I hope coverage of this event will not start yet another shitstorm in the firmly divided WA Kossaks contingent! I respect all, but we have differing perspectives. I understand that politics is a balance between idealism and practicality, or even cynicicm; we each have to decide.
*****
A coalition of peace activists gathered on a Friday afternoon in Seattle. The occasion was a fundraiser for Senator Maria Cantwell, featuring everyone's favorite lightning rod, Hillary R. Clinton. Seattle Times coverage here.
Details & photos below:
Conversation #1: On the bus to the Qwest event center, a man rolling his own cigarettes told me I looked like the author of "Women who Run with Wolves." That led to a description of the book, which segued into a discussion of Karl Jung.
I told him I was on my way to the Cantwell fundraiser to protest. The cigarette-roller and several others listening, including the bus driver, weren't aware that Cantwell WAS pro-war. She prefers to avoid the subject--maybe that's why. They must not have read her statement quoted in the P-I last week, or my letter in response to that.
A number of people called or emailed to thank me for that letter, including Mark Wilson, a member of Veterans for Peace and a controversial challenger to Cantwell's nomination.
The bus people wished me luck.
Conversation #2: A woman on her way into the fundraiser early told me "I am a peace activist, like you." She showed me her pin. She said she intended to support Cantwell, get her elected, then AFTER the election direct her to a more antiwar position (how?). She said that fighting Cantwell would weaken her, and after all, we don't want a Republican to win, right? And that she didn't want to "embarrass her."
I said any elected official knows that confrontations with dissenters might occur...it goes with the territory. But in any case, our messages were not ugly or profane, although they did make a strong statement of protest. She was glad the signs weren't mean, but still was concerned about `embarrassing her".
She said that Maria could not "appear weak," because that might endanger her re-election. I suppose she meant that the mythical "Eastern Washington swing voter" would vote Repub in a minute if Maria didn't stand firm on her pro-war position (such as it is). Was this woman imagining that Maria was, deep down, against the war, but must "act tough" to get re-elected? Or did she mean that the very existance of protest erodes Cantwell's image, thus we should desist?
I said I felt Cantwell's pro-war position was a liability, not a strength, considering the bad news from Iraq we hear about almost daily in recent months. She can't defend it; every rationalization has been debunked [Murtha plus military, diplomatic & intelligence experts]. And how long can she refuse to discuss it?
I wondered, how are we to influence her after the re-election? What would be her incentive to change after the election, when her job will be secure for the next 6 years?
The woman said for third time she didn't want to "embarrass her," then hurried into the building.
Someone is fully aware of the horrifying chain of events the invasion and occupation has unleashed--yet is more worried about the "embarrassment" of a highly-placed U. S. politician who has colluded in this? Is it acceptable to sacrifice an unknown number of U.S. troops & Iraqis, and spend more useless billions, so a Dem politician will not lose face?
She's looking at one kind of "big picture"--let's elect a Democratic majority--and I'm looking at another kind of "big picture"--let's force politicians to face the truth.
Conversation #3: I asked a familiar-looking blonde woman striding toward the fundraiser: "Aren't you Darcy Burner?" Yes, It was.
I told her I was host of West Seattle DFA, and my group had been discussing this 8th District race (Darcy is challenging Rep. Dave "I Caught the Green River Killer" Reichert, former sheriff). She smiled warmly, gave me her card with personal email, and she would love to meet me for coffee. Just the way a candidate is supposed to act.
At the protest:
Members of several local peace groups were there, (of course all were those who could get the afternoon off) I'm guessing about fifty.
The Backbone Campaign and Stand Up Seattle made an appearance, as they do at all such events. Both had large banners. The BBC banner urged a filibuster against Alito. (The 3 people holding the banner wore English Bobby helmets and I'm not sure why.) So far that day, Cantwell had not committed to a "No" vote, much less a filibuster. We couldn't understand why she was waffling on this...
Many people admired my signs. One women eagerly borrowed the "See No Evil" sign, but a short time later returned it, saying that she had seen someone video-taping and she did not want to be recognized. Ha! Too late. I saw this woman holding my sign (for 2 seconds) on the Channel 4 Evening News.
My friend "Eddie" held this two-sided sign that I had made.
In the other pictures he looks even more psycho than here, but actually was having a grand time singing and dancing. He got the attention of several photographers, including on from the U-W Daily.
