As Teresa Heinz Kerry gave her prime-time address that never mentioned Iraq, Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin attemped to bring an anti-war message onto the floor of the convention. Moments later police were dragging her out of the Fleet Center.
As Teresa Heinz Kerry spoke last night, on the floor of the convention, Medea Benjamin from Global Exchange and CodePink unfurled a pink colored banner that read \"End the Occupation of Iraq.\" That apparently was not one of the DNC-approved messages of the night because within moments of the banner being unfurled, police were called in to remove Medea Benjamin.
Benjamin was dragged off the convention floor and thrown out of the FleetCenter. She said that the DNC was asked whether they wanted her arrested and that they decided that would not look good.
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Damn Democrat party fascists!!!!<\/p>\n","contact":"","link":"http:\/\/www.democracynow.org\/article.pl?sid=04\/07\/28\/1327236","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"text\/plain","summary":"Medea Benjamin Dragged Off DNC Floor in Handcuffs For Unfurling "End the Occupation of Iraq" Banner","numcomment":39,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/","filesize":null,"article_url":"\/news\/2004\/07\/114789.php"},"attachments":[],"comments":[{"id":114815,"heading":"This isn't surprising","article":"When self annointed wealthy control both sides of the isle, it isn't surprising that the result will the the same. More empire, more wars, more debt, more wealth in their pockets, more, more, more, and you...YOU ONLY GET "HOPE" got it dope ?","author":"Ben","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-07-30 11:59:28","modified":"2004-07-30 11:59:28","fileurl":""},{"id":114823,"heading":"OneEyedMan","article":"I think Ben may be a republican playing a little game of wedge politics while thinking himself clever...there is just too much relish in the comments.\r\n\r\n","author":"KPC","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-07-30 14:28:23","modified":"2004-07-30 14:28:23","fileurl":""},{"id":114882,"heading":"Free Medea","article":"KPC - "I think Ben may be a republican playing a little game of wedge politics while thinking himself clever...there is just too much relish in the comments. "\r\n\r\nYeah, and the Democrats are the party of the people.\r\n\r\nFUCK THAT AND FUCK YOU!!\r\n\r\nWhat are you, some kinda goddamned "liberal democrat"??\r\n\r\nIf you don't believe the Dems are controlled by the corporations and the wealthy fat cats and wanting to expand their military industrial complex, then you got your fucking head up your ass!! In fact, they're more dangerous than the repukes. At least we know they're wolves. These dems dress up like their all populist and for the people and a bunch of other bullshit and then fuck us just like the repukes if not worse.\r\n\r\nWAKE UP!!!!\r\n\r\n","author":"Tyler","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-01 19:33:14","modified":"2004-08-01 19:33:14","fileurl":""},{"id":114885,"heading":"Please vote for Nader","article":"Yes, the Dems are controlled by the multinational corporations. Those scumbags!!! Vote for Nader, that'll show the Dems and Rebs.","author":"TruthTeller","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-02 05:01:52","modified":"2004-08-02 05:01:52","fileurl":""},{"id":114887,"heading":"democrats","article":"Democrats are not "the people's" party, but they are the more populist party. The most direct evidence of this is the fact that their presidential campaign budgets are smaller, but they get more votes.\r\n\r\nIf there were a "fairer" system of representation, where more pure populist positions could become party platforms (say that 3x fast), the most popular of the populist parties would start to get corporate money. They'd have to refuse to remain pure... but few would say no.\r\n\r\nI'm not saying that the Dems are a genuine grassroots party. Their skewering of Dean showed what they're really about. But there's still some faction of the party that knows how to do grassroots politics.","author":"more rational","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-02 06:37:45","modified":"2004-08-02 06:37:45","fileurl":""},{"id":114933,"heading":"Nope","article":"Populist, schmopulist. Democrats are fascists. A vote for Kerry or Bush is a vote for Hitler and Stalin. What they did to Medea is unforgivable.","author":"now way","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-03 20:26:26","modified":"2004-08-03 20:26:26","fileurl":""},{"id":114935,"heading":"OneEyedMan","article":"...suspicions confirmed I think.....","author":"KPC","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-03 20:40:25","modified":"2004-08-03 20:40:25","fileurl":""},{"id":114939,"heading":"Yes","article":"Neither of the Republicrat candidates are worth a mouth full of spit.\r\nThe machine goes on grinding up the hopes and aspirations of people world wide as the American public is led like drugged sheep to the slaughter shoot to be made into meals and seat covers.\r\nDisgusted? Don't want to take it anymore? Had enough? Show it.