Part 1: Sights and Sounds

On March 8th the pro-war group, Move America Forward, staged a rally at the Lafayette Hillside Iraq War memorial that was built and is maintained by anti-war activists. The rally was the groups first stop on a cross country caravan to DC.  They used our spatial representation of the cost of the war to serve their anger and agenda, unquestioning aproval of the Bush regime and continous warfare and attacking the peace movement as cowardly.  Many of the Move America Forward protesters have or have lost love one in Iraq and as the blogger, Insane Begger, commented on my last post, they express their pain as anger at those who want to honor the soldiers but not the war.  Perhaps, they see the Lafayette Memorial as simply an attack on the Bush war policy and not as an attempt to create a culture that is aware of what war really means.  What comes across is there agression and as one anti-war activist observeded “I’ve never seen so much machismo on International Women’s Day.”  For sights and sounds from the Pro-War rally link to or download this video.

Pt 2: Ballad of a Stollen Name

At the Move America Forward rally a Goldstar father found his son’s name on a cross.  Understandably, he became very offended that his son’s name was being used for a memorial with goals that ran counter to his own politics.  However he dealt with the situation in an agrressive and bullyish way using the situation to attack the anti-war movement and the memorial organizer.  Memorial volunteers and Goldstar Mothers for Peace had put the names of fallen Californian soldiers on various crosses on the hillside.  Among the volunteers the use of names was debated and the majority wanted them taken down.  The anger of the pro-war Goldstar father brings into perspective the problem with having names on the crosses.  The names and his anger at anti-war activists shifts the memorial to specific people and away from the policy of war in general.  The altercation between the Goldstar father and anti-war activists also reveals the problem with the pro-war rally itself, it attacked peace-activists as people and did not address their goals for government and foriegn policy.  For one story from the culture war link to or download this video.

For more videos and links regarding the Crosses of Lafayette go to lafayettecrosses.blogspot.com

Next week marks the fourth anniversary of Bush’s invasion of Iraq, and during this weekend, people from all over California will be hitting the streets, calling for an end to this terrible war. Today at 12:00 PM, you can join me and hundreds of others Orange County peace activists at Pioneer Park in Garden Grove…
OR you can go to the LA rally for peace at Hollywood and Vine. I’ll tell you what happened at Garden Grove later today, after I come home from the march and rally.

And then on Monday, MoveOn is organizing candlelight vigils throughout the nation to mark the fourth anniversary of the war, as well as all the lives that have been lost over the last four years.

Follow me after the flip for times and locations of today’s rallies and Monday’s vigils…

First off, here’s the info on today’s rallies:

“US Out of Iraq Now” Rally with Ozomatli

Summary:
You know, one a them protest things. There’s this war in Iraq, don’t-cha know.
Description:
Ozomatli will perform at 12 noon at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Then there will be a march to Hollywood and Highland for a rally.
Where:
Hollywood and Vine
Los Angeles, CA

When: 12:00 PM

OC for Peace March and Rally

Summary:
Come join the Orange County Peace Coalition at Pioneer Park in Garden Grove as we commemorate the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, and as we demand an end to this war.
Description:
We will have speeches by local
progressive activists, entertainment
by local musicians, a plane flying
over us carrying a “Stop Funding War”
banner, and a march to Rep. Loretta
Sanchez’s office nearby, urging her
to work in Congress to fully fund the
safe exit of our troops from Iraq.

Where:
12722 Chapman Ave
Garden Grove, CA
92840
When: 12:00 PM

And next, here’s a list of all the MoveOn sponsored candlelight peace vigils in Orange County and Long Beach:

19 Mar 07:00 PM Candlelight vigil for peace
South Coast Plaza
Anton and Bristol
Santa Ana/Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Directions: 405 to Bristol (North) to Anton (first street). You’ll see the crowd.
Description: It is a corner across from the most exclusive shopping area in OC and is very handicapped accessible.

19 Mar 07:30 PM IRAQ CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
ALTON @EAST YALE LOOP
71 FALLINGSTAR
IRVINE, CA 92614
Directions: 405 FRWY EXIT JEFFRY, NORTH TO ALTON,LEFT ON ALTON TO EAST YALE LOOP. LEFT AND GO 2 STOP SIGNS TO FALLINGSTAR. LEFT TO END OF STREET AND PARK. WALK THROUGH PARKING LOT TO REAR. CONDO#71 IS BEHIND REAR GARAGES ON RIGHT.
Description HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. NO PETS.

