Ken (Mayor of London) to snub Bush with peace party

[DeepModem Mom]

London Evening Standard:

http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/7633526?source=Evening%20Standard


Ken Livingstone courted fresh controversy today by going ahead with a "peace party" for Iraq war protesters when George Bush visits London next week.

The Mayor's plan for a reception for leading critics of the war to topple Saddam Hussein infuriated Downing Street, which fears war protests will overshadow the state visit.


Mr Livingstone declared it would be "shameful" to repeat the policing tactics deployed when the Chinese president came to London in 1989, when demonstrators were shielded from view and had their banners confiscated.

"Those police were actually breaking the law as they took those banners away," said the Mayor. "We are not having any of that."

He insisted it was "inconceivable" that Mr Bush might avoid the protesters. "To create a situation in which perhaps 60,000 people remain unseen would require a shutdown of central London which is just not acceptable."

[Atman]

1. I wonder if Emporer Chimp will buy a new suit for the ocassion?

Something, say, in flesh-tone.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

2. Ken is the man. He faced down Thatcher. He can deal with Blair / Bush

[LibLabUK]

17. Umm.

He faced down Thatcher and lost... and because of his antics the ILEA and GLC were abolished.

Now, I think he makes a reasonable mayor, but his past actions (whilst leader of the GLC) did nothing but give Thatcher the ammunition she needed.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

19. He was one of the few to stand up to her. I know he didn't win

but if he can stand up to that woman and her evil brood, he won't be intimidated by Bush and Blair.

[LibLabUK]

21. Hmm.

The thing is he picked the wrong fight, lost and London suffered (and still suffers) as a result.

I personally blame him for the loss of the GLC/ILEA.



That said, I like him as Mayor... he was easily the best candidate and still is.

And I like the fact that he doesn't kow tow to New Labour.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

22. Fair Enough

[LibLabUK]

23. Agreed.. :)

Anyway, how does a Canadian know so much about 'Red' Ken? :)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

24. We keep our ears open.

That, and I grew up in Scotland.

[LibLabUK]

25. HEhe

"That, and I grew up in Scotland."

That's cheating! :)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

26. You've got to watch out for us Canadians. We're very sneaky.

We have trained beavers and moose at our disposal, y'know.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Excellent

If Bush addresses Parliament, a good walkout should be in order.

It's good to see elected officials joining the people in rejecting the war criminal.

[goforit]

4. Mr, Livingston......(+e).......I presume?....YEEEE Haaaaa!!!!

:bounce:

A :toast: to Morality!!!

Mass Murderers not allowed!!!!

[truthspeaker]

5. Are any Labour MPs invited to this peace conference

And if so, will they have the cajones to show up? Seems like that would be a big embarassment to the Prime Poodle.

[jmcgowanjm]

6. Maybe Bush/Blair could reschedule(sch= as in sugar) to the Azores n/t

[emad]

9. That space station ain't had an inaugural visit yet...

leave the poor Azores alone, they're in enuff trouble already

[underpants]

7. Hey he does have to get re-elected

This should pretty much sew it up for him I'd think.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

8. My advice to Mr. Livingstone is...

...to never stand in front of windows, never go for walks alone in the countryside, and to never travel by small planes.

I applaud his willingness to stand up to the Chimpster...I just wish more people in America would follow his lead.

[Gin]

10. Why are all the British on TV wearing that flower in the lapel? Is it a

poppy? whats the significance?

[emad]

11. It means we're ready and waiting to get ya, shrubfilth!

Officially: symbol of all the bloodshed in Flanders Field in World War 1

[DeepModem Mom]

12. Proceeds from poppy sales go to war veterans....

and millions of dollars are raised. Virtually everyone in Britain buys, and wears the poppies. They do their 11/11 day magnificently. No sales, or even a holiday, or politicians' speeches -- ceremony, music, ringing bells, parades of veterans (some in wheelchairs,or driving their own personal "vehicles"), and silence all over on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh. They really do remember.

[Tansy_Gold]

20. Poppies used to be sold in the U.S., too.

One of the veterans' organizations made them and they were sold on and around Veterans' Day. I haven't seen them for several years, but I remember my parents bought one each year and hung it from the rear view mirror of the car. Over the course of a year it faded, just in time to be replaced by a new one each November.

[dofus]

13. The poppy

is their symbol for the honored war dead. Yesterday was Armistice Day -- not sure if they celebrate it quite the way we do as Veterans Day, but they certainly note the date. The poppy comes specifically from the following poem. It was written by John McCrae after the Battle of Ypres in the spring of 1915. And here's a link to a really good website that gives a lot more information about the poem. http://www.geocities.com/~worldwar1/mccrae.html

(I love google)


In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.


We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.


Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

[Spazito]

14. It is for remembrance of Veterans, we wear it in Canada as well.

*

[Gin]

18. Thank you for the responses.

gin

[emad]

15. Just love those 'Peace Off Bush' banners they're giving out for the

occasion

[emad]

16. Debate rages over Bush trip: BBC media reivew

Controversy about security for President Bush's State visit to Britain next week attracts widespread coverage.

The Times quotes senior Scotland Yard officers as saying the trip has become a nightmare, with police having to agree to White House demands for greater restrictions on protesters than they wanted.

The Independent complains that the measures being considered to curtail demonstrations are reaching absurd proportions.

"The authorities seem to be saying to the people of this country that they can certainly hold up a placard telling Mr Bush to go home, provided there is no danger of him seeing it."

For the Mirror, a visit from an American President should be a triumphal event, but this one - with the prospect of massive demonstrations - is promising to be a disaster.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3262801.stm

[MetaTrope]

27. 60,000 protesters vs. 500 SS, two helicopters and one chimp

Seems like fair odds.

[Jacobin]

28. I'll bet the protesters number in the hundreds of thousands

This one will be just toooooooo good to miss.

:bounce:

NO FREE SPEECH ZONES.

They get to actually protest!!!

:bounce: