Anti-war veterans group banned from Bremerton parade

[Barrett808]

Source: KING 5 News

Anti-war veterans group banned from Bremerton parade
By ALLEN SCHAUFFLER

BREMERTON, Wash. - They're expecting good weather and big crowds in Bremerton this weekend for the annual Armed Forces Day Parade.

...

But one veterans group says they're not invited. The North Olympic Peninsula Veterans for Peace say they're being kept out of the parade this year because of their anti-war stance.

The anti-war group marched last year. This year the Chamber of Commerce sent them a rejection letter.

...

But organizers say the group is too political and that's not what the parade is about.

"This is not set up for politics," said Cris Larsen, chairman of the Armed Forces Festival. "Veterans groups are allowed to march and walk, it's the whole idea of the parade was set up 60 years ago to honor all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces."

Read more: http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051308WAB_vets_parade_KS.f9c71fa6.html

[Dhalgren]

1. "We can't make it here anymore"...

[boobooday]

2. Worshipping war is not political

It's just what we do!

On the other hand, marching for peace . . . now THAT'S political.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Chulanowa]

3. Honor all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces..

...So long as they express no opinions, do as they're told, and march around for us to mentally masturbate to.

[downindixie]

4. whose playing politics now?

it's the whole idea of the parade was set up 60 years ago to honor all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces."

Surely the group you are excluding meet your standards of "all those brave men and women who have served in our armed forces."

[tsuki]

5. As long as they do what they are told, and don't think on their own.

Honor those who toe the line.

[redqueen]

6. *sigh*

[classysassy]

7. Its

a mad,mad,mad world.

[Mithreal]

8. Without the military in Bremerton and surrounding areas

the Kitsap County economy dies and too many residents can't distinguish between wanting a strong military and being pro-war.

I stand every week Thursday 4:30 to 5:30PM at a Peace Vigil in Port Orchard where you can see the Bremerton Naval Shipyard across the water. If anyone is interested in attending it is right in front of the Port Orchard Town Hall on Bay Street, all are welcome. We are 4 to 6 people strong so far. Plenty of free parking too.

[Parche]

9. they Should March Seperate From The Main March Then

Maybe a few blocks down the street

They have the right to refuse them to march with the main group, but they can always march in back!!

:woohoo: :woohoo:
:hi:

[uppityperson]

10. k&r for NOP VFP!

They set up a traveling memorial (lots of crosses with names, dang, what's it called?) here last weekend. A rightwing acquaintance with a son in Iraq was very happy to see it, and was amazed at how many there were.

[Joey Liberal]

11. The very veterans that preserve our freedoms

cannot take part in a parade. How low we've sunk since 2000.

[rhett o rick]

12. The Vet's for Peace were told that there goal was counter to that of the parade. Makes one question

the goal of the parade. Can you believe that in America a veterans group for peace is forbidden to march in a veteran's parade?

Last year they marched without incident. In fact many warmly welcomed them. Must have angered the war monger republicans.

Any bets that Cris Larsen is a republican? (spit)

[crimsonblue]

13. March anyway....

What are they going to do, arrest peacefully assembling war veterans? I hope they would arrest them. The backlash would be glorious. But seriously, I would march with or without permission. This is still America, right?