It's been a while since I've posted on this blog, and I just wanted to write to say that it's probably going to stay that way: I recently signed a contract with Scoop44.com, and as part of my duties as Washington Correspondent, I will be writing five blog posts a week for their "What is Change?" blog. Because of the contract, I can't exactly post them on here as well, so since there are only so many ideas out there to blog about, I'm afraid my blogging for the time being will be strictly for Scoop44.
That's not to say that I'll never blog here again: if something major comes up that I want to write about I'll definitely check in every once in a while, and when my contract ends (although I plan and hope to work for Scoop44 for a long time to come) I'll go back to blogging on here, or perhaps make a new blog. But until then, you can read my work (including my blog posts and full-length articles) on Scoop44.com.
By the way, June 2009 marks the third anniversary of creating Justifiable Anger. I think blogging for three years, however consistently, is a pretty major accomplishment for a student.
Take care,
-A^LASKA
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
I Will Never Support A Draft
According to this Washington Whispers article, reinstating the draft has another supporter in the form of Republican James Baker, who believes that "when you have a draft, then everybody's got a stake in it." This is true; everyone does have a stake in it, because everyone (that is, everyone who is male and within a certain age range) spends their lives wondering if they're the next one who has to go off and die in a war they may not even agree with. Another thing they have a stake in is making sure the people responsible for the draft itself are never again elected to national office.
I greatly admire and respect our men and women overseas, but I will never, ever, support a draft. I love my country, but I refuse to allow someone to tell me to die for it.
This is actually sort of a moot point: right now, there are only two people in Congress who openly support a draft, and they are two people who are basically completely uknown and have virtually no say in anything. But the fervor with which I discourage a reinstatement of the draft remains: I absolutely refuse to allow it to happen.
God Bless America, and the freedoms it gives me. Please allow me to keep those freedoms.
-A^LASKA
I greatly admire and respect our men and women overseas, but I will never, ever, support a draft. I love my country, but I refuse to allow someone to tell me to die for it.
This is actually sort of a moot point: right now, there are only two people in Congress who openly support a draft, and they are two people who are basically completely uknown and have virtually no say in anything. But the fervor with which I discourage a reinstatement of the draft remains: I absolutely refuse to allow it to happen.
God Bless America, and the freedoms it gives me. Please allow me to keep those freedoms.
-A^LASKA
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Obama's First 100 Days
President Obama’s first 100 days are over, and according to Gallup he maintains a healthy 63% approval rating. Pundits and journalists alike have been conversing on these first 100 days and what some of his biggest accomplishments were, and while I think this whole 100 days thing is just a ploy created by journalists (who, as I learned this semester, love to cover something with an end date), I figured I would give my opinion on the matter as well. However, I’m not going to limit myself solely to acts made by Obama and those closest to him. I’m going to name the things that occurred in the past 100 days that people are really going to remember, and that they’re really going to be talking about a long time from now. And there isn’t going to be any mention of a dog.
Stimulus Package Passed– For better or for worse, Congress passed – and Obama signed into law – a gigantic and extensive stimulus package very early on in the new administration. The passage of this package stirred debate between Republicans and Democrats – and some Conservadems – over fundamental economics, and how best the government can help bring the economy out of this recession. This is the type of bill we will certainly be talking about in the future – particularly with regards to whether or not the stimulus, stimulated.
EPA Declares CO2 Dangerous – Personally, I say about time. The EPA declaring CO2 dangerous to public health is a gigantic step forward for those of us who believe – correctly – that carbon dioxide emissions are responsible for climate change (via the greenhouse effect). Where things go from here isn’t perfectly clear yet: Congress is trying to pass an environmental bill that will, among other things, put into place a cap-and-trade program that will help greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but whatever happens, it’s probably going to affect us all.
Torture Memos Released – Many in Congress (although there is certainly no consensus) are pushing for an investigation on members of the Bush administration involved in the torture memos, which the Obama administration has been making increasingly public in the past few months. These memos bring to the limelight the acts of torture condoned by Bush’s Department of Justice, and their rationale for such acts (it was the Nixon, “If the President does it, it’s legal” defense). Torturing our prisoners – even if they are suspected terrorists and thus do not at all deserve our sympathy – is hypocritical, given we scold China and other nations for their human rights abuses and expect that our prisoners overseas (such as the two journalists being held prisoner in North Korea) will be treated fairly. These torture memos provide insight into an administration that truly believed it was above the law – international law, no less – and I have a feeling we’re going to be discussing these memos – and seeing more of them – in the future.
