Toronto demo fragments into myriad issues at Peace activists rally

[Slim]

Peace activists rally

Toronto demo fragments into myriad issues

By BRODIE FENLON, TORONTO SUN

TENS OF thousands of people around the world yesterday protested the second anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In Toronto, several thousand peace activists from all walks of life shut down the downtown core as part of the global protest.

A parade the length of two city blocks composed of students, trade unionists and peace demonstrators of all ages took over the main arteries around Nathan Phillips Square, where they rallied before and after the march.

They joined protesters in 44 Canadian cities, another 725 demonstrations south of the border and tens of thousands of peace activists in Europe -- including 45,000 Britons who marched past the American Embassy in London to Trafalgar Square.

Darrell Anderson, a Kentucky soldier who fled to Canada to avoid returning to combat in Iraq, said Canadians must stand firm against American pressure for greater military involvement in the Middle East.

"You've got to stop this war because it's at your front door," said the 22-year-old man as he helped lead the Toronto march. "It's only a matter of time before they send Canadian troops over to these places."

'ABOUT OIL, MONEY'

Helen Manning, 48, a rehab counsellor from Hamilton, joined friends on one of two buses organized by the United Steelworkers Union for the Toronto action. "The Iraq war is about oil, money and George Bush's own ambitions," said Manning, carrying a rainbow flag with the word PACE -- Italian for "peace."

Warren Brubacher, 46, of Toronto, waved an upside-down American flag during the rally to symbolize the U.S. "as a country in distress" due to the Iraq war, a lack of gun control, poor access to health care and what he views as the current Republican-led "attack on women's rights".

Indeed, activists rallied for a variety of other causes, from the legalization of marijuana to an end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Speaker Ali Mallah, chairman of the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Arab Federation, railed against former police chief Julian Fantino and the Ontario government for taking part in a trip to Israel this month to study security.

"Shame on them for learning security from an occupier and an oppressor," he said.

The march was organized by the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War -- which estimated a 7,000-strong turnout.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2005/03/20/967052-sun.html

The phrase "lost but making good time" comes to mind! (later) Now I've just seen video footage of the protest here in Toronto and shots from the one in London. I think Winston Churchill said it best when he proclaimed "The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."

Slim

 

[Freddy Chef]

...TENS OF thousands of people around the world yesterday protested the second anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In Toronto, several thousand peace activists from all walks of life shut down the downtown core as part of the global protest.

A parade the length of two city blocks composed of students, trade unionists and peace demonstrators of all ages took over the main arteries around Nathan Phillips Square, where they rallied before and after the march...

What is going through these peoples' heads? Exactly what did they productively accomplish? â ?If we whine, and complain loud enough, people will listen to us and cave into our demandsâ ?? Hate to see what type of parents these people make.

...'ABOUT OIL, MONEY'

Helen Manning, 48, a rehab counsellor from Hamilton, joined friends on one of two buses organized by the United Steelworkers Union for the Toronto action. "The Iraq war is about oil, money and George Bush's own ambitions," said Manning, carrying a rainbow flag with the word PACE -- Italian for "peace."...

They always seem to forget that Saddam Hussein was a legitimate threat, and had to be removed. The WMD claim will always be the albatross of this war. Meh, Hussein isn't in power anymore, Bush was re-elected, so the WMD issue really doesn't matter.

If Op: Iraqi Freedom really was all about oil and money, I don't see what all the protestors a b*tching about. The buses that took Helen Manning and friends from Hamilton to Toronto, for the day of the protest, are dependent upon petroleum. I'm willing to bet the same people who chant â ?No blood for oil!â ? would also complain whenever gasoline prices increase. As maudlin as â ?Fighting a war to defend our way of lifeâ ? is, it is horribly applicable regarding Iraq.

I wonder if all this protesting will turn back time and change things? I wonder if these people really believe that their fragmented, pseudo-consequential complaints will be listened to? If they just want to vent, and want the rest of the world to be their therapist, we aren't being paid enough for it!

 

[Michael Dorosh]

I thought the suggestion that the war was for "George Bush's own ambitions" was highly amusing.

He is President of the only superpower on earth.  What ambitions could he possibly have now?  He's handing back power in Iraq as fast as he possibly can...

 

[Torlyn]

Darrell Anderson, a Kentucky soldier who fled to Canada to avoid returning to combat in Iraq, said Canadians must stand firm against American pressure for greater military involvement in the Middle East.

"You've got to stop this war because it's at your front door," said the 22-year-old man as he helped lead the Toronto march. "It's only a matter of time before they send Canadian troops over to these places."

I love the fact that this jackass still has the cahones to tell Canada what to do...  Perhaps you should be protesting in the STATES??  I wish we had extradition for AWOL'ers...

Helen Manning, 48, a rehab counsellor from Hamilton, joined friends on one of two buses organized by the United Steelworkers Union for the Toronto action. "The Iraq war is about oil, money and George Bush's own ambitions," said Manning, carrying a rainbow flag with the word PACE -- Italian for "peace."

Wow.  I was unaware that George Bush intimated his plans and ambitions to rehab consellors in Canada.  Rather nice of him, isn't it?  As for the Steelworkers Union...  It might just be me, but don't the machines of war require a fair bit of, well, steel?  Biting the hand that feeds, perhaps.

Speaker Ali Mallah, chairman of the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Arab Federation, railed against former police chief Julian Fantino and the Ontario government for taking part in a trip to Israel this month to study security.

"Shame on them for learning security from an occupier and an oppressor," he said.

You mean, we shouldn't try to learn security from a country that's been surrounded by many other hostile nations, and has had to deal with terrorist threats for decades.  Perhaps we should be going to Switzerland to learn these things???  And why would you protest someone who's no longer in power?  I mean, should I be able to protest Sir John A. because he created confederation, and I don't believe in it now?  (An example only...

