Reverends Speak out in the Glen
On Thursday August 9th I attended an anti-war protest in Watkins Glen sponsored by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. Several area clergymen gave public addresses to Congressman Randy Kuhl (R-NY) to try to change his stance on the Iraq war so that it mirrors that of his constituents and the majority of the American public.
Reverend Hartney, pastor of St. James Episcopal Church gave a great speech about the evils of being “mired in a war that will never win.” He further pointed out to Rep. Kuhl that a disporportionate amount of US troops come from poor and rural areas. Here’s a great clip from the speech. Sorry about the camera work… I was trying to wave a sign while filming.
Rev. Hartney - Just Say NO from Robert Coats and Vimeo.
Reverend Gary McCaslin followed up, referring to the abundant blessings of our own that we’re using to carry out the war. Another minister, whose name I regrettably forgot to write down asked when we’d “take seriously the teaching of Jesus Christ” and “have the courage to reject violence?”
He also asked what I thought was a very valid rhetorical question: “What would have happened if instead of raining shock and awe on Baghdad, we had rained food and medicine?” I for one think it would have been a lot more effective way of thwarting Al Queda.
I was disappointed at the lack of press coverage that we’ve had at previous rallies. Most of the local papers passed on the event, saying it was a “big news day” and that their staffs were stretched thin.
It IS race weekend in Watkins Glen after all. It’s far more important that NASCAR racers will be executing thousands of left turns this weekend.
This is the same local press that reported 300 signatures on the Finger Lakers for Peace petition instead of the three THOUSAND signatures that were actually on it.
Speaking of the Finger Lakes for Peace, many kudos for their protest in front of Randy Kuhl’s office on Monday, at which several members were arrested. I guess the pastors’ presence in Watkins Glen protected us from the wrath of the police state. If anyone from that group is reading this… my box is YOUR box!
COMMENT!
Let us know what’s going on in the Anti-War movement in YOUR neck of the woods!
Technorati Tags: anti-war protest, Congressman Randy Kuhl, shock and awe, NASCAR, Finger Lakes for Peace
Filed under: General Observations, Politics on August 10th, 2007
“He also asked what I thought was a very valid rhetorical question: “What would have happened if instead of raining shock and awe on Baghdad, we had rained food and medicine?†I for one think it would have been a lot more effective way of thwarting Al Queda.”
People who are willing to strap bombs to themselves or fly widebody jets full of civilians into buildings also full of civilians are really going to be swayed by that argument.
You seem to forget, as the Bush administration wants us to, that the Iraqis had nothing to do with the widebody jets full of civilians flying into buildings. It was not until we invaded Iraq that Iraqis resorted to such radical measures as strapping bombs to themselves.
Proof positive that if you repeat a lie long enough, the public will believe it.
[...] Via Fighting29th, Granolabox has pictures of an anti-Iraq war rally in Watkins Glen, along with a summary of the activities. [...]
Nice coverage, you got some great pics. I just found out about this site last night via the organizer for the local Iraq summer campaign. I like the site, personally I’m more punk rock than hippie but they have pretty much the same ideals, we just yell more. I hope its cool for me to add a link to your site, and I suspect I’ll be back. Have a good one.
Commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info