Gay Marriage in Two (Three?) New States, 42% Approval – This is one of those things that’s going to be remembered from the first 100 days that has absolutely nothing to do with the Obama administration itself. But two new states – Iowa and Vermont, within one week of one another – joined Connecticut and Massachusetts as the only states currently offering same-sex marriage. Importantly, Vermont is the first state to allow such a thing by legislative action, as opposed to a Court decision. On the 100th Day, the New Hampshire state congress passed a bill (very narrowly) allowing same-sex marriage, but as I write this it is unclear as to whether Governor Lynch will veto the bill. Whether these are isolated occurrences or the start of a long trend is yet to be seen. But given the fact that public support for gay marriage is at an all-time high – 42%, 9 points up from just last month – it’s likely that the momentum will continue. The gay marriage issue isn’t going away anytime soon.
Order to Shut Down Guantanamo Bay – Obama signed an order to begin the process of shutting down Guantanamo Bay very early on in his administration, sparking fierce debate about whether this was a safe decision, and what we should do with the prisoners currently being held there. Attorney General Eric Holder just announced that 30 of them are going to be released. Long deemed a stain on America’s international reputation, the shutting-down of Guantanamo Bay – and its legacy – will definitely be remembered.
Swine Flu Outbreak – Like the Avian Flu but worse, the Swine Flu has the capability of transmitting itself from one human to another, making it much more dangerous than its avian counterpart. Many cases have been reported in New York City, and it has already left Mexico City in virtual lockdown. In the coming weeks, we’ll see just how deadly this disease will get, but the outbreak of yet another potential pandemic is something that will be on our minds for a long time to come.
Arlen Specter Switches Parties – Specter’s leaving the Republican party, regardless of the reason, highlights the fact that the Republican party, in searching for relevancy in the minority, has turned away from moderation and has become more and more conservative and unwelcoming to independents and moderates. On the brink of becoming a regional fringe group, the Republican party has an important choice to make, and it’s going to have to make it before the next election cycle. We may not remember his decision specifically, but what caused it and its implications will play an important role in future politics.
Those are the things I believe are truly going to be remembered from Obama’s first 100 days in office. Did I leave out anything really important? Let me know!
-A^LASKA
Stimulus Package Passed– For better or for worse, Congress passed – and Obama signed into law – a gigantic and extensive stimulus package very early on in the new administration. The passage of this package stirred debate between Republicans and Democrats – and some Conservadems – over fundamental economics, and how best the government can help bring the economy out of this recession. This is the type of bill we will certainly be talking about in the future – particularly with regards to whether or not the stimulus, stimulated.
EPA Declares CO2 Dangerous – Personally, I say about time. The EPA declaring CO2 dangerous to public health is a gigantic step forward for those of us who believe – correctly – that carbon dioxide emissions are responsible for climate change (via the greenhouse effect). Where things go from here isn’t perfectly clear yet: Congress is trying to pass an environmental bill that will, among other things, put into place a cap-and-trade program that will help greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but whatever happens, it’s probably going to affect us all.
Torture Memos Released – Many in Congress (although there is certainly no consensus) are pushing for an investigation on members of the Bush administration involved in the torture memos, which the Obama administration has been making increasingly public in the past few months. These memos bring to the limelight the acts of torture condoned by Bush’s Department of Justice, and their rationale for such acts (it was the Nixon, “If the President does it, it’s legal” defense). Torturing our prisoners – even if they are suspected terrorists and thus do not at all deserve our sympathy – is hypocritical, given we scold China and other nations for their human rights abuses and expect that our prisoners overseas (such as the two journalists being held prisoner in North Korea) will be treated fairly. These torture memos provide insight into an administration that truly believed it was above the law – international law, no less – and I have a feeling we’re going to be discussing these memos – and seeing more of them – in the future.
