Is Iran Funding The CCP&J? This Blog Reports, You Decide!!!

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On Friday, July 18, the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J), the local band of America-bashing anarchists and Marxists disguised as “peace activists,” preemptively and unilaterally invaded the historic Downtown Mall. (Lest we forget, exactly two weeks ago, they launched their July 4 assault on Monticello.)

This latest unprovoked assault was part of the CCP&J's continuing campaign of America-subverting hysteria, lies and propaganda. In this case, though, their peace-disrupting action was dedicated to their “Don’t Attack Iran” nutjobbery.

See the glories of the CCP&J's event for yourself (even though this little jewel is only 6 minutes long, Valium or other strong sedatives are highly recommended):

The questions around the WTCPB blog water cooler have been:

What could possibly cause a group of (supposed) Americans to act like this?

What could cause the CCP&J to publish such incendiary slanders against the U.S. military - then lie about its affiliation with the author of such diatribes? (more here)

What could cause them to focus all their wrath, hatred and propaganda against their own nation – while refusing to protest, or vehemently and publicly denounce the (real) world's most vicious, bloodthirsty savages, and their enablers, when they hold events in Virginia?

Where sort of Stalinist silly putty must occupy their cranial cavities for them to think that their "Resolution Against Attacking Iran" should be voted on by City Council, on August 4, to supposedly speak for all of Charlottesville, to the world? Where is that in the City charter?

And what could cause them to claim on their little blog that, because a handful of their barking moonbats like these they invaded the Downtown Mall, "Charlottesville Virginia Says Don't Attack Iran"? See below screenshot (click to enlarge). Is this not reminiscent of the CCP&J's previously-published, fascistic statements --- that according to them, "Bush is not welcome at Monticello, or in Charlottesville"? What is it with Marxist anarchists that they think they are divinely appointed to speak for everyone?

Well, today we may have found our answer.
As noted here, this blog signed up to be on the CCP&J’s official mailing list, to ensure we get the latest installments of America-bashing hatred and propaganda, fresh off their electronic press.

So we couldn’t have been more (or less?) surprised to receive what appears to be an accidental email forward from the CCP&J --- containing a letter sent to them from none other than the Iranian psycho himself, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.


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22JULY08 XMIT@22:08GMT
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN ~ MINISTRY OF TRUTH
AUTHORIZATION Z80ZNN09I4JQ PGP PROTOCOL.
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From: BigMahmoud@NukesRFun.ir

To: My.Toadies@charlottesvillepeace.org

Subject: Thank you, my friends!!!

Dear Toadies at the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice:

I just received the link to the video of your hilarious protest on Charlottesville’s Historic Downtown Mall on Friday!!

The mullahs and I had a long, good, hearty laugh over your antics. I wanted to write personally to thank you for your most excellent work recently on behalf of Iran --- and to the detriment of your infidel nation, particularly its leadership and military personnel.

As you know, for many years Iran has been funding, arming and training some of the most merciless, brutal savages in the world. You know the ones – who indoctrinate their toddlers to believe that their highest mission in life is to die while murdering Jews and infidels; who butcher civilians and their children; who hijack jetliners; and who lob rockets into civilian areas to make political points.

Although I have certainly taken this effort to a new height, my predecessors and I have been steadily building Iran into a state that will be capable of credibly threatening, if not destroying, other nations in the Middle East. This is doubly true for Israel, which I have repeatedly and publicly said that I want to remove from the face of the Earth. So of course I am thrilled that you have continued to refuse to rise to Israel's defense, in any instance, no matter how hard, often or brutally we assault its people.

The American government, and even the spineless European welfare states you worship, have been ramping up opposition to our activities --- and particularly, my efforts over the last four years to construct an arsenal of nuclear weapons, and the missiles with which to deliver them. That’s how over-the-top our threats and actions have been. Even our Eurotrash appeasers are finally recognizing our threat, but the legions of barking "peace activist" moonbats we've supported in their nations have rendered them too impotent to do anything about it, by themselves.

As that infidel author Mark Steyn noted, it really is “America Alone” right now.

But you, my friends, have ignored all that I and Iran have done. You won't say one word about it in any of your propaganda.

You even honored my request that you viciously denounce America, while engaging in a subversive campaign to help protect Iran, and our growing arsenal of offensive weaponry - in exchange for my providing funding for your little treehouse gang, and Birkenstocks, granola and Che Gueverra t-shirts for all your members.

Instead of condemning me and my regime – as any group that is sincerely dedicated to “peace” and “justice” would – you echo all the propaganda talking points that I and the mullahs vomit up: that America is the source of all the world's problems, your leaders are warmongers, and your soldiers are coldblooded sadists. (And oh, it was hilarious the way you claimed that Thomas Jefferson was some kind of pacifist, and would approve of your actions – when any casual student of history knows that he was the first U.S. president to fight back against jihadist barbarians.)

It’s not like we haven’t given you ample reason to denounce Iran. We murder gays and hang them in the streets (see right). We murder young women who have premarital sex, are raped, or attempt to protect themselves from being raped, or dress provocatively. We cut off the hands of youths accused of petty theft. We brutally suppress all forms of dissent*. (*In a supreme irony, it is Iran's jailed "peace activists" who hate and denounce US, while they express their love and respect for the USA, which has shed blood and untold treasure to liberate 50 million of their fellow Muslims, in two nations.)

We have even been providing the tools and training with which Iraqi jihadists have been murdering your own U.S. soldiers, whom you claim to be speaking out on behalf of.

Yet in the face of all this, you remain silent, instead opting to focus all your rage, lies and propaganda against President Bush. Now, with your “Don’t Attack Iran” campaign, you’ve solidified my warm feelings for you.

(And that line in the video by one of your toadies about how Bush wants to invade Iran and take our oil... now that was just, hilarious!!! Even we hadn't thought that lie up!!! Too funny. After all you must know about Iran, for you to take your propaganda to that level, wow!!! Keep this up and you'll soon be as admired by me as much as the larger America-subverting, jihadist-appeasing groups that disguise themselves as "peace activists.")

As a token of my appreciation, I invite all CCP&J toadies to come up to New York, so that you can continue your demonstrations outside of the United Nations, where I, too, will be denouncing Bush and America later this year. We can have sweet tea together!!! And if you’d like, I’d be happy to provide transportation and lodging expenses for up to ten members of your little band of useful idiots (errrr… I mean toadies).

So again, thank you very much, my friends.

Peace out!!!

Mahmoud

P.S.: The mullahs also asked me to congratulate you on how well you've duped the local news media into believing that you're actually "peace activists." This obviously bodes very, very well for my upcoming speech at the UN!!! It kind of reminds me of how last year I was able to dupe ABC's Diane Sawyer into believing that I'm actually concerned about human welfare and "human rights." Yep, we're all "peace activists" now... (bwahahahahaha!!! I love that one...).

P.P.S.: Thought you'd like to see how some other toadies I fund are doing my bidding. I and the mullahs have titled this wonderful video, "Live, from Santa Barbara, CA... it's America-Bashing, Jihadist-Apologist Marxists and Anarchists -- LIVE!!!" Watch for a special moment you'll love at about 6 minutes in.

Hat-tip to that infidel witch Michelle Malkin's HotAir site, here. For the background of the group of infidel pigs doing the interviewing, click here.

Now remember, my CCP&J toadie anarchists, as you see in this video, because you believe you are "right," you can do whatever you want, to whomever you want, whenever you want --- just as you did at Monticello. Viva le anarchists!!! (I got that from my friend and fellow psycho, Hugo Chavez)

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A Call To Patriots, Soldiers And Veterans

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It is now clear that even after the whalloping this blog has given it in the past two weeks, the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J) is not going to remove, or stop publishing its vicious slanders against America, its political leadership, its military, and the work it is doing overseas, on its website. This blog debunked some of these general slanders, here and here.

But to debunk the many other, specific slanders that the CCP&J has published will require some dedicated research, which this blog's authors simply don't have the time to devote to at the moment. And in the case of slanders against America's military personnel, we are unqualified to thoroughly rebut them, ideally with first-person knowledge.

What we are looking for in particular are knowledgeable patriots, soldiers and veterans who can help to debunk these slanders with facts.

The most incendiary, unforgivable slanders that the CCP&J publishes* are targeted directly at America's soldiers. Below is but a sampling:

"(Bush has)... shipped thousands of soldiers to their deaths on a mission that has slaughtered over a million innocent human beings, a mission that is ongoing and worsening as we speak..." (Source: here; also see UPDATE at end)

"(America's) state militias have been... sent overseas to kill or be killed committing crimes on behalf of the king." (Source: here)

"(M)ost Americans oppose the policies of their military..." (Source: here)

Here are some of the slanders the CCP&J publishes* which are directed at America, its political leadership, and its justification and efforts to defend itself from some of history's most savage threats:

"(Bush) has claimed the power... to torture, to murder, to lie the nation into wars of conquest." (Source: here, here [flyer])

"(Bush) is a fascist, blood-soaked murderer... (who) has murdered our soldiers..." (Source: here, here)

"(Bush)... kidnaps and detains and abuses members of other religions, and he eliminates the freedom of speech... (he has) detained and tortured members of the press... and shot and bombed them. There is no redress of grievances.” (Source: here)

If you visit the CCP&J's website, you'll note that its executives and contributors say nothing* about the savage barbarity being perpetrated by those that America is fighting against.

They say nothing* about the horrific crimes that these barbarians deliberately perpetrate against civilians, women, children, homosexuals and "unbelievers" - and most notably, against American soldiers.

They say nothing* about the fact that 98% or more of the civilian deaths they bemoan are caused not by U.S. soldiers, but by Islamist murderers.

No, all of the CCP&J's vitriol, rage, lies and propaganda (from a "peace" group!) are focused specifically on America, and its military personnel.

(*Note to CCP&J: Don't try to omit or manipulate what has appeared on your website in the last few weeks. PDFs are available via email to anyone who wants them, for verification.)

So, do you have factual information with which to debunk these slanders, which the CCP&J and groups like it rely upon to advance their (actual) agenda?

Or, do you have first-hand knowledge which, when combined with research, will serve to factually dismantle these claims?

If so, please send an email to tj411cville@gmail.com.

Even if you aren't in a position to help, please consider forwarding this thread to any others (particularly soldiers and veterans) you know, who may be interested in writing a rebuttal.

Thus far, we had the good fortune to receive one passionate letter from a veteran of many years in the U.S. Air Force, regarding the CCP&J's propaganda about our military's actions (see Letter #1, here).

The best of these rebuttals will be posted prominently on this blog, and forwarded to the local "news" media, which currently takes whatever the CCP&J says as the gospel truth (no matter how many times they've been advised of the reasons not to do so, in advance).

Hopefully, these rebuttals will also serve as a reminder of how easily local journalists have been duped - and have allowed themselves to become complicit in facilitating the subversive mission, statements and actions of groups like the CCP&J.

Thank you.


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UPDATE July 14

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Thanks to a timely tip from Jenna of this item at GatewayPundit, which helps to demolish - once again - the CCP&J's anti-American propaganda.

In this case, the CCP&J-published claim, mentioned at the top of this thread, that "(Bush has)... shipped thousands of soldiers to their deaths on a mission that has slaughtered over a million innocent human beings, a mission that is ongoing and worsening as we speak...":

Today violence in Iraq is down 90% from last year.

Today 15 of 18 benchmarks have been met in Iraq.

Today Al-Qaeda is Iraq is defeated.

The tremendous progress is undeniable.

Read the entire article for detailed information on Barack Obama's double-jointed doublespeak on the Iraq issue - and of course, how the news media is just lapping it all up without question or analysis.


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July 11 UPDATE

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Contents of today’s Update:

1. Local news media remains silent on challenge from this blog.
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2. New: FAQ
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3. New: Letter Writer's Forum
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4. CCP&J to go into "retreat" to "dialogue, focus"
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5. CCP&J mailing list used to foment more lies re our energy situation, and "direct action"
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6. CCP&J to rally against any attack on Iran - but remains silent on Iran's threats, oppressive regime, murder of U.S. soldiers, and support of terrorism in the Middle East and beyond

(1) Local news media remains silent on challenge from this blog

After the shameful spectacle that was perpetrated at Monticello on July 4 by local leftist anarchists, this blog sent out a challenge to all major local news media outlets.

In summary, those responsible for providing news and information to Charlottesville-area residents were provided with a factual basis upon which to examine the complicit role they played in the disruptions of the July 4 celebration and naturalization ceremonies, by acting as protective shills for local anarchists, whom they refer to as “peace activists."

Read the entire press release here.

Not a single person from the news media – except two radio talk show hosts, Joe Thomas of WCHV and Rob Schilling of WINA – even bothered to respond to this challenge.

To their credit, both Thomas and Schilling looked at the evidence. They took keen interest in the numerous alerts this blog sent to the news media in advance, highlighting the contradictory statements of certain individuals who were fomenting the vulgar, propaganda-laden disruptions of the Monticello ceremonies.

Furthermore, they recognized, as this blog has pointed out, that many local groups supposedly devoted to “peace” are, in reality, affiliated with large socialist-communist groups, who utilize the same lies and propaganda to denigrate America, its founding principles, its military, and its actions overseas. This is documented here.

Yet the remainder of the local news media is still ignoring all this.

In fact, as recently as July 7, the Daily Progress referred, once again, to the leftist anarchist* who helped foment – and participated in – the disruptions at Monticello (which is private property), as a “peace activist.”
(*Note: This individual, David Swanson, a board member of the CCPJ, only days before told the news media, “I hope no one disrupts the ceremonies," which it dutifully repeated throughout the coming days. Yet now, Mr. Swanson proudly admits, in multiple locations, that he participated in the disruptions that he helped to foment).

