Scott Ritter Rips Peace Movement

[swag]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?pid=74386

Marc Cooper, The Nation Blog

Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, now an ardent anti-war campaigner, has let loose a blistering broadside against the rest of the peace movement. Calling it near "total collapse," Ritter slams the anti-war movement for being disorganized, chaotic and often "highjacked" by a plethora of progressive causes removed from the war itself.

It's a worthy criticism -- and one not far off the mark. Problem is, Ritter seems prone to make the same mistakes for which he is criticizing others. For him, it's not enough --for example-- that conservative Pennsylvania Democrat Jack Murtha has called for a U.S. troop pullback. Ritter also wants Murtha (and other Democrats who initially supported the war) to now formally recant and retract their earlier positions. That's a great idea in itself. But it shouldn't be the price of admission into the anti-war ranks.

. . . more

[Coastie for Truth]

1. The Peace Movement Is Diffusing It Focus - Ritter Correct

It is high time for the anti-war movement to take a collective look in the mirror, and be honest about what they see. A poorly organized, chaotic, and indeed often anarchic conglomeration of egos, pet projects and idealism that barely constitutes a "movement," let alone a winning cause. I have yet to observe an anti-war demonstration that has a focus on anti-war. It often seemed that every left-wing cause took advantage of the event to promote its own particular agenda, so that "No War in Iraq" shared the stage with the environment, ecology, animal rights, pro-choice, and numerous other causes which not only diluted the anti-war message which was supposed to be sent, but also guaranteed that the demonstration itself would be seen as something hijacked by the left, inclusive of only progressive ideologues, and exclusive of the vast majority of moderate (and even conservative) Americans who might have wanted to share the stage with their fellow Americans from the left when it comes to opposing war with Iraq (or even Iran), but do not want to be associated with any other theme.

The anti-war movement, first and foremost, needs to develop a laser-like focus on being nothing more or less than anti-war

I object to the hijacking of the Peace Movement by International Answer, and there are certain marches and rallies that I just don't participate in, and others that I do participate in.

[Supersedeas]

15. I agree

[KAT119]

20. I agree also-laser focus! (k&r ).

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. The main reason the "peace" movement has been neutered is

THE MEDIA!!!!!!!

BushCo media control is not just for spewing propaganda, it is also used to deliver psyops and misinformation. These tactics sow confusion, doubt and rancor among peace activists.

There are other factors such as no draft. The young people on college campuses seem much more interested in their Ipod catalog than politics.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Yup. On the off chance they ever publish pictures of a peace

rally, you can expect that those pictures will prominently feature signs that have nothing to do with the purpose of the rally, even if those who have signs for off-topic matters are a vast minority in the rally.

Sometimes I wonder if some of those signs are carried by repub operatives just to sow confusion and breed ridicule.

[Cleita]

4. You have a point there.

This RW movement is like a cancer. It sends a few malignant cells into healthy cells and starts spreading. I believe it's part of the master plan of the coalition of PNACers, neo-con Republicans and Dominionists. I am sick that they have infiltrated one of our last major independent newspapers, The Los Angeles Times, with their plague.

[swag]

7. From ANSWER's web site. What is the focus of this march, do you think?

[swag]

8. And look how ANSWER bills the April 29 action in New York:

ANSWER Coalition: All Out for April 29 in New York City!
End Occupation from Iraq to Palestine, to Haiti, and Everywhere!
Fight for workers rights, civil rights and civil liberties - unite against racism!

http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr010=votmiduyc2.app2a&abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7467&news_iv_ctrl=1621

[Coastie for Truth]

11. Sometimes I wonder if some of those signs are carried by repub operatives

"Sometimes I wonder if some of those signs are carried by repub operatives just to sow confusion and breed ridicule."

I don't know. After the San Francisco Peace Rally and a confrontation with two International Answer activists (IMHO they were GOP Freeper plants) I have quit going to rallies and marches in San Francisco and Berkeley - I stick with the grandparents and Unitarians in Palo Alto and Los Gatos.

And from the day I got off of active duty in 1969 - I was a regular at VVAW marches.

[leftchick]

5. that is correct

how many americans even knew there were half a million people in DC Sept. 24, 2005 protesting in front of the WH? There was an almost total media blackout!

[oasis]

6. I agree. k&r

[devilgrrl]

9. Sounds like he's talking about rightwing front group A.N.S.W.E.R.

Go ahead, flame me. ANSWER SUCKS!

[swag]

10. I dislike them myself.

[Coastie for Truth]

12. I am in 100% agreement

I have quit going to ANSWER Rallies in Berkeley and San Francisco.

I'm an old geezer - and rally with the grandparents and Unitarians in Palo Alto.

[High Plains]

17. Right wing front group?

I've heard ANSWER called many things, but never that.

Are you suggesting they are funded or organized by the right or that they objectively help the right by being so obnoxious?

[devilgrrl]

19. BINGO!!!!

Yes. Yes I do think they're purposely obnoxious, out of focus, and annoying in general. They're not who they say they are.

[Nikki Stone1]

21. No flames. That's EXACTLY what I thought when I read his comments

:kick:

[Sinistrous]

13. I think A.N.W.S.E.R. is trying to

chop wood with a sledge hammer.

Sinistrous

[Coastie for Truth]

14. ANSWER is trying to divert the Progressive Movement

into an insignificant "sliver" faction on the edge of the left -- with the effect that the Repugs will remain in power until the Left is "purged" of its undesirables and old farts (like me).

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

16. I watched ANSWERS March on Washington last time around and it

played out horribly on C-Span's coverage. They had people there from different causes and totally diffused the anti-war message. I also don't trust them one iota. I believe they are deliberately meant to be divisive.

[ChiciB1]

18. Ritter Is "Right On" For The Most Part... AND

Answer IS NOT our ANSWER! IMO I think United For Peace & Justice is much more palatable and promotes the Anti-War Movement MUCH better. For some reason ANSWER, of which I was once a member, now seems to be embracing not only the Anti-War cause but many other causes that detract away from what I believe in. They have branched out much too far.

However we MUST stand our ground and I think we need many more demonstrations! By demonstrating we can keep the War a vivid reminder of what The Idiot is all about. If we could keep taking to the streets before the 06 elections I think it would keep the Repukes from formulating further or even older "wedge" issues to use against the Democrats, especially the new candidates. Repukes always seem to somehow catch the eye of the public with some dumb distraction thereby making John Q. think twice about voting against them.

And lest anyone forget... Tom DeLay may not be a Congressman, but having decided to move to Virginia you can bet he has ULTERIOR MOTIVES!!

[roseBudd]

22. The peace movement is too "peacey" they don't realize their message needs

to reach people who aren't "peacey"

Messaging is very important. This is marketing 101. I appeal to the strongest objections to the war for people who aren't peacey. The war has made us less safe. See IRAQ WAR: What is it good for? and THE WAR IS A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT and Iraq War: 200,000,000 a day; US Debt with China: Priceless.

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http://bushcheated04.com/flyers/