The Syracuse Hate Council Attacks V.P. Cheney On The Campaign Trail
By Jon Alvarez (11/22/03)
Yesterday, Vice-President Dick Cheney came to Syracuse, NY to attend a Republican fundraiser. A local "peace" group, term used very loosely, had issued an all-points bulletin to all of its left-wing supporters via all media outlets to stage a protest rally. Upon hearing news of this in the local left-wing paper, I decided to organize a "counter-protest" in support of V.P. Cheney. Just as I drove to Washington, D.C. last month to counter the ANSWER march on our capitol, I felt the need to have my viewpoint represented at this rally as well. If you've never joined a pro-USA rally to counter such anti-American protests, I heartily recommned it. What you'll see is not what you'd see on the news.
It was a dismal day in Syracuse, cold and wet. I was prepared, with both waterproof boots and my homemade sign. I had sent out notice to several conservative websites to rally support, but on such short notice, many who feel as I do informed me that their jobs and responsibilities would prevent them from attending. One fellow CNY Sons of Liberty supporter was able to attend, so the two of us stood outside of the Holiday Inn to show our support for our country and our leadership.
The Syracuse Peace Council (I refer to them by the more accurate moniker Syracuse Hate Council) was pathetically represented by 100 or so social malcontents from the area. With so much press coverage of their rally, with so much outrage in this country towards this administration, according to the Hate Council, the fact that they could only muster 100 supporters was a pretty pathetic display. The other group represented at the rally was the Syracuse Labor Council, which drew approximately 100 union workers.
The display of anger and hatred towards V.P. Cheney by this group was quite disturbing. There was maybe one American flag on display by this group and an abundance of signs with profane attacks on the Bush administration. The usual left-wing mantra of "no war for oil", despite the fact that we are paying to rebuild Iraq, not the Iraqis or their oil, seems to have little effect on their favorite slogan. They also seemed unaware of news of a June deadline for turning over control of Iraq to the Iraqi Governing Council. One young man interviewed on the local news claimed President Bush is waging a war for empire while facts seem to contradict his case. Other signs citing Bush and Cheney as relatives of Satan seemed to escape the eye of the news cameras. We'll get to the media's biased coverage of the day's events.
I met the young leader of the Syracuse Hate Council, Andy Mager. Andy and I had a brief, amiable discussion. He seemed appreciative of my warmth I displayed towards him and his baby he held in his arms. I asked him why his group, which purportedly is an agent for peace, was exhibiting so much hatred on this day towards a respected world leader, and a fellow American. He had a sort of nonchalant attitude about it, saying people had a right to their feelings. I also inquired as to why they never seem to be involved in local activities aimed at curbing violence and injustice in our own backyard. He invited me to a meeting at a local CYO in which their message of non-violence will be taught. I told him that as a proud supporter of the 2nd Ammendment and the use of force to curb threats from abroad, I'd have to see what their specific agenda was before joining them in such an endeavor. We shook hands and went our separate ways.
I will note that on the news reports I saw, Andy was interviewed saying not only that V.P. Cheney was not welcome in Syracuse, but that these local businessmen in attendance for the fundraiser were not allowed to donate their money where they so choose. It seems these left-wing activists are under the impression that the proceeds raised from this fundraiser should be used to benefit the downtrodden and the unemployed within the community. The media seemed to enjoy playing this message up; a bunch of greedy fat cats contributing their money to fill the coffers of the greedy Bush administration. Whose money is it, anyway? We live in a capitalistic society, but it would appear that many on the left end of the spectrum have a problem with that. Will they be as critical of the Dean campaign?
There was one incident of civil disobedience at this "peace" rally. Several young anrchists chose to enter the street, which was prohibited, and attempted to throw ropes over a street light to raise an offensive anti-Cheney banner. They seemed to discount the fact that this might cause a traffic accident and initially, they struggled with the police officer who prevented them from being successful. I will also note that the ACLU had a "monitor" there, in some official manner, taking notes throughout this incident. She first made her presence known early on when she approached us and asked how many were in our group. I promptly made note of her Soviet-style "monitor" status, of which she took offense. I then told her to hit the road, we had no desire to interact with her.
The media coverage of this event was most certainly biased in favor of the protesters. While our pro-USA representation was duly noted, several stations did not give any indication of our presence and the majority of soundbites were anti-USA and anti-Cheney. We were successful in that we did make our presence known and that, despite our low number of 2 patriots present, were considered a threat to those representing the Syracuse Hate Council. Every time we were interviewed, their representatives shouted and interrupted each interview session. I would calmly stop, turn to them, and politely ask them to respect our right to free speech. They would parade banners behind our backs as the cameras rolled, of which I would point out to the reporter how it would seem the left views free speech as a one-way street.
Overall, I'd have to report that it was a great day to be an American. Free speech was represented on both ends of the spectrum, and both sides of the issue were represented. I do think it's important that both sides and their message is fairly presented to the public, which the media consistently fails to do. The far-left fringe groups which supposedly advocate peace do not represent mainstream America, which is why I felt the need to have some representation at this rally. We need to continue to expose these people for who they are and what they represent. As I told Andy Mager of the Syracuse Hate Council, we respect pacifists, we do not respect anti-Americanism and hatred for all things American. His group was not out representing peace, they were advocating the overthrow of the Bush regime, the overthrow of capitalism, and the subjugation of American autonomy to the United Nations. Sorry, I'll take a little corporate greed and good old American capitalism anyday, they are a part of what makes our country so unique and the reason why so many are dying to move here.
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