CODEPINK plans takeover of Pelosi’s office

[seriousstan]

Source: The Hill

Anti-war group CODEPINK is planning to take over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office at 4:00 pm, the group said.
Protesters plan to play “Pin the war on the Donkey” to show their frustration with the Democratic leadership’s inaction of ending the war in Iraq.

CODEPINK is expecting arrests.


Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/codepink-plans-take...

[leftchick]

1. good on them

civil disobedience is all we have left to stop this horrific war.

[proud2BlibKansan]

108. I agree

This is about ending a war, not promoting a political party.

[Le Taz Hot]

130. THANK YOU!

I wish more on this board would understand that. Impeachment is off the table, indeed! Appeasement of the usurper was NOT what the 2006 election was about and there is no way we should settle for business as usual.

[CBHagman]

112. The thing is, it's not going to stop the war.

It truly is not. Pelosi has no power to order troops anywhere. Congress has the power to declare war, but Code Pink isn't going to sway 535 people with this action.

I'm not opposed to civil disobedience, but I do hold people responsible for pursuing counterproductive strategies (Ralph Nader's behavior being one of the saddest examples).

[onenote]

2. beat me up if you want, but this is not a good thing

[John Q. Citizen]

4. No reason to beat you up. We all have an opinion. n/t

[JuniperLea]

6. You are correct, methinks

Why give the RW more fodder? Private organizations should remain private and not get too involved with the offices of elected officials.

There's a difference between civil disobedience and outright lawbreaking... taking over an office is breaking the law. I wouldn't want to see anyone get away with that.

[tblue37]

85. No there isn't. Read Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience."

Or study Ghandi. What do you suppose people are disobeying when they commit civil disobedience? They are disobeying (i.e., breaking) the law.

[Nederland]

136. Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience is the deliberate breaking of a law you believe is unjust. A black person sitting at a lunch counter reserved for whites, for example, is civil disobedience. What Code Pink is doing is not civil disobedience unless she happens to believe that trespassing and disorderly conduct laws are unjust.

[JuniperLea]

142. You should ditch the Thoreau...

And read up on American law instead.

Unless you think it's unjust for someone's private home or office to be private, then you are deadly wrong.

The distinction between breaking a law and civil disobedience is the acting party's view of a law being unjust. Is it a good law, or an unjust law?

[DURHAM D]

11. I agree.

Zealots of any stripe eventually become counter-productive.

[kath]

38. Were MLK, the Freedom Riders, all those that sat in at lunch counters, the hundreds of

high school students who were arrested in Alabama in the fight for civil rights, etc. "zealots" who "became overproductive"??



Highly recommend that all rent "Eyes on the Prize" - my kids and I learned so much!

[DURHAM D]

41. No. And surely you don't think

CP tactics can be compared to the civil rights movement.

[Catch22Dem]

46. No shit. Agreed. (n/t)

[EFerrari]

48. Why? Because women are scary or what?

lol

[DURHAM D]

53. What kind of a crap answer is that?

Are you suggesting there were no women in the civil rights movement? Why are you making this a gender issue? Are there no male members of CP?

[EFerrari]

55. "Code Pink Women for Peace" is the group name.

And, you didn't answer my question, which was a question, not an answer. Thanks.

[DURHAM D]

63. I didn't answer your question because I don't understand it

in relation to my comment.

However, Do I think women are scary? No. I am one.
Furthermore, I am a lesbian which makes me an uber-woman in my opinion. Your comment/question is still crap.

Furthermore, I would never want to serve on a committee with you.

[EFerrari]

74. Okay, "uber woman", I'll take note of that. No committees with you

and in particular, because you privilege your orientation and practice over my unknown one.

The Civil Rights Movement worked to get equal rights for a group of people. My family marched with them.

Code Pink seeks human rights for all people. So, yes, there is a direct comparison, not to mention, a lineage and a tribute of the current to the source.

[tavalon]

118. Of course they can

and to the women's movement and to Ghandi and to apartheid movement and so on.

[onenote]

52. compare and then decide --

You think this


is the same as this:


When you are trying to persuade the public, image matters. Maybe it shouldn't but it does.

