Hillary doesn’t support Democracy. She is a Republican-Lite. Her drive for the White House is her ONLY agenda. She doesn’t speak for me. I use to support her but now I support an end to the war. Clinton doesn’t have the courage or will to fight for what is right.
There’s an Ani DiFranco lyric that says, “It’s nice that you listen, it’d be nicer if you joined in, as long as you play that game girl, you’re never gonna win!”
It was a dark, windy, rainy night in Portland, Oregon. I showed up with my pink scarves and a CodePink parasol. There were about 100 protestors from various groups. The No More War Drummers were there and were adored.
My new sisters: Katie and Cristy – CodePink
I was honored to meet up with CodePink ladies and Veterans For Peace (I even got to meet Bohica from DailyKos).
We continued to march around the hotel. They had one side of the street roped off. We were able to “inconvenience” people arriving to the hotel. I guess drums are something to complain about but women and children dying in Iraq is just something these toads can ignore?
I was offered a ticket to go inside several times from CodePink, I almost accepted at one time and it took everything in me NOT to go in, but I had to play by the script I had with my family. Next time, though, I’m infiltrating with the pink ladies. It’s in my blood, and… it’s much warmer inside than standing outside in the rain for 3 hours. I stood outside and waited and waited for my new friends to come out. Rumors spread that Hillary wasn’t even there. I doubted this as CodePInk was still inside. So I gave a member from VFP Katies cell phone so we could get text messages out of there and learn what was happening. Hillary was, again late – a whole hour late. People started to leave. I and a few others stayed on. VFP continued to hold their banner.
When the streets are lined with peaceful protestors, you aren’t bothered. But when it’s just a few – that is when the bellhops and hotel personnel start getting snotty. I stood firm though when told to move. It actually incited us to stay on.
A group of three came out in total shock. The woman had held up a big, blue banner with “Hillary is Pro-War and Pro-Wall” She had her banner shredded by the crowd and had been literally shoved out. The news showed her holding up the banner and then cuts to her holding up just a corner of it – they never mentioned the violence. Later, CodePink stood up and shouted down Hillary. That’s when things got ugly.
The crowd rose up and turned on CodePink and anyone else who was standing. Katie, is just breath and britches, a tiny being with a huge passion for ending this war. I’m sure her arms are bruised. She was clawed at and pushed. The look of shock on all their faces as they came out of the building was unnerving.
Still nothing from the print media. There is a write up about the San Francisco protest – members from CodePink were arrested there, choke holds, cutting the skin cuffed… this wasn’t told by the “free press”… YET!.
From now I’m going inside. I’m infiltrating. I’ll be heading out with phone numbers Sharpied on the skin of my arms. This was my first meeting with the Portland groups – next time… sadly there has to be a next time.
Stop the war NOW!
Bless you, DJ. (As usual, I say this in the most inclusive way possible.)
It’s amazing how little it takes for civilization to unravel. What possible threat to any elected (or apparently elected) officials are a few passionate voices? Why the violence?
Kick back & enjoy yourself today, dear lady. You & all of our Code Pink sisters rock the house.
There are CodePink regional groups everywhere. They even have info on how to start your own group – they give you all the help you need. They even help students learn how to become activists.
http://www.codepinkalert.org/
I about fell out of my chair when I went there after DC and saw my ugly mugly on their site LOL.
They are truly an amazing group.
They’re passionate, they won’t give up.. and they do it all with an amazing sense of duty and wit.
Way to go Dammit Janet. ((( )))) and all that.
Thank BostonJoe.
I’m going to have to get a pro-bono or something attorney to help me out of arrests now.
But I’d rather have an attorney to get me out when I voice my disgust than to not.
Have you noticed? they now only arrest a few? That way they expect you to be left alone to rot rather than a large group that would get press.
The crowd rose up and turned on CodePink and anyone else who was standing. Katie, is just breath and britches, a tiny being with a huge passion for ending this war. I’m sure her arms are bruised. She was clawed at and pushed. The look of shock on all their faces as they came out of the building was unnerving.
God, Janet. That stinks.
How can people who call themselves Democrats behave that way towards a protestor?
They may disagree but that’s just cruel, and dangerous (!), behavior.