As noted in the press release/challenge (see Update 3, July 5), the news media was alerted of damning indications that apparently, “the local hive of CodePink forged press passes to get into Monticello to disrupt the ceremony: Daily Kos: How to Forge Presidential Press Passes.” This update continues:

Again --- imagine if the local branch of the Nazis or the KKK had perpetrated this, instead of the local branch of larger America-subverting communist-socialist front organizations (more here), in order to get into Monticello to launch a profanity-laden, lie-filled verbal assault on a Democrat president. The news media would (rightfully, in this blog's opinion) be on them like locusts.

And again, the local news media has not even replied to this alert, or (as of this writing) indicated that it is even going to take a closer look at it.

Is the local news media accountable to this blog? Absolutely not. The only parties it is accountable to are its owners/shareholders, the FCC, and/or its listeners/readers/viewers.

Let all those parties read the alerts and detailed background information that this blog provided to the local media before and after the disgusting display of anarchistic hysteria at Monticello, which destroyed the day for participants and our new fellow citizens. Let them judge for themselves who is being responsible in this matter, and who is in deep, continuing denial.

Then, ask yourself the following questions:

If the local "news" media is willing to look the other way, to protect and shill for fringe leftist anarchists in our midst from the scrutiny they'd apply to any other group, what else has this double-standard been applied to in the past?

And what does this portend for the local "news" media's willingness to provide fair, responsible, balanced coverage of the upcoming election season?

(2) New: FAQs

This blog has received a fairly significant number of inquiries, most of which are supportive, some of which are hateful, and some of which are funny. Quite a few posed similar questions; here are the responses.


(3) New: Letter Writer's Forum

This new feature will seek and host thoughtful commentaries on the disruption of the Monticello ceremonies, and the larger issues involved.

In particular, we're seeking commentaries from (a) those who were there on July 4, and (b) veterans and veteran's groups, who can help to rebut the incendiary, hateful propaganda and lies about the U.S. military, that many (supposed) "peace" groups rely upon.

So far, we've received two remarkable letters.

The first is a letter that was sent to the CCP&J by a veteran of more than a quarter-century of service in the U.S. military, Michael Davis. As you'll see, Davis has a few things to say about the incendiary lies and propaganda that the CCP&J has been hosting, and using as a justification for their America-subverting statements and actions.

The second is a letter by Hank Martin, who was seated several rows behind the hysterical* woman who attempted to rush the stage upon which President Bush was speaking; video here. (*Oops, sorry, we forgot; according to the local "news" media, people such as this, who disturb the peace on private property - and are apparently intent on assaulting the President of the United States - are to be referred to as "peace activists.")

(4) CCP&J to go into "retreat," to "dialogue, strategize"

Even though the local news media is ignoring the facts that this blog pointed out regarding the CCP&J's contradictory statements and actions (here, here and elsewhere on this blog), apparently its leadership is not.

On July 5, the CCP&J posted at the top of its website a notice that it will be holding a retreat on September 28, 2008 "to strategize... (and) develop dialogue on CCPJ's priorities, goals, and role in the community."

And given the following items in this Update, combined with the shameful, vulgar disruptions that the CCP&J helped to foment at the July 4 Monticello ceremonies - then lied about its involvement in - all this blog can say is: Better late than never, eh?

(5) CCP&J mailing list used to foment more lies re our energy situation, and "direct action"

The supposed core mission of the CCP&J is to "promote... education and action for peace and justice in our community." Sounds quite noble, doesn't it?

But genuine "education" is based on truth and facts - not on hysteria, lies, misconceptions and propaganda. Similarly, true "peace" is achievable only when both individuals' and nations' natural rights, including their rights to self-reliance, self-determination and self-defense, are protected.

But given the CCP&J's recent history of using lies and propaganda to further its (actual) agenda, it isn't too terribly surprising that it would allow its mailing list to be used towards this same end.

On July 7, the CCP&J emailed out a notice which, in part, promotes an event called "The Southeast Convergence for Climate Action." The mailer describes the purpose of this event as being:

"...to continue the struggle for climate justice... and direct action... (W)e will unite to fight the coal industry's stranglehold on our region while rejecting the deadly nuke industry's attempt to position itself as the solution to the climate crisis."

First, this blog defies anyone to provide a rational definition for the term "climate justice."

Second, lest anyone doubt what many in the "peace" movement are about, here is a quasi-accurate definition of the term "direct action." A more realistic definition is: whatever supposed "peace" activists believe they're entitled to do, to anyone, anywhere, any time they choose, no matter how violent or repulsive. Google "eco-terrorism," "enviro-terrorism," etc. for more information.

Lastly, and most importantly, let's focus on "the deadly nuke industry." For a group supposedly dedicated to "peace," one might think that the CCP&J would want to be accurate, and not use hateful lies in order to advance its cause.

In this case, even one of the enviromental and pace movement's forefathers - Patrick Moore, the co-founder of GreenPeace - debunks this incendiary lie, in a 2006 article in the Washington Post:

Wind and solar power have their place, but because they are intermittent and unpredictable they simply can't replace big baseload plants such as coal, nuclear and hydroelectric. Natural gas, a fossil fuel, is too expensive already, and its price is too volatile to risk building big baseload plants. Given that hydroelectric resources are built pretty much to capacity, nuclear is, by elimination, the only viable substitute for coal. It's that simple.

That's not to say that there aren't real problems -- as well as various myths -- associated with nuclear energy. Each concern deserves careful consideration:

Nuclear energy is expensive. It is in fact one of the least expensive energy sources. In 2004, the average cost of producing nuclear energy in the United States was less than two cents per kilowatt-hour, comparable with coal and hydroelectric. Advances in technology will bring the cost down further in the future.

Nuclear plants are not safe. Although Three Mile Island was a success story, the accident at Chernobyl, 20 years ago this month, was not. But Chernobyl was an accident waiting to happen. This early model of Soviet reactor had no containment vessel, was an inherently bad design and its operators literally blew it up. The multi-agency U.N. Chernobyl Forum reported last year that 56 deaths could be directly attributed to the accident, most of those from radiation or burns suffered while fighting the fire.

Tragic as those deaths were, they pale in comparison to the more than 5,000 coal-mining deaths that occur worldwide every year. No one has died of a radiation-related accident in the history of the U.S. civilian nuclear reactor program. (And although hundreds of uranium mine workers did die from radiation exposure underground in the early years of that industry, that problem was long ago corrected.)

So what is it that the group the CCP&J mailer is promoting wants to do to solve our (very-real) energy challenges?

"Workshops will include: community organizing, direct action 101, debunking false solutions to climate change, blockades, sustainable living systems, media, disaster response, fighting nukes and coal, and much more."

Thanks in large part to the propaganda and hysteria fomented by U.S. environmental and peace movements, America's dependence on foreign oil has risen from 27.3% in 1985 to 56.1% in 2006. While "peace" activists and environmentalists advocate the use of electric vehicles, they never seem to say where the electric energy will come from to power all those plug-in vehicles. The safest, most efficient, lowest-cost sources are nuclear power, clean coal, natural gas and hydroelectric.

Yet nowhere in this mailer or in the CCP&J website do they proffer any real solutions; they only state what they're against, and in the case of nuclear, it is based on an incendiary lie. And the only possible outcome of crippling America's ability to produce the energy we need, is to make us even more reliant upon foreign sources of energy - including from terrorist nations that are already causing us no shortage of headaches (and blood loss).

It's as if a man who was starving was prevented from getting another job, or growing his own food, or bartering with his neighbors for the food he needed; what is he to do to survive? According to "peace" activists, that's his problem. And if he so much as harms a single hair atop the head of a single fly in order to provide for his own sustinence, then he will face the wrath of "peace activists," who will denounce him as being a destroyer of the environment, and a selfish, greedy, uncaring monster.

So much for (true) "peace" and "justice."

Will the local news media challenge this latest bit of hateful propaganda? Don't hold your breath.


(6) CCP&J to rally against any attack on Iran - but remains silent on Iran's threats, oppressive regime, murder of U.S. soldiers, and support of terrorism in the Middle East and beyond

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the madman president of Iran, couldn't have written this script any better if he tried.

On July 9, the CCP&J allowed (drumroll...) David Swanson to post another diatribe against America, and its protection of its own interests - while refusing to acknowledge a single fact about Iran's savage non-"peaceful" actions against individuals and other nations. This one must be read in full to be believed.

After you've gotten a headache from reading that tripe, you might want to read reality-oriented assessments of Iran. Here is a good place to start; here's another.

And note that Mr. Swanson's diatribe contains a "resolution" that the CCP&J will ask the Charlottesville City Council to pass.

This blog's authors may have missed it, but can anyone cite the passage in the City Council's charter in which it states that its business activities extend beyond the borders of Charlottesville - or where it is authorized to speak on behalf of a small, fringe group of its residents, to external groups?

Oh, right. There is no such passage. It's a fantasy - kind of like the fantasy that most of today's "peace" groups are actually in support of "peace," or of America's founding principles, etc. (more here and here).

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FAQs

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Since the debut of this blog on Saturday, June 28, and especially since the ceremonies at Monticello on July 4, quite a few readers have sent in questions, some of which are similar in nature.

Below is a sampling of these questions, and the blog’s responses.


Are you being paid by Bush, the RNC or any other group?

No. This is purely a project of passion and necessity. Not a cent has been paid to or requested by this blog, to do what it has done, is doing, and will continue to do.


Why did you name the blog “Welcome To Charlottesville, President Bush”?

The blog was created in response to a public statement by a board member of the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J), David Swanson, who urged others to disrupt the Monticello ceremonies (here), on the basis of a slew of misrepresentations and propaganda aimed at President Bush, and even Thomas Jefferson. Soon thereafter, Mr. Swanson said he was doing this “to let people know that Bush is not welcome at Monticello… or in Charlottesville” (here).

Despite the CCP&J’s denial that Mr. Swanson is on its board, or speaks for the group on an official basis, it not only didn't take his incendiary posts off the front page of its blog, it allowed him to continue posting them (here).

Therefore, naming this blog was a no-brainer.


How can you defend Bush, who’s hated by so many Americans, and so much of the world? Are you some kind of sycophant?

That's an easy one. Given the alternatives that the Democrats put up in 2000 and 2004, the choice for me – and a little more than half of your fellow citizens who chose to vote (at least in 2004) – was easy.

Actually, I have lots of disagreements with the Bush administration.

Mostly, I am upset that he has grown the size and spending of the federal government more than any president since LBJ and his “Great Society,” and that he has not fought back against the lies and smears against him, and the U.S. military – forcefully, consistently and articulately. This is a huge factor in why he and his administration are so “hated” – because the lies and propaganda that the Democrats and their fringe left base have employed have been met with practically no response.

But the one area in which I have no choice but to support him is in his response to the war that Islamist theocratic totalitarians have declared on America. Although not without its missteps (as are evidenced in all wars), he has taken the fight to our enemies, and via the surge strategy – which John McCain advocated since early on – we are winning, and will win this war (provided we do not elect a president whose first mission will be to surrender Iraq to our enemies).


Why are you doing this anonymously?

The creation of this blog was a very spur-of-the-moment decision, primarily to respond to the CCP&J and its facilitation of David Swanson’s incendiary propaganda, starting on June 27, 2008.

The first priority was to research the issues and provide factual responses and insights, particularly to forward to the local news media regarding the disruptions being planned and justified at the Monticello ceremonies on July 4 (which, in the end, the news media chose to all but totally ignore). In the end, I and those who contribute to this blog made the decision to let our words, and the facts, speak for themselves, independent of personality-type distractions.

This decision allows us to speak freely, and without in any way compromising or causing conflict in our workplaces, or in social settings. In short, I and the people behind this blog may well be who you pass every day in the supermarket, and who you work with… just ordinary Americans who want to make their voices known, in our own way. This decision should in no way diminish the validity of the facts and opinions that I, and we, present in this forum.


I love what you’re doing. What can I do to help?

Thank you. Here are five things you can do:

• Forward this blog to your friends.
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• Post comments on the bottom of blog threads, or send in letters to tj411cville@gmail.com. Be polite, factual, passionate and as concise as possible. The best of these letters will be published here.
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• Send your thoughts on this matter to the local news media. We are compiling a list of contacts, email addresses, etc., to be posted soon. Public pressure apparently is the only thing that will cause them to question, and finally stop, their continual use of the term "peace activists" to describe local leftist anarchists, who represent the communist-socialist ideology, and who disrupted the Monticello ceremonies. Their words, and their actions at Monticello on July 4, totally dismantle this misnomer. It is up to us, individually and collectively, to let the local news media know of our displeasure with their continual willingness to act as shills for those who are after anything but peace (more here and here).
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• If you know any veterans or veterans groups, forward to them the links containing the incendiary, lie-filled accusations published at the CCP&J and at David Swanson’s websites against our political leadership, our military and their actions, so that they may respond. We are doing so, and the response so far has been fantastic. Look for a compilation of their responses on this blog in the very near future.
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• Whenever possible, organize and participate in (peaceful) demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, to let the local leftist anarchists know that their lies and propaganda will not go unanswered. We already know that the local news media will not (yet) challenge or debunk anything they say; therefore, it's up to us to do so. In particular, ask any veterans you know to participate in these events.

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JULY 4 - A CHALLENGE TO LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charlottesville, VA
July 4, 2008 - 3:30pm


"WELCOME TO CHARLOTTESVILLE, PRESIDENT BUSH" BLOG
ISSUES CHALLENGE TO LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

Despite the best efforts of the “Welcome To Charlottesville, President Bush” blog, its contributors and others, we failed in our efforts to dissuade local anarchists --- many of whom are allied with thinly-disguised socialist-communist front groups --- from turning the July 4 naturalization ceremony at Monticello into a shameful spectacle.