[roguevalley]

58. I don't give a damn about image. People are dying. I don't suppose

the dying and those in harms way would tell code pink to go home when they are prepared to go to jail for them. Since when is image more important than having every voice possible in the fight for peace? I'm old enough to remember when even the most well dressed protestor was called a damn dirty hippy. Go, Code Pink. Go, Raging Grannies. Go, Billionaires for Bush. We need you. We respect your guts. If someone wants to form a group of Yuppies against the war, go for it. But don't decry those who are giving their time, money and personal freedom for peace.

Nancy Pelosi needs to hear more than a few voices. We all count.

[uppityperson]

102. Exactly and thank you. Many need to be heard and in many different ways.

Find your way and don't bash others. Go, Code Pink!

[JI7]

125. image matters when it comes to being effective

and in the case of code pink they aren't effective.

in this article i'ts not really about their image either but their actions.

Nancy Pelosi would end the war now if she could. protesting someone who is opposed to the war and wants to end it does nothing to end the war.

it's actually code pink that cares more about image than in real change.

[EFerrari]

75. So does creativity and the ability to get a message out.

What do you have against PINK, onenote?

(I'm kidding)

[kath]

99. It's still civil disobedience - risking arrest and possible physical violence in order to

protect the rights of others and save lives, like the civil rights movement and the anti-VietNam war movement and the anti-apartheid movement. The style is different (and probably HAS to be in order to get the attention of the supine media and the minds-addled-by-teevee,no-attention-span public), and the risk at this point of getting the shit beat out of them less than for the civil rights protesters. But it does go back to Thoreau and Gandhi,as someone above mentioned. Sometimes ya gotta break the law (and even do weird stuff) in order to get your point across.

[tavalon]

119. Yup

One is more colorful. Otherwise, yes, very similar though you might have compared march to march.

[ProudDad]

149. Our friends who are dissing Code Pink

sound JUST LIKE the white folks I heard in the South during the Civil Rights struggles.


"Why can't they be peaceful and wait?"

"They're hurting their cause with their demonstrations and sit-ins."

"I don't mind black people but those zealots who demonstrate are counterproductive"

"Those negros aren't going to get anywhere until they learn to be more patient and dignified. They should let the system work. They should wait for the good white people to do the right thing."

"There'd be no problem if they just behaved."



Heard it all in the day...

If no one keeps the pressure on Pelosi she'll turn into the same kind of do-nothing (or the wrong thing) corrupt pol that the Congressional "leaders" have always become. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In a "representative democracy" the squeaky wheel gets the grease and we have to be extra loud to be heard at all over the waterfall of corporate money that owns the Congress...

[Captain Hilts]

17. I love Code Pink, but I agree with you. Not good. nt

[EFerrari]

45. This is what we did yesterday in San Francisco:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Raine]

95. I agree

and I'm glad that someone else sees it that way.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. it goes to show. Wars are a lot easier to start than they are to stop. Thank you

Code Pink, for doing the heavy lifting!

[w4rma]

5. Dumb. There is a recent pattern forming with CodePink and dumb tactics. (nt)

[mahina]

12. Let's hear it-

I'm interested.

What tactics do you think are stupid, and in relation to which objective?

Mahalo...http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=998

[Kolesar]

18. I would like to know why pester Pelosi &your link does not say what they think they are doing

Your link has something about Hawaii.

Look at this spinoff site from codepink: www.pelosiwatch.org . That looks and sounds like something the right wingers would put up. They are going to go camp out in front of Pelosi's house. That's pretty damn pushy. What's the message? It is not like Pelosi stole an election then started an illegal war that killed and maimed people. I would think Speaker Pelosi would like to have some peace and privacy. God knows she has enough on her mind.

[mahina]

21. It's the Code Pink Hawaii site,

which is our chapter here.

Peace and privacy? Speaker of the House?

Anyway, we are asking the Democrats to act with the courage of their convictions. The Republicans are using the Dems timidity and it's costing us lives.

Aloha no...

[Kolesar]

25. How about I wing out to Hawaii and camp out in your yard?

You are wasting time on the internet when you should fighting the fascist neocon agenda. I will fax every TV and newspaper outlet I can find so they park their big trucks with the microwave dishes out on your street. Neighbors can have something to talk about all summer!

[mahina]

33. ?

I am fighting.
Hope you are too.

[mahina]

34. Anyway, my neighbors already have something to talk about.

We talk about how to bring democracy back to America. This is a very tight neighborhood, very Democratic, and very well organized politically. Hey any time. Aloha.