You’ve been radicalized, as if you weren’t already … but you must have a lot of anger about this.
I’m also thrilled you made some new friends, and took this action! WTG!
Btw, as promised, I checked both the 10pm and 11pm local news stations. No coverage at all. Just a brief shot of Hillary with Maria in Seattle earlier in the day.
CodePink have been filed as “combatants” by the CIA. As well as VFP, UFPJ, MFSO and other non-vioent peace activist.
there were arrests in San Francisco… all codepink.
Washington DC proved to be hostile towards codepink, too. Remember they were arrested, ziptied and held on a bus for 12 hours. Not cool.
We have to rise up against this regime. There is no such thing as freedom in this country.
Shocking. So what’s the diff between those people and GOP thugs? I’ll be watching for the news that Hillary has stepped in forcefully to make sure no war protesters are ever treated like that ever again at one of her rallies. Uh huh.
Consider the irony of this headline at the WaPo website right now: “Iraq Abductors Threaten 4 Peace Activists”
Hillary Clinton dismissed the Portland protests with something along the lines (was on ch 8 news) that (paraphrasing from memory)
that no matter what the misinformation or the incompetence that brought us into this war we must have hope it will all work out in the end…
Guh!
Hillary is just another warmonger and Bush apologist.
Now… we need to get REAL Democrats in the race. We need REAL Americans that care about humans.
.
Not the praise a Democrat wants to see mentioned in the news headlines ::
WASHINGTON DC (ABC/AP) Jan 28, 2006 — President Bush said that Sen. Hillary Clinton, a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, is “formidable,” but he declined to speculate on which Republicans might run for the White House in 2008.
“This is an unusual year because this is the first time there hasn’t been a kind of natural successor in the party,” Bush said in an interview with “CBS Evening News“. Two wide-open primaries with no sitting vice president running in either primary, so this is I can’t remember a time when it’s been this open.”
[…]
Hillary Clinton Speech at Princeton on 19 January -- "I believe that we lost critical time in dealing with Iran because the White House chose to downplay the threats and to outsource the negotiations".SORRY HILLARY – LOOK IN THE MIRROR, WRONG PARTY AND WRONG ELECTION. YOUR STANCE REFLECTS 2004 POLLS, WATCH FOR ELECTION SURPRISE IN 2006 AND 2008! LOOK AT OTHER ELECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, PEOPLE ARE REVOLTING TO CORRUPTION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT, AND WANT CHANGE: CHANGE, TRUE REPRESENTATION AND LEADERSHIP!
≈ Posted an earlier comment — George Baby Praises Hillary Clinton ≈
“But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
Very clever, Mr. Rove. No doubt they will make a point of painting her as a scary opponent, because they’d love to run against her. First of all, automatically she splits us. But also–talk about a fund raiser for Republicans! They’d get all their straying loyalists right back on board to fight her.
If I may be allowed to reminisce …
Why Karl Rove Fears Howard Dean“
— 2003 article
OMG no doubt! I’ll say it again & again… we need a real Democrat in the race. One who cares about decency, democracy and dignity.. and human beings
Thanks Janet for being out there and helping to make a difference. Next time I hope you can infiltrate and stay warmer.
Next time will probably be a Republican and we’ll be sent to Gitmo… ACK 🙂
Like, for real… this really has me ticked off that Hillary, a Democrat, a woman – would let this esculate. I hear it was WORSE in San Francisco.
And thank you, and your family, for being a voice for us. I’ll get there one day, in a few months is my feeling. I’ve just many other things to take care of first, but I’ll be there soon. Keep at it woman!
Sometimes the best thing is to just jump in. I remember how worried I was leaving my kids and family and heading out to DC … for my first political protest – that was a biggie LOL
One can’t help but want to get involved when you’re surrounded by ladies with lipstick and pink/magenta slips 🙂
Did you say pink/magenta slips? Hmmm… 🙂
Barbie/Mattel made a mockery out of pink. A color of peace and feminity.
We’re taking it back.
Women and Peace are POWERFUL.
I grew up not liking the color because of the mass marketing of Mattel and the Barbie hijacking of it. Now, I embrace it and realize it’s just another way to say, “I’m a powerful woman”
I won’t let Barbie/Mattel have it any longer.
