WELL. ALL I CAN SAY WHEN A BUNCH OF NON-VIOLENT GRANDMOTHERS ARE CONSIDERED A THREAT TO THIS ADMINISTRATION; BUSH AND COMPANY MUST BE GETTING PARANOID.

CODEPINK is the mom of America. And mom is mad because dad is fucking up royally. So naturally, mom wants to stop him. That's what mom's do best - they nurture life.
Hoa binh

Go Pinks! Pay no mind to the crapola from George --- he's just trying to coverup and spin the fact that he let his best terrorist friend, OSB, run free. That would be Osama bin Laden, the handiest terrorist this administration ever had.

Saying No to Fascism early on may be met with bemusement, but later, as the grip tightens, and protesters are "detained," then put in camps, it may turn to panic; when it is too late, protesters here will meet the fate of Sophie Scholl of the White Rose in 30's Germany. You can tell it's getting late when people like Schumer and Feinstein get with the program and endorse a "unitary" presidency, above any law: a tyrant. It IS happening here. We may wish--from behind barbed wire, in the face of our Blackwater guards--that we had stood with CODE PINK earlier on.

Nothing is more reassuring than standing with Code Pink at a demo, "CODEPINK is the mom of America", exactly!
Hat's off to the Ladies in hot pink!

When 'devil's spawn' Bushbaby has finished off daubing green crayon marks, human blood and his faeces all over the history books, there will still remain the indelible lettering inscribed by CodePink and all folk akin to these valiant (progressive) womenfolk...

It will read: "Peace, Love, and Goodwill to all mankind" and will still be there, - long after the present maniacs in power have completely faded from view...

Their message is timeless.
Their veracity incontrovertible, ~ their righteousness assured...

We will win.

Bush and Co will not.

Clinton is Bush in women's clothes.

ABC

Anybody But Clinton

Please make the following correction in your third paragraph, Marie:

Revise "They were ignored by Democrats" to They were ignored by MOST Democrats.

Unless the electorate votes against Democrats that ignored code pink prior to 2004 and votes for code pink's supporters, nothing will change.

Note: Dennis Kucinich did not ignore code pink.

When the Bush Administration was ratcheting up the fear in the U.S. with a color code, there was also Code Pink, encouraging hope and the threads of honor holding this country together. Go Code Pink. We should all follow.

So Marie Cocco has just discovered Code Pink and that they are relevent to the debate on the Iraqi/Afghan wars.

Marie, I have another flash for you--there are millions, maybe tens of millions of Americans who knew these wars were based on lies and cynical manipulation before they ever started. We never bellieved the likes of those in the media and political leadership who went along to get along.

We're so glad that the light has finally gone on in your head to indicate that maybe these brave women are something more than menopausal desperate housewives looking for some relief from their middle-aged boredom.

Like most women they almost instinctively know when a guy is a liar even if they don't know all the specifics of his lying. Unlike too many of their gender prominent in the priviliged positions of political or media leadership they detest the lying and the liars enough to use every non-violent way possible to not tolerate "business as usual".

Bravo Code Pink!

Well...it really doesn't help when the founder and the woman most associated with Code Pink Medea Benjamin supported pro-war John Kerry in the last election. Ditch the baggage that comes with associating yourself with a turncoat like Medea and perhaps people will stop smearing you.

Hm, yeah, I'm sure one steroided-up sociopath gets his jollies from staring murderously at women half his size and twice his age. What a proud country to be served by such proud soldiers.

It was Medea or someone else from Code Pink who welcomed the "smear" from George. Like "Amsterdam" in Gangs of New York getting his picture in the paper with the Bishop, the smear helped raise Code Pink's profile.

Small but significant steps like this, and today's vote around Hoyer's attempt to table Kucinich's impeachment resolution, showing that more than 3 times the number of representatives who have signed onto HR 333 want to discuss impeachment (what do you do in committee now Conyers?), are the building blocks of our great impending American Renewal.

to paraphrase the repulsive rummy, "you go with the candidate you have, not the candidate you might wish for" in re. to Benjamin's support of Kerry in 2004.