[Kolesar]

77. Operation "Dodge-O-Comment" ... eom

[cali]

36. Why yes, even the Speaker is entitled to some down time at home.

but beyond that, if Code Pink is turning people off here at DU, a place that's definitely more liberal than even the Dem party as a whole, maybe you guys should rethink your tactics.

[nodehopper]

111. there are pro-life people on DU, too.

And there are people who are still not outraged that the newly elected democrats are not doing anything to represent their constituents and stop bush.

[cali]

126. That kind of bullshit generalization

doesn't address my post, and let me add tham my newly elected dem rep, Peter Welch is representing most Vermonters, including me, just fine. And how the hell do you know that some blue dog from NC or Indiana isn't representing the majority of his or her constituents? Oh that's right, you don't have a freakin' clue.

[nodehopper]

135. I am using the same generalization tactics as you!

you said--if Code Pink pisses off the DU people, that means they must be doing something wrong, because DU-ers are liberal, and that means Code Pink is out of touch. Well, DU-ers run a spectrum, from people who are far more radical than me to people who are pro-life, and if you will notice even this thread is split pretty evenly between support and criticism of CP.

You assertion that reps from different states, about which I venture you know no more than you accuse me of knowing is equally generalizing. And the newly elected democrats, as a body, are NOT representing the country, which, according to every poll, wants the cessation of the war, and the Dems are passing cowardly "non-binding resolutions"

And Nancy Pelosi isn't MY representative on the state level, but, for example, SFEXPAT in reply 49 certainly doesn't seem to feel like he is being represented by her.

Also, resorting to ad hominums? Always classy.

[nodehopper]

134. I am using the same generalization tactics as you!

you said--if Code Pink pisses off the DU people, that means they must be doing something wrong, because DU-ers are liberal, and that means Code Pink is out of touch. Well, DU-ers run a spectrum, from people who are far more radical than me to people who are pro-life, and if you will notice even this thread is split pretty evenly between support and criticism of CP.

You assertion that reps from different states, about which I venture you know no more than you accuse me of knowing is equally generalizing. And the newly elected democrats, as a body, are NOT representing the country, which, according to every poll, wants the cessation of the war, and the Dems are passing cowardly "non-binding resolutions"

[ProudDad]

150. Your view of this subject appears skewed

There is a small cabal of reactionary DU'ers who are all bent out of shape at Code Pink's "tactics".

Most of us here are part of the big tent and welcome allies from any source. We also realize that strong pressure on the ONE person who has the most power is a very effective tactic...

[w4rma]

24. She doesn't have the votes, so CodePink should be going after those votes, instead.

It's not her job to get the votes. It's our job to get those votes.

[ProudDad]

151. Bull

It is EXACTLY Pelosi's job (along with Hoyer) to "GET THOSE VOTES"

The Speaker of the House sets the agenda and makes sure that the House follows her lead.

[Monkeyman]

39. They should hit Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats there's the problem

[CTLawGuy]

153. ask this

will Speaker Pelosi be more likely to listen to Code Pink, or less likely to, after they take over and disrupt her office?

That kind of stuff reminds me of the NYC MTA strike two years ago. The union intentionally held the strike around Christmas time to inconvenience the maximum number of people. It backfired and created a lot of anti-union sentiment from the public, especially since the union had legal avenues it could have pursued before resorting to a strike.

Does pissing off Pelosi help your cause, is the question?

[Name removed]

22. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Virginia Dare]

7. I'm sure Speaker Pelosi respects their right to peaceful assembly..n/t

[SlowDownFast]

42. Wrong.

Mar. 12, 2007

Nancy Pelosi headed for the airport early this morning, obviously put out with the Code Pink protesters who were camped outside her house.

Code Pink Protester: "We represent your constituents, Nancy. We'd like you to talk with us just for an hour or two hours."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House: "But you aren't my constituents."

The speaker did not speak to reporters, saying only, "my home is my home."

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=politics&id=5...

CodePink needs to go bother someone else.

Try LIEberman or some other repug.

CodePink is fucking shit up more than they're helping.

Obey was right.

[Virginia Dare]

56. She was "put out", but she didn't have them arrested...

that to me says she respects their rights, she doesn't have to like the fact that they're doing it.

[Le Taz Hot]

131. "But you aren't my constituents?"

Um, as Speaker of the House we're ALL your constituents. (I can't believe she said that.)