100% agreed!
I’ve always hated pink too, for similiar reasons. The color of June Cleaver, of softness, weakness, really, domicility (word?), domesticism, timidness, femininity… Screw that. Woman, our feminicism (word again?), our sexuality, we are damn powerful. And they are fucking scared of that. Tough shit, I say. You go! You are such an inspiration to me DJ, in so many ways. Thank you again for what you are doing.
and it’s pinky colors – have new meaning nowadays 🙂
Mr. Damnit is getting a magenta on black CodePink shirt. I think, hope, he’s trying to find me a see through-ish, magenta raincoat I can wear next time.
Hey a whole new field of clothing attire for women… ACTivism 🙂
Oohhh, see-throughish, how fun! With possible other uses when you are not protesting. 😉 And big kudos for Mr. Damnit for getting a CodePink shirt. I’d be thrilled about that if I were you.
Thanks DJ for being there and acting on your beliefs. You really have earned being called a superwoman, in every way that it can be taken.
oh puuhhhlease! LOL I just stood outside in the pouring rain waiting for the real heroes to come out.
I never strayed far from the Veterans For Peace dudes. I was like a little puppy LOL
These are the real heros…
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/01/332936.shtml
Portland CodePink in Venezuela
These beautiful, dolled up ladies even go to the frontlines… Iraq, Afghanistan,….
Crawford and DC
Don’t like being a superwoman — too bad, you’ll just have to live with it. It doesn’t matter anyway — no matter what you call yourself or I call you or anybody else, you’ll be there taking care of your family, caring about other people, doing the right thing, and, of course, thinking dirty thoughts.
Thanks little sister.
I admire your courage and I understand your need to infiltrate. To go a step further. Tracy says we will be arrested and she’s right. They can’t deal with us and they’ll try to lock us up and intimidate us but it won’t work. For each one they lock up, there will be ten more to replace them. They can’t lock us all up.
There’s a freedom of mind when you finally realize what your path is and what it will take to fight back isn’t there? there’s also fear and trepidation but it’s balanced with determination and the knowledge that we really have no choice.
I love you
Take it to them
They seem to be only arresting a few at a time. No more the BIG CROWDS of arrested people who will be let out by one attorney working for a group. Sucks.
You know I’ve always wanted to fight. 🙂
I had to go and see what was up and I really do like Katie and Cristy and the group. I had to get a feel for it all. See what was up with the cops and all that.
Also I had to stick to the script. Son was home sick and as I told CodePink, it would be a bitch for my husband to ocme out on such a night and get my ass out of jail with a sick kid.
March 19th baby… it’s gonna be HUGE. We’re undergoing training and all sorts of cool stuff. 🙂
I love you so very much, too.
Good for you going, and staying, even in the rain! Need better ‘wet’ shoes next time!
Now what’s this about March 19th?
yes, as I posted to Shirls, waterproof sneakers are a must 🙂
March 19th the 3rd goryversary of the start of this bloodshe. I’ll keep the boomantribe alert any links I know of. smooches!
is a Sunday this year — all us smelly hippies should be free that day… 😉
I’ll try to track down some info on the Net — looks like CodePINK’s next target is 3/8, International Woman’s Day (but unfortunately I can’t make their Bay Area get-together).
If you can’t appear in person, there’s so much to do to help support any cause. You can help send out emails to the media, alerting them of the rally/march.
If you write the local ladies, they’d let you know of support assistance.
Even babysitting their kids, or knowing of a sitter… just sign on to their email alerts and that way you can have a better idea of what they need locally. And… then… they suck you in 🙂
1/31 is the World Can’t Wait.
“A group of three came out in total shock. The woman had held up a big, blue banner with “Hillary is Pro-War and Pro-Wall” She had her banner shredded by the crowd and had been literally shoved out. The news showed her holding up the banner and then cuts to her holding up just a corner of it – they never mentioned the violence.”
If this is the face of the Democratic Nominee for ’08 we need to step up the fight NOW! Hillary is no different than George as she allowed this to happen. Hope you can get this out in the MSM immediatly. There is no excuse for this kind of treatment.
