John McCain: More Americans Getting On The Straight Talk Express & May Once Belonged to Mary the Mother of God

Happy May Day! This is the Month of Mary Mother of God in my faith. Back in the day, Catholic Churches in Chicago glutted the streets with processions of school children, the faithful, Knights of Columbus, politicians who wanted Catholic votes, and our friends and neighbors. The Church Militant became too self-conscious for socially sensitive Jocist priests trained to be more social worker than pastor. Such displays of faith were shelved. Priests now marched in International May Day Celebrations and the Catholic faithful at Visitation, Sacred Heart, St. Leo, St. Sabina, St. Cajetan, St. Brendan's, St. Justin Martyr, Little Flower, and the people of rest of Chicago's parishes could go scratch themselves. Father Guitar Mass, Knew Best. It was an Ecumenical Imperative!

Now, in their seventies, some of these same Jocist priests trained by Monsignor Hillenbrand in 1940's and '50's might be scratching theirs - feeling kind of forgotten.

Stanley Fish says 'ideas have no consequences,' boys. I wonder if you still might agree with the social Left these day. Billy Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn are doing splendidly. Give them a call this May Day.


Most Americans respect and admire activities in every Faith that bring people together. Americans of all Faiths are putting aside the 'childish things' of the 1960's and moving forward. The stupidities and arrogance that marked the social engineering fascism of the 1960's radicals are nothing if not childish.

Look at Ayers. A spoiled child of privilege who knew that he could always depend upon the power of his family's wealth and influence to get him out of any crime, Ayers planted bombs and orgainized armed robberies. Like any spoiled child, his tyranny over family affection won out. His violent tantrums were crimes against America including bombing and armed robbery. The Childish Thought Tyranny of the 1960's gave him a get-out- of-jail- free card with no expiration date.

The Democratic Party, my Party, like my Church, got itself all mired and muddied with 1960's nonsense and is paying the price in this election cycle. Obama and Clinton are as much a part of the 1960's nonsense as Billy Ayers and Pastor Wright, because they continue to pay lip-service to 1960's nonsense: Choice means Murder the Innocent; Government Payouts on Anything mean Progress; Anti-American Rhetoric Means Patriotism. Childish nonsense.

Service, Dignity, Commitment, Self-reliance, Responsiblity and Caring Stewardship are American Values - grown-up American Values.

America is growing up.

More Americans are turning to John McCain's values - those are our values. About time.

A relatively large minority of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (40%) say they have come to feel more favorably toward GOP presidential nominee John McCain in recent days; in a new Pew survey, among all Americans, about as many say that their opinion of John McCain had grown more favorable as say it has recently become less favorable (18% vs. 15%). By contrast, Americans reporting more unfavorable views of both Democratic contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, outnumber those reporting more favorable views in the survey. As is the case with Obama and Clinton, most Americans (61%) said their opinion of McCain had not changed recently.

Read More: Click my post title

Chicago Tribune Insulates Bomber Ayers

What a contemptible piece of hack work.

Today's piece on Bill Ayers, a domestic terrorist is absolutely the most gutless of mewings and as thin as the moral tissue of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board that no doubt issued the order to the writer and perfumed the adjectives and nouns according to the influence Ayers and his extended wealth bears on Tribune Editorial Thought.

Bill Ayers, a former radical leader turned academic and school reformer, has never been hesitant to speak his mind.

Although there has been no public response from him since his ties to Barack Obama — the two neighbors served on a charity board together for three years — were brought up during last week's Democratic debate, Ayers said Wednesday that he has a good reason for his silence.

Former Radical Leader - 100% False use of nouns and adjectives. What vomit!

Chicago Medill Media Mousepieces - linked to Ayers wealth at Northwestern and University of Illinois - have insulated these enemies of America and propped up their places as citizens of Chicago.

Readers deserve respect. The Chicago Sun Times is reaping the reward for its Editorial idiocies over the last few years and The Chicago Tribune now stands at the edge as well.

Stay friends with Ayers and Dohrn. Their wealth and influence is more important than truthful reporting.

Billy Ayers CUBA Jersey - Profound Apologies to all Cub Fans!

Two Happening Dudes!


Unrepentant Rebel - because he never had to face any consequences for his actions - Billy 'The Trust Fund Bomber' Ayers is sporting a nifty Cuba jersey and not as pointed out to me by White Sox Fan and American Hero, Marty Tully. CPD (ret.) Two Tour Green Beret Vietnam Veteran a Cubs Jersey.

Profound apologies to all Chicago Cub Fans! Bill Ayers is a Cuba Fan.

John McCain: Sen. Obama Hits the Canvas: Ayers Like Coburn?

Words Matter and so do the things that we do. In last night's debate, Senator, you said that Senator Tom Coburn was like a domestic terrorist and punk.

Senator Barack Obama - On the Left -The aging Cub fan, with happening ear jewelry, is domestic terrorist Bill Ayers; the punk in the mug-shot knowing Daddy has the bail, juice and lawyers to get him off is a domestic terrorist bomber Billy Ayers; the Doctor holding the Baby is Senator Tom Coburn.

Hillary didn’t let him off the hook, either, not when it came to Crackerquiddick or on the Wright Stuff. Noting that “you choose your pastor, not your family,” Hillary once again pounded Obama for not doing anything about Wright when he had the chance. She also jumped at the chance to note that former Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers was more than just a “neighbor”, as Obama described him. Hillary pointed out that Obama and Ayers worked on a foundation together for years, even after 9/11, even after Ayers said publicly that he didn’t regret his terrorism.
And what was Obama’s response? He compared Ayers to Senator Tom Coburn, who opposes abortion. Of course, Coburn hasn’t bombed abortion clinics, but Obama can’t tell the difference between a Senator and a terrorist. That won’t help him in Middle America either, and Coburn may have a few words for Obama after this night.

Hot Air 04/17/2008

You may say. Senator Obama could have peeled this spud a year ago, when Chicagoans like John Rubery, Anne Leary, John Powers, Tom Roeser, State Rep. Jim Durkin and about 88.6% of the Police, Fire, F.B.I., A.T.F, Cook County States Attorney Officers and Agents who live in my part of town were all talking about Billy Ayers and Obama. Jesus, I live near the former Cook County Sheriff, many of his officers, most of the Area 2 Violent Crimes Detectives, and waves of retired law enforcement professionals. These folks remember the number of fouls Evergreen Park Mayor Jimmy Sexton took from 1966-1970 while he shot the nets off of baskets at Little Flower Community Center. Don't you think that these women and men would remember a punk who bombed public buildings and had his old man 'reach out' - it's that old politics, Senator - to get the mixed up kid out of the jackpot?

Senator Obama, Billy Ayers is nothing like Senator Tom Coburn. He's not even like Stewart Levine or Tony Rezko. Bill Ayers is not even like his Old Lady - she did some time anyway. As far as similes go - I'd say that your campaign is about as done as Grandma Donahue's Pork roast - when it's smoking it's cooking; when it's burning it's done!

Here's what Tom Coburn is like - pretty good guy - which Bill Ayers is no where near.
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/


UPDATE - Apologises to Cub Fans - Billy Ayers is Sporting a CUBA team jersey!

John McCain: Obama's Remarks on 'the American Villagers' is from His Heart!

And," he concluded, "it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

The remarks could be political dynamite, with the Keystone State voting in just 10 days.

"Pennsylvanians don't need a President who looks down on them. They need a President who stands up for them, who fights for them, who works hard for your futures, your jobs, your families," Clinton blasted.

"As I travel around Pennsylvania, I meet people who are resilient, who are optimistic, who are positive, who are rolling up their sleeves," she added. "They are working hard every day for a better future, for themselves and their children."

Steve Schmidt, a senior McCain adviser, described Obama's statement as "remarkable" and "extremely revealing."

Barack Obama - The End of the Trail Speech. I'm feeling you, Senator.

Click my post title for the full Monty on Senator Obama's slight regard for all of us American Villagers.

Barack Obama was not only speaking to 'small-town' America, but the small towns that exist in Big Cities as well - we call them neighborhoods: Obama was talking to Dorchester, Queens, Staten Island, Pilsen, Canaryville, Brighton Park, Edison Park, Norwood Park, Evergreen Park, Morgan Park - hell every Park. Well, maybe not Hyde Park.

This was no Political Gotcha. This is Pure undiluted doctrine - Progressive doctrine. Obama lives this doctrine and it is from the heart - Words do matter. Barack Obama was speaking to his core constituency - Progressives. They are Gown elites - like his Hyde Park Neighbors in Chicago. Like Army brats, University Demographics - that's what smart types call people - tend to be transient - move around alot.

The Progressive demographic tends to be childless; Single or MNKs; college educated; transient; urban; spiritual but not religiously affiliated; professional; mistrustful of law enforcement and people who work in government; non-smoking; up-scale. Our Chicago Lakefront Wards and communities provide a good example - the trendier expensive neighborhoods, where much more disposable capital is enjoyed and where folks reside who make a lot of money - good jobs - and are not anchored to mortgages, schools and community roots, because they tend not to have children. Hence, an affinity for the Progressive Flagship like Planned Parenthood.