[tandot]

8. Will they do the same thing with the pro-war politicians' offices?

[w4rma]

10. No. (nt)

[proud2BlibKansan]

109. They have been for 4 years now.

[ProudDad]

152. Yep

http://www.utne.com/web_special/web_specials_2004-09/ar...

You anti-pinkers seem to have short memories...

[johncoby2]

9. and rightfully should..........

[fooj]

13. I've got an idea...

How about taking over LIEberman's office?

[SlowDownFast]

43. I second the motion. n/t

[partylessinOhio]

14. Thank you, CODEPINK, for putting yourselves out there and doing

something to bring attention to the desire of Americans to stop this insane BushWAR. Many of us cannot be there because of physical and financial limitations, so you are standing for me and millions of others.

[KittyWampus]

44. why don't they camp out in Lieberman's office or in front of HIS home?

Now there would be something productive, as DU'ers above mentioned.

Thanks for nothing Code Pink, what a bunch of idiots.

[Tesha]

71. Lieberman is a lost cause. Pelosi might yet see the light. (NT)

[dubyaD40web]

15. I blame the Senate.

The repukes most. It seems to me like they still want to "own" this war by not bringing a vote to the floor. Do they want to lose that bad in '08?

[emulatorloo]

27. Any time the dems try to do something, the republicans block it

I too am frustrated -- but I am frustrated with the OBSTRUCTIONIST REPUBLICANS, not Nancy Pelosi.

[woodsprite]

16. We've had alot of good things happen for Dems this week, this

however, is NOT gonna be one of them, IMO. We don't need anything negative to distract from this admins dirty laundry being aired. Instead, we need even more focus on it. I hope they get arrested before they disturb anything that Pelosi's office is busy with.

For the short time we've been in power in the House and Senate, we're kicking ass and taking names. We simply cannot do everything at once, and in the Senate, we need repub support for anything to happen. The scope and depth of corruption is just unfathomable!

[Hekate]

19. No no no no no no. Why Pelosi? Why a Democrat at all? Are they TRYING to alienate our side?

I'm sorry, but this is just nuts.

Hekate

[nodehopper]

113. when are we going to stop being afraid of "alienating" our side?

If the Democrats refuse to stand up to the Republicans, what the hell good are they? They were not elected to roll over and pass "non-binding resolutions," I am as disgusted by them as the neocons at this point.

[Hekate]

115. Nancy Pelosi is doing a phenomenal job! Just because you can't get it ALL TODAY...

...doesn't mean you get to throw a tantrum. Why isn't Code Pink in the office of a Republican? Pick a Republican, any Republican.

Dammit. With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Hekate

[nodehopper]

117. Code pink has been protesting Republican events for years now

including the RNC. I do not agree that NP is doing a phenomenal job. She did not stand up to Bush on the spending bill, and she is rapidly dialing down on her anti-war commitment that she was so vocal about before the elections. What exactly are the things that I can't get today? I understand that all soldiers won't be transported out of Iraq today. But I see NO good reason why the democrats aren't standing up to Bush and voting to cut off the funding. They could do it, they just choose not to, because they are still caught up in that rhetoric of "patriotism" and The War on Terror that the neocons have been abusing to wield power since 2001. At this point, four years into the war, anyone enabling the war, and not using their position to try and put a stop to it NOW is as complicit and guilty as the people who started it in the first place.

[grytpype]

20. Liberal idiots.

"I WANT ALL THE TROOPS MIRACLED HOME NOW!!!!

AND I WANT EVERYONE IMPEACHED NOW!!!!!!

Shut the fuck up, seriously.

[Frances]

65. You said it better than I could

Code Pink's actions help Bush so much that I have to wonder if Karl Rove planted a mole in Code Pink to encourage them to take this action.

[nodehopper]

116. are you, like, on the wrong board?

oh no, wanting an actual deadline to bring the troops home and to hold this administration accountable for its lies and crimes.

[MODemocrat]

23. War is four years old, but Democrats given two months to end it

"Pin the war on the donkey." Codepink should be taking some of their ire straight to the Bush Administration as well. They started it all, with lies.

[emulatorloo]

29. and all the time dealing w Republicans who are doing thier best to protect Baby Bush

Anytime the dems do anything in the Senate, the bush loving republicans BLOCK IT.