I can only sigh and roll my eyes at these people...  They definitely detract from functional protesters, don't they?

T

 

[Fishbone Jones]

They remind me of Dharma's father on Dharma & Greg ;D

 

[Torlyn]

They remind me of Dharma's father on Dharma & Greg ;D

People actually watch that show? 
T

 

[Michael Dorosh]

People actually watch that show? 
T

One or two of them are even heterosexual.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Nope. Just remember him as being completley addle brained and mentally out of touch with even the most current conversation.

 

[Torlyn]

Nope. Just remember him as being completley addle brained and mentally out of touch with even the most current conversation.

Are you talking Dharma and Greg or about some people in the Political section of army.ca?? 

T

 

[PPCLI Guy]

What is going through these peoples' heads? Exactly what did they productively accomplish? â ?If we whine, and complain loud enough, people will listen to us and cave into our demandsâ ?? Hate to see what type of parents these people make.

They probably thought that their primary accomplishment was to hold a contrary view, and be given the freedom to express it.  Works for me. Its kinda why I joined up.

Dave

 

[S McKee]

I watched the news coverage it seems to me that most of these demonstrations consist of: A. students  who haven't been around long enough to contribute anything worthwhile to society, pay taxes or vote; B. old hippies pinning for the sixties; and C. rabble rouser's who would look for any excuse to don a gas mask and act like a shithead. This blood for oil bit is very tiresome and to suggest the GWB personally benefits from the war is ridiculous. It all boils down to US and Israel =evil. Despotic/ theocratic states =good (as long as they're anti-US.) Time for these people to pull their heads out of their collective asses.

 

[COBRA-6]

I walked by the same group of clowns in downtown Ottawa yesterday... it looked like halloween, with all sorts of elaborate costumes, masks, black bandanna's over their faces, etc... as much as I wanted to stand there and shout at them, I know it would be like talking to a wall... where were these people when Saddam was torturing and murdering Iraqis? Where do they get the idea that they "know" what is going on in Iraq, or what Iraqis want??

My barber, who I see on a weekly basis, is an ex-member of the Iraqi Navy, and who's family (including his wife) is still in Baghdad. He's been home since the war ended, and said things are a great deal better now that Saddam is gone... sure there is some violence, but there was violence under Saddam, and a great deal of fear as well. At least now the people have hope, and that is more valuable than temporary security to those who've lived their lives under the boot of a tyrant.

The protesters seem to have the "I'm 16 and angry at my father" syndrome... they know they're mad about something, but not exactly sure what it is... but they're gonna make a scene anyways...

 

[Lost_Warrior]

there is some violence, but there was violence under Saddam

Not the kind of violence there is now.  Had something of an insurgency risen in Iraq, Saddam would have crushed it like he did the first resistance after Gilf War 1.

The protesters seem to have the "I'm 16 and angry at my father" syndrome... they know they're mad about something, but not exactly sure what it is... but they're gonna make a scene anyways...

Dude...what protest were you watching?  Your average protester is some college hippie with views on how everyone should be happy happy joy joy, flowers and fluffy bunnies, but no government to govern and protect the people....not some zit faced 16 year old...

 

[Infanteer]

PPCLI Guy is right to point out that these people are executing a democratically protected freedom.

I only wish that "freedom to protest and dissent" was matched by "responsibility to hold one's opinions up to critical thought" - which clearly many of these folks have failed to do.

I've met plenty of folks putting on displays in my old Student Union Building who were capable of engaging the public in informed debate (and contrary opinions) without having to march around shouting tired old slogans.

 

[COBRA-6]

Dude...what protest were you watching? Your average protester is some college hippie with views on how everyone should be happy happy joy joy, flowers and fluffy bunnies, but no government to govern and protect the people....not some zit faced 16 year old...

I wasn't referring to the protester's age, but their attitude...

 

[Jarnhamar]

"You've got to stop this war because it's at your front door," said the 22-year-old man as he helped lead the Toronto march. "It's only a matter of time before they send Canadian troops over to these places."

And when we get our orders to deploy, unlike him we will perform our duties as soldiers.

Hippies are a pretty stupid stereo-type. I've talked to many regular and reserve soldiers who consider themselves hippies and are into love and peace

being a soldier doesnt mean you love war and death and violence. Being a soldier means you understand that sometimes to obtain peace you need to fight for it.

 

[PPCLI Guy]

I only wish that "freedom to protest and dissent" was matched by "responsibility to hold one's opinions up to critical thought" - which clearly many of these folks have failed to do.

Are you suggesting that with rights come responsibility? 

 

[Infanteer]

Bizarre concept, I know - especially in the sheltered, rights-laden fireproof North American house....

 

[Slim]

If they were really about peace they probably wouldn't bother me as much as they do...The fact is that they are about stirring shit and acting out...and enjoying it immensely, and HIDING the fact under the banner of Peace.

Ever notice that when you try and talk to them it has to be their way or no way?!...Not the mark of someone who REALLY WANTS change in the world...

Slim

 

[Britney Spears]

I apprieciate all of you bending over backwards to appease the peacenik crowd. Trying desperately to hide the real reasons you joined up, in order to not offend anyone's sensibilities. "Sometimes, violence is neccesary......" "Ultimately, we fight for peace....."

Fsuck that,  I'm still young, I was young when I joined. I joined to shoot stuff and blow stuff up and I love it. I think it's FUN. 

If that makes me an evil monster and you don't want to hold hands with me, well so be it. At least my viewpoints and actions are internally consistent.  ;D,


As an ardent opponent of the Iraqi Invasion and a fan of Micheal Moore, Its a pity that these folks are the ones who choose to represent me.