Comments on: DNC Protest, Split, and the Principled Stand of Cynthia McKinney http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:07:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ubuntu http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-27168 ubuntu Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:51:37 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-27168 I am sad but not surprised to hear of the split, but consider this kind of thing inevitable at this point, with the lack of this country's experience in doing broad movement-building. However, I am troubled to hear of the actions taken by CO's State Green Party. I am sad but not surprised to hear of the split, but consider this kind of thing inevitable at this point, with the lack of this country’s experience in doing broad movement-building. However, I am troubled to hear of the actions taken by CO’s State Green Party.

]]> By: swaneagle harijan http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-27078 swaneagle harijan Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:11:50 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-27078 For many years, i have done all i can to address the whiteness and privilege of the Green Party. When Cindy Sheehan came to speak on Vashon, She said it should be called the White Party. I am happy to see Cynthia and Rosa on the ticket and see this as a good sign. But the infrastructure needs serious attention. I have always felt that the key value of "Respect for Diversity" was way weak and that it should be replaced with " Dismantling Bigotry and Ending Genocide". My traditional Native American friends and i have HUGE issues with Ward Churchill and his known macho overeducated white guy stance, but that is for another time... I am not surprised at the exclusionary actions of Code Pink as i have encountered their elitism in various places in the West. The same can be said for some Green Partys, but personally, i find the Green Party one of the most conscious and workable groups i have come across in my decades of activism. Somewhere we have to find a basis to work from that is truly inclusive. I can understand how this division occurred having been part of the WTO protests and hearing first hand from my friends of color why they either did not participate or did their own thing due to the ongoing racism of leftists that still plagues this country. I believe that if the progressive left had truly done it's homework around issues of exclusion and oppression, we would not still be dealing with such division to this day. Whether it is a woman being raped by an anarchist icon or a Native American from the rez being completely silenced, the crap continues. Then those with MOST privilege turn their backs on the rest of us who don't fit the acceptable bill. I am sick to death of elitism. It may kill us all with it's so called nonviolent cruelty and silencing. Shame on you Medea Benjamin....again. Beware of the covert manipulations of Ward Churchill, John Zerzan and others who are extremely privileged and speak in the tradition of white male dominators. They have left a trail behind them... It is time to listen to TRADITIONAL NATIVE AMERICANS, to women, to all communities of color that are most impacted by fascism and the migrants forced to leave their homes due to US fascist corporate greed. We do not need the manipulaters of Colorado with their money and hidden agendas ruining any chance the voiceless has. Just watch who get to be heard after Cynthia and Rosa speak. We must vigilant about who is allowed to speak. We HAVE to start somewhere and i am voting for Cynthia and Rosa. Sorry the Colorado Greens don't get it. For many years, i have done all i can to address the whiteness and privilege of the Green Party. When Cindy Sheehan came to speak on Vashon, She said it should be called the White Party. I am happy to see Cynthia and Rosa on the ticket and see this as a good sign. But the infrastructure needs serious attention. I have always felt that the key value of “Respect for Diversity” was way weak and that it should be replaced with ” Dismantling Bigotry and Ending Genocide”.

My traditional Native American friends and i have HUGE issues with Ward Churchill and his known macho overeducated white guy stance, but that is for another time…

I am not surprised at the exclusionary actions of Code Pink as i have encountered their elitism in various places in the West. The same can be said for some Green Partys, but personally, i find the Green Party one of the most conscious and workable groups i have come across in my decades of activism. Somewhere we have to find a basis to work from that is truly inclusive. I can understand how this division occurred having been part of the WTO protests and hearing first hand from my friends of color why they either did not participate or did their own thing due to the ongoing racism of leftists that still plagues this country.

I believe that if the progressive left had truly done it’s homework around issues of exclusion and oppression, we would not still be dealing with such division to this day. Whether it is a woman being raped by an anarchist icon or a Native American from the rez being completely silenced, the crap continues. Then those with MOST privilege turn their backs on the rest of us who don’t fit the acceptable bill. I am sick to death of elitism. It may kill us all with it’s so called nonviolent cruelty and silencing. Shame on you Medea Benjamin….again.