Progressives tend to look down upon the very religious, mostly high school educated, blue-collar, ethnic, close-knit, married people; who are, therefore, unfamiliar with the fitness gym/health club life style, due to raising many children in a thirty-year mortgage home, in these far less transient neighborhoods. The 'small town' places on big cities where the smoking ban is having a deep impact on bar owners: Norwood Park, Edison Park, Scottsdale, Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park Wrightwood & etc.

Progressives want Joe and Mabel Six Pack to not only recognize the ’shabbiness of their drab lives,’ but, also, agree with the Progressives that Abortion is a really good thing and that religion is the cause of most societal problems - that, and the fact of their being overweight- 'hate fat,!' under educated, under dressed and over populated. Progressives would rather see huge mastiffs in rastaurants, than Joe and Mabel's six kids. Joe and Mabel are told to keep their mouths shut while Obama conducts our 'current national debate on Race.' Michael Eric Dyson and Cornel West will tell Joe and Mabel just how much like Obama's Granny they are - start to nodding!

Progressives are far less interested in who the precinct captain might be, but they are really interested in Global issues ( like Faux Gras -and so should every other community!!!!

BTW - on all that Progressive demographic stuff - Read Joel Kotkin's studies of the American City. He's a demographer and social scientist - I'm just a guy who works at Leo High School. Gotta site ideas - I'm no Jayson Blair.

http://www.joelkotkin.com/


Obama was having a good old fashioned elitist Jaw-Fest! Obama was speaking to his Peeps! Bill Maher, Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann, Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn and all the educated and tweedy stiffs who universally kiss their waxed rumps. Obama's words come from the Heart - he really means what he said. I'm feeling you. You feeling me?

John McCain: Obama Shills Represent His Views

Air-America Big Mouth - Ed Schultz calls John McCain, who spent five and one half years being tortured by the North Vietnamese, a War-monger; Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D.W.Vir.)said that as a Navy Aviator John McCain dropped laser-guided rockets from 35,000 and gave no thought to the people he killed.

So, those are your guys, Senator Obama? I thought you were better than that. Oh, that's right! You also get along swell with domestic terrorists Billy Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn and then there's bat-guano crazy Uncle Jeremiah! Who else, do you have in the Yes, We Can Pantry? They'll probably pop out before the Pennsylvannia Primary - I'd count on it.

Senator Obama, the Apostle of Rev. Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has marked his ground with their comments and stands by them, it seems.

Clearly, Senator Obama, who has repeatedly argued on You-Tube that John McCain wants America involved in a 100 Year War in Iraq, relishes the positions of his surrogates and wants to position himself as the candidate of change.

Well, they love you at Huffington Post and MSNBC - The Tool Shed, but they are really not enough to carry you into the White House, Senator.

If that works for you Senator, good luck.

Ayers & Dohrn: Smug as a Bug in a Rug - Radical Down

I met a real rebel in 1974. Cornelius Enright, that was the name he went by, was a seventy something year old farm hand in County Kerry, Ireland.

As a young man, Con Enright fought the Black and Tans - the British Irregulars comprised of sociopaths and British Army misfits sent to terrorize the Irish during the Rebellion in the early 1920's. Mr. Enright belonged to one of 'The Flying Columns' commanded by Tom Barry and fought a guerrilla action through the mountains bordering Cork and Kerry.

When the British withdrew, Ireland went into Civil War - divide over whether or not to accept the Partition which created the Irish Free State in the southern counties and kept the Northern Ireland counties in the British Empire. Enright took the side of the rebels. He fought and was wounded in the City of Cork and imprisoned by his old comrades. Upon release, Enright continued to fight for a United Ireland.

In 1937, Enright went to Spain and fought for the loyalists against Franco. Was wounded and captured again and released, after a truce was declared. He was excommunicated from his Catholic Faith for siding with the Communists and had been a member of the British Communist Party.

In the late 1960's he returned to County Kerry and worked as a laborer on a cousin's farm outside of Brosna, County Kerry. He prayed the rosary every day, but never went to Mass. 'Once in - never out.' He was a cheerfully poor man. He was totally abstemious as far as alcohol and had been from childhood. He never took a drink in his life.

Then, there are the Chicago radical chic. Trust fund revolutionaries from the 1960's who played at revolution with real explosives and committed real crimes without the remote possibility of long-term harm to themselves or their wealth. Their Daddies, like Ayers' Pater used the long-arm and short pockets to see to that. Ayers grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in a highly privileged family (his father, Thomas Ayers, was Chairman and CEO of Commonwealth Edison) and attended Lake Forest Academy. Billy had the lawyers and the bankrolls to get them out of any high jinks and youthful indiscretions. Like These from Wikpedia:

According to Ayers' memoir Fugitive Days, he became radicalized at the University of Michigan. During his years there, he became involved in the New Left and the SDS.

