YOU WON'T SEE IT ON THE NEWS

[P Doug (WA)]

You won't see it on TV but our little town of Kennewick, WA. (Tri-Cities, WA) had a support the troops rally today. It was heartening. I would say 1 to 2 thousand showed up and many more drove by Honking and waving flags. I know this went on in many towns across the US but like I say you won't see it on the news. GOD BLESS THEM (the troops)

[T. Nelson Surbrook]

We have had some rallies like that here in Spokane and they don't make the new either. When just 25 "protesters" met downtown there was lots of coverage on tv and the shots they used made it look like a big deal.

[Frank Hagan]

The news always reports the scandalous, unusual or provocative. Or what makes a nice picture (the motto of TV news: "if it bleeds, it leads!") The anti-war people have made some good choices in garnering publicity, with outrageous statements or provocative actions (naked women forming a peace symbol, for instance). But I have to question some of their actions ... do they really think they'll get more sympathy from me by causing a traffic jam?

[Guest]

This is some infomation on a lot of these Anti-War, Anti-American groups.

The Northeastern Federation of Anarcho-Communists calls for an immediate

mobilization following the initiation of brutal warfare upon the people of

Iraq by the government of the United States. The day after the bombing

starts we will fill the streets with an angry chorus of dissent. We will

show the world that we do not support the murderous policies of the

illegitimate administration which rules with impunity from the White

House. There can be no business as usual when the military might of the

world's greatest power is used to murder defenseless civilians in the

pursuit of global hegemony. When we refuse to support the war machine, it

will come to a halt. When the war starts, the world must stop! No war but

class war!

The elite of the USA and Iraq, personified by George Bush and Saddam

Hussein,

are leading their countries and much of the world into a disastrous

confrontation on the plains where civilization arose. The cost of this clash

of powers will be paid, in sweat and in blood, by millions of people across

the globe to enrich the coffers of the sultans of industry, their executors

of State, and officers of war.

In this struggle over petrochemical wealth we will have no share of riches,

only sorrow. This war, and all future wars of nationalist futility, will

never be prevented by appeals to those who would be our masters. Only when

we, whose toil creates their wealth, cast off these murderous despots can we

enjoy the peace and freedom which is the right of each and all.

The hollow excuses for this war cannot be defended. The tyrannical regime in

Iraq, while a misery for its citizens and a threat to its neighbors, is to

Western powers but an opportunity to introduce a greater military presence

in

an economically and geographically strategic point on the global chessboard.

Even as heads of State prepare for war against Iraq, they dance

diplomatically around North Korea. Even as they demonize a despot in Iraq,

they support monarchies and dictatorships around the world. They would wage

war against Iraq not because they must, but because they can.

Unemployment, low wages, lack of education and decent housing in the USA are

mirrored by outright starvation and continual warfare in Iraq. Our mutual

suffering is for the benefit of the elite and the States they control. Taxes

on US workers fund the military that guarantees control of cheap oil

for industry and the profits of its owners. For their pleasure we pay the

State, in sweat and in blood.

The oil for which we toil and kill poisons the very earth itself.

Instead of developing sustainable energy and managing resources for the

benefit of all humankind, the energy most easily controlled is extracted and

marketed for the profit of the powerful. These oil wars are not only wars

against humanity, but against the earth itself.

The current economic crisis of overproduction, wage slavery, and

rampant speculation in the financial markets cannot be solved

by the gluttonous destruction of war. War will only increase the

miseries of we who must pay for the pleasures of those who exploit the world

for their own desires. Americans, and citizens of the world, must say no to

Iraqnophobia and yes to freedom! No to the war on our fellow citizens and

yes

to war against the bosses and States! War will only end with the end of

capitalism and nationalism. No to the war on our fellow workers and yes to

war against all of the international ruling elite! NO WAR BUT CLASS WAR!