Thank you for being a voice for us (((((Janet))))).
Love you to pieces!
I know!!! It was totally as if a bunch of Republicans were in the crowd or something. Whoodathunkit.
In fact, that’s is why it was such a low arrest probability.. This was a Democratic Front runner for the office. A woman.
Hillary is just another dog.
sounds like you’re getting the Taste and Gradification of being Right and with the Right People!!
We Shall Win This, But We Must Do It As Fast As Possible, Frustrations and All, To Save Lives!!
Welcome to the Fray, DJ!!
Again, the Veterans for Peace guys were great. True Gentlemen!
I loved your Diary today! Hearing that Cindy Sheehan is thinking about fighting Feinstein!! Whooo Hoooo
Cindy’s down in Venezuela right now – Not too much media coverage about that either.
Freedom is just another word for, nothing left to lose
It takes courage to speak and act on your most sincerely held convictions. It isn’t easy. People don’t want to hear you. They will do almost anything to drown you out because you make them think and question their version of reality. They can choose to walk on by and try to ignore you like they would the homeless, they can radicalize themselves and try to physically beat you down, but in the end, a piece of your spirit has infiltrated the greater consciousness and the struggle lives on. And gains strength and numbers.
It is only a matter of time if all who can speak, do. Those who can’t act must be prepared to speak for those who can. We are all in this together.
You are an amazing and courageous woman DJ and I’m glad you have chosen to act. Good to know ya.
You’re so right about the ones who walk on by.
I even had two teenagers walking behind me making fun of us all – then I turned around quickly and asked what was so funny about the Iraq War. “the what? What war?”
“what war?”
Americans just can’t be bothered with politics. It’s so beneath them and their need for American Idol and Lost.
“What war?”
if there was a draft they probably wouldn’t be laughing…the only thing that keeps the neo-cons from instituting a draft is they know that would wake up Joe and Jane Average when their precious sons get that letter from Uncle Sammy…
Katie and Cristy weren’t dolled up in pink… beacause they were going INSIDE. Under their black coats they had pink slips.
Thank you all for your kind words and support. There’s a point where before you go out or on your way – that you get very quiet inside… and that is when I gover
Know your exits etc etc
but more importantly I get still inside and remember WHY I’m doing this and who is waiting for me to come home.
My family and my friends.
I believe it is called “Chi“
Chang Tzu: Talisman of the Jade Lady
Peace
Sometimes when I get still… it’s like a feeling of static electricity all around you.
It’s a stillness… yet it charges you up. Or maybe that static feeling is more of a “reaching out”. Part “prayer” part preparing.
The next day I was part amped, part blown away. Got overly emotional on small things. My husband understands it more than I do I think. He calls it “coming down”.
The concept of Chi…recognizing and acknowledging your center has had a profound impact on my vision of life and all that surrounds me.
Many blessings to you and yours.
Peace
has helped me alot, too.
Judo/Jujitsu… got me back to reading Lee’s Tao of JKD
I’m going to do myself a huge favor and read Chi, thank you Dada!
Janet, Janet, Janet. . .Danmit Janet! So doggone proud of you! Thanks for doing what is in your heart to do and for encouraging all the rest of us.
Big Hugs,
Shirl
One note: If you are going to
One must get shoes WORTHY of rain. 🙂
My shoes and socks and jeans were soaked. LOL
The story goes that those who live in Portland grow web feet. . .I have no idea what kind of shoes that might require. LOL! Rain slickers are pretty handy things to have in the wet places.
You give new meaning to wet Tshirt events.
No boots 🙂 Can’t escape if need be in those.
I had on my running shoes – just in case. I know! “don’t run” but I’d like to be able to climb over things or what not – just in case 🙂
Some friends told me of Nevadoes (SP) shoes.
Leather coats… not good either. But my pink scarves and pink parasol -were great. Everyone wanted to check out the pink parasol I got in DC 🙂 Some guy fro PPRC took several photos of me with it. Even took some of me with the hotel staff trying to infringe on my rights.