This morning, these anarchists repeatedly shouted obscenities, hateful, lie-filled accusations and other screeds during President Bush’s speech at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home.

This blog, though less than a week old, repeatedly documented and alerted the local news media to the fact that local anarchists, whom the media refers to as "peace activists," were fomenting exactly these disruptions. Yet not a single media source* exposed this fact, or challenged the would-be perpetrators on their statements and actions. (*with the exception of several local talk radio show hosts, namely Joe Thomas of WCHV and Rob Schilling of WINA)

The local TV station covering the event was unable (or unwilling) to “bleep” out their profanities. Early reports indicate that this inglorious, shameful episode is being mentioned in the national news media.

In short, this entire humiliating event could probably been avoided, had the perpetrators been held to account by the local news media, and subjected to the public shame that their statements and intended actions deserved, before they had the chance to act on their anarchistic desires.

The question now, from our perspective, is:

What’s next, local news media?

Are you going to continue to enable those that fomented, organized and perpetrated this outrage, by referring to them as “peace activists” or “concerned citizens,” instead of what they have demonstrated they are – anarchists, who use fascist tactics to advance their cause? (More here and elsewhere throughout this blog)

Are you going to continue to refuse to devote the minimal resources necessary to clearly identify for your readers, listeners and viewers that many of these groups are local affiliates of large communist/socialist front groups --- representing an ideology responsible for the deaths of an estimated 100 million people in the 20th century? (Were these groups affiliates of Nazis or the KKK, we all know you would - rightfully - expose and hound them, 24/7; read more here)

Are you going to continue to refuse to ask these groups why they don’t protest or disrupt speeches and events held in Virginia by the most vicious violators of “peace” and “justice” in the world --- so long as these violators’ propaganda and savagery is aimed squarely at America, Israel and/or Jews in general? (More here)

And lastly, are you going to continue to feign ignorance when these groups’ statements and actions squarely contradict their (supposed) missions of advancing “peace” and “justice”?

See more info here, here and elsewhere on this blog.

A detailed backgrounder is below, for those who are new to this controversy.

UPDATE 1: Here's the glorious evidence of what probably could have been avoided, had the local news media done its job: VIDEOS - ANARCHY AT MONTICELLO.

UPDATE 2, July 5: Today, David Swanson admitted that he was part of the disruptions at Monticello: "Why We Disrupted Bush At Monticello." Note that Swanson told the local news media on June 30, "I certainly hope no one intends to disrupt or disrespect anyone who's becoming a citizen." Yet on June 27, he said that protesters should disrupt the Monticello ceremony, "to make it clear to the world... that President Bush is not welcome at Monticello, or in Charlottesville," a sentiment he repeated, and amplified, on July 2. All this information was publicly available, and forwarded to numerous local news media sources by this blog. Yet not one of them (except several talk radio hosts, listed above) confronted Swanson, or the CCP&J (of which he is a board member), about their contradictory statements, or his/its true intentions. Instead, the media continuously repeated his "hope" blurb, and framed him as a "peace activist," ad infinitum, in the days leading up to the ceremony --- ignoring all the evidence to the contrary.

UPDATE 3, July 5: Here's another blockbuster story for the local news media to begin to follow up on --- or ignore: Apparently, the local hive of CodePink forged press passes to get into Monticello to disrupt the ceremony: Daily Kos: How to Forge Presidential Press Passes. Again --- imagine if the local branch of the Nazis or the KKK had perpetrated this, instead of the local branch of larger America-subverting communist-socialist front organizations (more here), in order to get into Monticello to launch a profanity-laden, lie-filled verbal assault on a Democrat president. The news media would (rightfully, in this blog's opinion) be on them like locusts. Now what, local news media?

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BACKGROUND:

The following is all thoroughly documented throughout this blog.

Thomas Jefferson was one of America's premier advocates of peaceful, civil discourse, and of the sanctity of inviolable property rights.

Monticello, which Jefferson designed, constructed and resided in, is private property. Long ago, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), which owns and operates Monticello, issued a standing invitation to the President of the United States to speak at its annual naturalization ceremony, held on July 4 each year.

On Friday, June 27, the TJF announced that President Bush had accepted this invitation.

On Monday, June 30, the TFJ announced that 1,000 tickets to the event would be available to the general public starting at 7:00am on Wednesday, July 2, on a first-come, first-served basis at the Monticello Visitor Center. Up to four tickets per person would be issued.

Within hours of this announcement, a board member of the “Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice” (CCP&J), David Swanson, announced on the CCP&J website that President Bush was “not welcome” in Charlottesville or at Monticello – and that his speech, and the ceremony, should be protested and disrupted. Swanson justified this by posting a variety of hate-filled propaganda and misrepresentations about the U.S., its political leadership and its military.

Mr. Swanson even went so far as to insinuate that Thomas Jefferson – who he incorrectly implied was a pacifist – would approve of these actions, as would many of those to be sworn in as citizens. Detailed info here.

The “Welcome To Charlottesville, President Bush” blog ("this blog") was created on June 28, to expose and counter the actions that were clearly being fomented by the CCP&J and other (supposed) "peace" groups, to disrupt the Monticello ceremonies. See the original post here. This blog also debunked the propaganda and misrepresentations published at the CCP&J website about President Bush and the Iraq war here, and about Thomas Jefferson and his views on war - particularly against Islamist theocratic totalitarians that have declared war on America - here.

Several days before the event, the CCP&J emailed this blog, denying that it was in any way involved in, or sponsoring any protests or disruptions of the Monticello ceremonies. The CCP&J further claimed that Mr. Swanson was not a member of its board, and given all this, requested that this blog remove all references to the CCP&J.

In response, this blog offered to post an announcement of the CCP&J's statement(s), provided that the CCP&J posted an identical notice on its own website.

The CCP&J never replied to this offer. Further, the CCP&J failed to put up any kind of notice to this effect on its own website, and continued to allow Mr. Swanson to post his hateful rhetoric and urgings for disruptions of the Monticello ceremonies, at the very top of the CCP&J website.

All the above is documented in detail, here, here and here.

The CCP&J then allowed Mr. Swanson to use its website to urge those who share his views to "Bring as many people as you can, and each request the maximum of four tickets. Go early!" (implied: regardless of whether they actually needed the extra tickets). Early reports indicate that members of the CCP&J and other (supposed) "peace" groups camped out through the night, or arrived extremely early, to fulfill Mr. Swanson's request. This action clearly prevented other (truly) peaceful local citizens from attending --- while providing anarchists with the maximum opportunity to orchestrate disruptions of the event.

A local newspaper article (as well as the rest of the local news media) consistently referred to Mr. Swanson as a “peace activist” – yet never challenged him on any of his urgings for disruptions of the Monticello ceremonies in his posts at the CCP&J website, or revealed that he promotes the fact that he is a working affiliation with a socialist-communist front group, United for Peace & Justice. This is covered here.

A large radio station ran hourly updates all day on July 2, featuring a quote from Mr. Swanson saying that he hoped there would be no disruptions of the Monticello ceremonies. The NBC-TV affiliate ran the same quote on its newscasts. The reporter offered no challenge to Mr. Swanson, given his repeated, public urgings on the CCP&J website and elsewhere, for his fellow "peace" activists to disrupt the ceremonies. See "Update, July 1" at bottom, here.

This local "news" media's acquiescence to the CCP&J and other (supposed) "peace" groups is nothing new. To the best of the knowledge of this blog's participants, the local news media has never challenged anything the CCP&J or David Swanson have said or done.

From July 2-3, the CCP&J continued to allow Mr. Swanson to post his diatribes and urgings for protests and disruptions of the Monticello ceremonies, at the very top of its website. This is all documented here.

On the evening of July 3, a CCP&J member - using the official CCP&J email system - to send out a notice advising of a protest to occur near Monticello (being organized by other groups – including at least one run by Mr. Swanson) - and encouraging local activists to attend. This is obviously in direct contradiction to the fact that the CCP&J stated to this blog that it has “nothing to do" with any protests. (See “Update - July 3 late-night” at the bottom of this link)

Which brings us to today – and the shameful black eye that local anarchists gave to Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home, to those who were sworn in today as citizens, to the city of Charlottesville, and to anyone who (sincerely) seeks peace and justice.

The question now is – as stated earlier – will the local news media continue to act as shields, willing lapdogs, and enablers for those who represent everything that Thomas Jefferson stood against?

Or will it finally begin to stand up, substantively challenge, and hold to account those who perpetrated this outrage?

Even casual political observers know that if a group of Nazis/fascists/racists established a local organization, and included the word "peace" in its name, the local news media would (rightfully, in this blog's opinion) devote significant resources to relentlessly analyzing, exposing and challenging its members and leadership, and their statements and actions.

Yet for years, the local news media has employed an unmistakably clear double-standard when it comes to groups that claim to advocate "peace," yet which have clear links to larger America-bashing, communist-socialist groups, and which enable, foment and perpetrate exactly the kind of anarchist/fascist-type behavior that we witnessed today during the Monticello ceremonies.

Furthermore, the local news media has expressed no interest in analyzing why these "peace" groups are given de facto carte blanche access to our schools, to proselytize their thinly-veiled socialist-communist, America-bashing, tyranny-appeasing propaganda to our children, whereas groups with opposing views are either rejected as being "propagandists," or face bureaucratic roadblocks.

Will the local news media finally start to act with one standard when it comes to "activist" groups, the ideologies they (actually) represent, and the actions they take - and foment? Will the local news media finally hold groups such as those that fomented and perpetrated what happened at Monticello to full account, and not just take whatever they say as gospel, thereby shielding the public from the reality, while acting as their enablers?

Time will tell.

Check back on this blog for updates.

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VIDEOS - ANARCHY AT MONTICELLO

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SEE UPDATES AT END

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For deep background on all this, see here.

Those old enough to remember it will recall the following line from a TV commercial:
"I've got a headache THIS big, and it has Excedrin written ALL over it..."

For America-lovers and admirers of Thomas Jefferson, who consider his Monticello to be hallowed ground in the advocacy and defense of liberty and private property rights, you'll need a few Excedrin, and probably a half-bottle of Pepto-Bismol, to make it through all these videos.

This is the raw, uncensored face of local anarchists, many of whom are affiliated with larger communist-socialist front groups, who took it upon themselves to disrupt and subvert what could have, and should have been a non-partisan welcoming of 72 new American citizens.

Great job, guys (and gals): You simultaneously gave Charlottesville, VA a huge, national black eye, while exposing yourselves for the howling, liberty-hating moonbats you actually are. Pay special attention to the local Code Pink* woman who jumped up, screaming at President Bush, and attempted to rush the stage upon which he was speaking. (*for more information, see "Update, July 11," below)

And a special hat-tip to the local news media, which could have reported on what these deranged, America-bashing lunatics were publicly planning --- which you were notified of by this blog, and by other sources --- but you chose not to. More here.

Now, on with the "show."

More to come, we're (sadly) sure.

UPDATE - July 5

From PowerlineBlog:

"The video... shows the mass reenlistement ceremony in the Al Faw Palace rotunda at Camp Victory, Baghdad. The troops chose to celebrate Independence Day in a way that gives expressive form to the price of freedom. According to the Army account, General Petraeus presided over the ceremony and led the airmen, Marines, sailors, and soldiers in their oath to defend their country against all enemies both foreign and domestic. 'You and your comrades here have been described as America's new greatest generation, and, in my view, you have more than earned that description,' Petraeus said. 'It is the greatest of honors to soldier here with you'."

Read the rest, including a moving tribute to a fallen hero, at the above link.

Now, let's imagine, just for a moment, the barking moonbats above, having the courage to go and disrupt General Petraeus in the middle of this ceremony; to claim to each of these soldiers' faces that they are "committing war crimes"; that they are responsible for "the slaughter of 1 million Iraqi civilians"; that they are taking orders from "a war criminal," "a dictator," and "a fascist."

In the ultimate irony, it is soldiers such as these who pay with their courage, sweat and blood for the right of America-bashing, tyranny-worshipping moonbats to spew their lies and propaganda about them, even on July 4, and even on the hallowed ground of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

God bless America, indeed.


ADDENDUM

Continuing this theme, here is William Ayers, an unapologetic domestic terrorist* --- whom Barack Obama says is a "friend" of his --- in 2001, standing atop a smaller version of the American flag that the U.S. soldiers, above, are swearing to protect. (*more here, here and here)

More: On September 16, 2001, just days after the 9/11 attacks, and years after Obama became affiliated with him, Ayers was quoted in the New York Times, “America is not a just and fair and decent place." To those who claim that "America is a great country," Ayers said, "it makes me want to puke."

UPDATE July 8

Thanks to an astute reader who sent in this link to the CCP&J's "trophy" from July 4 - the lion's head they've been panting to hang on their clubhouse wall since it was announced that President Bush was going to speak at Monticello during its July 4 ceremonies.

At the CCP&J website, under the headline, "Welcoming Bush To Charlottesville," here's their slickly-produced excerpt video, showing the outrage they helped to foment (and which CCP&J board member and "peace activist" David "Gee, I hope no one disrupts the ceremonies" Swanson proudly proclaims he participated in):

So patriotic, it gives you warm fuzzies, hm? (Or sends a nauseating chill down your spine, to think these are our "countrymen").


UPDATE July 11: The raw, "red" face of Code Pink

Thanks to astute reader Jenna for sending in the link to this Code Pink protest outside the Marine Corps recruiting station in San Francisco. According to these protesters, the Marine Corps are "war criminals," but "communism is OK."