Beware of the covert manipulations of Ward Churchill, John Zerzan and others who are extremely privileged and speak in the tradition of white male dominators. They have left a trail behind them…

It is time to listen to TRADITIONAL NATIVE AMERICANS, to women, to all communities of color that are most impacted by fascism and the migrants forced to leave their homes due to US fascist corporate greed. We do not need the manipulaters of Colorado with their money and hidden agendas ruining any chance the voiceless has. Just watch who get to be heard after Cynthia and Rosa speak. We must vigilant about who is allowed to speak.

We HAVE to start somewhere and i am voting for Cynthia and Rosa. Sorry the Colorado Greens don’t get it.

]]> By: Deadbeat http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26859 Deadbeat Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:18:17 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26859 The McKinney and Clemente ticket by the Greens seems interesting on the surface. However I thought Elaine Brown would have been bolder and more radical, and a more interesting and exciting choice as Presidential candidate. She's an excellent speaker and tells it like it is. However there is something that doesn't seem to add up about the McKinney/Clemente ticket fielded by the Greens especially when contrast against the reasons why Ms. Brown left the Green Party. If Obama wasn't running this year and had Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination then the chances for McKinney/Clemente to attract African Americans into the Greens especially in the urban areas would be greater. IMO if the Greens really want to challenge the Democrats they have to attract African Americans and Latinos. McKinney does have a good track record here. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that she is showing up on the radar screens. The focus at least by the media still seems to be on Nader and he seems to have lost some momentum based on recent polls. I also do not think that the Greens have really dealt with their weak internal structures that permitted the likes of Code Pink and David Cobb to sabotage the party. Because the Greens were a real threat to the Democrats in 2004 is why faux activists like Medea Benjamin sabotaged the Greens from within and the big Left celebs (Chomsky, Zinn, Albert, etc) generally abandoned Nader. Thus the Greens have been neutralized and are no threat to the Democrats and is why they've been ignored. Essentially McKinney's run in 2008 is more symbolic than substantive. IMO McKinney's run at best will be the basis for rebuilding the Green Party. On the other hand McKinney/Clemente gives those on the "Left" the out and "feel good" they need to vote for an African American/woman candidate without having to vote for Obama. Thus I do hope that McKinney is not being "played" by the "Left" but that she and Clemente will sometime in the future (it won't happen this year) eventually offer a real third party alternative. The McKinney and Clemente ticket by the Greens seems interesting on the surface. However I thought Elaine Brown would have been bolder and more radical, and a more interesting and exciting choice as Presidential candidate. She’s an excellent speaker and tells it like it is.

However there is something that doesn’t seem to add up about the McKinney/Clemente ticket fielded by the Greens especially when contrast against the reasons why Ms. Brown left the Green Party.

If Obama wasn’t running this year and had Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination then the chances for McKinney/Clemente to attract African Americans into the Greens especially in the urban areas would be greater. IMO if the Greens really want to challenge the Democrats they have to attract African Americans and Latinos. McKinney does have a good track record here.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that she is showing up on the radar screens. The focus at least by the media still seems to be on Nader and he seems to have lost some momentum based on recent polls.

I also do not think that the Greens have really dealt with their weak internal structures that permitted the likes of Code Pink and David Cobb to sabotage the party. Because the Greens were a real threat to the Democrats in 2004 is why faux activists like Medea Benjamin sabotaged the Greens from within and the big Left celebs (Chomsky, Zinn, Albert, etc) generally abandoned Nader. Thus the Greens have been neutralized and are no threat to the Democrats and is why they’ve been ignored. Essentially McKinney’s run in 2008 is more symbolic than substantive.

IMO McKinney’s run at best will be the basis for rebuilding the Green Party. On the other hand McKinney/Clemente gives those on the “Left” the out and “feel good” they need to vote for an African American/woman candidate without having to vote for Obama.

Thus I do hope that McKinney is not being “played” by the “Left” but that she and Clemente will sometime in the future (it won’t happen this year) eventually offer a real third party alternative.

