NEW EPISODE: IN WHICH CINDY SHEEHAN HAS A MAKE-OVER AND RUNS FOR CONGRESS …

NEW EPISODE: IN WHICH CINDY SHEEHAN HAS A MAKE-OVER AND RUNS FOR CONGRESS …

Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin and the rest of their quilting bee managed to cobble together about 280 willing idiots today in order to march from Arlington Cemetery to Capitol Hill demanding that the Democrat controlled Congress begin Impeachment proceedings against George Bush.

Never mind that we’re deeply into the next presidential race and that Bush can’t run for re-election and that in little over a year we’ll have a new president anyway.

And if Nancy Pelosi doesn’t start impeachment proceedings by 12:00 midnight tonight … you guessed it … Cindy’s gonna run against her for her seat in Congress. Ya know … I don’t care … either way that’ll be just a riot. An entertainment extravaganza.

It was a long walk. I’ll have video later.

911 “Truth” is about as predictable now at these events as steaming asphalt on a parking lot in Austin in July, so I won’t even bother to comment on the above photo.

Well, I have to get to an important appointment and YouTube hasn’t yet deigned to approve my video. So I’m putting the code up “naked” as it were. Yes … “naked”. Hopefully the code will be approved soon and the video will be available. I know it says that it’s “No Longer Available”. Read that to mean “Not Yet Available”. Damn them. Until they approve it, that is.

Hopefully.

**** UPDATE: It’s working ****

Here’s incontrovertible evidence of the Bush Administration busily denying these folks their Constitutionally protected rights while they cross the street. Safely.

Traffic in DC can be hell sometimes.

The media … though not overwhelming … was certainly present.

The non-partisan ACLU made its appearance.

Red, bloody hands waving wildly near the Jefferson Memorial to innocent passers-by.

These folks would go wild whenever they got a supportive “honk”. Never mind the hundreds of other cars rushing by with either no sign of acknowledgement or other gestures not suitable for prime-time.

There was a counter-protest, also. Here’s a view of a rare mixture of the two protests groups.

Cindy bears the avatars of her success …

Here’s a new video of an old friend Rick Burnley … Poet Laureate of Camp Casey. I took this in front of the Rayburn Building after Cindy, Medea, et al. retired within … object: incarceration. They [the Capitol Police] wouldn’t let me take my cameras, so I begged off.

Enjoy.

Cindy Sheehan gets some news …

A cloudy day in DC.

I decided to take a jaunt down to the White House today just to check what’s going on … and who did I run into but the ever-present Cindy Sheehan. Had a nice little talk with her, which I’ll post below in a low-resolution video.

Why “low-resolution” you ask? Simple. I set my camera’s video to a low-res setting for a specific purpose and “forgot” to set it back. Chalk it up to experience. Won’t happen again.

When I got there it was only Cindy, one other Code Pinker and a bull-horn. What more could one want?

Interestingly, while Cindy and I were talking she got a phone call from someone telling her that Rumsfeld was resigning, so I got her reaction.

In low-res.

Sheesh.

Soon enough the crowd began to grow by the slow addition of the regular bunch of nuts and hippie geriatrics.

It never got larger than a handful.

I had a long, enlightening talk with one of them. I’ll be posting that, too.

In low-res.

Ugh.

Here’s the Cindy video [above]. YouTube FINALLY processed it through.

Notice that part of the way through she gets the phone call announcing Rumsfeld’s resignation.

I’m still processing the other video.

Sorry again about the low-res. Won’t happen again.

[Cripes al'mitey.]

**** UPDATE ****

Here’s a conversation I had with Cindy’s “Poet Laureate” Rick Burnley.

Apparently there may be a “plan” in the works to re-take power. Plus, the Republican election-theft-squad seems to have been asleep at the wheel on this one. Go figure.

Yet, beyond all the crazy rhetoric he seemed a likable enough bloke and claimed to be a veteran, so I’m including the entire video. The poem is priceless and worth the wait.

[One more thing I've got to say to this dude's credit. When I interviewed him he directed his answers to the CAMERA and not to me ... that's real nice and shows a creditable amount of experience and awareness of what's going on vis-a-vis the media. Kudos, dude. Kudos. Nuts ... but kudos.]

**** NEW UPDATE ****

Im processing these into YouTube now and will have those versions up as soon as they are available … that should solve the bandwith issues at least for now.