Ayers went underground with several comrades including Brandy Diekman and Arion, after their co-conspirators' bomb accidentally exploded on March 6, 1970, destroying a Greenwich Village townhouse and killing three members of the Weather Underground (Ted Gold, Terry Robbins, and Diana Oughton, who was Ayers' girlfriend at the time). He and his colleagues invented identities and traveled continuously. They avoided the police and FBI while bombing high-profile government buildings—including the United States Capitol (two bombs on March 1, 1970), The Pentagon (May 19, 1972), and the Harry S Truman Building which houses the United States Department of State (on January 29, 1975)—along with several banks, police department headquarters and precincts, state and federal courthouses, and state prison administrative offices.[1][2] Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn raised two children, Zayd and Malik, underground before turning themselves in in 1981, when most charges were dropped because of prosecutorial misconduct during the long search for the fugitives.[

They had Chicago blue-stocking connections at the Universities; ink-clout with the Bohemian Dreams Media; seats on the Trust Fund Charitable Boards that have more power than any political machine. Talk about money laundering. Talk about nepotism! But Chicago's 'hard-hitting' investigative journalists have a huge red light in front of them where monied crumbs are concerned. Medill trained reporters and editors will not look into the clout babies of the Left. They will not look into the network of Radical lawyers who enrich themselves and create a Thug Comfort Zone in Chicago.
Hands Off! Basta Ya!

Dohrn and Ayers were trust funded into sinecures - almost like political no-show jobs at Chicago's universities. Chicago journalists are only interested in sitting outside a cop hangout to 'entrap' off-duty policemen.

Ayers and Dohrn are friendly with Barack Obama. He has to be friendly with opportunists like these two insulated phonies, because the teacup Revolutionaries who dominate Progressive Grassroots Lakefront, IVI, goofball politics, command that he do so. Barack Obama is no more tight with these too, than he is with Tony Rezko. He was pushed on these too by some Progressive dimbulb big shot- 'You MUST meet Bill and Bernardine they are soooo committed.' To themselves. Obama's problem is that he is not well served by his Campaign. A smart manager would have had him get way out in front on these two, instead of waiting for a dope like Hannity to shrill about them. These two are not worth it, but that's just me.

There is no way in hell that Barack Obama is joined at the hip with these too, faux freedom fighters. He met them and they gave to his campaign - pretty good metaphor at that - a husky $200. Bill spends that much on his tennis shoes. That shows the level of commitment these two phonies have toward anything that does not directly enrich or further insulate themselves. But that's just my opinion. All I know is what I read in the papers, which I mill through my experience - seeing what good people actually do for poor kids and meeting real Revolutionaries, like Con Enright.

Code Stupid Part-VII - Easter Attack Was Only a Test

Here is a salient point concerning future acts of terror by the Network that the Chicago Tribune's Stacey St. Clair told me in a phone conversation 'that we have no interest at this time in pursuing' -


The Chicago Police Department is getting tired. And the people of Chicago are taking notice of the growing effectiveness of anti-war actions. This effectiveness is contributing to citywide movements to pass legislation in the city that states the city will oppose a preemptive attack on Iran. It is fueling desires for more leaders to be outspoken on the war in Iraq.

The Network that planned and executed the terror attack on worshippers at Holy Name Cathedral this past Easter Sunday continues its war on America.

International Solidarity Movement - Kevin Clark ISM's Chicago Director is head of the effort - it seems. Kevin Clark was intrumental in getting people killed in Gaza in 2003.

Here is the full press statement by their spokeman - aniother Kevin:

March 24, 2008

Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War Disrupt Easter Mass

By Kevin Gosztola


At this moment, updates on the action are coming in regularly. The latest is that, according to one of the defendant's lawyers, at least one of the activists is being spat upon by the guards. Guards are also encouraging other inmates to "mess with" and abuse the defendant. As soon as enough funds can be raised, the activist being spat on will be the next activist bailed out of jail.

Those conducting jail solidarity for the activists are asking that people from the Chicagoland area willing to help bail the activists out of jail monetarily contact Tim Salemme at (773) 759 - 8399 to arrange a donation or email holyname6@riseup.net.

Now for those unaware of what started all of this or how several members of the antiwar movement in Chicago became involved in a battle to bail activists out of jail so they are not abused or "messed with", the story is as follows.

Six members of the anti-war group "Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War" staged a dramatic die-in on Sunday during the 11 AM Easter mass at Holy Name Cathedral. The group, in addition to calling for an immediate end to the illegal and immoral war in Iraq, decried Cardinal George's January 7th meeting with Chicago's Mayor Daley and President Bush.