Gay Marriage in Two (Three?) New States, 42% Approval – This is one of those things that’s going to be remembered from the first 100 days that has absolutely nothing to do with the Obama administration itself. But two new states – Iowa and Vermont, within one week of one another – joined Connecticut and Massachusetts as the only states currently offering same-sex marriage. Importantly, Vermont is the first state to allow such a thing by legislative action, as opposed to a Court decision. On the 100th Day, the New Hampshire state congress passed a bill (very narrowly) allowing same-sex marriage, but as I write this it is unclear as to whether Governor Lynch will veto the bill. Whether these are isolated occurrences or the start of a long trend is yet to be seen. But given the fact that public support for gay marriage is at an all-time high – 42%, 9 points up from just last month – it’s likely that the momentum will continue. The gay marriage issue isn’t going away anytime soon.
Order to Shut Down Guantanamo Bay – Obama signed an order to begin the process of shutting down Guantanamo Bay very early on in his administration, sparking fierce debate about whether this was a safe decision, and what we should do with the prisoners currently being held there. Attorney General Eric Holder just announced that 30 of them are going to be released. Long deemed a stain on America’s international reputation, the shutting-down of Guantanamo Bay – and its legacy – will definitely be remembered.
Swine Flu Outbreak – Like the Avian Flu but worse, the Swine Flu has the capability of transmitting itself from one human to another, making it much more dangerous than its avian counterpart. Many cases have been reported in New York City, and it has already left Mexico City in virtual lockdown. In the coming weeks, we’ll see just how deadly this disease will get, but the outbreak of yet another potential pandemic is something that will be on our minds for a long time to come.
Arlen Specter Switches Parties – Specter’s leaving the Republican party, regardless of the reason, highlights the fact that the Republican party, in searching for relevancy in the minority, has turned away from moderation and has become more and more conservative and unwelcoming to independents and moderates. On the brink of becoming a regional fringe group, the Republican party has an important choice to make, and it’s going to have to make it before the next election cycle. We may not remember his decision specifically, but what caused it and its implications will play an important role in future politics.
Those are the things I believe are truly going to be remembered from Obama’s first 100 days in office. Did I leave out anything really important? Let me know!
-A^LASKA
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
GOP Sleeps Through Wake-Up Call
Update: Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) wrote an editorial for the New York Times, stressing the same idea that I did in this blog post:
"Senator Specter indicated that his decision was based on the political situation in Pennsylvania, where he faced a tough primary battle. In my view, the political environment that has made it inhospitable for a moderate Republican in Pennsylvania is a microcosm of a deeper, more pervasive problem that places our party in jeopardy nationwide."
Yes, it was poll numbers that made Specter decide to switch parties. But those poll numbers are looking worse and worse for Republicans because of the recent decisions the party has been making - specifically, the decision to drive the party far to the right and make moderate, independent Americans feel unwelcome.
The following post also appears on Scoop44.com.
You would think that a party sailing full-speed toward political oblivion would get the message that they're going down the wrong path when one of their longest-sitting Senators switches parties.
Granted, Arlen Specter (D-PA, which will take some getting used to) was a moderate Republican, so this isn't exactly like if Eric Cantor (R-VA) suddenly decided he was a die-hard liberal. But when a party's popularity is decreasing seemingly by the day, wouldn't one of their moderates deciding he is no longer happy with the party and switching sides be sort of like a gigantic neon sign saying "Warning: You Are Making Bad Choices"?
Apparently not.
According to Politico.com, many Republicans have been saying that Specter himself called the move "nothing more, nothing less than political self-preservation.” The truth of the matter is, it might be. But why would Specter need to switch parties if the Republicans were on a good path?
It's because no one wants to elect a Republican anymore. The Republicans have painted themselves as nothing more than simple, two-dimensional conservatives - Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) said herself that Republicans haven't been given "warm encouraging words" about moderates. With caricatures of Republican politicians like Cantor, the Republicans put themselves in danger of becoming a fringe group a la the Know-Nothing Party.
Republicans won't win near-future elections without playing towards the center. And the fact that most of them (albeit certainly with some exceptions) have dismissed this important, symbolic event as moot just illustrates the fact that they just don't know what's going on.
