Udall disingenuous in lauding protest rights
On July 27, in a Westminster courtroom, Carolyn Bninski was sentenced to a month in jail for protesting the Iraq war “peacefully and respectfully” in U.S. Rep. Mark Udall’s office. It is my understanding that Udall’s office pressed trespassing charges and issued a carefully worded public statement, covered by the press, in support of and in sympathy for Bninski’s right to protest the war, on the day her sentencing took place. Does this sound disingenuous to anyone else?
On Aug. 22 Raphael Egger, Merrill Carter and Sue Gomez will appear before Judge Claudia Jordan in the criminal court for trial.
They are charged with honorably and respectfully protesting the Iraq war in Sen. Ken Salazar’s office.
It seems that another powerful Democrat in Colorado has seen fit to press charges for protesting the war. Proceedings begin at 8 a.m. in Room 117M in the Denver City and County Building. The public is welcome. I would imagine Salazar is carefully readying his press release on the proceedings right now. Let’s hope justice and the American people will be better served in Denver, and not manipulated, this time around.
David Ferlic, Wheat Ridge
Talk about disingenuous. Protesting in someone's office is not very honorable, and certainly not respectful
Don't worry- I'm sure justice will be served and the trio will be convicted, despite your attempt to manipulate the American people.
wow can you beleive that a dumocrat who represents the republic of boulder would have the balls to have a protester arrested?
doesnt he know that if they want to camp out in his office and do what ever it is their 'right' given to them by the same dumocrat who is now pressing charges.
will wonders never cease
Why is it disingenous to uphold the public interest? The office that was illegally taken over for this protest belongs to more then just the protestors. Do not the other citizens of Udalls district deserve the right to maintain order and ability to conduct buisness. Or is it the thought of progressive that onl;y thier adgneda be allowed to come forth at all times over anyone else. After all even in Boulder we arn't San Francisco, a facist town oppressing the opposeing views
Posted by on August 16, 2007 06:00 AM+++Know your facts before you criticize those involved+++++++ We have no recourse in our country other than to uphold the rights given us in the constitution: the right to free speech and the right to assembly being paramount among those. If we are saddened and angered and passionately feel that there are other ways to end the course of events in Iraq, what other choice do we have than to exercise our rights? The protesters involved are dedicated pacifists who never lifted a finger in violence. They never "took over" Ken Salazar's office. They sat and requested an audience with Mr Salazar, who is, after all, an elected representative of the people of Colorado. They were indeed very respectful - of the power invested in Mr Salazar and of their rights as American citizens. Non-violent protest is the only way we will end this ugly war and bring home our brave men and women soldiers and leave the Iraqi people to their land, their oil, and their ways.
Posted by Amelia on August 16, 2007 09:01 AM+++Know your facts before you criticize those involved+++++++ We have no recourse in our country other than to uphold the rights given us in the constitution: the right to free speech and the right to assembly being paramount among those. If we are saddened and angered and passionately feel that there are other ways to end the course of events in Iraq, what other choice do we have than to exercise our rights? The protesters involved are dedicated pacifists who never lifted a finger in violence. They never "took over" Ken Salazar's office. They sat and requested an audience with Mr Salazar, who is, after all, an elected representative of the people of Colorado. They were indeed very respectful - of the power invested in Mr Salazar and of their rights as American citizens. Non-violent protest is the only way we will end this ugly war and bring home our brave men and women soldiers and leave the Iraqi people to their land, their oil, and their ways.
Posted by Amelia on August 16, 2007 09:01 AMAmelia,
You do not have a right to unlimited speech when that "right" tramples on my rights. If you want to talk to me on my property, it is up to me to allow or disallow it. If I disallow it, then you have no recourse except to leave. If you choose not to, then you are trespassing and trampling on my rights to association and use of my own property.
Your rights to free speech do not trump my rights to my property no more than you have the right to trespass on Salazar's or Udall's property.
You have the right to protest till you are blue in the face... in a public forum. I have the right to ignore or ridicule your ideas. You do not have the right to do this on my property. It amazes me how libs think they get to pick and choose which rights one gets.
Posted by Dravur on August 16, 2007 09:43 AMDravur:
I agree that protesting should have it's place. But you really don't beleive Udall's & Salazar's offices are their personnel property. Those offices belong to the people of the state of colorado. It also amazes me how cons think. They don't.
Larry, do not be saying cons believe this. Get your facts straight. Most conservatives believe that those offices are public domain. If someone wants to protest thats all well and good. No one will deny this. There are some restrictions however. you can not just walk in any where and start protesting. Even those who protest the Columbus day parade get permits. Free sopeach is a misconception. You have the right to say whatever you want to. But you also have to take responsibility for what you say. Slander laws, no yelling fire in a movie theatre, ect.
If they wanted to make a point in udalls office there were proper times and ways to do so.
Posted by on August 16, 2007 11:52 AMIn spite what some people want to think, the First Amemedment IS NOT an "anything goes" proposition.
Posted by tj on August 16, 2007 12:12 PM11:52am:
I was responding to dravurs comment " It amazes me how libs think they get to pick and choose which rights one gets".
If a con is going to make a jab expect to get one back. Specially whe he makes a stupid comment that those offices are their private property.
People, the point of the letter is that Mark Udally is a dishonest, manipulative, media darling. Udall voted against the original unconstitutional authorization (usurpation of Congression power) but has then voted FOR funding the occupation of Iraq. He is a consumate politician that cheats the voter because the the MEDIA actively aids in his scam.
He pretends to be for protestors "rights" while behind the scenes he uses his connections and governmental power to squash people. Mark Udall and his actions are horrible! The Media has made Udall the favorite to become a Senator from Colorado. If his action in this case were accurately reported, it would hurt Udall's chances.
Posted by Dave on August 16, 2007 04:12 PMLopsided justice, One month in jail for protesting the war. Probation if you steal a car,or molest a kid,or,assault someone,or rob someone,or drink and drive,or drug possession,or driving without a license and insurance,or identity theft,or road rage,etc....
This is a political sentence not a just one.
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on August 17, 2007 08:38 AMIt is amazing to me that our two elected representatives pressed charges against their constituents. These people were not causing a disturbance, but were just trying to be heard. And even after removal from the office the charges could have been dropped. But these two Democrat elected representatives of the people, that claim to agree with the "bring the troops home now" position, pressed charges of trespass and disturbing the peace against these peace seeking people.
Posted by Jim Harlin on December 6, 2007 06:45 PM