Holy Name Cathedral is Chicago's largest parish and one where Chicago's most prominent Catholic citizens attend. The protesters knew these people would be in attendance and knew that press, which usually extensively cover the services, would be present when the "die-in" was conducted.


Easter services at Holy Name are traditionally one of the most heavily attended masses of the year, and this mass was no exception, with people packed wall to wall for today’s Easter morning holiday service.
The group of young activists, dressed in their Easter best, sat through the 11AM mass until George reached the homily. A few seconds into the cardinal’s main holiday message, the protesters rose from their seats, turned to address the thousands of parishioners in the auditorium, and talked about the continuing death of both Iraqis and Americans in Iraq as the war enters its sixth year.


The protesters then laid down in the aisles and discharged packets of fake blood that covered them in red. Stunned ushers rushed in after a moment or two to try to remove the protesters, and also brought in some Chicago police officers who were stationed in the lobby to help with traffic control for the overflow crowd. The protesters did NOT resist arrest, agreeing to stand up and walk out of the auditorium, where they were subsequently arrested by cops outside.
During a ten minute wait for the police to show up, the activists conducted a series of media interviews with local television outlets. When the police arrived, the cuffed protesters were loaded and taken to an area police station.

On Monday, the activists attended a hearing. The details, which happen to be posted in the comments section of this article, show just how hard the system is working to make an example of these activists.


(The) hearing was in regards to charges of felony defacement of property
at a place of worship in excess of $300; that makes the charge a Class III
felony. The fake blood allegedly used in the action stained the
auditorium's carpet and 14 chairs, incurring a $400 cleaning bill.
According to the prosecuting attorney, the cleaning failed and the carpet
will need to be replaced at a cost of $3000. Special conditions have been
set for all the arrestees which prevent them from having any contact with
Cardinal George, Holy Name Cathedral, or the area of 735 N. State Street.

The bond for Ephran, Regan, Mercedes, Ryane, and Angela is set at $25,000
each. Donte's bond is set at $35,000. In order to be bailed out, each
arrestee needs to post 10% of their bond. All told, we need to raise
$16,000.

All arrestees are scheduled to appear in court at Branch 42 on March 31st.

The six activists were put back in jail and people began mobilizing to get these young patriots out of jail. After all, as many will attest to, it was a nonviolent direct action. Being disruptive was the point and making a point, which they did, was also the plan. That this action was effective and that it has produced this editorial from Kathy Kelly (which can be found in the comments section) is a testament of how great of an action it was.

Dear Editors,

The six activists who raised their voices, during Cardinal George's Easter homily in Holy Name Cathedral, recalled suffering and carnage caused by the war in Iraq. They screamed. They poured "stage blood." They fell to the floor.

Under U.S. occupation, and as a result of U.S. economic sanctions and military war waged since 1991, Iraqis have seen horrific bombings outside and within their worship places, along with the physical and social destruction of their country. Iraqis have endured mass killing, kidnappings, torture, incarcerations without cause, and an almost complete breakdown of vital infrastructure services including electricity, sewage treatment, and health care delivery.


Take Action Now --- Call Cardinal George and demand charges are dropped: 312-751-8230 and submit letters of support to the local newspaper, Chicago Tribune

In the U.S. and in Iraq, arms ache for loved ones who will never return. Yet many of us may feel numb, even forgetful, regarding the terrible cost of this war. The Easter Sunday action at the cathedral gave us an opportunity to remember that we are a nation at war and to consider ways to follow Jesus' teachings, --to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, heal the sick, love our enemies and bless the peacemakers.

Many thanks to the courageous folks who participated in the action at the Cathedral on Easter calling the church to take a real stand against the war, not just give it lip service.

This was an action that was a gift to the peace movement. It was something to help it reenergize and reform the events the movement plans. (Some peace groups are still planning events as follow-ups to the recruitment center actions in Berkeley which occurred at the end of January and in the beginning of February. They were desperate for something new to happen that they could respond to.)

This action called into question Cardinal George (who still sees George W. Bush as a person worth holding meetings with even though he has shown no sign of being willing to repent for his sins involving the people of Iraq and the people of America) and the Catholic establishment of Chicago.

Cardinal George is cited as saying (this too can be found in the comments section) after the protesters were dragged out of the church by security:


"And so should we all, call for peace. Peace, is of course, the salutation that the risen Lord brings to those whom he has called to witness to Him. Peace, I give you, because they were afraid, and therefore they need to be gifted peace."

"They were afraid, first of all, of Him, because they didn't recognize him at first. But, they were afraid also, as we all are, of our sinfulness and of the enormous difficulties that are incumbent upon working for peace in the world in different ways in which people see the need to work for peace."

