Anti-war vets banned from Calif. parade

[unhappycamper]

Anti-war vets banned from Calif. parade
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 8, 2007 15:45:57 EST

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Anti-war vets have been banned from marching in the 11th Veterans Day Parade in Long Beach.

A participation application filed by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out was turned down because organizers want Saturday’s parade free from politics.

“They do not fit the spirit of the parade, the spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done,” said Martha Thuente, coordinator for the nonprofit Veterans Day Parade Committee.

“We do not want groups of a political nature, advocating the troops’ withdrawal from Iraq,” she added.

Some veterans and anti-war groups were unhappy.

“It’s a violation of democracy, the whole concept which we are allegedly dying for,” said Adrian Novotny, a Vietnam vet and local president of Veterans for Peace. He said it was particularly frustrating because the group was allowed to march in the parade last year.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_vetsbanned_071108/



uhc comment: The American Legion will not allow the Veterans For Peace to march in the Veterans Day parade in Boston. The IVAW & VFP will be marching behind the street sweepers (again).

[democrank]

1. Such bullshit.

Good grief....don`t let any voices in that might not approve of this whole cannon fodder thing!

[Gman]

2. Well, let's just stick our heads in the sand and pretend there is no war

[Journeyman]

3. Ahem. The 11th day of the 11th month was originally Armistice Day. . .

as close to a holy day as a secular society can attain, a day dedicated to honoring the end of war and the eternal pursuit of peace. But then some political yahoos got the gumption to pervert it, and instead of retaining the memory of Veterans on Decoration Day in the Spring, they mucked it up with Memorials at the Start of Summer and a day for all the old coots in late Fall. Never mind Mr Lincoln gave us a perfectly fine holiday for all sorts of emotional outpouring at the end of November, these damn gumbas felt the need to piss on Peace and replace the Armistice with a day for making every Old Soldier feel important -- even those who didn't do much or did their bit behind a desk situated six time zones from hostilities. Now they dictate how citizens can honor the living and the dead, as though democracy -- which is never pretty -- can or should be restrained and gentrified. As though all soldiers agree with all idiotic acts. As though those with brains should check them at the door along with the grey matter left behind by the so-called "defenders of what's right." As though anyone can effectively speak for any other.

Take back Armistice Day. Give us all -- soldiers and citizens alike -- give us all peace. Or take it if we must.

[Hekate]

4. Some tried to do that here in SB, but last I heard VFP Chapter 54 worked it out

In fact, someone tries to bar the VFP from marching in the parades every year--Veterans Day and 4th of July both. This year it came down to one influential couple pitching a bitch, but they finally had to back down.

F' cryin' out loud.

Hekate