\r\n\r\nVote Nader.","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-03 22:29:12","modified":"2004-08-03 22:29:12","fileurl":""},{"id":114943,"heading":"Bumper Sticker fun","article":"If there's an election...\r\nVote NADER\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nRemember 9 11\r\nIt Was Treason\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nBush\/Kerry in 04\r\nSkull & Bones Bros.\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nEternal War means Peace\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nDuct Tape & Razor Wire\r\nHome Land Security\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nNOW do you feel SAFE?\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nMore Secret Police\r\n\r\n***\r\n\r\nal CIAda Attacks\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n :>)\r\n\r\n","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 00:47:54","modified":"2004-08-04 00:47:54","fileurl":""},{"id":114954,"heading":"Vote Nader?","article":"And throw my vote away? I must be on fucking Candid Camera.\r\n\r\nSeriously. Where's the camera at?\r\n\r\nThe Green Party won't even back Nader.\r\n\r\nNader is a pawn of the neocons, an attempt to make this a plurality election and splinter off Kerry votes. A vote for Nader is a vote for Bush.\r\n\r\nIf you really want to show the Republicrats who's boss, then just don't vote. That'll teach 'em.\r\n\r\n","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 09:31:41","modified":"2004-08-04 09:31:41","fileurl":""},{"id":114959,"heading":"What? Not Vote? Anti-American!","article":"So... in your opinion, not voting is better than voting for a principled cause.\r\nMaybe it can be explained why you believe that a 'wasted' vote is better than no vote at all. I myself believe that the caravel of the election does preform a real function in that it provides the elites with the information about the national apathy level and just how far they can manipulate policy within a safe margin before the general population turns on the system and resists. What you suggest is to allow them to think the road's clear and a lead foot comes down on the throttle of the machine, so to speak. To not vote at all is to lay down like a whipped dog, belly up, in acceptance and servitude.\r\nAlso. voting allows one to participate in jury duty if you keep your ideals hidden and profess ignorance.","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 11:45:40","modified":"2004-08-04 11:45:40","fileurl":""},{"id":114962,"heading":"\u201cNot voting better than voting for principled cause\u201d","article":"\u201cNot voting better than voting for principled cause\u201d\r\n\r\nWho says \u201cnot voting\u201d can\u2019t be a principled statement? It is certainly more principled than voting for Nader, since this in effect is a vote for Bush. Although I\u2019d have more respect for someone who voted for Nader on principle than I would for an outright Bush supporter. That doesn\u2019t make the principled Nader voter any less foolish than an irresponsible Nader voter or a Bush supporter.\r\n\r\nSo you think elections give the elites indication of public apathy and a meter for how far they can push us until we won\u2019t take it anymore, eh? So you want to send a message by voting for Nader that you\u2019ve got your watchful eyes on them and they\u2019re not gonna push you around, you tough-guy, you. Well, why let them know where we stand at all? If the country is on the brink of revolution, wouldn\u2019t the element of surprise be a good thing to have on our side? \r\n\r\nDon\u2019t kid yourself though. A vote for Nader is a vote for Bush, that\u2019s exactly what the neocons want you do. You\u2019re just rationalizing and playing straight into their hands. You\u2019re being no less manipulated, perhaps more so, than anyone else that shows up at the voting booth.\r\n\r\nSome of us want to enact real change. We might not be able to get it by voting for Kerry, but at least its an honest attempt. \r\n\r\nYour method certainly isn\u2019t going to get it. You\u2019re just screwing over those of us who are really trying. You\u2019re doing more damage than good.\r\n","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 13:16:21","modified":"2013-11-11 00:30:28","fileurl":""},{"id":114965,"heading":"hey","article":"Damn-put down that rolled up newspaper.\r\nYour resistance requires sympathy from the majority in order to effect any change beyond your immediate surroundings. I have no illusions pertaining to the chain of events unfolding now in this current slide into a police state and the subsequent organization needed to disfunctionalize it. Playing into their hands is being mute or waiting for the right time other such nonsense. Resistance needs to be constant inspired and uncompromising in demanding the flexing of our constitutional rights, in our cultural ethos. When ever and where ever one finds a way to express their principles is a good time if only to allow others, not so bold, to realize that they are not alone. Also stock up on defensive materials.","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 13:42:15","modified":"2004-08-04 13:42:15","fileurl":""},{"id":114967,"heading":"OneEyedMan","article":"bullshit: "It is certainly more principled than voting for Nader, since this in effect is a vote for Bush."