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Title: Anti-war vets banned from Long Beach Veteran's Day parade
Source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/
URL Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_7406094?nclick_check=1
Published: Nov 8, 2007
Author: Associated Press
Post Date: 2007-11-10 16:03:41 by robin
Keywords: None
Views: 105
Comments: 4
LONG BEACH, Calif.—Anti-war vets have been banned from marching in the 11th Veterans Day Parade in Long Beach. A participation application filed by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out was turned down because organizers want Saturday's parade free from politics. "They do not fit the spirit of the parade, the spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done," said Martha Thuente, coordinator for the nonprofit Veterans Day Parade Committee. "We do not want groups of a political nature, advocating the troops' withdrawal from Iraq," she added. Some veterans and anti-war groups were unhappy. "It's a violation of Democracy, the whole concept which we are allegedly dying for," said Adrian Novotny, a Vietnam vet and local president of Veterans for Peace. He said it was particularly frustrating because the group was allowed to march in the parade last year. Iraq veteran Jason Lemieux, a Marine who served three tours of duty in Iraq and is now against the war, said he had planned to march as a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. "I wanted to march like the rest of the Iraq veterans," Lemieux said. "I served my country. I'm a veteran of a foreign war. I think I deserve that respect." The anti-war groups complained to the City Council this week, but City Attorney Bob Shannon said Wednesday that the parade committee was a private, nonprofit organization that had a right to choose its participants. "These veterans groups certainly have First Amendment rights," Shannon said. "But the parade committee also has the First Amendment right to exclude whoever they wish if (the entry) does not keep within the theme." The city provides the staffing, flags, banners, utilities and police protection, Shannon said, but does not play any role in the approval of parade participants.
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#1. To: robin (#0)
The city could have real problems should those Vets seek Equal Protection relief.
I bet if there were Vets for Gay Sex or Vets for Illegal Immigration, they'd be allowed to march, no questions asked.
What's that? What have they done that I need to feel gratitude for? I don't recall the battle of Long Beach where US troops repelled the North Vietnam expeditionary force? I don't seem to remember the battle of Delaware where US sailors and troops stopped the landing of the Taliban invasion fleet. Was there a battle of the Mississippi where US troops halted the advance of the Japanese imperial army? No battle of Cape Cod where US marines fought SS panzer divisions to a stand still and annihilated them? There isn't a veteran alive that needs to be thanked by any American. Not a living veteran has defended this country from attack or invasion. And isn't the name "Veterans of Foreign Wars" rather unnecessary? Is there any other kind this country has fought?
Burke, as usual, you have made what seems to me to be some pretty clear sighted comments grounded in true history in place of emotive huckersium that passes for patriotism elsewhere. But I think there is a war being fought on our native lands - right now. The War On (Some) Terrorism - is a neat hat trick to subdue the population that suspects something is seriously amiss in the rulers view of their subjects. An important element in the WOT is that it is being waged on the citizens of this country, especially on those who try to see what the government is doing and who is going to benefit from those action. As you know it is generally not the commomwealth, but the already rich and powerful. So the atrocities are done in our name, always for "Peace", yet the beneficiaries are always the same clique.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" The city provides the staffing, flags, banners, utilities and police protection, Shannon said, but does not play any role in the approval of parade participants.
#2. To: robin (#0)
A participation application filed by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out was turned down because organizers want Saturday's parade free from politics.
You appear to be a major trouble maker...and I'm getting really pissed. - GoldiLox, 7/27/2006
#3. To: robin (#0)
"They do not fit the spirit of the parade, the spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done,"
#4. To: Burkeman1 (#3)
And isn't the name "Veterans of Foreign Wars" rather unnecessary? Is there any other kind this country has fought?
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