Bohica had the constitution and our rights to express ourselves with him 🙂
With Hillary: CodePink gets pushed, shoved, clawed at, their signs torn, arrested…
With Pelosi:
January 14, 2006
Code Pink Bay Area
San Francisco, CA
CODEPINK Bay Area demanded that Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi stop voting to fund the war at Pelosi’s Town Hall Meeting in San Francisco on Saturday, January 14.
Protesters were allowed to stand in front of the stage for the entire duration of Pelosi’s talk. The Town Hall was aired on C-Span.
Pelosi continues to evade the issue of funding the war in Iraq.
a million times over. I will never be able to say it enough. They are my Saints and their wounds are my sign of stigmata, born out of standing up to corruption and the murder of innocents and the rage that that truth brought to the “decent people”.
You saw em at Crawford 🙂 Such hot and miserable conditions, but they flitted around in pink and kept their lipstick on. And yes, I had my lipstick with me and on. 🙂 Even brushed my cheeks with glitter.
I was unable to get online most of today – I was thinking about you all day!
Thanks for going, for scoping it out, for participating, and reporting – MY HERO!
Pink parasol 🙂 I could do that 🙂
March 18th it is – keep the details coming.
Hey Tampopo! Thanks, this is my hero. My daughter. She’s playing “dress up” 🙂
Please tell your daughter she is beautiful – AND she has given me some “street-wear” ideas 🙂
more painful. My husband went purposefully up to Hillary in an airport in Ireland. He was on his way back to Iraq from R&R at home. She was on her way home from Iraq right before Thanksgiving 2003. He noticed a woman who resembled Senator Clinton and then dismissed it as highly unlikely, then noticed several large gentlemen in the area with “the white earpiece” on. He approached one and said, “Is that?” and that is all he managed to say before the Secret Service Agent said, “Yea, that’s her.” He asked if he could approach her and the guy said yes. He went over and introduced himself and shook her hand. He was in uniform serving his country! He told her that he came over to meet her for me because I was a great admirer of hers. His commander’s flight surgeon best good time buddy was flying back over with him though too and of course his commander heard all about it and he took so much shit over it because you know all the head cheeses were definitely anitDemocrat at the start of this shitty fucking war from hell. Thanks Hillary……Thanks for nothing in particular or of importance concerning our soldiers. Thanks for waffling and avoiding and looking down your nose at “peace activists” now that the war is going so badly and it wasn’t your idea or isn’t your fault! Thanks for allowing my friends to be assaulted in your presence. Thanks for not listening and again Thanks for nothing! Maybe it isn’t your fault but now you’re just standing in the way and OH BY THE WAY….the blood splatter is hitting you now!
Tracy, my husband as you know was in Third Platoon. We’d wait for the phone to ring as he was on stand by 24/7.
The thing abou that is there usually wasn’t anything in the news. We were ALONE with our waiting, our grieving, our fear. No one knew they’d left.
My fear, anytime he was gone or even on duty, was just hearing a car drive up to the apartment/housing.
When I woke up this morning and looked at the task I had set for myself – calling every one of my senator Nelson’s numbers about the filibuster, I said “I’m tired damnit, can’t I take a rest today?” Then I read your diary and realized I better not think about resting until my task is finished. You are an inspiration, and I’m using a copy your daughter’s picture to keep myself working.
I used to like Hillary. Now I pity her – she’s in for another rude awakening.
I just stood out in the rain with a sign hoping I wouldn’t miss the train home. Really. 🙂
But remember, you wrote a diary about it. Think about RFK talking about the ripples that each of our actions send out. No matter what you were thinking, you did something that means a lot to your family and all of us. I’ll be thinking ‘I hate this shit’ when I make my calls, but I’ll do it – because of you.
Submit woman, and accept our praise!
Quite a write-up here:
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/01/332979.shtml
Sorry I don’t have the skills to make this a link.
I’d like to recommend that you consider using this source-it really is exactly what we make it by our citizen-journalism.
They also have info on jail support, National Lawyers Guild support, etc. if you’re serious about “going in” next time.
I’m new to this area and still learning where evrerything is – locally and internet-wise. I’ve bookmared that fantastic site! There were there, too.
“Loved this line, “Code Pinkers, you totally rock! Y’all got more balls than many a man and that’s no lie. Brass ones”
WOW. Janet be careful. Great diary. I think my jaw dropped to the floor.