19 Mar 06:00 PM candlelight vigils
Main Street walnut
200 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Directions: Look for candle lights on main street at 6pm on Monday March 19th on Main and Walnut, please join us.
Description We’re trying to have as many vigils as possible across the country, here in Huntington Beach we will be honoring our troops in Iraq, and the veterans who have already returned home.

19 Mar 07:00 PM Anniversary Vigil
Culver and Michelson
Irvine, CA 92612
Description This is a busy corner with handicapped access.

19 Mar 08:00 PM candlelight vigil to end the war
fullerton park plaza, wilshire btwn harbor and pomona
301 N Pomona Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
Description: now more than ever, on the 4th anniversary of our aggression in iraq, we need to stand united for peace and justice, and call for an end to this horrific war. bring our troops home now!!

19 Mar 07:00 PM Iraq War Anniversary Vigil
Rossmoor aka Los Alamitos
12422 Oak Way Drive
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Directions: From Katella, Take Los Alamitos Blvd. south. Turn RIGHT at Bradbury, Go approx 3 blks to Montecito, TURN LEFT, pass Main Way to next street Tucker. Turn RIGHT on Tucker, at first street, Blume, Turn LEFT. Take Blume as it curves to the right until you get to Rush Park. The first St. on the left is Oak Way. Turn LEFT.
Description we have one dog, 2 cats. The dog will be in time out, closed room

19 Mar 07:00 PM 4th Anniversary Iraq Invasion Vigil
2nd and Nieto Streets, Belmont Shore, CA
(in front of Washington Mutual)
Long Beach, CA 90702
Directions: Second and Nieto Streets in Belmont Shore (Long Beach Suburb). In front of Washington Mutual bank on public sidewalk.
Description Monday night vigil marking 4th anniversary of Iraq invasion. Same site as my usual Friday night vigils. Bring Signs/flags.

19 Mar 07:00 PM Peace Vigil
In Front of V.A. Hospital
N.E. corner of PCH & 7th Street
Long Beach, CA 90814
Description: Let’s bring our own peace filled presences to the north east corner of PCH and 7th Street, in front of the V.A. Hospital at dusk on the 19th. Our intention will include honoring those inside. I’ll have more to say after I’ve read MoveOn’s materials and determined exactly what time it will be dark enough for a candle light vigil….please bring candles.

19 Mar 06:00 PM Iraq War 4-year Anniversary Vigil
Main Beach, Laguna Beach
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Directions: Main Beach (corner of Ocean Avenue and PCH) in Laguna Beach.
Description: Please join us at Main Beach (corner of Ocean Avenue and PCH) in Laguna Beach. We’ll solemnly honor the sacrifices made by more than 3,000 U.S. soldiers. We’ll contemplate the path ahead. And we’ll call on Congress to force a change in direction. Please bring signs and candles.

19 Mar 07:30 PM Light One Candle
Brea United Methodist Church, Lambert at State College
480 N. State College Blvd.
Brea, CA 92821
Directions: Exit 57 Freeway at Lambert(West). Go one block west and turn right onto State College, then turn right again into the church parking lot. Gathering site is on the north lawn.
Description: An outdoor candlelight gathering in the grassy area just north of the Brea United Methodist Church. Handicap accessible.

19 Mar 07:30 PM Peace Vigil
Mary Statue– Redondo and Ocean Blvd.
Corner of Redondo and Ocean Blvds.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Description: This is to be a peace vigil and mediation to commemorate the sad anniversary of the war in Iraq. We will remember those who have lost their lives, their livelihoods, and hold for that no more lives will be lost. Please bring a candle–tall candles in glass jars can be left at the site. Also, bring flowers, and feel free to write your prayers for peace, which can also be left at the site.

19 Mar 06:00 PM Iraq War 4th Anniv. Candlelight Vigil
Kaleidoscope Mall (Crown Valley and the 5 Freeway)
27741 Crown Valley Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Description: A Candlelight Vigil will be held for fallen soldiers on (hopefully) both sides of Crown Valley Parkway near the Kaleidoscope Mall near the 5 Freeway. It is handicap accessible and parking if not in the K. Mall, then behind the gas station next door. Washington Mutual has plenty of parking.

To locate other candlelight peace vigils, go to MoveOn’s action page. And please, wherever you are, go out and make peace this weekend.

