Kent State: "They Can't Kill Us All" (Rep. Alan Grayson)

[laststeamtrain]

Rep. Alan Grayson
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Central Florida (FL-8).
Posted: May 6, 2010 12:58 PM


Kent State: "They Can't Kill Us All"


Tuesday marked 40 years since the Kent State Massacre. It was one of the most important moments in American history, triggering the only nationwide student strike we've ever seen, animating the antiwar movement, and ultimately ending the war -- four long years later.

It was also one of the saddest moments in American history: our soldiers killing our children.

I worked with Rep. Tim Ryan, who represents Kent State today, to pass a House resolution yesterday memorializing the event. But I felt that wasn't enough. So I gave this speech on the Floor of the House last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebJEIHetY4


My father was a history teacher. I sometimes wonder what kind of speeches he might give, if he had been elected to Congress instead of me. It's too late to ask him -- he's been gone for ten years. But last night I gave the speech that I thought he might give, explaining what Kent State meant then, and what it means today. This one is for you, Dad ... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-alan-grayson/kent-state-they-cant-kill_b_566226.html

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[PSzymeczek]

1. Really good conversation on this

over at DKos.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/5/6/103349/4782

[laststeamtrain]

2. Thanks for the link.

I noted this description:

The hard hat riot:

At 7:30 a.m. on May 8, several hundred anti-war protesters (most of them high school and college students) began holding a memorial at Broad and Wall Streets for the four dead students at Kent State....
At five minutes to noon, about 200 construction workers converged on the student rally at Federal Hall from four directions. Nearly all the construction workers carried American flags and signs that read "All the way, USA," and "America, Love it or Leave it."...

After two minutes, however, the workers broke through the police line and began chasing students through the streets. The workers chose those with the longest hair and swatted them with their hard hats.<5> Attorneys, bankers and investment analysts from nearby Wall Street investment firms tried to protect many of the students but were themselves attacked. Onlookers reported that the police stood by and did nothing...
Rioting construction workers also attacked buildings near City Hall. They ripped the Red Cross and Episcopal Church flags down from a flag pole at nearby Trinity Church. One group invaded a nearby Pace University building, smashing lobby windows with clubs and crowbars and beating up students. ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Hat_riot
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These people are still around. Posting. A reactionary force fighting progress. More neocon than democrat.

Eventually someone will win the 'culture war'. I think of Flo Reece's old union song: Which Side Are You On?

[Demeter]

3. But They Have Been Trying for 40+ Years Now

and some wonder why there is a generation gap.

It was at this point that America contracted a fatal fascism.

[awoke_in_2003]

4. 21 recs...

needs some more kicks.