We are now bracing for Code Pink apologists and their news media sock puppets to explain how these quotes are not representative of Code Pink, were taken out of context, etc., and that despite appearances, they are the real "patriots" who love America.

Notice how these "protester-patriots" have not a single word of condemnation of genuine fascist dictators who are perpetrating acts of unspeakable savagery in our world, who are threatening to wipe other nations "off the map," and who attacked America on 9/11. Nothing. Unironically, the local branches of these "peace" groups are also all but mum on the subject.

"Peace activists," indeed.

ADDENDUM

More on Code Pink's (actual) history and (actual) agenda - here, here, here, here.


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Letter Writer's Forum

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Readers of this blog who want to provide feedback and insights can leave comments at the bottom of each thread, or write to tj411cville@gmail.com, the best of which will be published on this thread.

In particular, we're seeking commentaries from (a) those who were at the Monticello ceremonies on July 4, and (b) veterans and veteran's groups, who can help to rebut the incendiary, hateful propaganda and lies about the U.S. military, that many (supposed) "peace" groups rely upon.

Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. Indicate if you wish to remain anonymous.


(1) From Michael Davis (US Air Force, retired)

Editor's Note: This letter was emailed with the note, "Keep up the great work. Thought you'd like to see what I just emailed to the CCP&J." It makes points that only an American with more than a quarter century of service in the U.S. military can, regarding the incendiary, subversive, lie-filled statements and actions of the CCP&J, and groups like it.

To David Swanson and the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice:

You and I do not know each other but it is clear we each live on different planets. I come from a world that believes one should give of themselves to others and their country before asking for anything in return, whereas you seem to come from a world where one believes their country owes them everything without expecting anything in return.

It is in that light that I followed your battle cry to protest the naturalization ceremony over which President Bush officiated. I have read many of your posts and articles and have come to the conclusion that the last thing you or your group desires is peace or justice in any form. What is clear to me is that you and the group you represent are completely consumed with absolute hatred; hatred for our President, hatred for our nation, and hatred for our way of life.

You sir, have no idea what constitutes a fascist state. Not only have you never lived in one but you couldn't point one out if it were painted blue on a white world map. You also have no clue what constitutes a dictatorship. Moreover, you appear to actually defend dictatorships, by demanding that the US and the democracies of the world end their oppositions to them. I could spend hours on end listing example after example of where you are wrong in your thinking, but you and I both know it would be a pointless venture. Your hatred for all things American has consumed you, and you and I both know that nothing I say will sway you in your unquenchable desire for personal attention.

However, my point in writing to you is not to tell you what you already know, but to tell you how happy I was to see how wrong you were about believing that any new citizen would ever welcome your personal attacks, on what should have been their most memorable day. No one welcomed your personal attacks or your political antics. They all refused to join your protest of what, for them, should have been a solemn and forever sacred event. You deluded yourself into thinking otherwise, and I relished seeing that you were put down.

I’m sure it was lost on you that these people have spent years learning our history and discovering for themselves what our great nation stands for. They each have spent many sleepless nights and countless days yearning for the moment when they could be officially welcomed and recognized as American citizens. These people have earned their rights through hard work, sweat, and for some, at great risk to join the small fraction of human beings that enjoy the tremendous freedoms known only in America. Yet, your actions to dishonor their commitment brought you neither fame nor praise. Instead, you earned both shame and scorn for both you and your group. You took from these people, something that can never be restored. For that, you sir, are an ass!

For someone like me, it’s easy to see that you have no idea what makes our nation great. I have spent the last 26 years serving in our nation's military.

I have been stationed in numerous countries and been assigned to temporary duty in many more. It’s obvious to me that you have never lived overseas for any length of time. It’s also apparent that you have never stepped one foot into a third-world country to see firsthand what a corrupt government can do to its people.

You obviously have no idea what our nation means to so many people around the world. You also have no idea what our rights and freedoms represent for those who don’t have any of them. That’s because you were given your rights by birth... rights that are protected for you by fellow countrymen, regardless of what you do personally.

You have never had to earn your rights. You have never had to work for a single one of them. You have never had to take an oath of loyalty to secure them for yourself, and you have never had to truly defend them or fight for them for yourself or anyone else. You, like so many others, have always relied upon someone else for that and more.

That is why you have no appreciation for the nation in which you live. That is why you have no appreciation for the rights of others, who fought tooth and nail for the chance to live in the most prosperous nation in the world, and to call themselves "Americans."

People around the world are dying each and every day, yearning for even a small portion of the rights you enjoy each and every day. Yet, you do not choose to protest for them. Instead, you have chosen to spend your time protesting against those who are fighting for them.

You have chosen to side with the dictators, the theocrats, the monarchies of Islam, and the Islamic Jihadists to undermine your nation and the democracies of the world and to prevent the same from liberating millions of people who are subjected to horrors you can only scarcely imagine. You have repeatedly used the tainted statistics of the Lancet report http://www.thelancet.com/webfiles/images/journals/lancet/s0140673606694919.pdf or those of the Opinion Research Business http://www.opinion.co.uk/Newsroom_details.aspx?NewsId=78 to claim that we have murdered well over 1 million Iraqis.

You have used these and other claims to shield the true horrors that the countries of the Middle East, Africa, and Indonesia impose upon their peoples. Why? As a supposed person of higher learning, you should know that the claims of the Lancet report and those of the ORB have been thoroughly discredited by The New England Journal of Medicine. Their results can be found here: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/358/5/484

I may never understand why you have chosen to take sides against your nation, and with those who are working toward our demise, rather than fighting for those who are truly oppressed, and frankly, I don’t know that I want to.

In a way, I’m glad that you and your group protested the naturalization ceremony. You have done in a day what many couldn’t do in a year’s worth of writing; you have shown yourselves to be the hateful group that you are and you have proven that the last thing any of you desire is peace and justice for anyone.

Nice going.

Michael Davis
Unites States Air Force, Retired


(2) From Hank Martin, Albemarle County (Monticello ceremonies attendee)

Editor's Note: This letter was received shortly after the Monticello ceremonies from a man who attended with his son, and witnessed, on an up-close and personal basis, the vulgar, hateful, America-subverting propaganda displayed by those whom the local news media refers to as "peace activists."

After a perfect morning in regards to both weather, as well as simple human interaction, my son Dan and I found ourselves amongst the three thousand others patiently awaiting to see the naturalization ceremony at Monticello.

As we waited, Dan pointed out the subtle irony that linked President Bush to President Jefferson. The fact that President Bush was currently endeavoring to finish, what circumstances forced President Jefferson to commence; a war with Islamic radicals in the middle east. A historical fact that he certainly was left to discover on his own, with a little help form me.

At precisely 10:00AM, the honored guests were escorted in. The Governor and Mrs. Kaine, the members of the federal court, and others. The Charlottesville Municipal Band struck up “Ruffles and Flourishes” and “Hail to the Chief”, President Bush having taken his place upon the portico. All was quiet, respectful and orderly, nothing but the sounds of nature blending with the various speakers. Then the President of the United States, the leader of the free world stepped to the podium. He thanked the audience, and said that he was “thrilled to be here at Monticello”.

Then, the hours of decorum and maturity were immediately dispatched. The pleasant sounds of nature and the civil transmission of ideas, shattered, to be replaced with the vile shrill shrieks of anarchy. “Defend the constitution!” A woman in the audience decried, “Impeach Bush!” This despicable act, was then followed by a woman, who appeared as my grandfather used to say, “To have been rode hard and put up wet.” Who proceeded to run towards the president, arms outstretched, carrying some kind of large pink banner.

She was of course, immediately detained by the secret service. Like the old game Whack-A-Mole, the implanted idiots continued to spring up. Directly ahead of my son and me, about twelve rows forward, another woman jumped into her chair, yelling and unfolding a bandanna of some kind. I observed an audience member near her dive to the ground, and briefly wondered what was next. I then realized the protestor had jumped down from the chair, and was proceeding into the middle of the row in order to make her apprehension by authorities more difficult. A mother was scooping up her infant, no doubt sleeping or playing on the ground, before the child was trampled. Then, as I expected, Uncle Sam began yelling his diatribe of obscenities, and was escorted out. Yelling charges of “fascism” and “police state” all the way down the trail.

By now, Dan looked at me and said, “Dad, you know something? If I were one of those new citizens up there, and the president himself was welcoming me to my new country, these nuts would really be ticking me off!” I said, “Unfortunately, this is what you will forever be facing. This attitude is going to be around for a long time I fear.” Things finally settled down, and we all listened to the rest of the remarks. Standing and applauding in an attempt to counteract the deplorable behavior that had been displayed. However, there was an air of expectation. A speculation of when and from what part of the audience, will the next person appear?

President Bush concluded his remarks. The naturalization process transpired unimpeded. We concluded with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem. As I sang with everyone else, I could not help but to ponder as to whether or not the “Land of the free and the home of the brave,” has sadly mutated into something less. The President was then immediately escorted away. Dan had hoped that perhaps the opportunity to shake hands with the President might present itself. “Well, that’s out the window after all that.” He exclaimed.

The crowd filed out as orderly as it filed in, and we all waved to Marine One as it passed over, carrying the President back to D.C. I contemplated what impression Charlottesville must have made upon the President and his entourage. Will all of them remember us for the many hundreds who came to pay our respects to our new citizens, our country, and to him? I hope so. It is said that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, well, we certainly had some sniveling little wheels this day. I hope they will soon be forgotten.

Waiting in line to catch the shuttle back to PVCC, the words of some of our newest citizens ruminated through my mind. They were excited to be here. They had sacrificed much and worked hard to get here. Despite all of its faults, America is still the greatest nation of the face of this sphere. They know that. Most of the audience knows that. It is too bad that those few individuals, who had to be escorted away, could not have borne witness to their testimony. On second thought, since every sinew of their corporal form is closed to anything that does not hate and besmirch this country, that would be like casting pearl before swine. Those protestors are indicative of a diseased and misdirected mind. They are the result of the cultural battle that has been taking place for the last few decades.

Good will always be under attack on this side of heaven. America may have forgotten that. Our soldiers from what has been called the greatest generation, came home conquering heroes. It was thought that the battle was over. Instead, enemies saw that a resolute nation adhering to the faith of their founders could not be shaken. Our enemies sought to corrupt us from within. They attacked America in such a fashion, that we would erode our foundation, and allow our society, culture, and system of government to be derailed, and the weight would fall in upon itself. Therefore, the very generation of Americans, who had the very best given to them, at the least expense, found their minds open to the corruption of the socialist/communist agenda. The children of the greatest generation, would become the very ones in whom the seeds of destruction would germinate.

We see the reaping of that crop now. We have seen our constitution trampled. We have seen our government turn right into wrong, and wrong into right so many times over the past four decades-who is able to tell good from evil anymore? This immorality that infects some of the highest offices in our land is a disease both contagious and virulent. It infects and sickens the very heart of the American people.

There are those of us who ask, “Where did our country go?” We can not travel anywhere to enjoy the rich history of this nation, and to teach our children, without some radical agenda being stuffed down our throats. We are constantly hearing belittling remarks and innuendo that impugn our founding fathers. Like any infection, the body looks fine, while the disease incubates.

Under the veneer of success and achievement, there dwells in this country, a soul in torment. We are a nation that has lost touch with its ideals. What has become of them? What has become of the truths we hold to be self-evident? What has become of our dreams? Have the love child barbarians from the sixties taken them?

I still believe in this nation. I grew up in American Legion Posts and VFW Halls. I have heard the stories from men who were there. Stories that Steven Speilberg and Tom Hanks will never think to put on the screen. I hold to the original principles this nation was founded upon, and what it and they stand for. I believe in the fundamental ideals we once adored.

More importantly, I will make sure my sons believe and understand them as well. In so doing, I, and those like me, will be true to the ideals and aspirations of these United States. We will continue the covenant began by the men of 1776, and they need not repent in heaven, for the labors and sacrifices, they made during their time here on earth.

Hank Martin, Albemarle County


More to come...



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July 3 UPDATE

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First, thanks to the readers who have sent in comments, suggestions, links and encouragement. Many of the items you see in this Update are the result of this input, and after research was conducted to validate key issues.

Thanks also for the many mentions of this blog from two radio talk show hosts in the area – Joe Thomas of WCHV, and Rob Schilling of WINA.

Contents of today’s Update:

1. Essay: "Things To Keep In Mind On This 232nd Independence Day"
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2. CCP&J Denies Sponsoring Protests – BUT…
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3. CCP&J Publishes Another Hate-Filled Appeal For Disruption Of Monticello Ceremony
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4. Who - And What - Is Really Behind Many “Peace” Groups?
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5. Have You Seen Any "Peace" Groups Protest Or Disrupt These Events?
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6. Official Response From Goode Campaign On David Swanson's Hate-Based Accusation At CCP&J Website

(1) Essay: "Things To Keep In Mind On This 232nd Independence Day"

As we Charlottesvillians approach this momentous Independence Day, to be celebrated at Monticello along with a naturalization ceremony officiated by the President of the United States, here is an original essay that will help to frame and justify the existence, and stances, of this blog. Read it here.


(2) CCP&J Denies Sponsoring Protests – BUT…

A detailed blogpost, chronicling the highlights of email exchanges between a member of the CCP&J's board and this blog, along with key background information. In summary, the board member stated that the CCP&J is neither sponsoring nor organizing any protests or disruptions at the July 4 ceremonies at Monticello - and furthermore, that David Swanson, the one who has been fomenting these actions on the CCP&J website, is not a board member, and does not speak for the organization in any official capacity. Given this, it was requested that this blog remove all references to the CCP&J.

This blog explained that as virtually every item on the front page of the CCP&J's website (15 out of 17, as of July 3) were posted by Mr. Swanson - including his unhinged hatred, anti-American propaganda, and appeals for various anarchist-type behavior - it is the CCP&J's responsibility to deal with this problem.

