Washblog

the seven were supposedly spending the night in Sen. Cantwell's office with a couple staffers. Anyone heard an update?

I'm wondering if we can maintain civility on WashBlog about the sit-in. Could we agree on a few things?

While we may or may not like the strategy the protesters have employed, could we agree not to attack them personally? Could we agree not to make unfounded accusations and assumptions about them?

Can we keep in mind that Joe Colgan lost a son in Iraq? Who among us can understand what that might feel like?

Can we keep in mind that Josh Farris saw some very nasty action in Fallujah? Who among us can understand what he's been through?

And what is Stacy Bannerman's wife going through? Who among us understands that?

Abe Osheroff is a 92 year-old veteran. He doesn't exactly fit the stereotype of a left-wing radical, does he? Shall we respect this man and what he's lived through?

I've heard Rev. Rich Gamble speak on two or three occasions. I think it's fair to say that for him the war isn't about electoral politics; it's a deeply spiritual and moral call to faith. Can we respect his moral seriousness, whether we agree or disagree with his methods?

Can we respect the American tradition of civil disobedience, whether we think it's being well used or misused in this particular case?

Can we refrain from making assumptions about Sen. Cantwell's staffers, unless we have specific knowledge about their actions?

Can we refrain from lumping all left-wing activists and Democrats into one monolithic category? Can we refrain from making assumptions about the political affiliations of the seven protesters, unless we have specific knowledge about them?

Can we agree to respect the progressives who have tried very hard to move the senator on Iraq (and now Iran)?

Can we agree to respect those Democrats who worry about how every public or private move might help or hurt the senator's reelection chances? Can we do this, even if we don't agree with it?

Well, I'm sure others can add (or subtract) from the list. I'm just wondering whether we're even capable of discussing this situation intelligently among ourselves. I guess we'll find out.

by DWE on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 09:32:09 AM PST

 I'm aware of the sit-in action, was aware of the plans for the seven to do this action.   Thanks to DLE and DWE for posting it and keeping progress update reports.  And tx Noemie for front paging it.

 I have worked closely with Joe Colgan, Joshua Farris, and Howard Gale in recent months in other actions and I can assure you this action is taken at the highest level of integrity.  What this means to those of us who are military families,   families who have lost a loved one in Irq/Afghanistan wars (Joe Colgan), veterans of this war (Joshua Farris) and veterans of previous wars (Abe Osheroff) is quite literally a matter of life and death.  

 Before reaching this place of action to sit in Sen. Cantwell's office, every step was carefully taken to afford her full opportunity to register the gravity of our collective concerns regarding her position on the Iraq war.  I hope this thread and conversation will respect the people involved in the action as they have paid a price others here have not had to pay and I hope you will support the intent of their actions with the same level of integrity in which they take the action.

 

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends." Martin Luther King Jr.

by Lietta Ruger on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 02:08:30 PM PST

Cantwell has already made her move on the war.  This attempt is meant to embarass her and help defeat her.  The left wing of the Democratic party won't stop, even if she apologizes everyday until the election.  Cantwell has already signaled that she supports Kerry's plan.  The townhall plan seems ok, but it'll end up like most leftist events- people just yelling, urging her to sign or pledge things she hasn't read.  It may feel good to bash Cantwell, but she's going to have a tough race no matter what, so I support her.

Not blogging since 8/18/06!!

by Belltowner on Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 11:42:52 PM PST

A Slog update:

6 of the original 7 anti-war activists who showed up at Sen. Maria Cantwell's downtown Seattle offices yesterday to protest Cantwell's position on Iraq, ended up spending the night there on Tuesday--sleeping on the floor or in chairs in a conference room.

The activists report that Cantwell has agreed to meet with them. A meeting is scheduled for May 6, they say.

Rather than have the protesters removed, two Cantwell staffers and one of the staffer's boyfriends, spent the night in Cantwell's 32nd floor offices as well--acting as federally required escorts. 1 activist says the Cantwell chaperones were, "cool and amenable."

Cantwell spokesperson Charla Neuman did call me back yesterday. Sounding weary and calm she explained why they didn't have the protesters removed: "They're good constituents, and I've got a sleeping bag."

It sounds like the activists--including an Iraq war vet, the father of an soldier who was killed in Iraq, and the pastor at Wallingford's United Church of Christ--are going to leave Cantwell's office this morning after they agree on the final details about their pending meeting with Senator Cantwell.

Yesterday, the activists showed up at Cantwell's offices demanding that Cantwell either sign off on Sen. John Kerry's troop withdrawal plan (out by Dec. 2006) or agree to hold a meeting where she clarifies her position.

I've got a call out to Neuman to confirm the activist's report.

by DWE on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 10:47:52 AM PST

From Washington State Political Report.

by noemie maxwell on Wed Apr 26, 2006 at 04:25:04 PM PST

At this point, I really don't care what Maria Cantwell actually thinks about the war. You just do not waste political opportunities like this. Bush is at 33% approval - 33% - just about where his war is.

At this point, any Democrat who doesn't use this opportunity to kick the shit out of the Republicans is worthless.

by dlaw on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 05:14:56 AM PST