[bluedog]

26. take over the GOP offices

for petes sake.....we have been in office 2 months and are expected to have a magic pill to solve all problems that the GOP has created in their 6 years........

Code pink should also sit and protest Tony Snows office.......

come on guys......give the Democrats a chance.........get real!

This really upsets me....

[chelsea0011]

28. Ummmm. Shouldn't they be chaining themselves to the WH fence?

Isn't Bush responsible for this war? Did I miss something?

[tandot]

37. Maybe they get paid by the WH so they don't bother Republican law makers?

I just can't figure out why they pester our anti-war allies who are trying to stop that insanity.

We don't have enough votes to stop the war right now.

Why don't they spend their effort to harass pro-war politicians?

[Dr Fate]

62. "We dont have enough votes" So what. I want a head count of DEMS who agree with me or with Bush.

Then maybe Code Pink can go after the ones who agree with the latter.

We can have the same damn vote every damn week until we get it- for all I care- the "we dont have enough votes" excuse will run it's course sooner or later- at some point, citizens are going to want a head count of who sides with who.

[Dr Fate]

60. Maybe they think Democrats will-or should- actually listen to anti-war voices?

While they know damn good and well that all the GOP will do is brush them off before a word even leaves their lips?

The good guys (DEMS) are supposed to act like the good guys-apparently sometimes you have to beg them to act like it- you cant beg a villian (GOP) to do anything.

[yojon]

30. Pelosi is our friend

Why are we beating up on her? There are others who more richly deserve a visit from Code Pink.

[EFerrari]

47. She may be your friend but she's my rep and she's not representing

me or the majority of her district who want. this. war. to. end. now.

That's a problem.

[Morgana LaFey]

69. Amen. Better said than my own post on the subject. nt

[uppityperson]

103. Very good. Thank you.

Sometimes I feel I am beating my head on a wall. Image above all! We are in power so let's wait and see what happens! ARGH!!! (thanks)

[enough already]

105. Very well said n/t

[demobabe]

143. So what is it we want her to do? Go beat up the Republicans that hold the vote to end the war?

Or maybe go beat up Joe Lieberman?

Maybe she could pass bills in the House all day ending the war in Iraq only to be killed in the Senate because we don't have the votes?

Hey, then we could waste time on things that aren't going to happen instead of using the time to accomplish things we can accomplish.

Please tell me what it is you want Pelosi to do?

[Kolesar]

31. Under the scope...like an ant!

Who needs Drudge and Newsmax? We got this.

[rodeodance]

32. anyone hear anything yet?? its been an hour (ET)

[MGKrebs]

35. Wow. "Dem leaders inaction".

2 months?

I guess they would prefer a dictatorship?

[Marrah_G]

40. Pin the war on the donkey

I didn't realize Rove was a member of Code Pink. Who benefits if the public starts to blame the war on Dems..... Why I do believe that would be the Repubs. Why don't they go after the pro-war crowd instead of undermining our party.

WE DON"T HAVE THE FUCKING VOTES TO IMPEACH OR GET THE TROOPS OUT NOW!~

And frankly if Code Pink would stop and fucking think for a few minutes they would realize they need to go after the votes we don't have... NOT go after the ones we DO have.

[Donnachaidh]

49. it makes you wonder doesn't it?

Code Pink doesn't seem interested in doing sit-ins on the party that RUBBERSTAMPED the whole darned thing.

Talk about messed up priorities.

[Dr Fate]

59. Maybe because they dont expect the GOP to listen to Liberals?

And in turn, they expect the good guys to?

[Catch22Dem]

51. Agreed

Foolish, misdirected, and ultimately harmful gesture

[Dr Fate]

57. Lets have those votes anyway. I want to see which DEMS side with Bush and which ones side with me.

Then Code pink or whoever can target those guys.

[MGKrebs]

67. There's gotta be a thousand better ways to make this point.

Trying to embarrass Pelosi or put her in a difficult position with the press isn't going to suddenly give her the power to control the Army's logistical situation.

[Dr Fate]

70. Yeah- like making the DLC & Blue Dog DEMS vote up or down.

Then Code Pink or whoever can focus on just those guys.

[EFerrari]

83. Okay. Let's hear ten of them.

[woo me with science]

133. Smug smiles.

I'm struck by the way you pepper all your responses with smug, self-righteous smilies.