Endorsers:

Northeastern Federation of Anarcho-Communists (NEFAC)

Protests:

Baltimore: War Memorial Plaza on Gay St. at 5 PM. If the

invasion begins before 12 noon EST, meet at 5 PM on the same day. Invasion

after 12 noon, meet the following day at 5 PM. roundhouse@mobtown.org

Boston: Copley Square at 6:30 PM, day after the bombing starts.

boston@nefac.net

Montreal: Starts at Square Dominion Saturday after the war is

declared at 1 PM. Depart au Carre Dominion, le Samedi apres que la guerre

soit declaree a 13h. betenoire_mtl@yahoo.fr

New Brunswick, New Jersey: New Brunswick fountain, Livingston

Avenue and George Street; If war announced before 5PM, demo will be that

day. If after 5PM, demo next day). nbanarchistunion@riseup.net

New York City: Times Square at 5 PM the day the bombing begins

or at 5 PM the next day, in the event the bombing starts overnight.

opencity@nefac.net

Philadelphia: Day after the war starts at 4:30 PM, the Clothspin,

15th and Market. phillynefac@defenstrator.org

Quebec City: Saturday after the bombing start at 12h30 in front

of the Joseph Franois Perrault High School (on Chemin Ste-Foy).

nefacquebec@yahoo.ca

Toronto: Day the war starts 5 PM at US Consulate, University Ave north of

Queen. First Saturday After War Officially Launched: Rally, US Consulate,

University Ave. north of Queen St. 1 PM

[Frank Hagan]

Even as heads of State prepare for war against Iraq, they dance

diplomatically around North Korea.

They shouldn't worry. They're next.

[Guest]

Frank, that was an e-mail that came from a military source to the families of deployed servicemen. It was written by the The Northeastern Federation of Anarcho-Communists, not me. It was noted at the top of the article.

[Frank Hagan]

Sorry about that Oyster! It did look like you had said it when I quoted it, and then I referenced your name which made it look even MORE like you said it. I edited the quote box and my post.

I wonder how large an organization "The Northeastern Federation of Anarcho-Communists" is? I do know here in California some of the protesters were handing out the "Worker's Daily", one of the few communist newspapers left (I work with two Russians who were disgusted by that; in learning English in the former Soviet Union, they had to read the "Worker's Daily").

I suspect that the rallys are drawing far more than the communists, and those who have genuine concerns are a little embarrassed by the company they are being associated with. The media also works against them, as the most outrageous statements make it on the air (one woman in LA commented that she hoped lots of American servicemen would be killed so we would learn our lesson).

My wife and I have decided to forgoe the Academy Awards this year. We're just struck by the hypocrisy of the stars, who are getting National Guard protection for their award show.

[sarcasm mode: ON]

Just seems like they should follow their own advice and try to open a dialog with the Islamic militants who have threatened to gas them, rather than resorting to defensive military measures to protect their award show (which is, after all, mostly about their careers and how much money they can earn).

[sacracsm mode: OFF]

[Gordy Hill]

I'm very annoyed at the actors who use their position to oppose the war the same way I'm annoyed with Charlton Heston representing the NRA.

I'm not really apposed to this war,although I'm dissapionted at this adminstration's total lack of diplomacy.

The fact is we ARE in this war and the only acceptable way out is through it. The sooner we win it and get out, the better for everyone. Opposing the war now can only prolong it.

Whatever your views, supporting the troops can only help.

[Brent]

Gordy, you expressed my thoughts exactly. I am disappointed by the lack of diplomacy that got us in this mess, but the troops over there doing the dirty work have my total support. I would very much like the soldiers to hear that most of America is supporting them, irregardless of what appears in the media.

[Mike Pennington]

a little ditty I found

The Sound of Freedom

Listen my son to the sound of freedom!

Look my child, and see it pass.

Breath in deeply the air of liberty

Pray each day for it to last!

There are those who would seek to destroy it

the freedom that we love today.

Pledge my child that you will be vigilent

and on guard that we stay free.

For there is a price for freedom

and a cost involved in liberty.

Men have bought with their lives our freedom.

Freedom never has been free!

By Thena Smith

A well said poem, at the risk of sounding like a softy. And perhaps I am a violent SOB, but I have watched my friends die, some in my arms, thirty years ago. It is one thing to shout peace, love, dove, but another to wake up safe in your bed, because thousands upon thousands of Americans have died defending the right for those disgruntled few to shout what they think is okay to say.

[Sailor3356]

No matter what it is, some one will protest it.

No matter who says it, some one will find it wrong.

If you don't like it, its your right to change it. VOTE.

Or better yet, run for office and show us how you would deal with it.

But be ready because,

No matter what it is, some one will protest it.

No matter who says it, some one will find it wrong.

[Derek]

Nicely put Sailor