WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2007
Protesters Feel "Obligation" To Stop War
Celebrities, Lawmakers, Military Families Demand Troop Withdrawal
-
Play CBS Video Video Senate Mulls Iraq Resolutions This week the Senate will have their say on the President's new plan for Iraq. Lawmakers will say yes or no to a series of resolutions supporting or opposing the plan. Joie Chen reports.
-
Video Anti-War Protests In D.C. Even though this wasn't the biggest anti-war protest in Washington D.C., organizers say it made a significant attempt to change direction in the debate over the war. Joie Chen reports.
-
Video Anti-War Rally In Washington A big anti-war rally is planned in Washington D.C. Rally organizers expect tens of thousands of protestors, including active-duty military personnel to participate. Joie Chen reports.
-
-
Louise Orzechowski, left, and Linda Frank, both of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, prepare to board a bus Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Lancaster, Pa., to travel to Washington for the rally against the Iraq war. (AP)
-
University of Wisconsin students and others board buses Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, in Madison, Wis., to travel to Washington for Saturday's rally against the Iraq war (AP Photo/The Capital Times)
-
Members of the group U.S. Citizens for Peace and Justice, comprised of Americans living in Italy, joined in today's protest by holding banners in front of the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. The number on the banner at right refers to the Iraqis who reportedly died since the U.S. invasion of Iraq. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
-
Protesters listen to opening statements from the United for Peace and Justice protest organizers at an anti-war rally and march on the National Mall January 27, 2007 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
-
Protesters gather on the lower steps of the Capitol during an anti-war rally January 27, 2006 in Washington. (Getty Images)
-
-
Who's Who Congress Reacts To Plan Reaction to President Bush's new Iraq stategy, which includes an increase in troops.
-
Interactive New Plan For Iraq Key elements of the plan, excerpts from the president's speech, reaction and more.
-
In The Spotlight Bush's New Iraq Strategy A glimpse at some of the key elements in President Bush's new plan for Iraq.
She drew parallels to the Vietnam War, citing "blindness to realities on the ground, hubris ... thoughtlessness in our approach to rebuilding a country we've destroyed." But she noted that this time, veterans, soldiers and their families increasingly and vocally are against the Iraq war.
The House Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. John Conyers, threatened to use congressional spending power to try to stop the war. "George Bush has a habit of firing military leaders who tell him the Iraq war is failing," he said, looking out at the masses. "He can't fire you." Referring to Congress, the Michigan Democrat added: "He can't fire us.
"The founders of our country gave our Congress the power of the purse because they envisioned a scenario exactly like we find ourselves in today. Now only is it in our power, it is our obligation to stop Bush."
On the stage rested a coffin covered with a U.S. flag and a pair of military boots, symbolizing American war dead. On the Mall stood a large bin filled with tags bearing the names of Iraqis who have died.
A small contingent of active-duty service members attended the rally, wearing civilian clothes because military rules forbid them from protesting in uniform.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Tassi McKee, 26, an intelligence specialist at Fort Meade, Md., said she joined the Air Force because of patriotism, travel and money for college. "After we went to Iraq, I began to see through the lies," she said.
In the crowd, signs recalled the November elections that defeated the Republican congressional majority in part because of President Bush's Iraq policy. "I voted for peace," one said.
"I've just gotten tired of seeing widows, tired of seeing dead Marines," said Vincent DiMezza, 32, wearing a dress Marine uniform from his years as a sergeant. A Marine aircraft mechanic from 1997 to 2002, he did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.
About 40 people staged a counter-protest, including Army Cpl. Joshua Sparling, 25, who lost his leg to a bomb in Iraq.
He said the anti-war protesters, especially those who are veterans or who are on active duty, "need to remember the sacrifice we have made and what our fallen comrades would say if they are alive."
Bush reaffirmed his commitment to his planned troop increase in a phone conversation Saturday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The president was in Washington for the weekend. He is often is out of town during big protest days.
"He understands that Americans want to see a conclusion to the war in Iraq and the new strategy is designed to do just that," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More From U.S.
Add a Comment See all 442 Comments
- if Bush would secure the U.S. border i would be more inclined to believe he is trying to protect this country. instead he sends 18 year old boys into a meat grinder and tells them don't shoot till your shot at. or if the first shot misses you, promtly retreve a regulation manual from your dead buddy's uniform just to make sure. if a mistake is made promtly fess up. that way you will do less time in Guantanimo. you can greet your enemy as he is being released.
- Reply to this comment
- thgdriver:
You show such total ingnorance. The protest was on a Saturday. Why is it that you morons think that those citizens who care enough about their country to travel to DC on a Saturday are unemployed??
I'm not unemployed, neither are my friends who also made the trip. There were many families with kids, students, older citizens and many were employed people with real jobs (as this is such a concern to you!)
Really, such garbage spews from the mouths of those still trying to hang on to the dream that Bush actually cares about them. - Reply to this comment
- Well I would venture to say that anyone there is making enough money to be able to get there. I would venture to say that most are middle class, not unemployed.