That's exactly how Bushco. operates. To hell with what people are telling you. To hell with people's genuine reactions to what you are doing. Responses are almost 80 percent negative on the poll about what CodePink is doing to Pelosi, on a LIBERAL website. But you know best!

You guys need to rethink your tactics, because attacking Pelosi is really, really dumb.

[EFerrari]

140. Smug? That's some serious projection. I was actually looking

forward to hearing your ideaa.

And no one is attacking NANCY PELOSI. Most of us SF Bay Area CPers are NANCY PELOSI'S BASE.

But, to hell with facts.

[woo me with science]

144. I'm not surprised you attempt psychoanalysis,

as that seems to be your MO, along with the sarcasm and the smilies. But this is not the mental health forum.

You didn't address my point. You are losing the war of perceptions even here at DU, where you should be surrounded by supporters.

You want 10 ideas? How about focusing on the offices of 10 repubs who supported this debacle? Of course people have repeated this suggestion ad nauseum here, but I guess it is difficult to hear them when you have your fingers in your ears.

[EFerrari]

147. Code Pink has demonstrated and protested at Thug offices

many times. And I'm not in a war of perception. I'm working to stop an illegal occupation.

The personal attack I'll just ignore.

[EFerrari]

157. Oh, and btw, the mental health forum which you just slammed

is one of the few places on DU where people don't project all over the place. We also refrain from personal attacks.

Projection -- look it up or ask Elad to provide a smug smilie and a smiling smilie so you won't be confused again.

[huskerlaw]

50. Not good.

Echoing what others have said upthread, the problem is not Pelosi. The problem is that there aren't enough votes. Why not focus our attention on trying to change some minds?

Unless I missed the speech where Pelosi said she supports the war and will vote against a plan to withdrawal troops, than Code Pink's protests are misguided.

[Dr Fate]

54. Good. Maybe DEMS will wake up one day.

And save your excuses for someone else. I've heard them all.

Guess what- moderates like me & swing-voters are tired of all the excuses too- it's not just radical activists who are frustrated.

Maybe Pelosi should let some things go up for a vote so Liberals and moderates can see which "Blue Dog" DEMS & Republicans are on their side.

[CGowen]

61. when they get there, they could pick up impeachment from the floor and put it back on the table. nt

[brentspeak]

64. Does CodePink ever storm REPUBLICAN offices?

[Dr Fate]

68. Do you ever speak to deaf people- or wave to a blind man? n/t

n/t

[mikelgb]

73. zing

[EFerrari]

78. Wait -- have we already lost the majority?

[Reterr]

96. What about the 6 years the Repukes had the house and the senate?

I don't remember them ever storming any Repukes like this? "Pin the war on the donkey"???
Look I agree with them basically..I was an anti-war protester and co-coordinator at my school for our college group, but this is a war that should be squarely pinned on the elephant.

[EFerrari]

120. Oh, I agree with that! It should be. And that's in part what we're

asking Nancy to do.

And, you do remember Cindy at Camp Casey, don't you? Cindy and Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, work together and, iirc, have been arrested together during CP actions.

Check out this article about Camp Pelosi where CPers describe their support of Nancy and their stance on continuing to fund the occupation:

Police tell anti-war protesters to take down 'Camp Pelosi'
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/0...

[demobabe]

146. We need REPUBLICAN votes to end the war

Yes, Dems are the majority. But the voting rules aren't "simple majority."

We need REPUBLICANS to vote against the war, so we still need to be changing Republican minds. Pelosi is already on the bus and would end the war now if she knew we had the votes.

So what the critiques on this thread are saying is let's go change Lieberman's mind and work on the Republicans one by one.

The war is the product of the Republicans.

Why are we pinning it on the donkeys?

If you want to put on pink clothes and have a party, fine... but just know in terms of real action, this isn't doing it.

The only thing it's really doing is adding to the idea that Democrats can't get anything done, so we really need to vote them out in '08 and get some responsible Republicans in charge. They accomplish things.

[proud2BlibKansan]

110. Yes they do

but the press isn't as interested when they target republicans.

[Morgana LaFey]

66. I share their frustration with not being focused more on ending the war

Again: the Nov. election was decisive and a clear message to Bush. So the Dems make demands about ending the war and what does Bush do?

HE EXPANDS THE WAR, sends MORE troops. It was a finger in the eye, a Fuck YOU, Democratic Congress and People of America. Fuck YOU. I'll do what I damn well please and hurry up and send MORE troops just to make the case.

