[Peace-discuss] Fwd: [sftalk] first draft of letter to N-G editor

[Al Kagan]

FYI.  Nice letter from Bill Gorrell.

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>Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 11:22:56 -0600
>Subject: [sftalk] first draft of letter to N-G editor
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>I HAD TO WHACK THE FUNNY STUFF TO GET DOWN TO 250 WORDS FOR THE 
>NEWS-GAZETTE, BUT I THOUGHT YA'LL MIGHT ENJOY IT.  BY THE WAY, 
>FORWARD OR PUBLISH THIS AT WILL, ANYWHERE.
>
>To the editor,
>
>I'm appalled that the News-Gazette published an unfounded and 
>perhaps libelous accusation by Mark Thompson, organizer of 
>the anti-peace protest that took place last Saturday on north 
>Prospect Avenue.  Here is the quote from the article, "Activists for 
>both sides line Prospect," that I question:
>
>"Thompson claimed that the anti-war contingent has tended to have 
>larger crowds because it is funded by 'puppet masters,' possibly 
>from foreign countries."
>
>Where does he see any money being spent by the pro-peace protestors? 
>Does it take bundles of money from foreign countries to buy poster 
>board and magic markers?  On the other hand, the were a few people 
>with pre-printed "No Iraq War" signs.  Perhaps Osama bin Laden sent 
>them each a few dollars to buy those inexpensive signs.  I challenge 
>Thompson to put his money where his mouth is and produce some 
>evidence for his ridiculous claim.  For that matter, I've stood with 
>the pro-peace crowd about five times, and I sure as hell haven't 
>been paid to do it!
>
>Speaking of Thompson's money, is he being financed by the 
>government?  I've noticed the huge flags hanging from construction 
>cranes and a large number of the anti-peace demonstrators carrying 
>flags that are much more expensive than any of the posters borne by 
>the pro-peace patriots.  Is he part of a COINTELPRO - type operation 
>conducted by the CIA and/or the FBI?  Maybe he is part of a foreign 
>operation aimed at crippling our country by increasing the political 
>polarization of our people!  Are people making donations to him, and 
>if so, how is he handling the money?  It might be a good idea for 
>the Internal Revenue Service to audit his books.  The FBI should 
>also look into his operation and see if his money comes from foreign 
>terrorist groups who hope that Thompson's operation will spark 
>riots.  Is Thompson one of the alien lizard shape-shifters who came 
>to this planet thousands of years ago and secretly rule it in 
>conjunction with the Bavarian Illuminati?  Are my allegations any 
>more ridiculous than his?
>
>Thompson further displayed his propensity for obfuscation with his 
>crowd estimate.  He was quoted as saying, "If they're saying 280, 
>then we're going to say 300."  If the pro-peace protestors had said 
>180, would Thompson have estimated 200 for his side?  The pro-war 
>contingent held half the block on the east side of Prospect while 
>the pro-peace group occupied the other half of the block in addition 
>to at least half the block on the west side of the street.  There 
>were obviously more pro-peace demonstrators. 
>
>Although I don't belong to the group who began the protests many 
>months ago, I am proud to count many of it's members as my friends. 
>The Ant-War, Anti-Racism Effort is composed of dedicated, local 
>individuals who are working in good faith to improve the world by 
>promoting peace and solidarity.  Even if they are wrong on an issue, 
>they aren't the evil servants of foreign "puppet-masters."  They are 
>working people and students who've spent months on this issue, 
>often demonstrating in horrible weather.
>
>Not only have Thompson and the News-Gazette defamed a hard working 
>group of patriotic citizens, in these dark and dangerous days of war 
>frenzy and paranoia Thompson's inflammatory claim could encourage 
>some pro-war people to perform acts of violence against 
>pro-peace protestors.  If such an incident occurs this 
>community, Mark Thompson and The News-Gazette will bear part of the 
>blame for it.
>
>I suggest that AWARE contact a lawyer and see if they have grounds 
>for a liable suit against Thompson and The News-Gazette. 
>
>Bill Gorrell
>Bement
>
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-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu
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