A Protest at the National Mall

[TMA1]

Hey guys, this is my first post here at Democratic Underground. So far I have been received warmly and I just wanted to thank you guys for that! Enough of that stuff though. Ill get on with what I wish to say.


Wait, before I do say this, I just want you guys to know that I am still really rusty in regard to the amount of knowledge I have concerning current affairs in the political realm. Heck, what I am about to ask may have already happened and I had no idea! So if I come off as a bit ignorant, that is just the reason why, I am a bit ignorant.lol


What I am really curious about is this. Why is it that we have not yet seen a huge protest at a place like the National Mall? Maybe it is the lack of information given through the mass media, but it seems that the strength in mind and numbers is lacking when you compare to the sheer amount of voices heard during the Vietnam War. It seems that protests these days are not as unified, at least not as unified by one all encompassing counterculture. Is this because there isnt as much of a generational culture shock as their was during the mid 60s?


Also on a side note. Where do you guys go to get the news that isnt much talked about through mass media outlets? There must be at least some of you guys that not only look at the extreme left, but also to the fringe right groups for info. Basically what I am asking is this. Are there places online where you can find gems of really good info involving politics and philosophy? Where do you guys find your info? I guess that last statement sums that whole paragraph up.


I have many more questions, but questions can always wait. Anyways I hope this was the right place to ask these questions, and thanks very much guys!



Cheers: Titus

[blonndee]

1. If by "huge," you mean 300,000+ , you missed it.

September 24, 2005.

I'll let someone else respond on your other questions.

[TMA1]

3. wow

hmm, I dont even vaguely remember this protest. I guess this means I sound completely ignorant. I warned you guys though. ;)

and thank you for letting someone else respond to my questions, very informative. ;)

[ThomWV]

5. Its Not Your Fault

The news shows didn't cover it at all. We (a friend and I) went and I'd have estimated the crowd to be closer to half a million. On the news that night they mentioned that there was a protest, not much more than that.

[blonndee]

6. I remember my friend and I got up early the next day to see if CNN

would cover it. Barely got a mention, but they did make sure to give "equal time" to a counterprotest on the 25th. A teeny-tiny, little pathetic gathering!

Ah well, being there was worth it, no matter how deliberately they ignored us! :)

[mod mom]

12. There was definitely a news blackout on it. It was incredible to be among

so many like minded people. My husband and I took our kids 7 and 9 yo. I would say what surprised me about the march was that the participants were older (more 30-40-50's) that I would have thought. I felt we needed to get more young people involved.

[blonndee]

7. Well,

I'm not obligated to respond to all or part of your questions, you know. I noticed you criticized another poster's response, too. For a new guy, you sure feel comfortable criticizing DUers.

[TMA1]

11. I apologize

I had no idea that DUers had a certain etiquette. I didnt mean what I said as an insult, in fact I thought I was being mocked, my fault. But after a few post, some of you DUers seem a bit xenophobic. :)

[patrice]

13. People do come here purposely to create tension and even

cause trouble. They're called trolls and sometimes they seem to be someone who attacks others and sometimes they may be the ones who claim to be insulted. It's hard to tell what's going on sometimes unless you know the people involved.

I'm sorry; there ARE people who enjoy hostility and it makes *everyone* kind of edgey, sometimes quite un-necessarily.

[babylonsister]

9. This will give you an idea, and welcome to DU:

[Postman]

2. I get all my news from Faux News because they're fair and balanced...

eom

[TMA1]

4. hmm

fox news is beyond scorn. The things that are said on their broadcasts are beyond me. It reall is it's own satire.

work on the satire postman.



any constructive info out there??

[bronxiteforever]

8. as to the vietnam analogy-there is one word answer "draft"

If there was a draft. the country would be torn apart by demonstrations-people like Bolton, Limbaugh and others were able to desperately duck service in Nam but they had to affirmatively duck it-there was a chance your number would come up and you would be in the army-now we have a fighting maid service of volunteers which came into being via Nixon. in the 1960s students didn't want their asses shot off in Nam-in the words of our UN Ambassador Bolton on why he didn't serve, "I didn't want to die in a rice paddy".
I think there are many other reasons but my guess is many young repugs would become democrats over night if there was a draft- nowadays its easier to be brave with other people's lives if you don't have to go. I will let others answer other questions.

[patrice]

10. April 29, 2006 300,000 people on Broadway from appx 20th street

to Foley Square. I was there.
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3262

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/Patrice88/NYCApr2906/

This was the biggest one I've been to, but I started going to Peace rallies in D.C. in October 2002. About 200,000 gathered in D.C. in BITTER cold in January 2003.

I've been to 5 national rallies, none smaller than 100,000.

http://wydeyed.com/Pictures/Pictures.html

The press does not report them.

Part of the problem with unity in the Peace movement is that the two major organizations, United for Peace and Justice, link above, and Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, A.N.S.W.E.R.,
http://www.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ANS_homepage&JServSessionIdr004=j7bxubckv2.app6a
are about as opposite in their group dynamics as any two groups I've ever seen together. There are problems between them.