Anti War Group targets wounded soldiers

[lsbets]

Code Pink - one of the groups that is camped out in Crawford, also organizes protests at Walter Reed. They demonstrate right outside the entrance to the hospital and direct their message towards the families ocming to visit wounded soldiers and to the outpatient soldiers going to receive care.

"Kevin Pannell, who was recently treated at Walter Reed and had both legs amputated after an ambush grenade attack near Baghdad in 2004, considers the presence of the anti-war protesters in front of the hospital "distasteful."

When he was a patient at the hospital, Pannell said he initially tried to ignore the anti-war activists camped out in front of Walter Reed, until witnessing something that enraged him.

"We went by there one day and I drove by and [the anti-war protesters] had a bunch of flag-draped coffins laid out on the sidewalk. That, I thought, was probably the most distasteful thing I had ever seen. Ever," Pannell, a member of the Army's First Cavalry Division, told Cybercast News Service.

"You know that 95 percent of the guys in the hospital bed lost guys whenever they got hurt and survivors' guilt is the worst thing you can deal with," Pannell said, adding that other veterans recovering from wounds at Walter Reed share his resentment for the anti-war protesters.

"We don't like them and we don't like the fact that they can hang their signs and stuff on the fence at Walter Reed," he said. "[The wounded veterans] are there to recuperate. Once they get out in the real world, then they can start seeing that stuff (anti-war protests). I mean Walter Reed is a sheltered environment and it needs to stay that way."

Code Pink says they have to demonstarte at Walter Reed because they want to make sure the real cost of the war is shown.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=\SpecialReports\archiv e\200508\SPE20050825a.html

Targeting our wounded heroes and their families for protests is distasteful and shameful to say the least, but I'm sure the Code Pink guys will say "We support the troops."

[Steve 'StatMan']

This is truly an outrage. What is worse, an enemy that wounds and kills our soliders, or a group of our own people who intentionallly psycholocially tourture our wounded soliders, who bravely served these people and their country, whether these people asked or not. :mad: These folks should be exiled, if not shot for treason.

[PaceAdvantage]

It's only going to get worse as these guys perceive (or invent) more support for their cause.

[Tom]

This is the first real comparison to Viet Nam - the slimeballs oozing up out of the cracks. These sub-humans claim this is a vigil. Hopefully, someone will introduce them to an axe handle or two. Wonder how long it will be before Cindy - "bitch in the ditch" will joiin them? Would be a nice legacy for her son.

[Lefty]

PA says:It's only going to get worse as these guys perceive (or invent) more support for their cause

Did you guys see the sickening video out of Seattle last night? A gang of thugs viciously attacked two soldiers who had just returned from Iraq. They kept punching and kicking them after they were on the ground unconscious. I wanted to go through the tv.

[PaceAdvantage]

See what I mean? Sickening.

[Secretariat]

Isbets asked me to comment on the Walter Reed protests, so I will do so.

Obviously, anyone with any morality would be appalled at protesters who would impugn the efforts of soldiers who were wounded that were fighting over in Iraq. That's a given.

With that said, I attempted to go beyond the far right journalism efforts, and look at more main stream reports rather than to propaganda news like Limbaugh or CNSNews to get a balanced response. I also posted Code Pink's response to the right wing attacks.

You can read CNN News article on the protests which apparently incldue family members of soldiers who were in Iraq and other organizations.

CNN News on Walter Reed Hospital protests

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/03/15/iraq.protest/

Or you can read Code Pink's response on the Right Wing claims.

http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=476

It certainly paints quite a different picture than if you were to accept a biased right wing news organzation such as CNSNews report or a Limbaugh report.

What was the truth? I don't know. This is America and people who protest non-violently.

I'm much more concerned about what Bush's policy is to secure Iraq, turn over military control to Iraq, and get on with fighting the war on terror along the Pakistani border and controling the Afghan poppy fields. (as well as the Columbian issue on drugs). Unfortunately, our foreign policy has become one thing. Prop up an Iraq headed towards years of division with over a hundred thousand forces.

This is anestheizing our ability to strongly deal with Iran's nuclear capability, Al Queda, and the North Korea situation, as well as problems in Ugandi and the Sudan.