-A^LASKA
"Senator Specter indicated that his decision was based on the political situation in Pennsylvania, where he faced a tough primary battle. In my view, the political environment that has made it inhospitable for a moderate Republican in Pennsylvania is a microcosm of a deeper, more pervasive problem that places our party in jeopardy nationwide."
Yes, it was poll numbers that made Specter decide to switch parties. But those poll numbers are looking worse and worse for Republicans because of the recent decisions the party has been making - specifically, the decision to drive the party far to the right and make moderate, independent Americans feel unwelcome.
The following post also appears on Scoop44.com.
You would think that a party sailing full-speed toward political oblivion would get the message that they're going down the wrong path when one of their longest-sitting Senators switches parties.
Granted, Arlen Specter (D-PA, which will take some getting used to) was a moderate Republican, so this isn't exactly like if Eric Cantor (R-VA) suddenly decided he was a die-hard liberal. But when a party's popularity is decreasing seemingly by the day, wouldn't one of their moderates deciding he is no longer happy with the party and switching sides be sort of like a gigantic neon sign saying "Warning: You Are Making Bad Choices"?
Apparently not.
According to Politico.com, many Republicans have been saying that Specter himself called the move "nothing more, nothing less than political self-preservation.” The truth of the matter is, it might be. But why would Specter need to switch parties if the Republicans were on a good path?
It's because no one wants to elect a Republican anymore. The Republicans have painted themselves as nothing more than simple, two-dimensional conservatives - Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) said herself that Republicans haven't been given "warm encouraging words" about moderates. With caricatures of Republican politicians like Cantor, the Republicans put themselves in danger of becoming a fringe group a la the Know-Nothing Party.
Republicans won't win near-future elections without playing towards the center. And the fact that most of them (albeit certainly with some exceptions) have dismissed this important, symbolic event as moot just illustrates the fact that they just don't know what's going on.
-A^LASKA
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
On Miss California
I normally wouldn't give so much of my time to the contestant of a Beauty Pageant, but after hearing so much about Miss California's comments on gay marriage, I found myself wondering... does anyone have the right to really be mad at her?
After all, she spoke gracefully and politely, stating (a bit more eloquently than we've come to expect from these Pageant contestants after that map fiasco) that she was raised in a family that doesn't agree with the concept of gay marriage. Then she rambled a bit about how it's great that in America people can choose gay marriage or 'opposite' marriage, and most of us wondered if that was truly her opinion, or if she just wanted to appeal to as many viewers/judges as possible. Obviously Perez Hilton wasn't fooled (he was visibly disappointed with her answer), but if what she said was really what she thought, no one who supports gay marriage has the right to really and truly be angry with her. She didn't rant about how God hates the gays (thanks, Westboro) or how gay marriage would be the bane of our existance. She stated her views, and that those views were her own and she knew not everyone shared them. For someone against gay marriage, she wasn't uber-conservative or anything like that.
And those are the kinds of people that the gay marriage movement have to target: we're never going to change the minds of the super-conservative, far-right base, the people who looked at that 2M4M commercial about the gay storm and thought "Wow, I'm scared, too." But we can change the minds of the moderates, the people who are on the fence (or at least closer) about gay marriage but who just aren't convinced yet. We can show them that in states like Iowa, which certainly isn't the most liberal there is, gay marriage can happen without the entire nation descending into a fiery Hell. Everything's going to be okay. It's just gay marriage.
And such persuasion has happened: my former congressional representative, moderate Republican Chris Shays, used to be against gay marriage. But then (I'm getting this from his 2008 campaign website) he saw that in states like Massachusetts and California (which, at the time, was allowing gay marriage), gay marriages there weren't spoiling the marriage he had with his wife. So while he didn't become a staunch supporter of gay marriage, he realized that it wasn't so intolerable a concept.
Now, one thing I would've liked is a follow-up question: okay, so you aren't in favor of gay marriage. But are you in favor of taking that right away from people in a state where that right had already been given?
So I'm not mad. I'm annoyed, because I'm sure some anti-gay-marriage people were very pleased that the answer came from Miss California, of all people, but to be angry would be to pit everyone who doesn't see things our way as our enemy. I've done that in the past. It's naive and foolish to think that way. It's time to be more pragmatic.
