Bush govt rules deny veteran cemetary peace ceremony....

[msongs]

this is a newsletter from the Riverside/San Bernardino Veterans for Peace, regarding a planned ceremony at the Riverside National Cemetary (for veterans). The article is posted here as the authors requested me to "spread it widely":

"The Bush administration has denied a prayerful peace ceremony by veterans scheduled for Saturday March 5 at the Riverside National (VA) Cemetery. The ceremony had been approved by cemetery special events coordinator Ray Beltran. Cemetery Director Mark Maynard later said a government official in Oakland wanted to know more about the content of the peace ceremony. When the veterans provided that information the ceremony request was denied. Maynard said that they did not want “veterans slamming the current administration about policies since 9-11”.

The ceremony will still take place March 5 but somewhere else in Riverside.

Tom Swann, President of the Riverside San Bernardino Veterans for Peace (RSVP) said Mr. Maynard’s letter is self-explanatory. If you say you support the troops and place a wreath you are on message. If you say you support the troops so much you want to pray they can come home you are off message. Jesus Christ said “Blessed are the peacemakers”. When did peace become a dirty word? Pope John Paul II said, “war is always a defeat for humanity”.

Arlington National Cemetery has an amphitheater and permits President Bush to speak about his war policies on Veterans Day.

Mr. Maynard met in person with the veteran ceremony sponsors Thursday at the cemetery and seemed to indicate that if you are in the minority of the government then you are not permitted to speak.

Maynard said since Rep. Joe Baca voted against the war he would not be able to say that at the cemetery on March 5. Bush will not permit the news media to show flag draped coffins on television or interview families of those killed in Iraq at VA cemeteries.

Maynard read from a federal law Thursday that says you cannot say anything in opposition to the government at national cemeteries. He interpreted the term “government” to mean the party in control. He would not elaborate if Senator Barbara Boxer is part of the government. Maynard said he did not know if the new rules were enacted under the Patriot Act.

The proposed March 5 ceremony included two American Legion Post commanders. Veteran organizations like the American Legion have been critical that troops in Iraq need better equipment, the death benefit should be increased and the families of military reservists deployed overseas need help to pay rent.

Swann feels the Bush administration is selectively enforcing these new rules. Swann said that GOP Congressman Ken Calvert can speak at the cemetery about his support for the war but Rep. Joe Baca cannot say he voted against the war. Calvert can talk about his legislation to make the proposed national POW memorial a national memorial. However Navy veteran Dr. Mike Byron cannot ask why Rep. Darrell Issa will not cosponsor legislation to amend the tax code to enable California to offer home mortgage loans to Iraq War veterans. The Riverside County Veterans Advisory Committee can meet at the Riverside National Cemetery and propose naming a high school after war supporter Col. Lewis Millet. However Cook County (Chicago) Illinois Veterans Advisory Committee Secretary Jim Darby cannot speak at the cemetery March 5 and ask why Bush fired gay linguists critical in the war on terrorism?

Swann further said it was incorrect for Mr. Maynard to accused the veterans of being partisan. All of the participating veteran groups are not-for-profit and cannot endorse candidates. The March 5 program included a proclamation from Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenager. Bill Ray, military affairs adviser to House Armed Services Committee member Loretta Sanchez was scheduled to speak March 5. Federal employees cannot engage in partisan politics. The program included church ministers. Swann asked "since when did praying for peace become a partisan endeavor"?
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(I have deleted the copy of the letter attributed to the cemetrary director, not sure if i can post it legally).

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm
Riverside CA

[Webster Green]

1. Unbelievable!

The vets should do it anyway, and turn it into a free speech rally as well.

I'll go!