Brief report and a few pictures from Winter Soldier today

[proud2BlibKansan]

We weren't there for long. Took forever to get there on the subway and a bus that stopped every half block on a long route. But very much worth the effort it took to get out there.

There are 700 people in attendance. Lots of networking going on as well as the testimony many of you have been watching live online. (Thank you Hissyspit for keeping this important event at the top of the page.)





Carlos Arredondo lost his son Alexander in August 2004. He has literally been on tour ever since. His truck is more elaborate every time I see him. It's really hard to capture it on film. But I tried.








Carlos and other families affected by this war testifying.




Carlos showed a very touching slide show of Alex's life.




Some of the media.




Walked out in the hall and there sat Amy Goodman!




I will try to get better pictures tomorrow.

[Faygo Kid]

1. Thank you. I live in Silver Spring, but I can't attend. Thanks to all, but I want to be there.

Thank you for the great pics. I'm 56, a journalism BA, but can't be there, apparently. Can someone make an exception?

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. I had to jump through hoops to get in

They aren't letting anyone in who isn't registered. The Gathering of Eagles is there (all 38 of them) and one of them got in yesterday and disrupted the testimony. So they are being really strict about who they let in.

If you really want to go, just tell the security people at the door who you are and why you want to go in. The VVAW guys are running security. I know a few of them and they let me and my DH in and then we had to jump through more hoops at the registration desk. But is is possible. So don't give up. If you live nearby, it's worth trying. Testimony starts at 10 am tomorrow.

If you do decide to go, PM me so we can try to hook up.

[lonestarnot]

2. Very much looking forward to them.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Thank you!

[lonestarnot]

12. No. Thank you!

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. On the way back to our hotel, the subway was packed

with St Pat's party goers. It was such a striking contrast from the rest of our day. We sat and listened to some of the most horrific stories from vets, Iraqis and Gold Star families. Then less than an hour later, we are surrounded by young people wearing green and having a great time, completely oblivious to the tragedies a half a world away.

Definitely changed my perception of St Patrick's Day.

[Hissyspit]

4. Excellent. The Washington Post covered it and MSNBC added that article to their daily email.

Not enough coverage, but that's something.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. The Gathering of Eagles is marching tomorrow

So there should be more media coverage. As one of my friends said today, CNN and FOX will probably be there filming their march and then report that there are thousands participating in it. (There were all of 38 of the Eagles there yesterday.)

[ThatsMyBarack]

6. Good for Carlos for not backing down EVER!

I remember that story about how he got knocked around my pro-war facshits a year ago.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Carlos is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met

There is no kinder gentler man than Carlos Arredondo.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. video from Wash Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008...

[Fireweed247]

11. Those are great!

Thank you for supporting our brave veterans!

[The Straight Story]

13. Kick - Thanks for the pics from this

Look forward to more pics tomorrow.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. I'll try to get the Gathering of Eagles

all 38 of them.

[Breeze54]

15. I'm glad you went but how did you get in?

I thought it was closed to the public?

Great pics, proud2Blib. Thanks for sharing them.

& Recommended

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Friends

I have a couple friends in VVAW who are running security. But even then, they had to beg a pass from the IVAW folks for DH and I. I think if DH wasn't a vet they may have refused to let us in.

I can't blame them at all. The Gathering of Eagles folks are just outside the gate and they are so freakin nasty and hateful.

[GCP]

16. It's like there's a media blackout on this

Why aren't we hearing about it (apart from DU)?

[goddess40]

17. Damn liberal media

This a prime example that their is no liberal media

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Did you see this?

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

[madokie]

18. Recommend, n/t just tears

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. So glad you saw this

[JeffR]

22. K & R for these!

Great pix.

[babylonsister]

23. Thanks again, proud2Blib! Excellent pix! That truck...