-A^LASKA
After all, she spoke gracefully and politely, stating (a bit more eloquently than we've come to expect from these Pageant contestants after that map fiasco) that she was raised in a family that doesn't agree with the concept of gay marriage. Then she rambled a bit about how it's great that in America people can choose gay marriage or 'opposite' marriage, and most of us wondered if that was truly her opinion, or if she just wanted to appeal to as many viewers/judges as possible. Obviously Perez Hilton wasn't fooled (he was visibly disappointed with her answer), but if what she said was really what she thought, no one who supports gay marriage has the right to really and truly be angry with her. She didn't rant about how God hates the gays (thanks, Westboro) or how gay marriage would be the bane of our existance. She stated her views, and that those views were her own and she knew not everyone shared them. For someone against gay marriage, she wasn't uber-conservative or anything like that.
And those are the kinds of people that the gay marriage movement have to target: we're never going to change the minds of the super-conservative, far-right base, the people who looked at that 2M4M commercial about the gay storm and thought "Wow, I'm scared, too." But we can change the minds of the moderates, the people who are on the fence (or at least closer) about gay marriage but who just aren't convinced yet. We can show them that in states like Iowa, which certainly isn't the most liberal there is, gay marriage can happen without the entire nation descending into a fiery Hell. Everything's going to be okay. It's just gay marriage.
And such persuasion has happened: my former congressional representative, moderate Republican Chris Shays, used to be against gay marriage. But then (I'm getting this from his 2008 campaign website) he saw that in states like Massachusetts and California (which, at the time, was allowing gay marriage), gay marriages there weren't spoiling the marriage he had with his wife. So while he didn't become a staunch supporter of gay marriage, he realized that it wasn't so intolerable a concept.
Now, one thing I would've liked is a follow-up question: okay, so you aren't in favor of gay marriage. But are you in favor of taking that right away from people in a state where that right had already been given?
So I'm not mad. I'm annoyed, because I'm sure some anti-gay-marriage people were very pleased that the answer came from Miss California, of all people, but to be angry would be to pit everyone who doesn't see things our way as our enemy. I've done that in the past. It's naive and foolish to think that way. It's time to be more pragmatic.
-A^LASKA
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Planet Forward Tonight!
I've been working on Planet Forward since joining the team back in September. The primiere airs tonight at 8pm on PBS. Check your local listings here.
The show, hosted by GWU professor and CNN special correspondent Frank Sesno, is going to be really great: it starts out with a panel discussion with three energy experts who all have very different views of our energy future - one of which worked for the Bush administration. The second half is an interview with Obama's chief energy/climate czar. The entire discussion is "fueled" by videos submitted by ordinary citizens - videos you can find at PlanetForward.org. At that site, you can watch the videos, rate them, comment on them, and submit your own - all you have to do is set up an account (easy and free).
It's so much more interesting than I could ever make it sound in writing, so tune in to give it a watch. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Lastly, check out the video that me and my friend, Julie Taylor, made for Planet Forward: it's an original song, "A Cleaner Tomorrow," which discusses an energy future in which we use nature - the sun, the tide, the wind - to fulfill our energy needs without damaging our environment. Check it out!
-A^LASKA
The show, hosted by GWU professor and CNN special correspondent Frank Sesno, is going to be really great: it starts out with a panel discussion with three energy experts who all have very different views of our energy future - one of which worked for the Bush administration. The second half is an interview with Obama's chief energy/climate czar. The entire discussion is "fueled" by videos submitted by ordinary citizens - videos you can find at PlanetForward.org. At that site, you can watch the videos, rate them, comment on them, and submit your own - all you have to do is set up an account (easy and free).
It's so much more interesting than I could ever make it sound in writing, so tune in to give it a watch. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Lastly, check out the video that me and my friend, Julie Taylor, made for Planet Forward: it's an original song, "A Cleaner Tomorrow," which discusses an energy future in which we use nature - the sun, the tide, the wind - to fulfill our energy needs without damaging our environment. Check it out!
-A^LASKA
Friday, April 03, 2009
Gay Marriage Legal in Iowa
I don't want this to become a blog just about LGBT issues, but I couldn't not post about this: according to this NYTimes article, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, making Iowa the third state to (currently) allow gay marriage. Not sure if there are going to be any challenges to the ruling and whatnot, so we'll have to wait and see. But for now, score one for equality!