Whether you like the protests or not they point to a divided America from a man who promised unity and reaching across the table. Had Mr. Bush had the guts to simply take 15 minutes to come out and talk with Mrs. Sheehan, a lot of this would have been alleviated. Instead, his stubborness and speech in Salt Lake City to ignite a fire under pro-war factions has only exacerbated the situation more increasing the divide among Americans. Now we have pro and anti war groups at loggerheads. 15 minutes with Cindy Sheehan would have gone a long way to calming the storm. instead he sought to divide even further. The man has become an international embarassment. But we must persevere despite him.

[Lefty]

sec, let me get this straight, you think CNN and the Codeponk website itself is mainstream? My, my...
As you know, this woman had her time with the Pres. She paints a diff picture of him now than she did after that meeting. So that makes her a liar.
And, Bush tried to be a uniter even worked with Kennedy on an education bill, if you remember. The Dems keep stabbing him in the back. The Dems have been assimilated by the radical left and are only interested in regaining power. How do you unite those who refuse to be united?
If he had given this woman another meeting, this still wouldn't be over, because the radical left like MM and moveon.org don't want it to be over.
Yes, this takes time away from more important things. That's exactly what the radical left wants. They want this to be another Vietnam and this war be lost because of politics and not because of the military. They are playing a dangerous game with the lives of everyone in this country and the world.

[Secretariat]

sec, let me get this straight, you think CNN and the Codeponk website itself is mainstream? My, my...

Actually, I think CNN is a bit to the right in its reporting, but certainly closer to mainstream than FOX or CNSNEWS or Limpballs. I am not asserting Code Pink was mainstream. I am asserting they have the right to respond to far right attacks to defend themselves.

Please re-read my post, and actually look at the links.

[Lefty]

sec, i'm laughing, a joke, right? Fox is the only fair and balanced i can find but your def of fair and balanced far diff than mine.Or far left diff than mine, i should say. If it ain't leftist it ain't fair, right. That's how you libs think. Look at all the Dems and libs that Fox lets have their say and that actually work for them. you libs still come in with this crap. You are beyond belief, yes you are, yes you are...
To incluse Limbaugh in this discussion of news networks is stupid and you know it and you're only doing it for some weak effect. Anybody knows that Limbaugh is a rightwing pundit and doesn't pretend to be anything else.

[Lefty]

sec, you reread your post. You said you went to more mainstream sources and you included codepink in that mainstream selection, yes you did, yes you did... Alright, to be fair i reread what you said and you did say also included as to codepink but i still think you're in lala land if yuh think CNN is bal. When did that start? They never were before. Didn't we call them the Clinton Network? Hmmm...

[JustRalph]

in 5 years CNN will be out of business if they keep losing viewers to the Fox channel. If it weren't for Larry King they would be ready to go now........

[boxcar]

Secretariat wrote:

Actually, I think CNN is a bit to the right in its reporting, but certainly closer to mainstream than FOX or CNSNEWS or Limpballs.

To Left Wing Extremists (like yourself), I have to think they believe that just about everyone in the media are a "bit to the right" in their reporting. :rolleyes: Left Wingers are only happy when the reporting is "off the radar screen".

Boxcar

[Secretariat]

I only posted because Isbets asked me to comment on the Walter Reed issue in another thread.

As a result, I am to learn that some here do NOT THINK CNN is a mainstream media outlet. And by some others that they have a liberal bias.

Whew...there's more divide in this country than I thought. The chasm is deep. How in the world are we ever going to deal with the division in Iraq, if the division keeps expanding in this one.

All it took was a 15 minute visit, and she said she'd go home. GW couldn't find that time. Enough said.

[ljb]

After reading codepink's response and seeing the signs they were holding, I come to the conclusion they are demonstrating for better care for the injured vets. It seems some of you would be joining this demonstration rather then degrading it. Don't you guys want to support our disabled/wounded vets ?

[boxcar]

Secretariat wrote:

I only posted because Isbets asked me to comment on the Walter Reed issue in another thread.

As a result, I am to learn that some here do NOT THINK CNN is a mainstream media outlet. And by some others that they have a liberal bias.

You're playing cutsie word games. Of course, Communist News Network is part of the mainstream media -- the same media that has a pronounced tilt to the Left.

Whew...there's more divide in this country than I thought. The chasm is deep.

And wide! And this "divide", for you info, is called the culture war -- the war for the hearts, minds and souls of the people.

How in the world are we ever going to deal with the division in Iraq, if the division keeps expanding in this one.