Of course the reich wing believes people should be convicted guilty by free association. - Reply to this comment
- Protesters Feel "Obligation" To Stop War.
That's good.
Looking at some, I wish they had the obligation to get a job.
Yeh, I know I should not judge by book cover. - Reply to this comment
- The protest brings back some old thoughts of my own.
Strange how two people that came out against the war in Vietnam are perceived so differently by myself.
Walter Cronkite was for the USA to negotiate and get out of Vietnam.
I have always had, and still do have, the utmost respect for him.
On the other hand, Jane Fonda felt the same way, I personally never liked her methods, and to this day, I can't stand that bitc#. - Reply to this comment
- When did freedom of speech become a "right of OTHERS"
Posted by jabberwock11 at 12:06 PM : Jan 28, 2007
You really should pay attention when you read. The jist of the comment is "OTHERS HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED TO PROVIDE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH THESE ID-10-T'S USE FOR THEIR MISGUIDED PROTESTS". Yet, they don't support the troops or the right of any other American Citizen to use these same rights. - Reply to this comment
- revlin1:
With all due respect, this is a comment section provided for just such comments. We are not forced to post nor read comments. - Reply to this comment
- I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of turning on the news and watching people/persons who debate Iraq, while I have a husband and a son working 12 hour days, 7 days a week (or more) in Baghdad, just doing what they gotta do, not complaining mind you, because they know it's the right thing to do, and yet my mind and senses have to be assaulted in my own country by these people/persons who think they know "what it's like over there" and I am convinced they haven't got a clue, for sure, they haven't got a clue"...LJJ
- Reply to this comment
- Marching with them was Jane Fonda, in what she said was her first anti-war demonstration in 34 years.
She's like *** roaches, if you don't keep spraying, they keep coming back.
At the rally, "12-year-old" Moriah Arnold stood on her toes to reach the microphone.
Hummmmmm, being led by a 12 year old and Jane Fonda, seems like I saw this old movie. - Reply to this comment
- "Searingtruth,
I couldn't agree with the sentiment of your statement more. I believe without debate based on reasoned and rational thought, the human race is doomed. Those who cannot help but express their views out of emotion instead of thought only serve to derail the value of debate."
fleshmonger6
Indeed fellow citizen.
ST
"Simple answers do not exist in a world of great complexity. We must sacrifice our instinctive desire for the quick and easy to instead embrace the enduring and efficacious, or we, as a species, will not survive."
SearingTruth
"How very human we are. How very much we share. How indispensable that our common and desperate humanity, so artfully hidden, at last be revealed. Lest, at last, all should perish."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com - Reply to this comment
- Searingtruth,
I couldn't agree with the sentiment of your statement more. I believe without debate based on reasoned and rational thought, the human race is doomed. Those who cannot help but express their views out of emotion instead of thought only serve to derail the value of debate. - Reply to this comment
- "The Senator from Wisconsin cannot frighten me by exclaiming, 'My country, right or wrong.' In one sense I say so too. My country; and my country is the great American Republic. My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right."
Senator Carl Schurz, remarks in the Senate, February 29, 1872. The applause in the gallery was deafening.
"Any who act as if freedom's defenses are to be found in suppression and suspicion and fear confess a doctrine that is alien to America."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com - Reply to this comment
- if you want fun, go to a playground. You'll probably fit right in...
Posted by fleshmonger6 at 01:11 PM : Jan 28, 2007
Somebody jerk your chain, fishmonger? - Reply to this comment
- if you want fun, go to a playground. You'll probably fit right in...
- Reply to this comment
- Liberals will most definitely fight for their country when it is actually under threat! Conservatives do not own the flag and are not any more American than the rest of us - period.
- Reply to this comment
- "to those who would repeat the same post and thereby ruin any opportunity for those who come here to learn about and engage in real discourse, you prove to anyone with a mind just what kind of intellect you really are...."
fleshmonger6
Indeed. I actually like One_American and others on this forum with opposing views, and enjoy debating them. It is unfortunate that One_American has chosen this route. He is in danger of being banned from this forum.
ST
"Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party generally.... A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."
George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com - Reply to this comment
- Those who intentionally re-post the exact same words/comments back-to-back are like spoiled, screaming brats.
Character will out.
Posted by jn122736 at 01:08 PM : Jan 28, 2007
Sorry, I was just having fun with the ***!:-( - Reply to this comment
- Those who intentionally re-post the exact same words/comments back-to-back are like spoiled, screaming brats.
Character will out. - Reply to this comment
Liberals only want to oppose.
You are living proof of that.
Posted by One_American at
OPPOSE FASCISM? HELL YES!!!
OPPOSE TOTALITARIANISM? HELL YES!!!
OPPOSE A LYING PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL AJENDA? HELL YES!!!
OPPOSE PEOPLE WHO THINK LIKE YOU? HELLLL YESSS!!!!- Reply to this comment
- to those who would repeat the same post and thereby ruin any opportunity for those who come here to learn about and engage in real discourse, you prove to anyone with a mind just what kind of intellect you really are....
- Reply to this comment
