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Grandmothers for Peace Get Federal Prison Instead »

Posted by: Spadecaller 2 years, 11 months ago

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To protest the torture-training School of the Americas (SOA) located at Ft. Benning Georgia, three grandmothers part of a group of 16 human rights activists were on trial in federal court in Georgia this week. Fifteen of the activists were given federal prison sentences for tresspassing during a non-violent protest.

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Spadecaller

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Comments: 73

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Amazing1
Feb. 2, 2007, 10:40 a.m.
From the article: Ms. Webster told the judge "You will notice that increasingly, it is the elders who are speaking out and acting boldly and authoritatively to bring understanding of what justice, kindness, generosity and compassion mean in a world weary of the endless conquest and dominance mindset of nations."
To have a school that teaches torture techniques just boggles the mind. To jail grandmothers who protest such an atrocity is beyond words.
Is there no shame left in this nation? Come on, people. Don't you realize that what you allow to happen to others can then happen to you? AAGGHH!!!
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Spadecaller
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:04 a.m.
I read this article, and my mouth dropped open. I have followed these "grandmothers for Peace" since they started, and to imprison them for tresspassing during a peaceful protest is beyond comprehension. In essence, they are political prisoners. I wonder how many political prisoners we really have locked away now? Must be "classified information".
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jordan11
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:38 a.m.
I'm going to look at this from the position of an 'elder', as I am one. If I participate in a march, and break the law while doing it (trespassing), then I can't expect to be treated any differently because I'm an 'elder.' And I wouldn't want to be. I would want to be taken seriously for my efforts, not patted on the head because I'm 'old.' Does that make sense?
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VulgarCelebrity7
Feb. 2, 2007, 1:34 p.m.
Over the river and through the fence to grandmother's cell we go. I'm sure 2 months will be torture. Hope she takes her Bible with her.
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ind06
Feb. 2, 2007, 2:20 p.m.
that'll teach those old ladies to speak up against torture
Avg rating: (+8/-1 7)
RedstateLib
Feb. 2, 2007, 5:14 p.m.
Go Grandma's.
Note to George: You know your goose is cooked when the Grandmothers turn against you.
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Pepper333
Feb. 2, 2007, 6:39 p.m.
I spent over a year locked up in women's Federal prison - there were numerous women there who had been imprisoned for protesting at the SOA, and also for trespassing on Federal land in other non-violent protests. They included a 69 year old nun, Sister Ardeth Platte, www.jonahh... who served over 3 years in Fed lockup and is a really remarkable person.
Regardless of what you think about their protest methods, it's a pretty astonishing waste of LOTS of taxpayer dollars to lock up nonviolent anti-war protesters - essentially domestic political prisoners. (women's Fed prison costs over $30k per year per prisoner on average).
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jordan11
Feb. 2, 2007, 7:46 p.m.
essentially domestic political prisoners.>>>>>
That's exactly what they are. Had our government been acting in the best interest of our nation, they wouldn't have trespassed.
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Spadecaller
Feb. 2, 2007, 7:46 p.m.
Amazing1 just posted this for me:
Bob Dylan: "Masters of WAr" Very Powerful!
Please watch it and pass it on, if you will. Thanks.
http://donoevil.netscape.com/story/2007/02/02/yout
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Spadecaller
Feb. 2, 2007, 7:49 p.m.
WE've been tresspassing on the Native American's land now for over 200 years. Why don't we all spend some time in prison with the judges.
Avg rating: (+7/-0 7)
evelyna
Feb. 2, 2007, 8:04 p.m.
I do not think they deserve to go to jail. They are harmless. It will cost the government a lot more in health care and medications-then if they let them go.
They release violent criminals because the prisons are full.
I guess Bush needs the examples.
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rateesquad
Feb. 2, 2007, 8:25 p.m.
Good those hippies got what they deserve.
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hueygunner
Feb. 2, 2007, 9 p.m.
I'm certain there were 'no trespassing' signs posted on the outside of the fence the grandmother went through. If she had pulled that stunt in Russia, she be doing time in Hell instead of jail. Remember what happened when the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 strayed over Russia's air space and military bases?