Apparently the Vermont state legislature just passed a bill allowing gay marriage, but Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has already said he's going to veto it (they missed the necessary 2/3 majority by 5 votes).
In New Hampshire, the House passed a gay marriage bill narrowly, which will now go to the Senate. In the event that it passes (this is highly uncertain), it will most likely be vetoed by Governor John Lynch.
On April 24th, the Maine state legislature is going to be holding hearings for a bill that would allow gay marriage in that state, as well. There isn't much information available in terms of projections on how the vote will go.
-A^LASKA
Apparently the Vermont state legislature just passed a bill allowing gay marriage, but Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has already said he's going to veto it (they missed the necessary 2/3 majority by 5 votes).
In New Hampshire, the House passed a gay marriage bill narrowly, which will now go to the Senate. In the event that it passes (this is highly uncertain), it will most likely be vetoed by Governor John Lynch.
On April 24th, the Maine state legislature is going to be holding hearings for a bill that would allow gay marriage in that state, as well. There isn't much information available in terms of projections on how the vote will go.
-A^LASKA
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Planet Forward Taping
Last night was the taping for Planet Forward, the PBS special that coincides with the user-submission-based website I've been helping out with that fosters discussion about energy and the environment (I feel like I've been giving this speech a lot lately in trying to get different news outlets to write about this thing, so sorry if that came out jumbled). The taping went extremely well, and I think it's going to be a really great show. The hour-long show airs April 15th at 8pm on PBS (the public broadcasting channel of Nebraska, which does public broadcasting for most of the West, also picked it up, so everyone can watch!), so don't miss it; it's going to be really good.
The show is divided into two parts, both of which are predominantly led by samples of the videos that can be found on our website: the first part is an expert panel hosted by Frank Sesno (of CNN fame), three very different personalities with very different opinions on our energy future. The second part is an interview with Obama's top energy advisor, and she even gets a chance to talk with some of the users whose videos are put on the show. Very interesting stuff... if you're interested in energy or the environment or anything like that, you're really going to want to catch this show.
Again, April 15th (close to Earth Day, naturally) at 8pm. Be there! If you're in GW, there's going to be a viewing party for everyone interested hosted by GW Sustainability.
And even though it's too late for more submissions to be put on the pilot, you should still make pieces (videos, editorials, photo essays, songs, anything you want!) and submit them to Planet Forward, and they might be on a future episode! Also, if you make an account (easy and free), then you can comment and vote on other submissions.
Check it out!
Sorry for sounding like a commercial.
-A^LASKA
The show is divided into two parts, both of which are predominantly led by samples of the videos that can be found on our website: the first part is an expert panel hosted by Frank Sesno (of CNN fame), three very different personalities with very different opinions on our energy future. The second part is an interview with Obama's top energy advisor, and she even gets a chance to talk with some of the users whose videos are put on the show. Very interesting stuff... if you're interested in energy or the environment or anything like that, you're really going to want to catch this show.
Again, April 15th (close to Earth Day, naturally) at 8pm. Be there! If you're in GW, there's going to be a viewing party for everyone interested hosted by GW Sustainability.
And even though it's too late for more submissions to be put on the pilot, you should still make pieces (videos, editorials, photo essays, songs, anything you want!) and submit them to Planet Forward, and they might be on a future episode! Also, if you make an account (easy and free), then you can comment and vote on other submissions.
Check it out!
Sorry for sounding like a commercial.
-A^LASKA
Monday, March 30, 2009
Today Was The Day
Today was the day that the Westboro Baptist Church came to DC. Today was the day that DC met their hatred with love, patriotism, and the power of tolerance and acceptance.
When I arrived at the White House at 11:30 this morning, there was already a small group of GW students gathered, finishing up some signs and passing out lyric sheets. The police came to inform us that, because we didn't have a protest permit, we wouldn't be able to remain on the sidewalk. But as we found out when fifty other people joined us, the sidewalk just wouldn't have been big enough.