USA is on life support and groups like Code Pink are the only thing standing between us & the fascists, who are itching to pull the plug & get
the democracy charade over with.

Elsewhere at Common Dreams, Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK has an article "George Bush and CODEPINK: Women for Peace," where she quotes Gandhi: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/02/4968/

Folks, if you missed it, MoveOn and CODEPINK just won. When you've got the most unpopular president in our history -- installed by the Supreme Court to boot -- directly citing you in a speech, it means they've rattled him and the GOP.

I wonder how many people are going to the MoveOn.org and CODEPINK websites to find out what these organizations are about -- and how to join?

Back in 2000, after Gore's Presidency was nullified in a bloodless coup, most of us knew that the USA was going on the attack within a year. (9/11 or not, in hindsite) That said, it would seem a bit inappropriate for a Pink Protest before an actual event had occured that was worth protesting. On closer consideration, some of those guys already were war criminals. Cheney had already written and talked about how urgently important death and destruction were.

Dr Robert, I personally suspect that Hillary is actually Joe Lieberman in drag. She might as well be, anyway, and they do have the same hairdo.

Remember how GHW Bush snarled the word "liberal" with the curled lip of disgust, like a taunt? Remember how he taunted Gore as "Ozone Man" for his environmental concerns? How Rumsfeld mocked and fired General Shinseki for saying it would take 4-500,000 troops to occupy Iraq and General Taguba for telling the truth about torture? This administration, aided and abetted by the right wing media, perversely portrays warmongers, war profiteers, crooks, liars, criminals and thugs as pious patriots and advocates for peace, democracy and the rule of law as evil and unpatriotic. The sad part is, a large portion of the American public is still fooled by it and the majority of Congress dutifully and cravenly goes along with the charade, afraid of being themselves smeared.

CodePink is way ahead of the pack. They formed in 2002 and were vigiling/fasting in front of the White House in the Fall. They had an awesome gathering and a march and rally on International Women's Day prior to the invasion of Iraq. For people who were paying attention, they've been around and organizing for five years now. It is fantastic that they seem to have the neocons on the run. We all must be more willing to follow their lead....

hailCODEPINK; Perfect description of the courageous White Rose in Nazi Germany and our courageous Code Pink women. Medea Benjamin is an American hero as are all who stand with her. I voted for her against Vichy Feinstein in the 2000 election, but as usual, big money kept Diane in power.

SHANTI, since1492, Dr. Zimmerman Robert, RSJ, Dichterfruend, CV, UN_common_dreams, all good comments, bless you all.

ike kay; I have met Medea Benjamin on four occasions and spoke to her. One of the nicest women you'll ever meet.

robb_black; Many of us liberal/progressive voters held our breath and voted for John Kerry in 04, and I know you know the gigantic disappointment we all suffered under Kerry's cowardly capitulation. Medea did what most of us did in that election...voting for the ---of two---, fill in the blanks, robb.

"Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". Hey now, I said it right, unlike Georgie Boy. Think I could become the President? ( Don't answer- I'm a megalomaniac- like W, I can't stand rejection ).

andersdl; You are correct.

Congratulations to Code Pink
who actually made George W. blink.
And I shall never see, I think
a hue as lovely as hot pink!

I agree with RSJ. Coming from Mr. Bush, a slight against Code Pink is a profound compliment.

Yes - Medea Benjamin is one of the most amazing organizers and spokespeople for a movement whose goals are human rights, social justice and the protection of all life on the planet. It all comes from a place of love - there is no hate involved - it is all about promoting the values of peace, respect, and justice. It is about bringing people around by speaking the truth, and making space for them to change their views and applauding them when they do. This is the exact opposite of the opposition's tactics. All of the Women in CodePink that I know are educated, intelligent, and family-oriented. We are your mothers, daughters, sister, grandmothers, and teachers protecting those we love, with a sense of empathy and solidarity for the mothers, children and families in those places are government deems "the enemy". We are NOT kooks or clowns, even though we frequently use the power of humor and artistic expression to make our point. Our tactics are attention grabbing but intentionally NON threatening (hence the pink crowns versus the black masks of the anarchists), persistent yet respectful, never violent or destructive (in any permanent way) and always sincere and truthful.