OK, I got yet another standard email from our unhinged friends at ANSWER today … basic stuff: “U.S. Out of Iraq Now! We Are the Majority! End Colonial Occupation from Iraq, to Palestine, Haiti, and Everywhere!” … blah blah.

This [left] was included in the body of the email.

I swear I wish I could make up stuff this good. But then I’d probably be making money doing this. There’s an irony in there … I just know there is.

I hardly know what to say. Er … “Resist capitalist exploitation of the ignorant masses”?

The hoodie is $40.00 and only comes in medium, large, x-large, xx-large, xxx-large.

They’re out of xxx-large. You can probably guess why …

CODE PINK: “Camp Al-Maliki”

Went down to the Iraqi Embassy to check out how “Camp Al-Maliki” was going. Apparently the idea is that they’ll stay until they are granted a meeting with the Prime Minister. Chuh.

Actually, folks, there’s a certain amount of progress here … at least they recognize al-Maliki as the actual Prime Minister. Last time we were here these same ladies were denouncing the whole Iraqi government as a group of stooges for Bushitler McChimpyburton. Take what you can get.

I’d say six CP’s … seven tops.

er … wasn’t Cindy Sheehan supposed to be on some sort of diet … er … fast?
Nothing more to see here, folks … just move along.

**** UPDATE ****

The person who disrupted al-Maliki’s address to congress today looks suspiciously like Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink.

Here’s my photo of her from “Camp al-Maliki” yesterday. I guess the PM never came out for that photo-op.

**** FURTHER UPDATE ****

Why, indeed it was! I thought I recognized that raspy little voice and lifeless hair!

Thanks Michelle!

FAST or FAST ONE?

It’s easy for the public to be unaware of the fact that behind each of these “events” is an agenda … well supported by a generally invisible media stationed out of range and a office full of public relations reps, satellite feeds, and politicians.

Part of my purpose here is to expose that connection.

We each of us need a set of decoder rings in this Orwellian world, and a constant awareness of just where the lie begins and ends. Sometimes the liars themselves give us a clue.

Here’s a quote from Cindy’s blog at Political Affairs: Marxist Thought Online:

I find traveling out of the country very challenging being on a fast. When I was on a layover in Madrid on my way to Venice, Italy yesterday, the closest thing I could find to a smoothie to get a little protein was a coffee with vanilla ice cream in it.

Sounds tough. And remember, this is only what she admits to in public.

Please also note the tag-line for the blog site that hosts Cindy’s “thoughts”:

Marxist Thought Online

Remember that when others try to feed you the Orwellian lie that these are “well-meaning” folks, or that they are simply expressing “their disenchantment with the US” or that they aren’t aware of what they are doing and saying, or that there isn’t any connection between anti-war protests and Communism.

Let’s remember, too, that this publicity pack-hound is going to fast until the troops come home:

The Troops Home Fast is a moral response to an immoral act. We can, and must be, morally strong so we can feast on the day that the last troop is brought home from the war crime in Iraq.

We’ll see. 

**** UPDATE ****

Michelle Malkin at Hot Air tries on Cindy’s Fast

A CODE PINK 4th of July, Washington DC.

Scroll down for video and more photos (many more)!

Ya gotta love it …

This isn’t Kansas anymore, Toto: these people live in a world where these things are worn proudly.

**** UPDATE ****

I just got back from delivering my raw footage for the video below and the Code Pink march as a whole, etc. to Fox News here in DC for possible inclusion in a segment of Hannity & Colmes.

**** UPDATE ****

They did end up using the stuff with Cindy Sheehan. I was really surprised … the video quality was great (they used of course the raw file off the DV) …

**** UPDATE ****

The video is up at Fox.

You can view the entire segment at Expose the Left.

CODE PINK … again.

I and my intrepid colleague Julia Flyte just got back from today’s Code Pink “Troops Home Fast” … fast. As in “not eating”. On the 4th of July. If that isn’t treason I don’t know what is.

Most of the usual suspects were involved.

Cindy, of course … (we’re on ‘nodding’ terms now, G-d love her) … with some geriatric additions!

Let’s start with: Daniel Ellsberg! Can you believe it!? I mean … Daniel Ellsberg!! In the flesh! This guy was an old lefty traitorous commie faux-patriot flake when I was but a nipper in High School. And there he is still! Daniel Ellsberg!! (I know you’re jealous). G-d life is weird.

I couldn’t believe this guy was still sucking breath.