"In that witness, I think we can be grateful to those who interrupted this holiday."


Watch the video at
http://chicago.indymedia.org/media/all/display/29168/index.php

And so, it would appear that the peace movement got Cardinal George to rhetorically show he supports these activists in some way. In fact, he has taken an odd stance against the Catholic activists saying something like he does not support them because they disrupted worship but had they not disrupted worship, he would be on their side 100%.

In the context of the fifth anniversary, this is a stunning and unexpected action that took place.

Chicago's peace activists were out in full force in March 19th's permitted march held at night through the city after a rally in downtown Chicago. The peace movement did not quit after the permitted march was over and police were led willy nilly around the city as primarily young activists marched down the sidewalk back towards downtown from the spot where the permitted march ended. The event ended at the ABC7 Chicago news station where activists disrupted business as usual for the ABC News team by making the point that they were partly responsible for the continuation of this Iraq war.

The following day, March 20th, a slew of creative actions occurred. From Chicago Indymedia, this gives you an idea of what the Chicago Police Department had to deal with before arresting the Holy Name 6:

The first action of the day came early in a typically briskly cold Chicago morning during rush hour, as five people hurled a banner that read, “We Heard You Malachi,” at the Millennium Flame near the Kennedy Expressway. The banner was referencing the peace martyr Malachi Ritscher, who killed himself in a public suicide meant to express opposition to U.S. war policies in Iraq. Traffic police reportedly intervened to put a stop to the action in which no arrests were made.

About ninety minutes later, four people locked themselves arm-to-arm in front of local Congressman Rahm Emanuel’s (D-IL) office on Irving Park Road in opposition to his stance on Iraq. The Chicago-based groups the Christian Peacemaker Teams and Voices for Creative Nonviolence were reported as being behind the action whose participants were apparently all arrested. Around the same time, the northbound lines Lake Shore Drive were blockaded by a group with an unknown affiliation of about a dozen people, which according to corporate news accounts, reportedly resulted in a traffic accident.

By around 1:30pm in the afternoon, eight people at Federal Plaza stepped into the lobby of Federal Plaza requesting the presence of State Senators. Seven people kneeled down until they were arrested, including the likes of Voices in the Wilderness activist Kathy Kelly, one of the speakers and organizers of the permitted march on Wednesday. Kelly is a veteran activist who previously traveled to Iraq as one of the “human shields” and has been arrested within the U.S. on many prior occasions for past anti-war activism; as a result, Kelly may face jail time because of this latest arrest.

Other non-violent actions and small demonstrations, including a protest against Raytheon at the University of Illinois at Chicago and another one waged by Columbia College students against a recruiting station, were also held throughout the day.

Thursday’s actions in Chicago were part of a larger week of civil disobedience waged all across the country. One of the first acts of civil disobedience was undertaken against Chevron and Iraq war policies by the U.S. last Saturday, where up to fifty protesters locked themselves together in front of an Chevron-owned oil refinery in Redmond, California. In downtown Washington D.C. on Wednesday, up to thirty people were arrested that blockaded an Internal Revenue Service building. Over two-dozen people were arrested in San Francisco on Wednesday as well, in the midst of a die-in that completely blocked Market street in the downtown area. Five protesters who staged a sit-in at a Federal building in Wooster, Massachusetts were also taken into custody by local police authorities and arrested on Wednesday.

The Chicago Police Department is getting tired. And the people of Chicago are taking notice of the growing effectiveness of anti-war actions. This effectiveness is contributing to citywide movements to pass legislation in the city that states the city will oppose a preemptive attack on Iran. It is fueling desires for more leaders to be outspoken on the war in Iraq.

Take Action Now --- Call Cardinal George and demand charges are dropped: 312-751-8230 and submit letters of support to the local newspaper, Chicago Tribune

With the 4,000th casualty, another church in the Chicago area held the second protest in two days (although this one was supported by the church leadership). On a wall at St. James Episcopal Church in Chicago, 4,000 black squares, each inscribed with the name of a fallen soldier, were hung as a reminder of those Americans who have been lost in this war.

Says Michael McConnell of the American Friends Service Committee:

"I think we're at the place where the war is becoming very frustrating to many in our society and that we're going to see escalating actions of non-violence because this war has gone on for too long."
The people are tired of waiting for the media and the politicians to take the necessary steps to preserve what's left of this democracy and begin repairing it so future generations of Americans can have a future. They see how we have let a recidivist war criminal run this nation and its principles into the ground and see how the media has been complicit by refusing to cover real news, which is news that is necessary for Americans to preserve their freedom and democracy.