She has a legal right to protest but not to trespass. Recall what Jesus said: Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's.
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Shadowolf
Feb. 2, 2007, 9:14 p.m.
Hi everyone; I'm new here.
I am a Navy veteran,served in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force: Beirut Lebanon,1983-84; abourd the USS New Jersey (BB-62)
I am having a hard time understanding how all these REMFs have taken away the rights of American citizens,jailed peaceful protesters,(by the way,those soldiers are trained to evaluate a problem,not shoot first.)and tried to shield thierselves from accountability.Is this still The United States;or some horror novel come to life?
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alakazam
Feb. 2, 2007, 9:56 p.m.
Shadowolf, it is a horror novel come to life. Enough to make a man weep.
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alakazam
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:24 p.m.
Agreed, but they are still little old ladies. You can't exactly set them to slinging sledges at Fort Leavenworth, can you?
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bobshotme
Feb. 3, 2007, 3:02 a.m.
Very true...they got it made. They could have gotten alot worse for breaking the law
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scoh
Feb. 2, 2007, 11:45 p.m.
Shadowolf, you risked your life for the freedom and for the rights we used to take for granted. Can't say enough about the huge sacrifices our men and women in arms have made in the name of freedom. But, the current administration is slowly taking away those rights, something the terrorists never in their wildest dreams could of managed to do. We have been, as a nation, divided and conquered. Who is our real enemy then? What good is it to have the greatest military in the world in the hands of an incompete Commander and Chief who knows not how to lead such a force, but only knows how to misled? Accountability is long overdue. And it must start at the top.
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rickcb
Feb. 3, 2007, 12:09 a.m.
"In peace sons bury fathers, but war violates the order of nature, and fathers bury sons." -Herodotus
That is a sad statement indeed, but what is worse is Grandmothers burying grandchildren. What the hell America?
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LordyLordy
Feb. 3, 2007, 12:56 a.m.
I had to take jump school training at Ft Benning. The first time they had to shove me out of the airplane! Everyone down below I think was getting yellow rain too! (lol)
Where were you then Granny, you coulda saved me!
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Watchemoket
Feb. 3, 2007, 1:36 a.m.
manorak, are you really comparing these protesting grandmothers to "Tokyo Rose"? You cannot possibly be that warped by knee-jerk loyalty to Bush & Co that you can't see the many differences between them.
I studied WW2, as well, and it has been my understanding that most American servicemen LAUGHED at Tokyo Rose - it was usually a morale BOOST when they heard her ludicrous messages over their radios.
Please, tell us all that you posted that comment in the wrong place by mistake - we'll all understand.
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LordyLordy
Feb. 3, 2007, 6:24 p.m.
One of the terrorists claimed we could have peace if the U.S. would convert to Islam.
I believe Tokyo Rose promised our troops they could have peace if they'd just surrender.
Considering the number of shoes, cars, and other Japanese products in our country, who won the war again?
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mcarpentry
Feb. 3, 2007, 6:10 a.m.
manorak, Excellent points, the problem with the people on here they do not know history, nor have they studied it. The typical mantra THE BIG BAD WOLF is coming to get us.
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rickcb
Feb. 3, 2007, 2 a.m.
What the hell is next?
I can see it now; a 9 year old girl being waterboarded for having an Islamic penpal in the Middle East, while Bush and shotgun Dickie interrogate her.
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bobshotme
Feb. 3, 2007, 2:58 a.m.
Dont you kids get it, they violated the law by trespassing thats what they're in trouble for, nothing wrong about that.
So whats so wrong about this? are you saying trespassing is ok and should be legal? or is it if they agree with your political views they should be allowed to do WHATEVER they want WHENEVER they want to.
The ones complaining about this are the sick ones who are the problem, who only want laws when they help them but dont care about them when they are not in their political interest. its sick and pathetic.
"Hey that guys robbing a bank"
"ITs ok he has the same political views as me, he should be allowed too!" that basically whats happening here, void the law for people who agree with you.
bottom line, if they followed the law and the rules, they could have protested and not gone to jail. Its ALL their fault for thinking they are ABOVE THE LAW because of their political views.