A mutual resolution offered by this blog was met with silence. And the facts that emerged as to Mr. Swanson's statements, actions and actual status within the CCP&J lead to more questions than answers - not only about him, but about the willingness of the CCP&J to control, if not protect, its website and public image.

Read it all, here.


(3) CCP&J Publishes Another Hate-Filled Appeal For Disruption Of Monticello Ceremony

Highlights of another appeal from Mr. Swanson - posted at the top of the CCP&J website - for "activists" to protest and disrupt the July 4 ceremonies at Monticello... despite the statements of the CCP&J board member. Grab a bottle of Pepto-Bismol and read it all, here.


(4) Who - And What - Is Really Behind Many “Peace” Groups?

A detailed expose' that chronicles the actual, little-known ideological roots of one of the most prominent "peace" groups in America, which the CCP&J's David Swanson proclaims he has a formal affiliation with.

On this 232nd anniversary of American Independence, it is worth considering who, and what ideas, are behind the drive to protest and disrupt the July 4 ceremonies at Monticello. Reference articles discuss the broader "peace" movement, and why many of its constituent members and affiliated groups are working for anything but their publicly-professed missions.

Read it all, here.


(5) Have You Seen Any "Peace" Groups Protest Or Disrupt These Events?

If "peace" groups in America were principled and intellectually consistent, they would protest and disrupt all speakers and events that advocate hatred, violence, discrimination, terror and war. The fact is, most draw an impenetrable line when it comes to protesting any speech or event that is given by a (foreign) tyrant, dictator or murderer, especially if their vitriol is aimed squarely and exclusively at America.

Read it all, and learn about specific examples in Virginia, here.


(6) Official Response From Goode Campaign On David Swanson's Hate-Based Accusation At CCP&J Website

On June 27, shortly after it was announced that President Bush is to speak at the July 4 ceremonies at monticello, David Swanson posted the following at the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J) here - in regards to what is, and should always be, a non-partisan event:

"The Unitary Executive is scheduled to disgrace the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Va., making a speech on the morning of July 4, 2008. The event is open to the public, and is Monticello's annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. Numerous immigrants will become citizens in an event besmirched by the presence of a war criminal, and held in the district of Congressman Virgil Goode, whose entire reelection campaign platform consists of hatred for immigrants."

Congressman Virgil Goode's official response, verbatim, is as follows:

"The blogger's statement is false. I do not hate anyone. The blogger also does not distinguish between legal and illegal aliens. The illegal aliens have not followed the process and procedures that those being sworn in as citizens on July 4th have followed. The illegals and the proponents of amnesty want to jump in front of those going through the legal process."

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We anticipate that this will be the last update until at least July 5.

Let us hope that there will be no protests or disruptions of the momentous ceremonies to take place tomorrow at Monticello.
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CCPJ Officially Denies Sponsoring Protests – BUT…

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SEE UPDATE AT END (late-night July 3)

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For background, see previous articles on this issue, here, here, here and elsewhere on this blog.

And for the next sordid chapter in this story, see: CCP&J Publishes Another Hate-Filled Appeal For Disruption Of Monticello Ceremony

On the evening of July 1, this blog received an email from a board member of the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J) which said, in part, that its members are:

"dismayed to read your blog accusing CCPJ of planning various protests to Bush's visit on July 4. CCPJ is not affiliated with or sponsoring these actions."

The reply email this blog sent to the CCP&J said, in part:

"(T)o the neutral outside observer, the appearance and the facts speak far louder than what you say.

"The fact is, when one goes to the CCP&J's website, the first thing they are hit with is a truckload of incendiary rage, vitriol, and anarchist/fascist-type rantings, all from David Swanson. Post after post after post.

"I would refer you back to my blog, in which I documented his calls for people (implied within and beyond the CCP&J) to protest at the ceremony, to let President Bush know he is 'not welcome' at Monticello or in Charlottesville, he is a 'war criminal,' a 'blood-soaked fascist,' etc. He says that people should "dress Republican" but make sure they can scream loud. He urges as many of his fellow travelers to get to the Visitor Center early, to get as many tickets as they can. He claimed another CvilleNews.com user's suggestion to 'shut down Route 53' (ed.: the road leading to Monticello) would be a 'good idea.' And to anyone who dares to disagree with him, he calls them a 'Nazi' or 'a fascist,' while referring others back to the CCP&J blog."

Further, the CCP&J email said:

"David Swanson, while a friend and active participant of CCPJ events, is not a board member and does not speak for the group."

Yet the screen captures of the CCP&J's own website ("About" page), shown below - taken the evening of July 2 - say otherwise; it says that Mr. Swanson is indeed a member of the CCP&J's Board of Directors:

In follow-up emails, the CCP&J requested that this blog remove all references to its organization:

"CCPJ is simply not involved in this. I received a link to the official poster and you can follow that to find the sponsors. I only ask for accuracy. If you wish to condemn CCPJ for allowing an outside voice to say these things, I could understand... (B)ut to continually refer to this as a CCPJ-sponsored event is just false... (I would hope) that you'd seek complete truth in your statements."

In response, this blog offered the CCP&J that it would consider posting a notice stating exactly what it (the CCP&J) said, that it isn't sponsoring any protests, or disruptions of the Monticello ceremony - provided the CCP&J would post an identical notice at its own site.

There was no response to this offer.

Furthermore, this blog posited the following to the CCP&J, in response to its disavowal of supporting or fomenting protests or disruptions:

"The CCP&J is the owner of the CCP&J site. The CCP&J has allowed Mr. Swanson to essentially commandeer it for his own purposes, which in this email, you imply the CCP&J neither is involved in nor endorses.

"Yet as of this minute, to any newcomer who visits the CCP&J's site, it would appear - as I said - that Mr. Swanson *is* the CCP&J, and vice-versa.

"Given that, I feel compelled to ask you: If the reverse situation were the case, would you honor the request you've made? Let's pretend that at some future date, President Obama (shudder) were to plan to visit Monticello for the Independence Day naturalization ceremony. Let's say you and your fellow activists found out that an organization here in Cville supposedly dedicated to "peace" and "justice" had allowed its site to be taken over by the equivalent of a Mr. Swanson (let's say, anarchist, racist, KKK, Nazi materials, unhinged hatred towards anyone who disagrees with him, as well as against President Obama [shudder]), and you received the emails you sent to me, how would you respond?

Would you accept that the site owners disavow any responsibility?"

The following is, in part, the response issued by the CCP&J board member (after engaging in a mild personal insult):

"It appears you have already made up your mind on this matter and nothing I say will convince you otherwise. I have stated what is factually true (i.e. CCPJ is not sponsoring this protest, despite what you post on your blog) but you refuse to correct this. As I mentioned, our site is accessible to the public. Anyone can register and post articles if they honestly pertain to peace and justice issues. It is a matter of free speech. Do we agree with everything posted there? No, but we believe in the forum of ideas. We definitely need to distinguish our thoughts and sponsored events from those of others better. This has illustrated that fact."

Follow-up emails further affirmed that the CCP&J recognizes the need to change its website, and create distinct sections for news and opinion. No mention, however, was made as to whether the CCP&J was willing to publicly disavow any involvement in or sponsorship of any protests or disruptions of the ceremony at Monticello.

As to the CCP&J board member's accusation that this blog is unwilling to correct "inaccuracies," the following is, in part, what was sent in reply:

"After being notified of what was consuming the front page of the CCP&J website, the CCP&J opted to let it all stand. After being notified of what Mr. Swanson was saying outside that venue, in regards to the same matters, the CCP&J opted to let all his posts stand. After your acknowledment that to a newcomer to the CCP&J's site, and this controversy, that it would be very hard to distinguish between Mr. Swanson and the CCP&J, the CCP&J itself failed to put up any kind of notice to publicly clarify this distinction. In short, the CCP&J, through its posting policies and lack of desire to maintain an accurate image, has created a sort of Frankenstein monster, and instead of dealing with that, lashed out at the one who pointed all this out.

"As for your admonishing me for what you say are inaccuracies on the Welcome to Cville blog, and saying that the CCP&J doesn't sponsor hate, this is laughable. A short analysis of what has been posted on your site:

'He has claimed the power to ignore laws, to rewrite laws, to adhere to secret laws, to discard habeas corpus, to spy without warrant, to detain without charge, to torture, to murder, and to lie the nation into wars of conquest.' 'Numerous immigrants will become citizens in an event besmirched by the presence of a war criminal, and held in the district of Congressman Virgil Goode, whose entire reelection campaign platform consists of hatred for immigrants.'

How about validating all those claims?

Furthermore, the CCP&J has not taken the step to say that it is not sponsoring the protests that are splashed all over its front page - why should the Welcome to Cville blog? A sponsors B, and gives B webspace for his rants, and B advocates disrupting a public event, staging protests (whether or not he first obtains a permit to use a public park), etc. It doesn't take a degree in advanced logic to see that A is indeed supporting the outgrowth of B."

In short, the official policy of the WelcomeToCvillePresidentBush blog is that there have been no inaccuracies published here. And with this Update item, we have clarified both our position, and the CCP&J's.

It should also be kept in mind that when you review Mr. Swanson's newest rant, contained below, had been posted for several hours by the time the first email from this CCP&J board member arrived. And as of the morning of July 3, 15 of the 17 threads on the CCP&J's main page were posted by (drumroll) Mr. Swanson. (all is verifiable via PDFs, available to anyone who emails, here.

As for verification and accuracy, assuming it is OK with the CCP&J, anyone who emails here will receive a forward of the actual email exchange thread, so the reader can judge for himself/herself what the facts are concerning this matter.

And speaking of "accuracy...," and claims that neither the CCP&J nor its (apparent) board members are (directly) sponsoring hatred, or protests, or disruption of the Monticello ceremony...

...let's move along to the next item in our Update: CCP&J Publishes Another Hate-Filled Appeal For Disruption Of Monticello Ceremony


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UPDATE (late-night July 3)

File this under: "It's not nice to try to fool the WelcomeToCvillePresidentBush blog."

After all the CCP&J's denials and obfuscations, its accusations that this blog is not acting responsibly, its fury that we would not remove all references to the CCP&J, claiming it has no involvement whatsoever in any protests, its denial that David Swanson is on its board or speaks for them (whoops! - see above)... yada yada yada...

... the following email - FROM the CCP&J, was sent to this blog's official email address (tj411cville@gmail.com - which was fortuitously added to the CCP&J's official mailing list, on or about June 29)...

(Click to enlarge)

Here is the unedited copy of the email (portions highlighted for emphasis by editor), sent by CCP&J:

(Header) [CCPJ Update] CCPJ Special Notice July 3, 2008
(Title) Bush is Speaking at Monticello July 4 - Join the Protests!

A growing coalition of groups and individuals plans to protest President George W. Bush's Fourth of July visit to Charlottesville on Friday.

Participating organizations include the Augusta Center for Peace and Justice, CODE PINK Women for Peace both National and Charlottesville, AfterDowningStreet, Democrats.com, and Charlottesville MoveOn.org.

Many other people expected to participate are not members of any of these groups.The protest will take place at Route 20, outside and a ways removed from the grounds of Monticello. To protest outside meet at 6 a.m. (or come as early as you can - we'll be there for hours) on Friday at Quarry Park, the entrance to which is on the west side of Rt. 20 just north of Interstate 64. Please bring posters, signs, costumes, banners, props.Here's a map that includes Monticello, the visitors center, and Quarry Park: http://afterdowningstreet.org/sites/afterdowningstreet.org/files/images/parkmap.jpgHere's a new flyer: http://afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/bushflyerjuly4new.pdf

Although the CCP&J is not listed as a "participating organization," it is clearly using its organizational resources (its email lists) to advertise and foment attendance at this protest - an action which, in this blog's opinion, indeed makes it a "participant."

Note that the problem here is not that the CCP&J is "participating" in a protest. The act of protesting against politicians and government is as American as apple pie and Chevrolet. The CCP&J has every right to organize and participate in whatever protests it wants to, so long as they're being done lawfully.

The problem is that it's not nice to try to fool this blog, or to accuse it of acting irresponsibly, when it is merely analyzing and accurately publicizing the reality of the CCP&J's actions, and its contradictory statements.

And sadly, this episode - along with the entire, misleading dialogue regarding the CCP&J's enabling of Mr. Swanson's rants and actions - brings every single thing the CCP&J says and does into question.

ADDENDUM:

I just received a reader tip that the CCP&J has allowed David Swanson to post still another diatribe on the front page of its site, in which he:

(1) Replied to Congressman Goode's official response to his first rant (see Update #6, here) - and...

(2) Obliquely attacked this blog, and anyone who thinks that the July 4 ceremonies at Monticello should be protest- and disruption-free. (Oh, the horror of those who believe in peace and civility at Thomas Jefferson's home...)

Oh, and he also urges people to attend the protest. (which the CCP&J is definitely, absolutely, positively not involved in, enabling or supporting in any way - just as he is not on its board, and does not speak for it in any official capacity... yada, yada, yada...)

Right.
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Who - And What - Is Really Behind Many “Peace” Groups?

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There are principled, honest arguments that can be made against America's engagement in certain military actions. Patriots have been engaging this debate for generations.

We would like to think that many anti-"War On Terror" critics here in Charlottesville, including those at the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J), can be counted among these ranks.

Then, however, there are subversives - who hide behind the benevolent cloak of being "peace" activists, when in fact they are espousing vicious, lie-filled America-bashing, tyranny-endorsing propaganda. Usually, these groups are most active in America's larger, more left-leaning cities - such as San Francisco, Berkeley, etc.