And the people aren't waiting for November to possibly see this war ended maybe by a candidate that gave an antiwar speech in 2002. They are interrupting Easter masses and shutting down businesses that are supporting operations in Iraq because they know that the only way to end this war is to make business and life as usual impossible---so impossible that our leaders respond by immediately withdrawing troops from Iraq, issuing reparations to Iraqis, and giving our veterans all the benefits they were promised before being deployed.

Take Action Now --- Call Cardinal George and demand charges are dropped: 312-751-8230 and submit letters of support to the local newspaper, Chicago Tribune


United States Office of Homeland Security, Cook County States Attorney, Illinois Attorney General, Illinois Secretary of State, Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weiss, Archdiocese of Chicago Law Office Take Action Now!

The Chicago News Media is not about to.

Code Stupid, Part VI: Snow Runs Off The Committed Mopes from Last Night's Action at Cardinal's Residence

My Godson, Bart, questioned the choice of 'domestic terrorist' in describing the violent assault on worshippers this past Sunday at the Easter Mass of Holy Name Cathedral by The Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War. Bart is a wonderful and thoughtful young man. Yep, domestic terrorist works here. Any act of violence perpetrated upon persons with no direct involvment in policy, strategy, or tactical involvement in any conflict is an act of terror. Bart thought that I have been watching too much Fox Cable News - Bill-O, Hannity, and that crew - the guys that Hate McCain. Not so, young nephew. I watch only local news NBC Channel 5, because the only news person with any brains or integrity is Mary Ann Ahern. But for comic relief, I tune in to the clown opera at MSNBC - The Tool Shed. MSNBC has more Tools on hand than the Sears Hardware Outlet on 111th Street.

Yesterday, the network sent out a press release calling for an 'Action' at Cardinal George's residence.

Didn't happen - the snow covered the commitment. 'These are Times that Try Men's Souls' and snow and Chicago wind off of LaSalle Drive and State parkway is tough on the timid.

Here is a report on the activities of the radical network that sparked the Easter Guerrilla Theatre:

First, we should examine the base element of the Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War and their supporters.

Catholic School Girls Against the War
The website for the Illinois Coalition for Peace and Justice (which evidently hosts the group’s Internet presence) describes the group as:

“...a humorous, political street theatre group composed of college students and young adults.”

It is obvious to even the most intellectually challenged that the designation “street theatre group” is an attempt to inoculate their actions; an attempt to re-define any of their civil disobedience – criminal acts – as “theatre.”

As far as the “humorous” description goes, I suppose humor is in the eye of the beholder, although I don’t believe that any of the young children in attendance at Holy Name Cathedral, children who were frightened by the actions of this group – in their place of worship, a place that is meant to provide sanctuary, found the splattering of fake blood and shrieks of agenda-driven insolence “humorous.”

Illinois Coalition for Peace & Justice
In their Structure & Statement of Values, the Illinois Coalition for Peace & Justice, which is linked to the Progressive Democrats of America website, claims their organization:

“...models a just and peaceful society...[resolving] to use our work in the Illinois Coalition for Peace and Justice as a model of equal and supportive relationships in a peaceful and just society...”

The ICPJ is by definition an anti-war protest organization. Where they claim to act as a coordinating organization, they facilitate the activities of a number of activist groups, including the American Muslim Council, the Campus Anti-War Network and Code Pink, to name just three.

Interestingly, their Structure & Statement of Values declaration says they:

“...work in common for: alternatives to militarism, global community, lives of active nonviolence, human rights for all, preservation of the environment...”

By disrupting a religious service and, in the process, creating fear among children and angst among adults, it is hard to see how the ICPJ – through its member organization, the Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War – promoted any of these tenets and/or values, especially “global community,” “nonviolence” or “human rights.”

International Solidarity Movement
The organization that sent a representative to act as a “witness” for the protesters, the International Solidarity Movement, is an anti-war organization but only where the United States and the West are concerned. In fact, it can be argued that they are vehemently anti-Western and anti-American.

The International Solidarity Movement is, according to Discover the Networks,

“...a radical, anti-Israel organization that recruits Westerners to travel to Israel to obstruct Israeli security operations...[they justify] Palestinian terrorism against Israeli civilians...”

Though the organization claims to adhere to a commitment to non-violence, its members openly call for the "liberation of Palestinians by any means necessary...[including] legitimate armed struggle."

One of the groups officials, Hisham Jam Joun, a veteran of the Marxist-Leninist terror group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, led pro-Palestinian protests against the Israeli security barrier.