CodePink is really more of a brand than an organization. The founders provide web-based organizing tools and there is now the house in DC, but each person acts on their own behalf and is not taking "orders" or getting permission from anyone. People are free to use the CodePink name and symbols (instantly recognizeable as a certain set of values and goals) to organize amongst themselves within their communities and are completely autonomous. There is solidarity, but no hierarchy, rules or physical space (other than the recently acquired house that serves as a home base for actions in DC). So, for all of those who think "I really oppose this war and everything that is going on, but what can I do?" -- CodePink is a movement you can identify with and never feel alone out there. It unites all of our individual voices into a grand chorus for peace. In other words, CodePink isn't "them" - it's "us", and it's YOU.

The big reason George utters crap, and the way he holds his demeanor, is that HE knows - WE know the truth.

the collective mind in 2003!?

revered as a war-time pres?!?!?

what??????

Actually, for W to slam Code Pink is tantamount to being "mentioned in reports" in the military. They must be doing something right.

Anita Linker; Four good lines!

funeocons; Thank you for an excellent description of Code Pink, especially for folks unfamiliar with the group. I know the Code Pink women in the Peace movement in my area and they are all darlings.

As for the so-called anarchists in black, how many are actually police 'agents provocateurs' used to turn public opinion against protesters? The great humanitarian anarchist, Emma Goldman would have been a Code Pink woman if she were alive today.

Again, your beautifully worded tribute illustrates the positive influence they display in trying to make the world a better place.

When Senator Leahy was chairing the Judiciary Committee hearings on Alberto Gonzales, Code Pink was there boisterously protesting Gonzales's despicable behavior as Attorney General. Senator Leahy said that he appreciated Code Pink's activism. He had to keep their protests from interrupting the hearings, but worked courtiously with them as best as he could. Later, Medea Benjamin said that Senator Leahy is one of her heros.

Dear Marie Cocco,

I am thankful that some of the Washington Post's writers who are concerned with the drift of this country toward fascism. Limiting dissent, the backbone of democracy, and support of vociferous Americans, like Medea Benjamin who appears in my documentary, and realize like your group, that we are in deep trouble if we wipe out dissent. Truly than we have begun the slide down the long slippery slope to fascism

I was in Europe on the morning of 9/!11 and began writing a work titled "Mountain Storm" I finished it four days later. I foresaw all f the events that would take place in these 7years of Bush leadership, Including hanging on to power at any cost. The Iraq war was inevitable since it all but assured the Bush reelection. I closed the 200 page document with this statement: " Bin Laden is a very clever man, he knew how George Bush would react, he thought very carefully how he could bankrupt America. The tragedy of 9/11 and George Bush in power is that it will replace the emphasis of where American resources should go, the fight against Global Warming and the degradation of the environment" the first priority, and terrorism but dealt with strategically.

I could not get this document published. It was equal to treason since the entire US congress and judicial system was on a witch-hunt. Any document like mine would have made me a suspect for arrest. I considered publishing in the newly formed Al Jazera but dismissed that idea, since I would not have been taken seriously in the West and it would have been used as propaganda.

It did not take a lot of work for Bush, Rove and Cheney to accomplish their goal; to use fear and a false war to win reelection. The American people have been conditioned by long years by television advertising to accept the so-called "truth" fabricated in multinational board rooms and broadcast by a controlled media. The circle of mind control is complete in America and the G-8 nations. The above combination aids and abets this condition of an ignorant and compliant public.

The American people are free to choose between several brands of tooth paste and polluting vehicles produced by the big three in collusion with the oil companies.

Marie Cocco, you write for the media conglomerates and know that the important stories and messages are subverted at the editor's dictate and the publishers pleasure. Also, we all know television journalism offers no help for the public to be educated in its choice or point of view. The media is represented by the Russerts and Williamsons of the world who marginalize candidates with questions about UFOs and religious prayer.

Ms Cocco, you know that many in your group try to offer some other point of view in support of truth and fair appraisal of fact in main stream media, but must rely on CommonDreams or other places that do not touch the general publics mind. We are truly in a drift toward the "Brave New World".

