Cindy Sheehan and 370 other protesters arrested outside White House

[Skyblade]

I'd never heard that, but that's the sort of thing that's difficult to prove one way or the other. It is a bit of an extreme claim to be making, though.

Tricked into being recruited, I could possibly understand. Tricked into re-enlisting?! Yeah, right. That recruiter should quit and get a job as a used car salesman. He'd make millions.

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

Just because people didn't like John Kerry enough to vote for him means that the country as a whole approves of the war? Tenuous logic there.

But it's a bit bi-polar to vote for a guy and disagree with the centerpiece of his foreign policy... and John Kerry is lame.

We need a better Left.

[The Man]

I can certainly agree with you there. John Kerry was a terrible candidate.

As for tricking him into re-enlisting or volunteering for the mission, that's pretty easy. Just lie to him a lot about what that would entail. Of course, I have no idea whether that's actually what happened, and I don't think anyone except for Casey Sheehan and the people who re-recruited him do.

[Madame Adequate]

To let the local police know that there's going to be a demonstration. That way they can redirect traffic to not interfere with it, as well as set up security measures in case the protestors get violent.

Requiring a permit to protest is not a 1st Amendment violation. However, denying said permit on the basis of what the protest stands for would be.

Exactly. I agree with requiring permis, because people do stupid s**t.

Alright, that does all actually sounds like a fair rationalization, so I can accept the principle of it. However, how can one say whether or not a permit was denied based on realistic concerns (Ie bringing a city to a standstill, or causing panic and chaos), or because the political agenda is disagreed with?

[DocFrance]

Now, I've met some pretty dumb NCO's, but I think it's pretty much impossible to "trick" someone into reinlisting.

[Skyblade]

I can certainly agree with you there. John Kerry was a terrible candidate.

As for tricking him into re-enlisting or volunteering for the mission, that's pretty easy. Just lie to him a lot about what that would entail. Of course, I have no idea whether that's actually what happened, and I don't think anyone except for Casey Sheehan and the people who re-recruited him do.

Did anyone actually vote for Kerry, or did they all just vote against Bush?

Lie to someone all you want. He'd been in service for 4 years, I think he has some clue what was going on there.

[The Man]

Pretty much everyone voted against Bush. I actually liked some of Kerry's traits, but if the Republicans had run someone more centrist, I could have been persuaded to vote Republican.

I agree that it would be difficult to trick someone into re-enlisting, but I can't see it as completely impossible.

Theoretically, the government is not allowed to refuse to allow permits to be handed out on political grounds. I have no idea whether this means they never do this or not. Probably doesn't.

[DocFrance]

I could have been persuaded to vote Republican.

You just made me choke on my drink.

[The Man]

You're welcome.

[Raistlin]

Yeah, I have to go with Doc on that one.

It'd take a pretty amazing candidate for me to vote either Republican or Democrat.

[bipper]

I don't get what her beef is. Her boy wasn't kidnapped and murdered. He joined the military and went to war. Anyone who doesn't believe in the war shouldn't participate in it. I doubt the consequences of refusing to participate in a war you don't believe in outweigh being blown up by Iraqis.

Those arrested were charged with demonstrating without a permit

They do have a permit. It's called the constitution; maybe they have heard of it?

LOL, well there you go. xD

I thought the constitution was trumped by most of the patriot act? ( and other such abominations that got signed)

Bipper

[War Angel]

Democratic values of free speech set aside... I'm glad they shut that bitch's mouth. It made me so pissed to hear her disgrace her son's memory, among other crap she spewed during her many speeches.

[DarkLadyNyara]

That her son was "tricked" into enlisting (and somehow tricked into re-enlisting), and was "tricked" into volunteering for the mission that got him killed.

Riiiiiiiiight. Like I said, I'm not very fond of the woman.

Did anyone actually vote for Kerry, or did they all just vote against Bush?

Against Bush. Which is why Kerry lost. They say we need a strong third party; I'd be happy with a second.

Theoretically, the government is not allowed to refuse to allow permits to be handed out on political grounds. I have no idea whether this means they never do this or not. Probably doesn't.

But if they do, you can take it to the supreame court, get the ACLU on your side, and likely get a hell of a lot more attention than the actual protest would have.