In 2003, two British nationals executed a suicide bombing in an Israeli bar that killed three people and wounded more than 50. In the course of their investigation into the bombing Israeli officials discovered that the bombers had met with International Solidarity Movement leaders just prior to carrying out the attack. This prompted the Israeli government to formally accuse the organization of maintaining ties to Palestinian terror entities. Said one IDF officer:

“...as far as we are concerned, ISM is not an international organization or a peace organization. It's a pro-Palestinian organization, set up by Palestinians, funded by Palestinians and linked to Palestinian terror."

In addition, the group continues to advocate for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a leader in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. Barghouti was convicted of committing acts of terrorism and with the murders of 26 people through the facilitation of several suicide bombing events that took place in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

To put it mildly, there is nothing peaceful about the International Solidarity Movement or their actions. The causes for which they advocate are about as far away from “humorous, political street theatre” as one can get.

The Question of Constitutional Rights
The violent, intolerant, hypocritical and narcissistic nature of these groups exposed, the facet of this story that is truly shocking is this: These intellectually stunted malcontents attempted to deny the people attending Catholic Mass at Holy Name Cathedral their constitutionally guaranteed right to practice their religion, yet charges to this affect are not being explored. Instead they are being charged with felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanor simple battery.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This guarantee of non-intervention by government with regard to religion, speech and assembly has been interpreted over the years to provide for the sanctity of religious practice, the protection of free speech and the inviolability of peaceable assembly.

By interrupting a religious service on its most holy of days (the resurrection of Christ, signified by the celebration of Easter, is the most glorified event in the Catholic faith, not Christmas, which signifies the birth of Christ) the Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War denied the parishioners their constitutional right to freely practice religion, they denied Cardinal Francis George his constitutional right to freedom of speech and religious practice and both their right to peaceably assemble.

That federal authorities are not exploring the possibility of charging, not only the six malcontents from Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War but the leaders of both the Illinois Coalition for Peace & Justice and the International Solidarity Movement, with violating the constitutional rights of the Cardinal and the parishioners of Holy Name Cathedral is a testimony to how little value we place on our constitutional rights, how delinquent we are in understanding the ideology behind our constitutional rights and our apathy in defending them when they are attacked.

Ingenuous protest is one thing and it is perfectly acceptable, but anarchist indignance goes beyond anything that can be deemed acceptable. Charge them, prosecute them and make an example out of them.

by Frank Salvato

Frank Salvato is a political media consultant, a freelance writer from the Midwest and the Managing Editor for www.TheRant.us . He is a contributing writer to OpinionEditorials.com and AmericanDaily.com. He has appeared as a guest panelist on The O’Reilly Factor and his pieces are regularly featured in Townhall.com and occasionally featured in The Washington Times as well as other national publications.


http://www.opinioneditorials.com/guestcontributors/fsalvato_20080328.html

A young woman in New York, by the name of Katie O'Malley, offers this insight:

Once content to thump drums and dig deep for chants that rhyme, the “peace” movement’s foothold on the public soapbox has slipped. The peaceniks -- ANSWER, MoveOn.org, Code Pink and the rest -- are in the midst of very public identity crisis. They are facing, for the first time, visible and vocal opposition to both their words and their methods. And it has made them angry….very angry….angry enough to (pause for dramatic effect) use violence as an option!

As organizations have come together to face them in the streets (and have successfully released the left’s stranglehold on activism and the media) the lefties have revealed their inner violent streak to which they have always proclaimed an immunity.

We have certainly seen incidents of violence within the misnamed “peace” movement since its inception decades ago. These lovers of dialogue and group hugs have bombed buildings (just ask Obama’s “acquaintance” William Ayers of the Weather Underground), stormed institutions and screamed vile and evil comments to Vietnam Veterans, since they first began their activism. In Ayers memoir, “Fugitive Days,” he goes so far as to write, “I don’t regret setting bombs. I didn’t do enough.” At least he is honest about it. ( emphasis my own)
His disturbing perspective and the inherently un-peaceful legacy of the 1960s peace movement has been enthusiastically embraced by the newest generation, tutored by the aging hippies of yore.

A steady uptick in violence against the military has been unfolding in recent months. The recruiting station in Washington, DC at 14th & L, the site of a storming and trashing on February 15, received additional overtures of “peace” last week when rocks were thrown at the windows and the exterior of the building, DC Metro police and counter protestors there to support the recruiters, were covered in red paint lobbed at them. What happened to daisies? They don’t stain and they don’t hurt!

The Times Square recruiting station in New York was the site of a bombing on March 6. Recruiters in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Texas and Tennessee have all been the recipients of this special kind of leftist love in the last 12 months, just to name a few. Counter protestors in Berkley have not received hugs and love, but instead have been shoved and hit with signs proclaiming “Give Peace a Chance.”

Katie O'Malley of New York

Click my post title for more of Katie O'Malley's thoughts.