]]> By: Ivy Rose Nightscales http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26847 Ivy Rose Nightscales Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:43:47 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26847 Cynthia Mckinney and Rosa Clemente make history as brave, strong spoken women of color. They have my respect . If you vote, a vote for them is worth a lot for power for the people. Keep on keepin on Cynthia and Rosa. You have our love. Cynthia Mckinney and Rosa Clemente make history as brave, strong spoken women of color. They have my respect . If you vote, a vote for them is worth a lot for power for the people. Keep on keepin on Cynthia and Rosa. You have our love.

]]> By: Martha http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26569 Martha Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:08:48 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26569 Deadbeat, amen on who destroyed the Greens in 2004. One thing, when did Leslie Cagen start being called a 'liberal'? Remember the board meeting where she refused to answer if she was a Communist? Why is she (and UPFJ) so inept? Because a grown woman can't 'fess up to what she is. Appparently, we need support groups for the politically closeted. I look forward to The Nation magazine cover with Leslie's grinning face and the headline "Yep, I am!" Maybe Katrina can pose on it with her? They're inept because they're dishonest. They draw the lines between themselves and others because they're scared of being politically outed by proximity. Deadbeat, amen on who destroyed the Greens in 2004. One thing, when did Leslie Cagen start being called a ‘liberal’? Remember the board meeting where she refused to answer if she was a Communist? Why is she (and UPFJ) so inept? Because a grown woman can’t ‘fess up to what she is. Appparently, we need support groups for the politically closeted. I look forward to The Nation magazine cover with Leslie’s grinning face and the headline “Yep, I am!” Maybe Katrina can pose on it with her?
They’re inept because they’re dishonest. They draw the lines between themselves and others because they’re scared of being politically outed by proximity.

]]> By: Tom Herring http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26552 Tom Herring Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:30:04 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26552 Cynthia and Rosa, right on. You two are a beacon for honesty. Dont let the capon-hearted get you down. Cynthia and Rosa, right on. You two are a beacon for honesty. Dont let the capon-hearted get you down.

]]> By: Deadbeat http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26547 Deadbeat Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:07:26 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26547 <i>The Alliance for Real Democracy is made up of the Colorado Green Party, Code Pink, United for Peace and Justice, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, the American Friends Service Committee, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Colorado Street Medics, and Students for Peace and Justice</i> Code Pink sabotaged the Green Party and Nader in2004 and UFPJ sabotaged the 2003 anti-war movement. The Left must jettison these two group. Why were they even part of the alliance? The Left needs to know who the allies and comrades are in order to build overall trust and unity. The Alliance for Real Democracy is made up of the Colorado Green Party, Code Pink, United for Peace and Justice, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, the American Friends Service Committee, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Colorado Street Medics, and Students for Peace and Justice

Code Pink sabotaged the Green Party and Nader in2004 and UFPJ sabotaged the 2003 anti-war movement. The Left must jettison these two group. Why were they even part of the alliance? The Left needs to know who the allies and comrades are in order to build overall trust and unity.

]]> By: HR http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26539 HR Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:20:14 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26539 Looking foward to a disintegration of sellout dems, nothing more than a ghost of a party, on the 40th anniversary of the party's death, in Chicago, in 1968. Good riddance to their fake progressivism, fake opposition and their phony candidates. Time for a new beginning, and the mess that McCain will give us will be just the thing to cause that to happen. And, "... most important election ever," my foot. That's the crap they sold us in 2004 and 2006. Looking foward to a disintegration of sellout dems, nothing more than a ghost of a party, on the 40th anniversary of the party’s death, in Chicago, in 1968. Good riddance to their fake progressivism, fake opposition and their phony candidates. Time for a new beginning, and the mess that McCain will give us will be just the thing to cause that to happen. And, “… most important election ever,” my foot. That’s the crap they sold us in 2004 and 2006.