I don't say it's easy, or that they're not trying. I just don't think they get up each day with the question, "how many Americans will die TODAY for lies and subterfuge and because we Dems in Congress can't seem to marshall enough power to make the war go away?"

[mikelgb]

72. From the responses on this thread I can see that Code Pink's actions are vital

and they are already working before they even start

[Kolesar]

76. ...for getting themselves free publicity? The PETA strategy?? eom

[EFerrari]

79. Define "free". If you work you ass off and take money out of your

own pocket and support the events of other progressive oranizations, how is that "free" exactly?

[Kolesar]

80. We on the DU are wasting our bytes, neurons and time on Codepink's dodgy strategy

Dodgy in the sense that even if it goes perfectly for them it will be of scant impact.

[EFerrari]

81. If we're talking about it, it's having an impact.

peace, TBA

[cali]

88. Yeah, a NEGATIVE impact

DU far, far more liberal than the general public is even getting turned off to Code Pink. That's some job they're doing. My contempt for their tactics grows daily.

[SlowDownFast]

100. .

[enough already]

106. My RESPECT for Code Pink grows every day

They've got massive cajones.

[EFerrari]

121. There will be a "die in" on Saturday at Camp Pelosi jointly

by CP and other local activists.

I don't plan on dying myself but plan to be there as support.

[JI7]

128. massive cajones ?

what has that got to do with anything ?

isn't the goal to end the war ? they aren't helping in any way there.

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Doctor.]

84. I wouldn't have put it quite that way,

but they are certainly making a mistake with this.

It's a very bad idea to get in the way of those working to end the war just because they are impatient.

Now before anyone starts flaming, "YES! I want the war over 4 years ago too!"

But it can't be done with certainty right now. To make the attempt and fail would backfire horrifically.

[EFerrari]

86. Impatience has nothing to do with it. It's a bad bill with baggy

language.

It relies on Junior to tell Congress when the Iraqis are doing a heckuva job, for one thing.

That's bad writing.

I asked Nancy's senior staffer -- whom I personally like, btw -- yesterday why she would trust Junior with that step. And all I heard back was "benchmarks" and "date certain" when the bill is written to ensure no such thing.

And, to add insult to injury, our progressive reps are being threatened, not respected.

[The Doctor.]

98. Hmmm....

Are you saying that Pelosi abides by the DLC M/O?

I am absolutely against this war and was before it started, but is this a measure of the votes?

Seriously; I'm not familiar with the bill that you're referring to (that I know of), and I've been on DU several hours a day for the last week.

Could you clarify that for me?

As for the treatment of more Progressive reps; It would be highly inappropriate to threaten any legislator. I would like to know specifically what happened.

Don't take this the wrong way, you are certainly one of the posters I hold in most high regard. But you have raised an issue I know little about.

[EFerrari]

123. Two things: The language is baggy. The strategy as it was

explained to me is to hold Bush to the benchmarks he himself set out in a recent speech. That makes sense: let the mofo hang himself.

But, there is no mechanism in the bill to actually accomplish that when the time comes.

Second, Barbara Lee was threatened with being kicked off of the appropriations committee if she didn't fall in line, and abandon the amendment she and Lynn Woolsey wrote.

Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Miss Chybil]

87. I wish they'd quit trying to pin the war on the Democrats.

This is not our war. Why don't they protest the bastards who started it?

[EFerrari]

91. Because those bastards don't have the majority. n/t

[Mojorabbit]

107. Well looks like we have a bill

that is funding it for another year. I guess that makes it partly ours now. Code pink is not partisan. They are antiwar.

[The Count]

89. Love Code Pink, but the war is pinned to BFEE. Occupy offices of those who

don't want to stop it - Nancy said it's her first priority to do so - and does all she can.

[EFerrari]

93. Well, no. She's not doing all she can. n/t

[uppityperson]

104. She said she'd investigate Katrina and aftermath also.

Mr.bush said there are WMDs in Iraq so we have to invade. Words are easy. People, we the public, must hold them to their words and make sure their actions match. Pelosi is NOT doing all she can.

[wordpix]

145. I agree---Pelosi is in the middle of Dumbass's mess & unraveling it isn't easy

I would like to get out of his mess today but it didn't start in one day and won't end in a day, either. No one can wave a magic wand, to make the Iraq War go away, not even Nancy Pelosi, although we'd like to.