Yet CCP&J "friend" (and apparent board member), and commando of their website's front page, David Swanson - who has been fomenting the drive for protests and disruption of the Monticello ceremonies - is, by his own admission, affiliated with one of the most notorious communist-socialist front groups, "United For Peace & Justice."

On the surface, who could be against "peace" and "justice"? Well, take a look behind the veil, at their Member Groups Directory link, and UP&J admits which sub-groups constitute its membership (mission statements in parentheses):

Communist Party USA (link)

Socialist Party USA (link)

Young Communist League (link)

Democratic Socialists of America (link)

Freedom Road Socialist Organization (link)

Freedom Socialist Party (link)

International Socialist Organization (link)

Socialist Alternative (link)

Socialist Party USA (link)

Young Democratic Socialists of America (link)

Read those mission statements carefully, and if you dare, compare them to The Communist Manifesto, which has been the guiding principle for those responsible for the murder/death of at least 100 million people during the twentieth century. (on the domestic front, also check out the "Current Communist Goals" section of the book, The Naked Communist - back in 1963)

Here is a basic expose' on the real background of, and players who lead the UP&J.
The socialist-communist ideology (no matter how cleverly disguised via Orwellian word games) has been proven time after time to achieve the exact opposite of its supposed goals of "peace" and "justice." This is not because it wasn't practiced by the correct leadership, but because at its root, it is fundamentally anti-freedom, anti-peace, anti-justice and anti-human.

When is the last time you heard a journalist challenge the individuals behind these "peace" movements, and demand that they come clean on what a substantial portion of their members (and "member groups") are really advocating? The last time an enterprising reporter traced the funding of these groups back to the sources? For the vast majority of us, the answer is: "Never."

And it is for this reason that it may not be that surprising that even on the local level, no matter how sincere, principled and patriotic some (or even most) of the CCP&J's members may be, the Charlottesville news media has yet to challenge a single outrageous, America-bashing, lie-filled propaganda statement by any member of any local supposed "peace" activist group.

To further validate this double-standard, can you imagine how the local news media would react if it discovered that a group with "peace" in its name was actually comprised of, and echoed the sentiments of groups advocating Naziism/fascism (which are ideologies that are responsible, at most, for less than a quarter the deaths of socialism-communism)?

You would never hear the end of it, until they were fully exposed, confronted and ideologically excoriated (and rightfully so, in this blog's opinion).

So for those who ask, "Why is this blog so intent on discussing the CCP&J/David Swanson issue?", this is the answer: Because this analysis is long, long overdue. Because the local news media has simply taken whatever any group with "peace" in its name has said, on face value, without a modicum of skepticism or analysis. And in the case of Mr. Swanson, as discussed earlier, they simply take whatever he says as gospel - no matter how contradictory to his other statements.

For those interested in learning more, particularly about the ideological and funding sources of many in the "peace" movement, here are some good articles to start with:

The Politics of Peace: What’s Behind the Anti-War Movement? by John J. Tierney

Anti-War Crowd Backs Notorious Dictators, Communists by Kathleen Rhodes

Saddam's Useful Idiots: Stalin Would Be Proud by James K. Glassman

Pacifists Versus Peace by Dr. Thomas Sowell

The Next "Peace" Protest Will Be Brought to You By a Castro Groupie by John Perazzo

Anti-War, My Foot: The Phony Peaceniks Who Protested In Washington by Christopher Hitchens

Reds Still: The Story No One Wants To Hear About The Antiwar Movement by Byron York

The Terrorists' Leftist PR Machine by Jacob Laksin

A Terrorist Appeal To The Left by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Erick Stakelbeck

ANSWER, Antiwar Rallies And Support For Terror Organizations by the Anti-Defamation League

The Real Reasons Behind The Peace Movement by Vasko Kohlmayer

And if you doubt any allegations contained in the above articles, do the research yourself.

On this issue, you will almost have to - because practically none of today's journalists, on the local or national level, are willing to cross this bridge.
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Have You Seen Any "Peace" Groups Protest Or Disrupt These Events?

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The "peace" groups that foment and stage public protests, disrupt events on both public and private property, and rely on lies and hate-filled, America-bashing propaganda to advance their actual agenda, consistently garner great publicity - and sympathy - from journalists at all levels.

Isn't it interesting that no journalist we're aware of has ever asked the "peace" groups within central Virginia why - if they actually believe in their publicly-stated mission statements - they have never protested at, or disrupted the following?

The September 7, 2007 speech at the University of Virginia by former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami?

The U.S. State Department has for many years named Iran as "a major state sponsor of terror." Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and many other groups have repeatedly documented Iran's murder and horrific abuses of its own citizens, under Khatami's rule (1997-2004). Despite this, UVa invited him to speak on a "dialogue of civilizations."

Khatami admits to funding and arming Hezbollah (estimate: $100 million per year), the militant jihadist group that is responsible for murdering more Americans than any group prior to al Qaeda's attacks on 9/11. Hezbollah - which funds, trains and arms the murderers of Israeli civilians. Hezbollah - whose rallies routinely proclaim "Death To America!!!," and whose leader claims that "if the Jews would just gather in Israel, it would save us the trouble of hunting them down worldwide." While Khatami was president, Iran was murdering homosexuals and women who dared to have premarital sex, or acted in "provocative" ways. Some classic Khatami quotes from 2005: "America is the root of worldwide terror...(I)t's difficult to distinguish between President Bush and Osama bin Laden... (W)e love Hezbollah." Khatami also proclaimed that Iran's support for and relationship with Hezbollah and Hamas - another group dedicated to the mass murder of Jews - "is eternal."

Strangely, no "peace" groups protested or disrupted Khatami's speech at UVa.

The Saudi-funded "hate schools" in Fairfax and Alexandria? These schools have been documented to utilize textbooks that teach their students that according to the Koran, they are divinely permitted to murder and take the property of those who do not believe in Islam; that Jews are the source of all the world's problems, and should be singled out for particular cruelty, etc.; and that Muslims have a divine right to take over the world, by force, if necessary.

Strangely, no "peace" groups protested either of these schools, or disrupted any of their "classes" or meetings.

The speeches and events held throughout Virginia by representatives of the Council On American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which is documented to be a front group for terrorists, and an unindicted co-conspirator in their funding?

Strangely, no "peace" groups have disrupted or protested any of CAIR's meetings or speeches.

Why is it that the only target for these supposed "peace" groups is the one nation that has acted consistently to liberate people from oppression, and which has provided more opportunity and freedom to the victims of oppression, than any nation in the world?

There are principled, patriotic, intellectually consistent arguments that can be made against America's actions in the post-9/11 world in which we have found ourselves. And we're sure there are groups dedicated to genuine "peace" whose words - and actions - fit this description. Let them be recognized, celebrated and encouraged.

But what are normal Americans (and central Virginians) to make of the fact that the only "peace" groups that seem to garner widespread attention, and which make the loudest noises, are those that are consumed with hatred for America and its basic principles? "Peace" groups which, via their silence, essentially give a "free pass" to the world's most vicious killers - so long as they also express their hatred for America? And groups which, upon close analysis, utilize almost the same talking points, lies and propaganda that America's enemies employ?

These are things that are worth thinking about when we observe how the Monticello ceremonies play out - and for the future, as well.

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Essay: Things To Keep In Mind On This 232nd Independence Day

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As Americans, we have innumerable things to be thankful for, and proud of, on this 232nd celebration of our Declaration of Independence. Many of us who are fortunate enough to live here in Charlottesville feel this obligation more than others, as we have chosen to live in this veritable "cradle of liberty."

America is the product of courage beyond calculation, and the triumph of reason and individual rights over "the monkish ignorance and superstition (which) had persuaded (people) to bind themselves." (Jefferson; see his complete, final letter, regretfully declining an invitation to celebrate America's 50th 4th of July in Washington, DC, here)

Even though its history is short, America has been and remains the freest, most noble civilization the world has ever known. America has saved and defended more human life than any other. It is the economic engine of the world, producing more life-sustaining, life-saving, life-extending, life-enriching, and time- and labor-saving ideas, tools and technologies than any nation on Earth.

America ended slavery - which it inherited from the nations that our Founders emigrated from, and which existed for thousands of years prior to the nation they created.
(Sadly, today, many of our most "educated" citizens have been taught, and now believe, that America was the progenitor of slavery; similarly, many are totally unaware that slavery and institutional discrimination still exist in large regions of our world. Here is but one example; innumerable others are available, for anyone caring to Google the issue.)

America has provided immigrants from the world over with the freedom to build new lives, with no limit on how high they can rise, and to enjoy the fruits of their labors - rights that are denied by other "governments" in a great portion of the world. And in return, many of these immigrants - who are Americans by choice, not chance - have become among our most patriotic, inspiring, productive and happiest fellow citizens.

There is no question that we have our challenges - namely, to preserve the principles of freedom, free enterprise and limited government that produced all the above "miracles," and which were bequeathed to us by our Founding Fathers. Our main challenge, as it has been and always will be, is precisely what they warned us of: complacency, ignorance, and the result - the gradual encroachment of government intervention into, and control over, every nook and cranny of our lives, and the squandering of our earnings in order to fund its ever-expanding bureaucracy, political payoffs and wealth-redistribution schemes. Or, as Benjamin Franklin said, in response to a question as to what it is that the Founders had created: "A republic - if you can keep it."

There is always a role for principled dissent in America: for those who sincerely want to preserve America's legacy, freedom and virtues, and who can make persuasive, fact-based arguments towards that end. Some of our greatest political debates were principled, honest, forthright discussions of these issues, among patriots.

Unfortunately, we are now innundated with hysterical propaganda that arises not from this perspective, but from those whose unspoken intent is the inverse: to transform America into a neutered, compliant, socialist welfare state that will fight neither for nor against anything. To them, America's original principles of individual choice, religious freedom, free enterprise and free markets, secure property rights, and minimal taxation to fund a constitutionally-limited, minimally-intrusive government, comprise the root of all evil. To them, America in its present state is both the cause and perpetrator of all the problems and misery that exists in the world, while the European welfare states they worship - many of which have fomented, appeased, enabled and surrendered to tyranny in all its forms, to one degree or another - are held up as models that America should emulate. And to them, the vilest savages on the planet (and their enablers) are not even remotely as "evil" as America's current political leadership (or our energy industry, or our big businesses, etc.).

That being said, on this 232nd celebration of our Declaration of Independence, it is worth revisiting the most recent challenge to our existence, which is fomenting so much of the vitriol and division in our culture: the attacks of 9/11, and the actions we have taken since then to ensure this never happens again.

Here is a slide show of that tragic day. And here are images of the days immediately following the horrors in New York City, that most of us have never seen before.

That is the legacy of our enemy - Islamist theocratic totalitarians, and of their enablers, both foreign and domestic. It is also a peek into our future, if we do not remain perpetually vigilant, proud, and willing to fight for our survival, security and values. And, when necessary, to take that fight to our enemies (as Thomas Jefferson did, also against Islamist theocratic totalitarians; here).

Lastly, here is one of our greatest presidents, addressing the entire concept of America, and how best to confront threats that face us, to ensure our peace, survival and prosperity. Although this 27 minute speech was delivered more than forty years ago, in the context of another hotly-contested presidential election season, it has never had more significance than it does today.

(If the video doesn't play, go here)

You can download an MP3 of this momentous speech, and see the transcript, here.



Original content is © Copyright 2008 WelcomeToCvillePresidentBush.blogspot.com. All rights reserved.
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CCP&J Publishes Another Hate-Filled Appeal For Disruption Of Monticello Ceremony

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If you've read the previous article on the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice's (CCP&J) denial that it is involved in or sponsoring any protests or disruptions at Monticello's July 4 ceremony, this will be simultaneously amusing - and infuriating.

On the CCP&J main page, the following article by David Swanson was posted top and center, at 10:31am on July 2 (the day after the above email exchange), where it's remained ever since. Following are key excerpts from the article:

101 Reasons Not to Resist Bush's Power Grab

“There are various flavors of opposition to protesting Bush because new citizens are being 'naturalized.' There are those who believe it's more important to make sure no new citizen is disturbed by the protest than it is to protest Bush. But more numerous are those who believe it would be bad PR to be attacked by the corporate media as disruptors of a ceremony for immigrants (the corporate media's love for whom is so well known).

“But Bush will be making a speech which attendees could interrupt, if they choose, without interrupting the ceremony, which will probably come after the speech. There is no reason to think the majority of those being "naturalized" don't oppose Bush as much as everyone else. There is no reason to think they won't join in a protest. And protesting on the road outside, which is where most of the protesting will happen, won't disturb them. Bush is killing people every day, in Iraq and elsewhere. It is hard to justify placing the lives of those victims below the undisturbed ceremony of a small number of new citizens. Isn't it more important to do everything we can that might help save lives? The new citizens are going to care more about becoming citizens than about the ceremony, and many of them will probably be grateful or join in if Bush is protested.

"In addition, there is something very fitting, not just justifiable, about protesting Bush at a ceremony where people are forced to swear to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the land. Bush routinely violates both. Living up to their newly sworn duty will oblige the new citizens, just as the rest of us are obliged, to push in every way possible for Bush's impeachment. So, a chant of 'Defend the Constitution! Impeach Bush!' would actually communicate an appropriate message…

“…(President Bush has) abandoned American towns and cities to hurricanes and floods, and shipped thousands of soldiers to their deaths on a mission that has slaughtered over a million innocent human beings, a mission that is ongoing and worsening as we speak (or fail to). This does not bode well for elections as our salvation.

"...(O)ne brave soul expressed his disappointment that he would not be attending Bush's speech, because - while he opposed any protest that might be heard - he had been looking forward to ... - drumroll, please - ... withholding his applause.