]]> By: Eric Patton http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26537 Eric Patton Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:44:26 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26537 Don't worry. Davidson won't be able to partake of any of the barbecue he procures, since he'd have to stop fellating Obama long enough to do so. Don’t worry. Davidson won’t be able to partake of any of the barbecue he procures, since he’d have to stop fellating Obama long enough to do so.

]]> By: Rich Griffin http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26533 Rich Griffin Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:12:34 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26533 I do wish Green party members would stop with the threats, esp. around ballot access! How sad is that?? We don't have to all agree in lockstep; instead, it's the harder work of finding the common ground that we can work together with and get things headed in a totally different direction in our lifetimes. Bravo, Cynthia and Rosa!! (: I do wish Green party members would stop with the threats, esp. around ballot access! How sad is that?? We don’t have to all agree in lockstep; instead, it’s the harder work of finding the common ground that we can work together with and get things headed in a totally different direction in our lifetimes.

Bravo, Cynthia and Rosa!! (:

]]> By: ron http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26528 ron Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:35:47 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26528 Too bad that IVAW decided to join with UFPJ against ReCreate 68. I wonder what RATM thinks about this, given that they are putting on a free concert there under the auspices of the liberals. Carl Davidson (a progressive for Obama--whatever that means) is dissing the Recreate 68 people while he helps arrange a welcoming BBQ for Obama. The antiwar movement needs to quit taking money and orders from the Democrats. They are not antiwar--just look at their platform. Too bad that IVAW decided to join with UFPJ against ReCreate 68. I wonder what RATM thinks about this, given that they are putting on a free concert there under the auspices of the liberals. Carl Davidson (a progressive for Obama–whatever that means) is dissing the Recreate 68 people while he helps arrange a welcoming BBQ for Obama. The antiwar movement needs to quit taking money and orders from the Democrats. They are not antiwar–just look at their platform.

]]> By: Eric Patton http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26524 Eric Patton Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:45:37 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26524 If Leslie Cagan (UFPJ) and Medea Benjamin (Code Pink) are there, you know it's going to be a liberal love-fest. I'm surprised to see IVAW on that list, but I guess Kelly Dougherty has decided to join the festivities as well. And I'm sure Hayden, Fletcher, Ehrenreich, Parry, and vanden Heuval (Progressives for Obama) will be joining them for beer and chicken wings, even if they haven't officially RSVP'ed yet. If Leslie Cagan (UFPJ) and Medea Benjamin (Code Pink) are there, you know it’s going to be a liberal love-fest.

I’m surprised to see IVAW on that list, but I guess Kelly Dougherty has decided to join the festivities as well. And I’m sure Hayden, Fletcher, Ehrenreich, Parry, and vanden Heuval (Progressives for Obama) will be joining them for beer and chicken wings, even if they haven’t officially RSVP’ed yet.

]]> By: Dave Silver http://dissidentvoice.org/2008/08/dnc-protest-split-and-the-principled-stand-of-cynthia-mckinney/#comment-26517 Dave Silver Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:37:29 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=2535#comment-26517 Cynthia and Rosa. Right On. The Alliance for Real Democracy and particularly UFPJ and code Pink once again show their true opportunist political stripes exposing their anti-communism in Left-l;iberal disguise. They supported for instance the orange flag wavers in the Ukraine against Moscow while getting support from ther CIA. They were to be embraced as "dissidents." UFPJ supported a tour by the IRAQI fEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS that supported the Occupation, supported the puppet regime and wanted the troops troops to stay in Iraq. And forever tailing the Democrats feeding the illusion it can be part of the solution rather the problem. Recreate 68. Dave Silver Cynthia and Rosa. Right On. The Alliance for Real Democracy and particularly UFPJ and code Pink once again show their true opportunist
political stripes exposing their anti-communism in Left-l;iberal disguise. They supported for instance the orange flag wavers in the Ukraine against Moscow while getting support from ther CIA. They were to be embraced as “dissidents.” UFPJ supported a tour by the IRAQI fEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS that supported the Occupation, supported the puppet regime and wanted the troops troops to stay in Iraq. And forever tailing the Democrats feeding the illusion it can be part of the solution rather the problem.
Recreate 68.
Dave Silver

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