Why doesn’t the Republican Party like its own voters? Why won’t the GOP candidates talk to the people who will be making a huge decision next February? Why do the candidates only come to Orange County for the big money, and avoid everyone who could not possibly afford to join the big money at these extravagant fundraisers?

Yesterday, something nasty arrived in lovely Dana Point. OK, something BESIDES the fog and the cold. No, Mitt Romney came to town for another big money fundraiser.

(More after the flip…)

Yesterday, Romney hobnobbed with some of Orange County’s most powerful people. Perhaps he raised as much money this time as he did last time…

But what about all those Republicans who can’t afford these ultra-expensive fundraisers? (And no, not ALL Republicans in Orange County are ultra-rich.) What about the average voters who just want to ask Romney about his position on the Iraq War, or his tax policy, or what he thinks about immigration? Do they have to pay $2,300 just to ask Mitt that question?

When I arrived at the St. Regis yesterday afternoon, I was alone and afraid. I felt like a stranger in a strange land, as I was looking the other side of the driveway at all these glamorously rich people being escorted out of their Rolls Royces and Bentleys and Mercedes. I could not even approach the front entrance to the hotel lobby, as I was afraid that security would toss me out of there, and throw me so far that I’d land right in the middle of all the snarling traffic on PCH. I was out of my place, and I could see it and feel it all around me.

Yes, I know that I probably SHOULD HAVE FELT OUT OF PLACE at the St. Regis last night. I was one of those “commie-loving pinko Demonrats” who was hoping to ask Romney about his “kaleidoscopic view” of the war, as well as his flip-flops on such issues as choice, LGBT rights, and supporting “Demonrats”. OK, so I was hoping to stir up a little trouble over there last night…

But what about about all the middle-class Republican voters who might have the same questions that I do? Are they not allowed to question their own leaders? This problem is not just with Romney, but with the entire slew of Republicans who come here for money, but never stay to talk to real people about real issues. On the GOP side, it seems like this race has become a type of “aristocratic primary” where only the rich and well-connected can participate, while everyone else is stuck out in the cold, alone and afraid, trying to look in.

I guess it’s somewhat like the way the GOP has governed this nation for the last six years. But will anyone be able to crash these gates and let the common folks into the GOP primary process?

First off, I am going to say straight away that I oppose term limits in general. I think it should be up to the voters when to kick somebody out of office.  But in order for that system to work, the voters must be given a choice. But that’s not what Senator Perata wants:

“I am disappointed by Mark Leno’s challenge of a fellow Democrat with Carole’s experience, accomplishments and skill,” said Perata, who warned that all 25 Senate Democrats “will vigorously defend Sen. Migden. To get her, Mark must come over us.”(SF Chron 3/17/07)

So, apparently, this is how Sen. Perata wants it:
1) Official wins seat when open.
2) Said official is never challenged.
3) Said official is never termed out.
4) Said official only leaves office upon retirement, death, or conviction.

Sorry, that’s not called democracy, certainly not in any meaningful way. So, Perata thinks that we never, NEVER, should challenge a sitting Democrat. Seriously, how else can you read that quote? I mean, I guess you could argue that Perata could say that it’s okay to challenge a senator who is…ummm…not skilled and/or experienced. But can you imagine the occasion that he would find a Democratic senator who lacks experience, accomplishment, and skill? I can’t, nor should he find such an occasion because he is the Party’s leader in the Senate.  Sorry, Senator, but incumbency is not sufficient.  I can’t imagine the world where this position helps the cause of extending term limits.

In other news, the “Kiddie Porn King” attack post put up by Michael Colbruno, former Migden CoS, unsurprisingly, it’s a load of shit. In Thursday’s Capitol Weekly, Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, of all people, came to Mark Leno’s defense. I won’t go into it further, because I’ve already wasted too many pixels on this filth.  If you are interested, feel free to read the whole debunking of this garbage (Left in SF archive).

Over the flip, I repeat my reasons why primaries are important…

Top 5 Reasons Primaries are Important
1) Primaries get the grassroots growing and are great training grounds for new leaders.
2) Primaries are, in many CA districts, the only real election at all.  Voters should get the chance to vote where it means something.
3) Primaries get people to register in a party (yay, more registered Democrats).
4) We get a real debate in places where that is frequently missing. Electeds should be held accountable to their constituents to explain their views.
5) Primaries force electeds to be more responsive to their constituents and to better represent the interests of those constituents.