[seriousstan]

90. VOTE HERE >>>>>>>>>>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[bluedog]

92. Seen the web site and looks like all Democrats

have been protested and are being protested......

Senator Clinton

Senator Durbin

Congressman Schiff

Senator Obama

and 1 Gop'er

McCain

**********why no pictures of protesters against the GOP Senators and Reps?

[EFerrari]

94. Because minority Republican legislators don't respond to

progressive protestors?

Geezus.

[kath]

97. And maybe because, like many of us here, they are sick of the Dems letting

us down over and over again because they have no backbone (and they've been so busy keepin' that powder dry, and fear that it will happen again.

Lots of us Dems want the party to start standing for something - a good start would be to stand for the common people that they USED to represent, instead of the corporations. And of course to work hard to stop this fokkin' illegal war - which is why a lot of people voted Dem in November.

[progressivebydesign]

101. Typical dems.. we eat our own and wonder why we lose. n/t

[EFerrari]

122. Um, last time I looked, Dems won. And Code Pink is nonpartisan.

[Le Taz Hot]

132. We are under no obligation

to goose-step to anyone's party line. We lose because the current gaggle of DLC/Blue Dog Democrats are so afraid of their corporate masters pulling their campaign funding that they are ignoring the CLEAR will of the people. This is a democracy. It's our DUTY to speak out and if that happens to be against milquetoast members of our own party, who are accountable to us, so be it.

[Norquist Nemesis]

114. Dumb move. The only thing they'll accomplish is fodder for the RW

to use. Stunts like this really are ammunition for a divide and conquer; I agree with the others who say hit the GOP offices.

In a nutshell, hitting GOP is a nothing to lose strategy and everything to gain. But, hitting Pelosi's office is an everything to lose...including those on OUR side.

[JI7]

124. i question how these people want to actually end the war

i'm talking about being effective.

NANCY PELOSI ? she isn't the one who needs to be fucking convinced to end the war. if she was fucking president or could end it now she would.

[EFerrari]

127. Yes, let's just hand $100 billion dollars to the Pentagon

-- because you know, they're hurting -- and trust George Bush to tell us when those pesky Iraqis are doing a heckuva job.

And by no means should citizens get involved in policy decisions or strategy because that would be too much like democracy.

It surprises me that no one considers that as soon as the Democrats fund this debacle, it can and will be pinned on them. Oh, well.

[BlueManDude]

129. Attending a congressional hearing dressed for a costume party is a good way to be taken seriously

It was embarrassing watching that nutcase CodePink guy mumbling to himself, making odd faces and generally acting like a lunatic just over Condi's shoulder during her recent House testimony. Funny how they always manage to get the perfect seat isn't it. Did Rove himself escort that fool to his chair?

[symbolman]

137. They really shouldn't be doing this.

It's bizarre in my opinion..

Sorry to some of my friends on this thread, but this is bad PR all the way around.. they'll lose a lot of credibility on this, even from me, and I've met Medea many times.. filmed her, etc..

They seem to be having PR problems, directional indicators are off

Saying that they get no answer from Repigs so they should go after the LEFT is like a guy that can't get a ride hitchiking home on one side of the street so he goes to the opposite side of the street because there are cars THERE, nevermind his house is the other direction..

Please don't hurt me, but I disagree wholeheartedly on this, they'll be losing fans over this one, watch for it.. not good, they need their fanbase, etc..

[Norquist Nemesis]

138. With you all the way on this one Symbolman

Well said!

[EFerrari]

141. I understand you don't support this. But, here in the Bay Area

many of us are actually signing on with Code Pink because they are anchoring the left and not caving to rhetoric. I guess we'll see how it works out.

[DanWithAngel]

154. With those involved it is binary

I see your point. Caving in to the pro war side is not an option.

[EFerrari]

155. Welcome to DU, DanWithAngerl.

Hey, we could use that Angel around here today.

[DanWithAngel]

156. thank you. I'll share

The big news of funding, hostages and lions, tigers and bears is not lost on me. I'm with you in the seriousness of getting one's message out.

[Tatiana]

139. I have no problem with this.

Now when are they planning the sit-in at John Boehner's office????

[Jacobin]

148. the more pressure the better

Its just beginning. Wait til it gets to be like it was in the late 1960's and 70's