That's easy. We ship your kind to Cuba, N. Korea, China, France, Germany, Venezuala, Iran -- any place that embraces a stong socialist/commie/totolatarianl ideology. It would be a win-win situation for everyone. We thinking folks would rid ourselves of all you meatheads; while you hopelessly naieve meatheads will think you found utopia once you land on foreign soil.

Boxcar

[Lefty]

sec says:"All it took was a 15 minute visit, and she said she'd go home. GW couldn't find that time. Enough said. "

She had a visit and was satisfied. Now she's lying about it and calling the Pres a killer. "nuff said."

[lsbets]

Sec - the CNN article doesn't cover the code pink protests at Walter Reed.

As far as dismissing the CNS story, I thought you might at least take into account what the soldier said. I guess how the wounded guys being protested feel doesn't matter.

Yes they have the right to be there. But because you have the right to do something doesn't make it right to do.

Of course the best response was they are only protesting for better care. What are you going to say when they spit on the vets, that they are only helping to bath them?

Code Pink hates members of the military and is doing to the guys at Walter Reed what was done to way too many Vietnam Vets. There actions are simply indefensible.

[ljb]

That's easy. We ship your kind to Cuba, N. Korea, China, France, Germany, Venezuala, Iran -- any place that embraces a stong socialist/commie/totolatarianl ideology. It would be a win-win situation for everyone. We thinking folks would rid ourselves of all you meatheads; while you hopelessly naieve meatheads will think you found utopia once you land on foreign soil.

Boxcar
Boxcar, Iran is a rightwing type government. A theocracy, something you would like. Oh and I'm glad you haven't stopped your name calling, indicates an inability to argue intellegently. :lol:

[ljb]

Sec - the CNN article doesn't cover the code pink protests at Walter Reed.

As far as dismissing the CNS story, I thought you might at least take into account what the soldier said. I guess how the wounded guys being protested feel doesn't matter.

Yes they have the right to be there. But because you have the right to do something doesn't make it right to do.

Of course the best response was they are only protesting for better care. What are you going to say when they spit on the vets, that they are only helping to bath them?

Code Pink hates members of the military and is doing to the guys at Walter Reed what was done to way too many Vietnam Vets. There actions are simply indefensible.

Lsbets go to the pinkcode link. What do the signs they are carrying say ?

[Secretariat]

Sec - the CNN article doesn't cover the code pink protests at Walter Reed.

As far as dismissing the CNS story, I thought you might at least take into account what the soldier said. I guess how the wounded guys being protested feel doesn't matter.

Yes they have the right to be there. But because you have the right to do something doesn't make it right to do.

Of course the best response was they are only protesting for better care. What are you going to say when they spit on the vets, that they are only helping to bath them?

Code Pink hates members of the military and is doing to the guys at Walter Reed what was done to way too many Vietnam Vets. There actions are simply indefensible.

From the CNN article:

“The protest at Lafayette Park followed a six-mile march from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where many wounded troops are taken for treatment”

You asked me to comment on the Walter Reed protests. I didn't know you want it isolated to the Code Pink group.

As to not taking into consideration what the soldier from the CNS article said I didn't dismiss it, I just see conflicting remarks about it from the Code Pink account:

"The vigilers have often received encouragement from the wounded soldiers and their families, who often join the vigil themselves. “The first time I attended one of the vigils, a soldier’s wife invited me to come inside and visit her severely wounded husband,” said Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK. “He shared his worries about the care he would get when he returned to his hometown and the financial burden on his family, and he thanked us for being there. His parting words were ‘Please don’t forget us like veterans of other wars have been forgotten.’”

CNS News has continually used right wing hyperbole in almost all of its articles to heighten tensions. Just trying to get to the other side of the story.

Frankly, my concern is more Bin Laden than Code Pink. Box, ...well.....at least you're consistent.

[lsbets]

Oh, I see, if someone from Code Pink says the soldiers want them there they must be telling the truth.

Benjamin is the same person who says our soldiers are committing war crimes and attrocities in Iraq and that the insurgency is a legitimate resistance that is right to be fighting us. I could easily see where with that position she supports the soldiers. Yeah, okay. :bang:

Hmm, the pictures at code pink's site aren't the same ones that were up there when I checked their site out a few days ago. It might not be a little PR work, would it? Damage control?

I'm glad you're concerned about Bin Laden Sec, Code Pink also calls our invasion of Afghanistan illegal. I'm concerned about Bin Laden and also about our soldiers and when people target our soldiers with protests they deserve nothing but condemnation. But, its nice to see that you will defend a group who does that.