Editorial:  Phony Veterans Journal 
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

Wow! I have a DD-214 in my back pocket that shows I have nine years, ninths and six days of honorable service in Uncle Sam's Army. That stint included two trips to Nam and two Bronze Stars.

I was lucky enough to see Tet of 68 up close and personal. My second trip included about six weeks in Cambodia in April of '70. I know how to fly a helicopter, shoot a four deuce mortar and fix pretty much anything electronic. Not exactly an REMF, but I was there.

Now I realize that my anti-war views are not welcomed in some quarters, but don't diss me because I disagree with you.

There are a few facts that we should be able to agree upon:

1. Veterans are treated like shit by the Veterans Administration.
2. Veterans represent 25% of the homeless population of the United States, yet comprise only 11% of the adult population of this country.
3. The Veterans Administration is woefully under funded.
4. Jobs and Veterans are problematic.
5. PTSD and TBI are going to become epidemic as time passes.
6. Depleted uranium is going to dwarf Agent Orange in terms of scope and toxicity.

You will not shut us up. On Sunday the Veterans For Peace marched behind the American Legion's Veterans Day parade in Boston. About a block behind the parade. Led by five motorcycle Officers.

My pics of the day are somewhat spotty, as I was attending to business.

We assembled.

The IVAW agreed to the American Legion's rules - one banner, no signs - and were allowed to march at the end of the parade.

Here they are stepping off:

I caught a picture of this puppy getting into the parade while we were waiting for the street sweepers.

Nice looking .50 cal:

Here they are waiting to start:

A few pics along the way:

When we got to City Hall Plaza, veterans willing to risk arrest went down to stand in front of the podium:

This pic made it to Olbermann last night:

 

Here's the Olbermann segment on Countdown last night.

You should know the oldest veteran arrested on Sunday was 92.

stephinrome posted our VFP video here on DU.

In closing, a personal observation:  The Boston Police treated us with humor and respect for the most part, and for that I thank them.

The Boston Police were doing their job right up to the point they tried to spin the day:

At about 2:00pm, on Sunday, November 11, 2007, officers assigned to the Veteran’s Day Parade in the area of One City Hall Plaza observed a large group of individuals protesting in front of the staging area. The protestors, a group from an organization called Veterans for Peace, created a disturbance throughout the proceedings. On several occasions, police officers warned the group that if they continued to deliberately interrupt and disrupt the assembly they would face arrest. When offered an alternative location from which to protest from, the protestors refused. At which point, officers arrested 18 individuals (15 males & 3 females) and charged all of them with Disturbing a Lawful Assembly of People.

We found out later from the Arlington Advocate:

"Also...we were told by a media relations department member of the BPD that you were chanting loudly in front of the stage, and obstructing the view was anyone in your group chanting?"

It's hard to chant with a bandana over your mouth. I know.

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