Gathered in the streets, our large group waited in anticipation for the Church's arrival as we chose signs and exchanged excited words - the sign I chose said "God Doesn't Hate" on one side, and "We Support The Troops, Why Don't You?" on the other. I had been informed by a friend that the Church's protests were "weak," but I certainly wasn't expecting there to only be seven of them, each of them holding several signs because they had more of those than feet on the ground. They must be so lonely in their hatred.
The members of the WBC began marching up and down the sidewalk - pitifully outnumbered by the anti-circumcision protestors standing a bit down the way - and we began with a chorus of "God Bless America." Some went around collecting money for the Phelps-athon, aptly named after Fred Phelps, the loathsome and predictably dimwitted head of the Westboro Baptist Church, the proceeds of which went towards Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence. At the end of the day, we'd accumulated well over $500. Thanks, Fred!
The chants started, and there were many. 2, 4, 6, 8, DC Doesn't Hate; 2, 4, 6, 8, how do you know your kids are straight; gay, straight, black, white, one love, one fight; J-E-S-U-S, Jesus is Fabulous (a personal favorite), and many more. Mixed in with these chants were the Star-Spangled Banner, Amazing Grace, God Bless the USA, and What The World Needs Now Is Love. Camera crews that had come to record footage of the Church members focused their lenses instead on us, the more powerful of the two groups.
And our group was decidedly more diverse: gay and straight, Democrat and Republican, male and female, every sort of religion, and from various different schools. Someone noted, via megaphone, that only the Westboro Baptist Church had the power to unite so many. In fact, at one point we all paused for a quick prayer service to, in the words of a Catholic GW student, "pray for the souls" of the Westboro Baptist Church. This was followed by cheers of "We Will Forgive You." Maybe.
At a quarter past noon, their time was up, and the Church members began to walk away, typically dragging the American Flag as they went. We followed them, screaming at the top of our lungs, "Westboro go away, we don't want you anyway," and singing Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye. Horse-mounted police officers blocked our path, so we stood for several minutes screaming after them as they headed down Pennsylvania Avenue, off to another protest. The fate of that one, I do not know, but this one they lost.
I've been blogging about these hate-mongering induhviduals for quite some time now, and I was only too proud to join a group of people who knew that their hatred is the exception, not the rule, of the American character.
God Bless America
-A^LASKA
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
You're Invited
I've been waiting for this for quite some time.
As many of you already know, I have a track record for speaking out against the Westboro Baptist Church. Well, they're coming to DC this Monday (3/30) to stage a protest at the White House, and a large group of GW students is planning a counter-protest. I urge all of you readers who are in the DC-metro area to come join us.
The protest is at the White House (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) at 11:30am, and should last about half an hour according to the Facebook event page (feel free to join if you're on Facebook). For those of you in the GW community, there's going to be a sign-making party Saturday at 2pm on the fourth floor of the Marvin Center.
I can't stress how important this counter-protest is: if you go to only one while in DC, make it this one. The people of the Westboro Baptist Church are evil people who spread hate at our soldiers' funerals and who call for the execution of homosexuals and their families. And that's just the beginning. I know not everyone who reads this blog is liberal. But the good news is that you don't have to be liberal at all to completely disagree with these people and see how disgusting they truly are.
So I ask you: Join us, give up half an hour of your time, and show the world that love is stronger than hate.
See you there.
-A^LASKA
As many of you already know, I have a track record for speaking out against the Westboro Baptist Church. Well, they're coming to DC this Monday (3/30) to stage a protest at the White House, and a large group of GW students is planning a counter-protest. I urge all of you readers who are in the DC-metro area to come join us.
The protest is at the White House (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) at 11:30am, and should last about half an hour according to the Facebook event page (feel free to join if you're on Facebook). For those of you in the GW community, there's going to be a sign-making party Saturday at 2pm on the fourth floor of the Marvin Center.
I can't stress how important this counter-protest is: if you go to only one while in DC, make it this one. The people of the Westboro Baptist Church are evil people who spread hate at our soldiers' funerals and who call for the execution of homosexuals and their families. And that's just the beginning. I know not everyone who reads this blog is liberal. But the good news is that you don't have to be liberal at all to completely disagree with these people and see how disgusting they truly are.
So I ask you: Join us, give up half an hour of your time, and show the world that love is stronger than hate.
See you there.
-A^LASKA
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