…“(S)o, here's my question. Do we accept the standards being established for the White House by Bush and Cheney? Or do we oppose them?”

Those of you who are graduates of the Orwellian Institute for Political DoubleSpeak will read all the above as a non-call for a non-protest, and a non-urging for a non-disruption of the Monticello ceremony You will also recognize that this is most decidedly not being published, or in any way supported, by the CCP&J.

Those of you who weren't able to attend the Institute (or were expelled for questioning anything), however, may see it just a bit differently. Not least in regards to Mr. Swanson's appointment of himself to interpret what these "new citizens" do and don't value, like and want in this ceremony.

One question that has been posed to this blog more than any other is: "Why the h*ll hasn't the local news media picked up on all this? Why do they let the CCP&J and David Swanson get away with this, without scrutiny??? Why do they let him say that he hopes no one disrupts the ceremony* - when he's been the one urging it???" (*see "Update" at the bottom of this thread)

Good question.

We have no answer to offer.

But the numerous lies contained in this missive by Mr. Swanson will be addressed in a blogthread soon, by a guest writer who's a recently-retired veteran of more than a quarter-century in the U.S. military. He has a distinct take on Mr. Swanson's views, and allegations about our soldiers and their leadership.

In other news, this blog learned from a reader tip that Mr. Swanson has even been banned by DailyKos.com.

Those of us who know what a bastion of unhinged leftist hatred and America-bashing sentiment that Kos represents* are amused that Mr. Swanson was banned for - surprise - allegedly violating its copyright policies. Just as Mr. Swanson apparently does not understand property rights (insofar as Monticello is private property, and he doesn't have the right to dictate who does and does not speak, and yet is urging others to disrupt a ceremony there)... he apparently does not understand Kos's intellectual property rights policies, either.

(*One example will suffice: On 31March04, four U.S. security contractors were tortured, murdered, their bodies ripped apart, burned, dragged through the streets, and their body parts hung from a Fallujah, Iraq bridge by Islamist terror militias. In response, Markos Moulitsas ["Kos"] issued the following patriotic, compassionate, tolerant, peace-advancing statement: "SCREW THEM!!!" [the contractors]. And when asked on Meet The Press if he'd like to revise his comment, Kos actually attempted to justify his "screw them." THIS is the guy who found Mr. Swanson's actions to be unacceptable? Goodness gracious!!!) .

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Dissecting A Top News Article

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July 1, 2008

This morning, the Daily Progress, Charlottesville's only daily newspaper, hit the streets with this above-the-fold story:

Tickets Limited For Bush’s Monticello Visit

The following is a dissection and analysis of the rational, irrational and outright misleading statements that the story contains, in key passages.

Keep in mind that at the time the article was written, the Charlottesville Center For Peace & Justice's (CCP&J) hatred-filled, anarchist-tinged statements were available for anyone to see, here and here. And with a little more digging, the following "peaceful" exchange could have been found, at the CvilleNews.com blogthread that's dedicated to this subject, between David Swanson of the CCP&J and another user:

Jan Jun 30th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Write to Dan Jordan and his Board of Directors and let them know how shameful their actions are to Mr. Jefferson’s legacy.

That’s what I did. I imagine if Jordon got hundreds of emails and letters protesting a criminal coming to Monticello, it may give them pause. At the very least it would show them how pissed off local citizens are about this.

Closing down 53 with a mass march would be another option-lots of press coverage for sure. Letters to the editor protesting this shameful action on the part of Monticello would be another option.

David Swanson Jun 30th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Jan,Good ideas!

(Note: Route 53 is the road that leads into Monticello)

And just in case those posts mysteriously disappear, I have a PDF of the entire thread, which I will gladly forward upon request - and which includes the many instances in which Mr. Swanson calls anyone who disagrees with him Nazis, fascists, etc.

With that introduction, let's get to the dissection.

As of Monday, the White House had not announced when or where the president will arrive. “We’ll have more information on the president’s itinerary as we get closer to the end of the week,” said Blair Jones, White House spokesman.

When that happens, local activists plan on being there.

Well, here we go. Anyone who decides that the laws don’t pertain to him or her, and who has professed a supposed “right” to break the law to advance his or her political views, is not an “activist.” He or she is an anarchist.

“I’ve met with people in various peace groups,” said David Swanson, a Central Virginia peace advocate and political activist.

“Peace advocate." Right. We’ll get back to that misnomer a bit later, and on a follow-up blogthread.

(Swanson) “We’re planning on a making a public statement out there so people will know [Bush is] not welcome.”

Let's ponder that one for a moment:

“…so people will know [Bush is] not welcome.”

First, who are the “people” that Swanson is referring to?
Answer: No one knows, because no one asked. Implication: Anyone who dares to disagree with Mr. Swanson and his fellow "activists."

Second, who says that President Bush is “not welcome”?
Answer: No one - at least no one in any position of authority (being that Monticello is private property - and they are hosting the event).

Third, who elected Mr. Swanson to speak for anyone but himself – and possibly the CCP&J?
Answer: No one.

Fourth, when did the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns and operates Monticello – which is private property – delegate Swanson as their policy spokesman?
Answer: They haven’t.

What you are witnessing here is not "peace," nor "activism," but rather, it is the classic definition of fascism.

Under fascism (and its variants, including communist and theocratic totalitarianism), a gang appoints themselves to speak for others – usually, to advocate what they define as the “common interests," and often, against a manufactured "enemy."

Of course, it is irrelevant to the gang whether their views conflict with many or most of the "people." Their only purpose, and mission, is to impose their code of morality and justice on others, by means of force, intimidation and/or terror. If this means taking over the streets, people's homes, businesses and government offices, then so be it. And of course, they need observe no laws; they become the law. Why? Because they believe they're "right," and thus, they are their own authority - and heaven help anyone who opposes them.

Note: For a great 10-minute introduction to political-social systems, see the video at the end of this thread.

Swanson said activists across the state have been calling and e-mailing Monticello and asking officials to uninvite Bush. “[Monticello officials] say they are inviting the office of president, not the man,” Swanson said. “But the chairs and lamps aren’t going to show up. The man will.”

Yes, he will. And given that George W. Bush is President of the United States of America, and that Monticello is private property, and its fiduciaries can invite or disinvite whomever they wish, Mr. Swanson and his “activist” friends can protest all they want.

Swanson was organizing a protest for 8:30 a.m. Friday at the first parking lot on the right side of Route 53 off Route 20. However, Monticello officials said Monday that the parking lot would be closed.

Now this is really funny. This is merely a continuation of Mr. Swanson’s apparent view that he and his fellow travelers need observe no laws (again, because they’re “right”), but rather, that they could essentially commandeer a publicly-funded park, without first applying for and receiving a permit.

In reaction to possible anti-Bush protests, one blog titled “Welcome to Charlottesville, President Bush” is encouraging the president’s supporters to join a counter-protest.

Thanks for the shout-out!

(Thomas Jefferson Foundation president Dan) Jordan shrugged when asked about the planned protests. “It’s a free country,” he said.

Amen, brother.

Past visits to Monticello by Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher all drew vitriolic protests, Jordan said. “Every major head of state has brought a lot of resistance,” he said. “It always happens. But Monticello is above politics.”

Well, Monticello should be above politics.

Unfortunately, according to local “peace activists” – who, by their own words, actions and proposed/threatened actions, can only be classified as anarchists (or wanna-be anarchists) – Monticello is fair game for whatever they want to do to it.

Never mind that Monticello is private property.

Never mind that the CCP&J and these "activists" have absolutely no lawful control whatsoever over what the Thomas Jefferson Foundation does or does not do.

Never mind the laws that govern the use of taxpayer-funded parks, roadways, etc.

Because local anarchists such as Mr. Swanson believe they’re “right,” they need observe no law, no perimeter of private property, no code of common decency or decorum.

News flash, Mr. Swanson, CCP&J and fellow travelers:
If you want to organize a rally to protest President Bush, fine. Do it on your own property. Or, if you want to use the public property that we all pay for and have a right to enjoy, then go apply for a permit - and if granted, have at it.

And if you don’t see why you have to observe these laws and basic tenets, then I’m confident that our taxpayer-funded law enforcement personnel will be glad to explain it all to you - with clarity and conviction.

UPDATE July 1 @ 8:45pm:

The blog has received a report that Mr. Swanson was allowed to make the following statement (verbatim or near-verbatim) to the local news media, which accepted it without question, and didn't challenge him on a single aspect of it - despite the volumes of evidence that would justify it. Now awaiting the audio and/or video file. Apparently, this sound bite was repeated throughout the day on radio and possibly TV. How lazy and non-inquisitive (if not enabling) can the local media be, to let something this egregious slide?

"I certainly hope that no one disrupts anyone who's becoming a citizen (at the July 4 naturalization ceremony at Monticello). But I would like becoming a citizen to mean something, not being a citizen of a dictatorship, but a citizen of a democracy."

As for "disrupting" the ceremony, the only one who has been repeatedly fomenting a drive to do so has been Mr. Swanson himself, as has been documented throughout this blog.

As for the rest, anyone who knows a modicum of truth about history, knows that the above is an irredeemable insult to anyone who survived/escaped from a real dictatorship - including possibly some who will become citizens on July 4, at Monticello. It is also a colossal lie about America - but who's counting at this point?

And yet, the news media that just accepted such a statement, and repeated it throughout the day, either doesn't know this - or doesn't care, because there's no way Mr. Swanson would have uttered it if he knew or suspected he'd be challenged on it - or on his many other outrageous, incendiary statements.

One can't help but wonder: Would the news media just blindly accept a similarly incendiary statement made about Barack Obama's seedy past, or his prospective presidency, without challenge? For anyone who believes that, there's a bridge in Brooklyn...


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BONUS: A 10-minute video primer on political-social systems - well worth watching to gain an appreciation of the ideas we celebrate in America on July 4th --- versus the alternatives that some "peace activists" lust after, and act as perpetual apologists and enablers for (which I'll be covering in a future blogthread).

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July 1 UPDATE

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For the background of this blog, please go here.

Other threads at this blog:
PLACARD Here
The CCP&J's Myths About Iraq & Bush - Debunked
The CCP&J's Myths About Jefferson And War - Debunked


Update for Tuesday, July 1:


To attend the event:

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns Monticello, will be distributing 1,000 free tickets to the event, starting at 7:00am on Wednesday, July 2, at the Monticello Visitor Center. See the news article here, and please pay attention to the security protocols and restricted items.


From reader emails - keep them coming!

• On Monday, this blog was mentioned on both WCHV's and WINA's talk shows, and they may have provided link-backs on their sites.
  .
• David Swanson of the CCP&J, and author of the missives cited in this blog, appeared on WVIR (NBC affiliate). According to the source, he presented himself as the epitomal patriot, who is planning to merely exercise his Constitutionally-recognized right to protest - but didn't happen to use any of the inflammatory rhetoric he employs on the CCP&J blog. Apparently, the WVIR reporter bought it all without question, and without challenging him on his (actual) rhetoric, or the CCP&J's (actual) background and affiliations.
  .
• The CCP&J website now contains more hate-filled rants, and even a flyer with details of their planned protest - see here.
  .
• There are now indications that protesters may attempt to shut down Route 53, the road leading to Monticello. So much for "peace" protesters. But then, they surrendered that title when they began openly discussing whether they should prevent Bush (an invited guest) from speaking, on property they don't own, weren't invited to, and have no role in.
  .
• A lively discussion of this controversy is taking place in the blog section of the CvilleNews website, here. It is refreshing to see that some Democrats and leftists see that what the CCP&J is planning/insinuating is congruent neither with Jefferson's principles, or the rules of civility.

Plans being considered for a counter-demonstration

Not much to report yet, just ideas being tossed around. But for those who are thinking about it, keep in mind that no matter how incendiary and provably false the opposition's rhetoric is, please keep it civil and respectful. The other side thrives on ignoring laws, property rights, facts and basic civility; we thrive on the opposite.

Keep the info coming, folks.
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What's This Blog About?

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On Friday, June 27, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation announced that President Bush will be speaking at Monticello on July 4 (news story here), and leading the annual naturalization (swearing-in) ceremony for new American citizens. This event, which is free and open to the public, is one that many locals of all political persuasions enjoy attending.

Shortly after this announcement, however, the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J) announced the following, in regards to what is, and should always be, a non-partisan event:

The Unitary Executive is scheduled to disgrace the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Va., making a speech on the morning of July 4, 2008. The event is open to the public, and is Monticello's annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. Numerous immigrants will become citizens in an event besmirched by the presence of a war criminal, and held in the district of Congressman Virgil Goode, whose entire reelection campaign platform consists of hatred for immigrants.

If you support the complaints against the first King George III enumerated on the first Fourth of July in the Declaration of Independence, I encourage you to attend the event. Go early. Wear an impeachment shirt. And bring a copy of our poor abused Constitution. This is not a time for fear and timidity. How dare this fascist blood-soaked murderer set foot in Charlottesville or on the grounds of Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson?

411: If anyone is going to "disgrace" or "besmirch" Monticello this Independence Day, it will be the hate-filled, America-subverting propagandists such as the author of the above missive, and those who support such lunacy.

Those who know the real Thomas Jefferson - as opposed to the version that groups like the CCP&J propagate* - know that he would agree with few of their views, would vigorously oppose the rest, and would never let these America-subverting lunatics onto his property on Independence Day for any kind of protest. (*see partial detail here)

This blog will act as a rallying point for local activists to organize a counter-demonstration, and a resource for factual information with which to answer the propaganda that's been put forth by the radical leftists behind the CCP&J, and groups like it, for the past six years.

