How big a force do you think the Xtian left will become? Will the Xtian right object to Xtians being arrested as they stopped to pray on the WH sidewalk? Will they be able to swallow Romney - the Mormon - but not the Methodist who disagrees about the war? Will this strengthen the perception of Dems as religiously tolerant - between green Xtians and anti-war Xtians, I think the right is losing their monopoly.


WASHINGTON — Thousands of Christians prayed for peace at an anti-war service Friday night at the Washington National Cathedral, kicking off a weekend of protests around the country to mark the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Afterward, participants marched with battery-operated faux candles through snow and wind toward the White House, where police began arresting protesters shortly before midnight. Protest guidelines require demonstrators to continue moving while on the White House sidewalk. "We gave them three warnings, and they broke the guidelines," said Lt. Scott Fear. "There's an area on the White House sidewalk where you have to keep moving."

About 100 people crossed the street from Lafayette Park _ where thousands of protesters were gathered _ to demonstrate on the White House sidewalk late Friday. Police began cuffing them and putting them on buses to be taken for processing. Fear said 222 people had been arrested by Saturday morning. The first 100 were charged with disobeying a lawful order, and the others with crossing a police line. All of them were fined $100. The windows of the executive mansion were dark, as the president was away for the weekend at Camp David in Maryland.

John Pattison, 29, said he and his wife flew in from Portland, Ore., to attend his first anti-war rally. He said his opposition to the war had developed over time. "Quite literally on the night that shock and awe commenced, my friend and I toasted the military might of the United States," Pattison said. "We were quite proud and thought we were doing the right thing." He said the way the war had progressed and U.S. foreign policy since then had forced him to question his beliefs. "A lot of the rhetoric that we hear coming from Christians has been dominated by the religious right and has been strong advocacy for the war," Pattison said. "That's just not the way I read my Gospel."

The ecumenical coalition that organized the event, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, distributed 3,200 tickets for the service in the cathedral, with two smaller churches hosting overflow crowds. The cathedral appeared to be packed, although sleet and snow prevented some from attending. "This war, from a Christian point of view, is morally wrong _ and was from the beginning," the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners/Call to Renewal, one of the event's sponsors, said toward the end of the service to cheers and applause. "This war is ... an offense against God." In his speech, the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, lashed out at Congress for being "too morally inept to intervene" to stop the war, but even more harshly against President Bush. "Mr. Bush, my Christian brother, we do need a surge in troops. We need a surge in the nonviolent army of the Lord," he said. "We need a surge in conscience and a surge in activism and a surge in truth-telling."

Celeste Zappala of Philadelphia recounted how she learned of the death of her son, Sgt. Sherwood Baker, who served in the National Guard. When a uniformed man came to her door asking if she was Baker's mother, she said yes. "'Yes,' and then I fell to the ground and somewhere outside of myself I heard someone screaming and screaming," she said.

The Friday night events mark the beginning of what is planned as a weekend of protests ahead of Tuesday's anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion, which began on March 20, 2003. On Saturday morning, a coalition of protest groups has a permit for up to 30,000 people to march from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial across the Potomac River to the Pentagon. Smaller demonstrations are planned in cities across the country.

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And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it." --George W. Bush, Jan. 29, 2007

***Bows low - pours dirt on head *****

Many apologies for duplicate thread ***severre sincere grovel****

Can I link to the other one - how do I merge them?

__________________
And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it." --George W. Bush, Jan. 29, 2007

Threads merged. No penance required.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

Sammy, these fucking Ramsey Clark recycled Morons, are no more Christian, than your Mid East buddies, that kill my friends!! Grow up your still naive as hell!!

Thank you, Master! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!!

Gem

__________________
There is no political solution to our troubled evolution.

"Reality, the left-wing liberal conspiracy. "
Credited to Angry American.

You know, I started with a st4ong dislike of Bush - for concrete actions that he chose to take. I didn't like his dirty campaign tricks - the push polls, lies, and ugliness because I was a strong McCain supporter at the time. Even more, I didn't like the fact that when the press asked him what his stands were, he actually refused to answer - saying that all his donations were not yet in. Right there, he showed he was for sale and that he was just dickering over the price. A bit too crass, cowardly, and selfish for my idea of a statesmen.

I find it refreshing to see Xtians who are willing to march against this war - but I've known some incredible Xtians. The Goliath awakes - I hope!

__________________
And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it." --George W. Bush, Jan. 29, 2007

I'm looking very closely at Hagel, as well. None of the front runners do anything for me. I have a sneaking enjoyment of Biden - but that's largely entertaiment value. Too bad Dole is too old to run - I love his sense of humor, even though I doubt I would vote for him. Actually, I might. I have a nostalgia for the old conservatives - the ones that valued civil discourse, negotiation and patriotism.

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And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it." --George W. Bush, Jan. 29, 2007

Hey, you stole my line!

Next time try it with a very nasal whine - thaaaank you, maasterr {bow forhead to touch ground} repeat bow and whine as necesary.

__________________
And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it." --George W. Bush, Jan. 29, 2007

Quoting Josepha:

Actually, Goliath has been "awake" for far too long, Josepha. It's a good thing David has been out collecting lots and lots of stones! I think I know how this story is going to pan out!

Gem

__________________
There is no political solution to our troubled evolution.

"Reality, the left-wing liberal conspiracy. "
Credited to Angry American.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to steal your show! But it was right out there and I just couldn't resist!

Gem

__________________
There is no political solution to our troubled evolution.

"Reality, the left-wing liberal conspiracy. "
Credited to Angry American.