However, given this condition the abuses to the public by the Bush administration have been so extreme that 75% of the population have seen through them, reflecting the polls for this government

In one final note: One of the most important editorials here on Common Dreams is the FCC hearing chaired by Michael Copps who sees the danger of media conglomeration and is trying to save us all from it. I suggest you all read that editorial.

GOOD LUCK TO THOSE OF YOU WHO STILL CARE ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL.

peaceman - Thank you for your kind words. And no disrespect intended toward the black block or anarchists, just comparing tactics. I wanted to point out why and how CodePink goes out of its way to not be intimidating. Very few people who are not involved in activism understand how it works or the reasons behind the tactics they are observing. I hear people say "why do they have to dress up so weird and look like freaks". What they don't understand is that you need to stand out to get media and public attention, and to keep things non-violent, you need to project a non-threatening image. This helps protect the activists from harsh over-reactions from the police (and to a certain extent, comforts the activists as well). It provokes curiousity, which in turn invites one to observe and to listen. Unfortunately, it does not always work as we saw last week. I once spoke to a woman who drums in a marching band when she protests against the WTO. She explained to me "the police don't really know how to arrest you when you have a big bass drum strapped to your body, and the music helps diffuse the tension."

Americans are generally conditioned to fear those who speak out. I often see in the faces of those who watch us protesting that part of them feels like they should be afraid of us, but then the pink crowns and feather boas sort of short circuit that conditioned response because those are clearly not symbols associated with a dangerous person. When people see the black block anarchists (and yes, the destructive ones are frequently the agent-provacateurs), the symbols they use are generally associated with a "dangerous" person -black clothing, mask over the face, army boots, and a more rebellious demeanor. I am not saying that is what is intended, but it certainly is how it is perceived by many. That said, I have seen the black block employ tactics that make them appear non-threatening, such as playing croquet on the grass in front of the White House (still in their black masks and army boots). My point is that there is a need for a range of tactics, not only to provide different avenues of expression, but because they serve different purposes. The black block are frequently the ones to break through the barricades and take the lumps on the head, which then creates space for others to do their actions. There are those who dance, those who make music, those who sit, stand, march, chant, picket, flier, table, march the halls of Congress, make phone calls and write letters. These actions combined create the "street heat" that projects a sense of public outrage and triggers an urgency to act. The alternative? As Edmund Burke said "All it takes for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing."

Desiree's bloody hands were bold and provocative, but still not a threat (and you can see that Condi doesn't appear the slightest bit fearful in the photos -- she knows CodePink is committed to non-violence).

funeocons; Bless your soul. Another well-written comment. You said it well!

Please don't insult Code Pink by linking them to Move On.

Code Pink is honorable while Move On has disgraced themselves and everyone that supported them. They'll get no more money from me.

We don't need any more Jane Fonda types to betray their country.

AlexLawyer wrote: "The sad part is, a large portion of the American public is still fooled by it and the majority of Congress dutifully and cravenly goes along with the charade, afraid of being themselves smeared."

Uh, have you read the latest polls? All of them say that a majority of the public, into the 60 and 70 percentile range, have rejected the Bush neocon agenda. A 52 percent majority even want Bush and Cheney impeached. Unfortunately, the Democrats operate within the Beltway Bubble and are behind the times; America is ready for a change and they're still afraid of Junior, the most unpopular and worst president in our history.

Thomas More, if you have some evidence supporting the notion that MoveOn.org has disgraced itself, it might be helpful to your case to post it here. Also, if Jane Fonda betrayed her country, why not list that as well. What's not well-known about Jane's notorious visit to Hanoi is that she was debriefed by the CIA when she returned to this country, as were most Americans traveling to a Communist country during the Cold War, and she cooperated wholeheartedly in the debriefing. Is that what you meant by betrayal?

Thomas More----I thought I was alone in feeling that MoveOn sold out a long time ago when it became more important to have credibility than it did to make consistent principled stands. How hard it is to resist being co-opted no matter how full of idealism one is at the onset. Just too darned "heady" an experience to get the big guys paying attention, that they so often forget why they wanted their attention in the first place. Code Pink is in a class all by themselves.