :hi:

[uppityperson]

16. False info? Sign up as gwbush, cheney, etc. Repubs are pissed too

I read yesterday about some repubs being mad at this too, and 9/11 dead people's families being really upset about this also. (No link but it was here @DU, too busy reading Crawford/Cindy stuff to look for link. sorry)

This has the potential to backfire, way backfire. Party for 9/11!!


OK, now about registering, do it with fake names/info? No, actually, don't register unless it is with name like R U Crazy or Ab Solutelynuts.

[wildflower]

26. I think this may be a recruiting effort...

At least in part. That may be one reason for getting supporters to register their information.

It would be a good way to get a database of people who are:

(a) Supportive of the war
(b) Healthy enough to participate in a march.

[geomon666]

8. March for the Fatherland

Ermmm....Homeland I mean.

[Rainscents]

25. Isn't this what Hitler did with Germany? I saw the film through out 30's

how he was brain washing people slowly. This film was very scary as you can see, this is happening here.

[tanyev]

9. Freedom Walk?

More like a Trail of Tears.

[Supersedeas]

29. 9/11 gave them the freedom to invade 'whomever'

[AlCzervik]

11. The Freedom trail is in Boston, leave NYC alone, stop exploiting them

to support the war!!!:mad:

[Zhade]

12. "...merely a sinister stunt to build support for the Iraq war."

They're doing it AGAIN!

IRAQ HAD NO CONNECTION TO 9/11, YOU FUCKING LYING MEDIA!

[goodhue]

13. a death march

There should be a counter presence of peace activists who will have gathered in DC to lobby for a Cabinet-level Department of Peace, as the legislation is re-introduced in the House of Representatives as a tribute to victims of September 11th.



John Titus, from September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows (www.peacefultomorrows.org) will share at a nondenominational service on Sunday Sept. 11th.

http://www.thepeacealliance.org/events/conf/schedule.htm

[loudsue]

14. We should all go there, carrying anti-war, bring home the troops

signs. Turn it into their worst nightmare.

:kick::kick::kick:

[rodeodance]

21. I imagine a counter-group will organize (I HOPE).

[wishlist]

15. And what's the deal with having to sign up and register for 9/11 walk

Only under Bush have Americans had to sign up and go through registration and or screening before attending events that should be open to the public.

[wildflower]

27. My opinion: it's info for military recruiting (see my post #26 above) n/t

[Solly Mack]

17. nothing but nationalism....

they can spin it all they want...won't change the truth.

[jsmacdonald]

19. Operation Ceasefire - September 24 alternative

Let's get more people! Operation Ceasefire will feature Thievery Corporation and many other groups. http://www.opceasefire.org

Find out more about it and the September Mobilizations in general at http://www.septemberACTION.org

[rodeodance]

20. "is merely a sinister stunt to build support for the Iraq war." YES it IS.

[rodeodance]

23. "freedom march"--healthy forests, clean air, ect--yaddy yeah!!!

[Kolesar]

30. Repeal the Patriot Act

That would be a "freedom march" slogan

[jsmacdonald]

32. More articles about Operation Ceasefire (at least one about this 9/11 BS)

http://www.septemberaction.org/cs/node/144 has a list of press links related to the show. The articles in the comment deal directly with the two events.

[annabanana]

24. It's what the article DOESN'T tell you!!

"Some critics of the walk, notably on online political weblogs or "blogs," have said the requirement for marchers to sign up online providing a name and contact information provides the walk with an Orwellian touch.

But Pentagon officials say the requirment is necessary to allow them to estimate crowd numbers."

Yahoo doesn't mention that you HAVE to register to be allowed to march..You know.. like B*sh's 2nd coronation...

[rocktivity]

28. Even if I liked the idea of the forced nationalism,

the celebration of a global tragedy, and the attempt to legitimize the Iraq invasion, I'd have to question the wisdom of turning Washington DC into such a "target-rich environment!"

:nuke:
rocknation

[yellowcanine]

31. The Pentagon is sponsoring a political march? Isn't this, well, illegal?

Taxpayer money cannot be used to pay for political activities. This is a nonstarter.

[Roy]

34. Well... do you want to break it up??????

Just spread the word that there will be some very aggressive military recruiters there, armed with bundles of applications.

POOOFFF!!!!

No more Freedom walk....