Sad, though. I figure his life is sorta the perfect paradigm for lefty 60′s types who just won’t let go. Heck, I should know … I’m an old lefty 60′s type myself … but then I had a family and started a business and actually grew up as opposed to sitting in my patchouli smelling apartment dreaming of those acid trips with Sandy on the beach and re-reading old Tom Hayden manifestos.

Those were nice … no doubt … and Tom was one heck of a writer, but time moveth on, dude. And just look who you’re walking around with now! Sandy? I think not. Not even in her heyday.

Then we have: Dick Gregory!!

You young whippersnappers may not know this, but this guy used to be fat and funny. Really.

By the way, that “Free DC” chapeau is typical of a peculiar species of DC moonbattery. Just for you collectors.

Speaking of collectors, you all who read this blog on occasion know that one of my passions is protest signage … so let’s get that over with right now.

Here we have a classic example of left-wing humor. They don’t seem to be able to help themselves. I suppose that it’s all that “free love” stuff. Believe me … you get what you pay for.

Note the use of the colon … that may or may not have been Freudian. Probably was. Interestingly, this seems to have been “finger painted”. I’m not sure what to make of that, but I do find it “interesting”. In a Freudian kinda way.

This being Code Pink, the sign randomness was kept to a minimum.

Here we have a small, barely readable sign even from a few paces. What are these people thinking?

I keep the fingers to give you, my dear readers, a sense of the scale. Tiny.

It had a reverse side … even less readable if that’s possible.

We’re going to be marching down Connecticut Avenue, dude, and then camping out on Lafayette Park. This thing would be invisible and off-putting at a yard sale.

Jesus would have bombed the crap out of Rome. He told me.

The inevitable Rachel Corrie reference … I think we’ll be seeing a lot of this in the next few months.

This guy claimed to be an Iraq vet. I don’t know … maybe he is. Is that an official issue kaffeyeh?

This was great and the subject of a VIDEO I’ll put up after I process it. At the end of the march, at Lafayette Park, as Code Pink was milling and getting photo ops this group of young band musicians from Michigan (I think) came by for their White House visit. The Code Pinkers started to sing a bastardized version of God Bless America. These little heros started singing and completely drowned them out. It was priceless. Check back for the video.

Video is up!

Ugh

Ugh. What a walk. And for what? For this.

Drudge used the word “fizzled” to describe the other anti-war protests this week. I don’t know about them. I wasn’t there. But I believe it. And, OK, maybe they fizzled; but this one never got lit.

I counted them. I counted 166 protesters (give or take a couple). I also counted 45 to 50 media types buzzing about. That’s one media bloke for every four (4) protesters. Hmmm. And don’t let them lie to you. 166. I counted them. Give or take.

OK, I’ll have some video [UPDATE: VIDEO is up] later. I still have to process it … I have to process all the boring stuff out. That won’t leave much. And I’m tired and cranky. I just walked from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon and back (not counting the walk to the Metro).

My feet hurt and I’m pissed off. This protest was a geriatric wasteland. Full of dour people who didn’t talk. It almost made me miss Code Pink. Actually, it did. It made me miss Code Pink. G-d I thought I’d never say something like that.

A good protest needs verve or something. This one lacked almost everything, including:

1. Creative, interesting signs
2. Controversial speeches
3. People who can sing (you’ll understand later) [UPDATE: experience it NOW]
4. Protest babes (1.5 by my count … that’s a bad ratio)

We’ll start with SIGNS:

We’ll start on a high note. This was one of the best.

The thing I like about this one is the raw, uncomplicated theme … the arresting color palette. You know immediately where this guy stands a mile away. Simple. Clear.

The problem was it was far too big … he over-reached … his enthusiasm got the better of him. And it was a windy day. He could barely hold it up standing in a park … and we were going to cross a bridge. It was left behind.

Here’s the other side. Terse. Ya gotta admire terse.

Contrast that (literally) with this one. Grayscale. Hard to read. Much too busy. Are those chains on Bush? You really have got to get close to this one to get much out of it.

The message is murky … too much being said. What is this, an essay? It’s a protest sign for cripes sake. Keep it simple.

Aren’t these people supposed to be the “smart” and “creative” ones? Sheesh.

What’s wrong with a little planning? A little planning?!?

I got so drowsy after looking at this one I had to crack a Red Bull with no restrooms in sight.

There’s so much wrong with this I don’t even know where to start.

Color. Visible? Yes. But let’s face it … putrid.

And then there’s the planning issue again. Get your canvas’ real-estate straight before putting pen to paper, folks.