Another friend wore a Bush mask and a sign "Hilary & Maria, Thanks for the War Votes."(It could've been "Thanks for the Support"--even better. Because their support long AFTER the war votes is what really galls us!)
We discussed later that costume pieces, creative signs, and singing or dancing get more friendly responses than crying out at the passers-by, which sounds like heckling even if it's peaceful in nature.
We did do some chanting led by the bullhorned Bill Moyer of the Backbone Campaign: "Filibuster yes, Occupation No!" and "Seahawks yes! Dem hawks no!"
The hundreds of fundraiser attendees who had to run the gauntlet of protestors were about 90% women; some looked a little startled but ignored us. Just one woman cried out, "Thanks! Good for you!" She happened to be non-white, maybe the only non-white attendee...
Cheers burst from the protestors when we caught sight of our hero: Rep. Jim McDermott. "Go Jim!" I squealed like a schoolgirl. He smiled broadly and waved at us.
As usual, it's difficult to be a good photographer while also participating in the event, but I did my best. There were restraining barriers, but I stepped out from behind the barrier and wandered all over taking pictures, even accidentally bumped into a few people on their way in, and no one paid attention, although a few cops were present.
A group of young Republicans protested Cantwell from the other end of the spectrum. "Too extreme"? They're saying she's too left-wing!?
"Took Abramoff money"? She didn't, but returned some money from Indian tribes, which makes it look like she DID do something iffy. Patty Murray refused to return money from tribes, saying there is no evidence that money from tribes is tainted money.
"Commie=Clinton"? Huh? Isn't red-baiting so very 80s, or 50s, or 30s? Who does that any more? Not very sophisticated smears there. If Hillary's got a Pinko bone in her body, I'm Tondelayo the Jungle Princess.
"Eddie" spent a while talking to these people and got some insights into the workings of their muddled right-wing minds. I didn't get a chance to hear these...
Playing Devil's advocate, I suppose Cantwell & Clinton would say: "We're criticized by extremists on both ends of the public, so that proves we're in the middle!" Not in the middle of Democrats, however.
When the attendees were all in, some of the protestors gathered at another entrance with lots of windows where we could be seen from inside. But then security politely told us we'd have to stand 10 feet away.
****
A variety of signs...
MORE PICTURES HERE.
I suggest:
- Don't use vertical lettering, or a combination of horizontal, vertical and diagonal. It's hard to decipher, and no one will stop long enough to figure it out.
- Make the lettering super-thick and black, especially on astro-brite color paper.
A lone supporter of Mark Wilson had a sign of his on display, but the type was very small. Mark needs a pro to redesign his graphics.
Mini-lecture over...I couldn't resist...
~~~~~~~~
Some of us gathered outside of a side entrance with a lot of windows so guests inside could see us. But then we were politely told by security that we must stand 10 feet back.
As I was sifting through the pictures, I noticed this passerby and did a double-take! Could it be that a man is crazy enough to walk the streets of Seattle, within spitting distance of the football stadium, in a Pittsburgh Steelers jacket?
~~~~~~~~
The evening news stations I watched mentioned Hillary, and showed a brief clip of her talking about energy alternatives at a Seattle Bio-diesel plant. No corresponding sound byte of Maria was aired. I have to admit, on video Clinton always looks and sounds polished, poised, and quite youthful for her age. (Exceptionally skillful plastic surgery? Vitamins?)
What struck me was the appearance of Cantwell, accompanying her. She's a politician, she knows the video cameras are rolling, yet not even a fake smile on her face, or an alert expression. She looked seriously stressed out, tired, anxious. Maybe Hillary has been bossing her around. Maybe I'm imagining things.
The protest was mentioned very briefly, on the two stations I watched; maybe a total of 6 seconds.
~~~~~~~~
Speaking of singing, I offer this (Tune of "Mona Lisa")
Oh Maria, can you see why I have blamed you
When you've long backed up a war that's worse than vile
Though you know it's Bush's war
That hasn't shamed you
You continue your pretense that it's worthwhile.
She will not admit she's wrong, I guarantee ya
Looks like she and Hillary will never part.
Many missives for naught in her inbox
They just lie there
And they die there
Are you even a real Dem, Maria?
Or just a hack Republicrat without a heart...
****
Yes, I am bad. Let the flames begin!