Category Archives: Progressive Community

Des Moines: Conference on 9/11 to Assess Global Security on Third Anniversary of War on Terrorism

Posted on September 10, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Des Moines: Conference on 9/11 to Assess Global Security on Third Anniversary of War on Terrorism The public is welcome A unique educational event will take place in Des Moines on September 11. The conference, “National Security and the New … Continue reading →

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Teachers Arrested at Cedar Rapids Bush Event

Posted on September 7, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Teachers Arrested at Cedar Rapids Bush Event by Joel D. Miller Sat, 4 Sep 2004 Dear Democrats & Democratic Supporters: Yesterday (Friday) was a sad day for democracy and education in Cedar Rapids. Our First Amendment rights (see attached email … Continue reading →

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Progressive Democrats of America Merge with PV

Posted on September 5, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Progressive Democrats of America Merge with PV Every progressive Democrat knows the Democratic Party needs to be transformed. The only realistic way to do so is by out-organizing the corporate interests that now control the party. In order to accomplish … Continue reading →

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Deaniac Watch: Iowa Teacher Returns from Iraq

Posted on September 4, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Deaniac Watch: Iowa Teacher Returns from Iraq The Des Moines Register Fellow Deaniac and husband of Des Moines DFIA Activist Colleen Jennings Makes The Des Moines Register First Lt. Ernest Jennings' 14-month stint assisting the troops in Iraq is over. … Continue reading →

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Des Moines Showing Outfoxed and Uncovered September 3 and 4

Posted on September 2, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Des Moines Showing 'Outfoxed' and 'Uncovered' September 3 & 4 Due to the tremendous success of the free screenings of these two Robert Greenwald films last weekend at the Vaudeville Mews (212 4th ST in downtown Des Moines), the films … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Events, Main Page, Progressive Community | 1 Comment

Bush in Cedar Rapids on September 3rd

Posted on September 2, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Bush in Cedar Rapids on September 3rd I mean, really – why do we have to keep fumigating the state? Tell Bush What's on Your Mind ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, George W. Bush is traveling to Cedar Rapids for a … Continue reading →

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NYC Police Action Gets Out of Hand

Posted on September 1, 2004 by bfialindathieman

NYC Police Action Gets Out of Hand Outgunned, Outmatched AlterNet.org The NYPD protester strategy on Tuesday was akin to the U.S. military's display of overwhelming and sometimes unnecessary force in Iraq Tuesday, August 31 – The day protesters had designated … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Main Page, Progressive Community | 5 Comments

We’re Not in Lake Wobegon Anymore

Posted on August 31, 2004 by bfialindathieman

We’re Not in Lake Wobegon Anymore In These Times How did the Party of Lincoln and Liberty transmogrify into the party of Newt Gingrich’s evil spawn and their Etch-A-Sketch president, a dull and rigid man, whose philosophy is a jumble … Continue reading →

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The Banner Seen Round the World

Posted on August 31, 2004 by bfialindathieman

The Banner Seen 'Round the World AlterNet.org In case you were wondering how protesters in NYC got that <–Bush, Truth–> banner onto the side of that building, here's the story. It was an audacious idea. Whack the Republican invasion of … Continue reading →

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REPUBLICAN CONVENTION DELEGATE SPITS ON VETERAN

Posted on August 30, 2004 by bfialindathieman

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION DELEGATE SPITS ON VETERAN

First-hand Accounts of Yesterday’s Protests in NYC

[Announcement: Tomorrow’s Bush arrival in Des Moines has been moved up.  Click here for the latest details.]


Dean Supporters Report In

These protesters post as “SylvieNYC” and “Agatha” on Blog for America.


Reporting from NYC…

What an amazing day! I arrived at Union Square around 10 am to meet Agatha (and David and Mike, but we never hooked up.)

Although it was a hot day again, the breeze made the heat much more tolerable than [the day before] — a good thing, since it took us, at first, two hours to walk two blocks — that’s how crowded it was. The organizers’ count is more than 400,000; the police, 125,000; the New York Times said “hundred of thousands,” but CNN.com and MSNBC talked of “ten of thousands” — yeah, right!

One of the best parts was when we arrived next to Madison Square Garden, where the chanting got suddenly very inspired as the crowd spotted “Welcome RNC” signs, as well as a Fox News giant screen.

But the very best part, as in most New York demonstrations I have been to, was the amazing display of creativity, good spirit, fun, and yes, peace. New York in demonstration is New York at its most civil.

Agatha went on to Central Park, where many protesters were going to “hang out” after the march, but I have not heard of any trouble going on there either.

Posted by SylvieNYC at August 29, 2004 11:11 PM


I’m sweaty [and] I’m exhausted. . . .  Sylvie, it was amazing demonstrating with you and the “French delegation.”

After the rally, I went to Central Park and had a “peace and love” time in the Great Meadow. We made human peace signs on the lawn. The police mingled. Very nice.

THEN, as I was leaving the park to go home with a group, we were told that a bunch of delegates were dining at the Boat House, an OUTDOOR restaurant. Isn’t it curious that the RNC chose to dine at an outdoor restaurant in Central Park on the day thousands of protesters were expected to be in Central Park? Were they setting us up for something? Stay tuned. I joined a group (about 200) and protested. We were not in the restaurant’s property; we were on PUBLIC PROPERTY, where we were very visible and audible.

OK, I’m guilty of flipping the bird and saying the word “f*ck” a few times. However, I felt the need to be serious. Here are some of the things I shouted out:

1000 American soldiers dead; 37,000 Iraqi civilians dead! (OK, I slightly rounded up the # of dead Americans, but unfortunately, I’m not that far off.)

How can you eat with blood on your hands?

Criminals!

I believe in democracy, not plutocracy!

Over 2,700 people died on Sept. 11, and you’re using this as an excuse to party!

And so forth. And, I bellowed SHAME and wagged my finger repeatedly.

One [demonstrator] was really angry and passionate, and I told him to calm down because the press had arrived. Let’s call this guy “Bob” for privacy purposes. Do you know what happened to Bob? A delegate lounging about SPAT on him. And, I got to know Bob. Bob is awesome, and I understand now why he was so angry. He is an Iraq veteran. He didn’t go to Iraq, but he was on duty, and he knew a number of friends who died in Iraq. He had recently attended a memorial service for one of them. And, his father was laid off by Enron and lost his pension.

So, excuse me for all the shout outs, but I really want all of you to know what the main media will probably not reveal (but Bob did get an interview with a reporter):

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION DELEGATE SPITS ON VETERAN

And, much later on, when Bob lost his voice, I shouted for him. When delegates were leaving the restaurant, Bob gave me a list of three friends who died in Iraq. One of them was 19 years old. For Bob and the dead, I read their names and demanded the delegates apologize. (No, we did not get one.) Instead, they laughed, at which point I asked them how hearing about dead people is funny.

When I shouted out about what the delegates thought about one of their fellow delegates spitting on a veteran, one of them called back, “It’s hilarious!” Let me shout out that for you: HILARIOUS.
Continue reading →

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