And is that Bush? I guess so, but I think in this event a photo would have been more convincing. From a few meters it looks like Mickey Rooney.

I had to ask this guy what this meant. Rule 1: never carry a sign that someone needs to ask what the heck it means. Apparently Shannon airbase in Ireland is where some US fighters and bombers stop on their way to Iraq.

And don’t EVER recycle these things. I saw this exact same one at the Code Pink rally. Come on!

Actually, it does make me a bit nostalgic.

OK, here’s one I can actually get behind, sorta. Simple. To the point. A classic. The figure at the bottom is a bit confusing, but I can sorta see where they’re going. Sixty’s font is a nice touch. Brings me back. Frodo lives.

3. Cindy Sheehan.

I’m starting out with this photo as a segue from the Media Swarm piece below. This photo tells a completely different story, I think, about the media’s relation to tools like Cindy. As before, please CLICK on any image to see a more detailed view. I’d recommend it for this particular photo (above).

Somewhere between the “Momma Moonbat” of the right and the “Saint Cindy” of the left stands a somewhat bewildered Cindy Sheehan.

Click HERE for a video of Cindy talking, including some of the interaction between her and myself.

Click HERE for the same video in a smaller, more readily streamed yet more lossy version.

As I said in my post below, it’s not that I don’t like Cindy … now that I’ve met her. Like I said, I’d watch and feed her cats if she went out of town. But this is a woman with absolutely no charisma. It seems to me that she’s someone’s sad, bewildered tool. Rarely, I think, has such a parasitic relationship been so obvious. I really try to keep an open mind. And, in my attempt to keep an open mind, I find that I feel very sorry for her.

Watching the video I can’t escape the feel of the grind of the constant monotone drone of the grey, flat, overplayed platitudes. There’s no innovation here … there’s coaching. You can almost see the strings.

That’s me in the second section where she’s looking directly at the camera. [UPDATE: sorry for the confusion ... thats not me in the second PICTURE above ... I'm talking about the video.] OK, my question wasn’t the best and I should have followed up. Give me a break. If you could have looked behind me you would have seen a wasps-nest of media cameras and mikes. I was lucky to get out what I did.

I’m not sure what happened to her, but if Cindy was there when we got to the White House I never saw her … but I find it hard to believe that I missed her. Wherever she goes so goeth the media.

Try not to click this particular picture. This is about as much detail as you’re going to want. Unless you’re a Saint Cindy worshipper. And believe me, I saw a LOT of that before the march. I saw people bow their heads in her presence.

For me, though, she reminded me of a rather plain next-door neighbor. Keeps her lawn mowed, flowers in the garden. A cat or two. We speak pleasantly if we meet in the grocery store, maybe gawk about the weather. After a shuffle of feet we take separate aisles.

OK, cleanse your eyes with a few protest babes. The percentage of these was higher than I had anticipated. This is something to consider.

There was a good span of age and ethnicity in the march … mostly women and a handful of men. All very nice people … I’m sure each and every one would give anyone … even Bush … the shirt off their back if they saw there was a real human need. This wasn’t the dark left, or if it was there it was kept under wraps. This was more the goofy left, but with a more potent punch.

Keep scrolling down for more Code Pink. I have lots more photos and more video.

Code Pink, II

2. Media Swarm.

Click on any image for a more detailed view.

Remember that this event had about the same number of attendees as the Freedom of Speech Rally near the Danish Embassy, where almost no media showed up.

I’m not saying that that’s the doing of the media itself … this event was obviously far more organized. Remember that word. Organized.

That’s Cindy Sheehan in front holding up the pink rose. More on her later. I actually met her and spoke with her.

As with everyone, people tend to be people face to face. She seemed like a nice person, which, I’m embarrassed to say, surprised me. Not that I’m embarrassed because I found “Cindy Sheehan” the leftie icon to be, surprise, a decent person face-to-face, but embarrassed because I was surprised by my assumption that she would be somehow different. Frankly, she’s no different that a mildly more nutty version of my next-door neighbor. Heck, I’d watch and feed her cats if she went on vacation, you know?

This is in front of the White House. The photo’s worth a CLICK to get a better view.

As I recall there was some sort of “ritual” going on. There were several of these in the course of the march. I never really tuned in on them.

Here they’re passing their petition over to some bloke on the other side of the gate. I couldn’t get close enough to see who it was, but I think it was just some security dude.

Later: Cindy Sheehan and more video (Sheehan speaks)…

Scroll down for more Code Pink and more video.