Are citizens who support President Bush, flaws and all, going to let what should be a non-partisan celebration of such a wonderful event - on what many consider to be hallowed ground of liberty - be taken over by the CCP&J and groups like it?

If you say "No!", then check back here for regular updates on how you can participate in a counter-demonstration, and go toe-to-toe with those who are dedicated to subverting this event with their rubbish.

If you have any information or ideas that you think should be included in this blog, please send an email to tj411cville@gmail.com.

UPDATE Saturday, June 28 @ 4:30pm:

The CCP&J representative who wrote the above missive has issued a call for fellow travelers to use deception in order to subvert the July 4 event at Monticello (see 5th comment under this news story):

David Swanson Jun 27th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Make plans to unwelcome him now!
Dress Republican.
Bring your vocal chords.
Get there early.
http://charlottesvillepeace.org/node/1615

Fortunately, a number of other Bush opponents posted civilized perspectives in response to his - which drove Swanson to become even more unglued.

Let's see if their voices, or Swanson's/CCP&J's, carry the day.

UPDATE Sunday, June 29 @ 9:10am:

The CCP&J is producing its own protest placards. Learn more, and download/have emailed to you a simple counter-placard for free, here.

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PLACARD Here

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It now appears that the CCP&J is going to be creating placards to display at their Monticello protest (and probably around Charlottesville) during President Bush's visit. We all can anticipate what kinds of horrendous, inflammatory things their placards will say.

Counter-demonstrators will need counter-placards, to make their voices heard.

The fact remains that despite Bush's flaws, and legitimate points for opposition to some of his policies, he did what many (if not most) of us thought would be impossible in the aftermath of 9/11:

• He prevented any further attacks on America for the next seven years - despite numerous attempts, from the small to the large-scale
  .
• Via his foreign policies, America's military forces liberated 50 million individuals from Islamist tyranny, helped to establish nascent freedom in its place, and dealt a progressively worsening blow to Islamist terrorists around the world
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• In the wake of the dot-com implosion and the resulting recession of 2000 (which occurred before he even took office), he presided over a continuously expanding economy (though less so than had he adopted more free-market, small-government policies)

That's a lot to put on a placard!!

So, while everyone's invited to create their own counter-placards if they're so inclined, for expediency, I've taken the liberty of creating a simple placard that you can download here and print out for yourself:

Download the 8.5" x 11" version here. If you have any difficulty, send an email to tj411cville@gmail.com and you'll receive a full-size PDF.

Print out copies for your friends, and display them as you see fit (but please, within the confines of the best of Jeffersonian decorum and felicity). Thank you.
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The CCP&J's Myths About Iraq & Bush - Debunked

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With nauseating regularity, the news media - from the local to the national level - just accepts whatever groups supposedly dedicated to "peace" say, without question or analysis. The same thing has happened here in Charlottesville, in regards to the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice (CCP&J), which is asking for its members to protest at this event.

One prevalent myth is that President Bush "lied" us into war in Iraq.

This video demonstrates that if anyone "lied" us into war in Iraq, the Democrats on Capitol Hill had as big a voice as any - since 1998:

Where did these many Democrats get such an itch to invade Iraq, over so long a period of time? Could be here: Going further back in history, here is Al Gore in September 1992, viciously condemning the former President Bush for not invading Iraq during the first Gulf War, due to what Gore contends was Iraq's clear involvement in, and support of global Islamist terrorism:

Here are some more links that help to demolish the myth that President Bush lied us into the Iraq war:

• Debunking 8 Anti-War Myths About The Conflict In Iraq
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• Assistant Editor of the (left-of-center) New Republic magazine:
  "Bush Never Lied To Us About Iraq"
  

The CCP&J and other groups also propagate the myth that they are the ones who support, and speak for American soldiers in Iraq. Here are some Iraq war veterans who eviscerate the myths that groups like the CCP&J rely upon, and perpetuate:

• Vets For Freedom - Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are making their voices heard, against the constant stream of "peace" protester propaganda (video links; learn more at home link)
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• Iraq Vets For Congress - A growing number of Iraq war veterans who are running for Congressional seats in the 2008 election, on a "win-the-war" platform

Lastly, here are some more U.S. soldiers who tell a very different story than what the CCP&J and similar organizations would have you believe about their work in Iraq:

Bush As President In Post-9/11 America

The fact remains that despite Bush's flaws, and legitimate points for opposition to some of his policies, he did what many (if not most) of us thought would be impossible in the aftermath of 9/11:

• He prevented any further attacks on America for the next seven years - despite numerous attempts, from the small to the large-scale
  .
• Via his foreign policies, and under his direction, America's military forces have liberated 50 million individuals from Islamist tyranny, helped to establish nascent freedom in its place, and dealt a progressively worsening blow to Islamist terrorists around the world
  .
• In the wake of the dot-com implosion and the resulting recession of 2000 (which occurred before he even took office), he presided over a continuously expanding economy (though less so than had he adopted more free-market, small-government policies)

So let's give a little credit where it's due, ok?

If you have any links that help to counter the CCP&J's propaganda concerning these important issues, please forward them to: tj411cville@gmail.com
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The CCP&J's Myths About Jefferson And War - Debunked

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Subversive political propaganda typically consists of 1% truth and 99% information that is demonstrably untrue or decontextualized, all of which is then woven together in such a way as to lead the target audience to erroneous, often dangerous conclusions.

Such is the case with the Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice’s (CCP&J) propaganda in rallying its supporters, and others, to protest President Bush when he speaks on Independence Day at Monticello’s annual naturalization ceremony.

If you support the complaints against the first King George III enumerated on the first Fourth of July in the Declaration of Independence, I encourage you to attend the event. Go early. Wear an impeachment shirt. And bring a copy of our poor abused Constitution. This is not a time for fear and timidity. How dare this fascist blood-soaked murderer set foot in Charlottesville or on the grounds of Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson?

Thomas Jefferson who said: "As to myself, I love peace, and I am anxious that we should give the world still another useful lesson, by showing to them other modes of punishing injuries than by war, which is as much a punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer."

Thomas Jefferson who said: "If there be one principle more deeply rooted than any other in the mind of every American it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest."

Thomas Jefferson who said that to check "the dog of war'' we had to take the war-making power out of the hands of a single person, and give it to Congress.

If the above was all that one heard about Thomas Jefferson, he or she might come to the conclusion that Jefferson was a pacifist who would not resort to armed conflict in his position as President and Commander in Chief – except, perhaps, only when we were under direct military attack on our shores.

The author of this missive, David Swanson, claims to have a Masters Degree in Philosophy from Jefferson’s University of Virginia (which he says he received without first having attained a Bachelor’s Degree?).

Such a “scholar” should know the truth about Jefferson. Swanson, however, clearly doesn’t – or he is in deep denial about it, and is using his skills as a communications functionary for some of the most leftist groups in America* to distort Jefferson's actual history. (*including the "Progressive Democrats Of America," a socialist front group, and "United For Peace & Justice," another thinly-cloaked assembly of Communists and other radical leftists; more here and here).

Unfortunately, most Americans have little to no knowledge of the real Thomas Jefferson – including those who are supposedly “educated,” even at the university that Jefferson himself designed and founded. And it is for this reason that activists like Swanson and his fellow travelers are able to propagate a variety of fundamental myths about Jefferson and our Founders to generations of our kids, and the general public.

The reality is that contrary to the above missive, Jefferson had an extremely forceful and unambiguous response to the first reign of terror that Islamists waged on Americans and others, occurring thousands of miles from our shores.

Those unfamiliar with the Barbary Wars can find background information on the savage, merciless murder, mayhem, rape, enslavement and henious violence perpetrated by Islamist thugs against unarmed civilians in the seas surrounding North Africa here and here (and here; warning: graphic descriptions).

In summary, for decades America's policy had been to not confront the Barbary Pirates militarily, but instead to pay the tribute (bribes) that these Islamist terrorists had demanded, in exchange for their promises of safe passage, or for return of the hostages they'd taken (and often tortured, or sexually terrorized or mutilated). And for just as long, Jefferson had been warning that this "peaceful" tact would not only not solve the problem, it would make it inestimably worse - because these "Barbarians" would be emboldened to commit greater acts of savagery, and demand higher and higher tributes.

Jefferson's admonitions fell on deaf ears, and his predictions came true. Yet year after year, the prevailing American foreign policy was to continue to obfuscate or downplay the problem, and to continue paying the demanded tributes.

But when Jefferson became President in 1801, he took a dramatically different course of action: He waged an unrelenting military action, until these first barbarian Islamist terrorists backed down. Here is the account of Jefferson's stance, from the Library of Congress:

As Jefferson wrote to Adams in a July 11, 1786, letter, "I acknolege [sic] I very early thought it would be best to effect a peace thro' the medium of war."

Paying tribute will merely invite more demands, and even if a coalition proves workable, the only solution is a strong navy that can reach the pirates, Jefferson argued in an August 18, 1786, letter to James Monroe: "The states must see the rod; perhaps it must be felt by some one of them. . . . Every national citizen must wish to see an effective instrument of coercion, and should fear to see it on any other element than the water. A naval force can never endanger our liberties, nor occasion bloodshed; a land force would do both."

"From what I learn from the temper of my countrymen and their tenaciousness of their money," Jefferson added in a December 26, 1786, letter to the president of Yale College, Ezra Stiles, "it will be more easy to raise ships and men to fight these pirates into reason, than money to bribe them."

The American show of force quickly awed Tunis and Algiers into breaking their alliance with Tripoli. The humiliating loss of the frigate Philadelphia and the capture of her captain and crew in Tripoli in 1803, criticism from his political opponents, and even opposition within his own cabinet did not deter Jefferson from his chosen course during four years of war. The aggressive action of Commodore Edward Preble (1803-4) forced Morocco out of the fight and his five bombardments of Tripoli restored some order to the Mediterranean.

However, it was not until 1805, when an American fleet under Commodore John Rogers and a land force raised by an American naval agent to the Barbary powers, Captain William Eaton, threatened to capture Tripoli and install the brother of Tripoli's pasha on the throne, that a treaty brought an end to the hostilities.

And it was Jefferson's unrelenting military offensive against the unrelenting, murderous Islamist "barbarians," based in part in Tripoli, that led to the line in the Marine Corps' hymn:

"From the halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine..."

This reality – documented from multiple sources – would position Thomas Jefferson, in the eyes of the CCP&J and its fellow travelers, as a “warmonger” who utilized “cowboy diplomacy,” instead of the more “enlightened” approach of dialogue, negotiation and compassion (translation: appeasement, denial and gradual surrender, if not suicide).

After all, who was Jefferson to employ military forces against a those who had never attacked our shores, and who were (to the American left) essentially "criminals" (or, as a CCP&J "friend" Cindy Sheehan, would say, "freedom fighters")? And what kind of President would proceed against the advice of his own cabinet, while refusing to listen to those who'd attempted to secure a "peaceful" resolution with these religiously-fanatical barbarians?

One thing Swanson mentions that is legitimate, though: Jefferson was vehemently against a President having the “unitary” power to go to war against another nation. That’s why our Founders designed our Constitution to require Congress to declare war and enact treaties.

Modern “scholars” such as Swanson, and his fellow activists within and beyond the CCP&J, would have us believe that George Bush was the first President to violate this Constitutional provision.

But like so much of the CCP&J’s propaganda, the truth is a very different story.

(Democrat) Harry Truman was the first to go to war without a declaration of such. He only had a Congressional resolution authorizing the use of force against Korea. Ditto for (Democrat) John F. Kennedy’s deployment of U.S. military forces in Vietnam. Ditto for (Democrat) Lyndon Johnson’s escalation of forces. Ditto for (Republican) George H.W. Bush’s deployment of U.S. forces in the first Gulf War. Ditto for (Democrat) Bill Clinton’s deployment of U.S. forces to Haiti, Bosnia and other nations around the world that had never threatened or attacked us.

Similarly, George W. Bush couldn’t have deployed a single soldier to Iraq (or Afghanistan) without Congressional authorization – which he received, with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Here was what one senior Congressional leader said, in 2002, justifying military action against Iraq:

"We stopped the fighting [in 1991] on an agreement that Iraq would take steps to assure the world that it would not engage in further aggression and that it would destroy its weapons of mass destruction. It has refused to take those steps. That refusal constitutes a breach of the armistice which renders it void and justifies resumption of the armed conflict."

Which “warmonger” said that? Why, none other than the current Majority Leader of the Senate, Harry Reid (D-NV). You can scroll through a long, long list of similarly “warmongering” statements by other Congressional Democrats - stretching all the way back to 1998 - here. Watch a video compilation of these statements here.

Given that George W. Bush didn't take office until 2001, it makes one wonder: Did such a long list of justifications for the need to deal with Iraq militarily help motivate Bush to finally do so, in the wake of 9/11? Just who was "lying" to whom? Who "misled" whom?

Ultimately, the CCP&J and its fellow travelers – within and beyond America’s newsrooms and classrooms – have so convinced Americans that Iraq was solely Bush’s action and responsibility that most of our fellow citizens have no idea of the reality. Instead, groups such as the CCP&J vomit up such glittering jewels as the following – from Swanson’s same missive:

"(America's) state militias have been put under control of the national government and sent overseas to kill or be killed committing crimes on behalf of the king."

Those who are or were in the U.S. military, and anyone who genuinely knows something about them, their character and their actions, must decide for themselves the merit (or blood-libel) of the above statement - and the relevance to the fact that terrorists and tyrants around the world use the exact same argument to justify the carnage they perpetrate.

Let us hope that local journalists, pundits and citizens keep all this in mind the next time that David Swanson, the CCP&J or any similar propagandists start spouting off about Thomas Jefferson, George W. Bush, Iraq and America’s history of military conflicts.
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