\r\n\r\nThat has to be one of the DUMBEST things I have ever read here...\r\n\r\n....and you're not even the shitpile!\r\n\r\n...if the Democrats are worried about people voting for Nader, then they should try to win those voters over...since the DLC will not move left for fear of alienating their corporate backers, bitching and whining is all they have...\r\n\r\n...seems to me that showing contempt for voters' is a stupid way to try to get them to vote for your candidate...","author":"KPC","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 13:55:28","modified":"2004-08-04 13:55:28","fileurl":""},{"id":114971,"heading":""Resistance needs to be constant inspired and uncompromising"","article":"And what the hell is so awe-inspiring about voting for Nader? Are you claiming he is not a corporate media whore? His sole claim to fame has been his abilities to manipulate the media, at the same time waging war on such unfettered evils as whole milk, colored toilet paper, fluoridated water, and the Elvis stamp. He's responsible for getting Bush elected last time, and principled voters like you would have him do it again. You don't even see the absurdity in your postion, do you?\r\n\r\nVote for whom you like; I don't presumeto tell you for whom to vote. But you've got to live with the consequences. And I expect that, no matter what the outcome, even if though divine intervention Nader were to win the election, you and KPC would still be on indymedia every day whining about how terrible the big bad gubbimint is.","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 15:03:42","modified":"2004-08-04 15:03:42","fileurl":""},{"id":114972,"heading":"Mr. November","article":"I guess you havn't been paying attention or you are shilling dis info.\r\nNader had nothing to do with Bush being in the white house.\r\nYou're scape goating Nader for a dickless Democrat and a criminal Republican sock puppet show.","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 15:20:40","modified":"2004-08-04 15:20:40","fileurl":""},{"id":114974,"heading":""Nader didn't put Dubya in the White House"","article":"Really? That's interesting. Considering Nader boasts about this himself.\r\n\r\nhttp:\/\/www.mikehersh.com\/Did_Nader_Help_or_Hurt_Al_Gore.shtml\r\n\r\n"Although some Nader supporters minimize this, Nader and his top supporters like Michael Moore brag that Nader's campaign denied Democrats the White House."\r\n\r\nYawn. \r\n\r\nYou're boring me sheepdog.\r\n\r\nBelieve what you like.","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 15:49:55","modified":"2004-08-04 15:49:55","fileurl":""},{"id":114975,"heading":"yup","article":"Boring people get bored. This must be why you want to not do something rather than do something. Boring.\r\n\r\nYou make little sense.","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 16:02:04","modified":"2004-08-04 16:02:04","fileurl":""},{"id":114978,"heading":""not do something rather than do something."","article":"Oh you consider voting for Nader "doing something"?\r\n\r\nDo you honestly believe any reasonable person is buying what you're selling?\r\n\r\nNope.","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 16:19:07","modified":"2004-08-04 16:19:07","fileurl":""},{"id":114979,"heading":"PS...","article":"-There was a poem in ancient Rome \r\nabout a dog that had two bones...\r\nHe licked at one, he sniffed the other\r\nHe ran in circles till he dropped dead.\r\nFreedom of choice.\r\nWhat you want is freedom from choice-\r\nDevo","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 16:19:33","modified":"2004-08-04 16:19:33","fileurl":""},{"id":114980,"heading":""Freedom from choice"","article":"And what you apparently want is four more years of Bush. I'm simply choosing the perceived lesser of two evils. You are choosing not to decide.\r\n\r\nThat reminds me of a nice poem too:\r\n\r\nYou can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.\r\nIf you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.\r\nYou can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill\r\nI will choose a path that's clear\r\nI will choose free will.\r\n\r\n- Rush","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 16:29:53","modified":"2004-08-04 16:29:53","fileurl":""},{"id":114981,"heading":"I refuse to be intimadated by fear","article":"Bush is easy, vulnerable and at this time blowing it badly. He's the best thing revolution has going for it under the fast cook frog principle. You want to put a smoother face on the same policies. Whipsawed into the reflex of hide and pout mode. Serve yourself.","author":"Sheepdog","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 16:37:46","modified":"2004-08-04 16:37:46","fileurl":""},{"id":114986,"heading":"I believe in revolution from "within". Not from "without".","article":"Your technique will just make you a lone idiot on the street with a gun. That happens nearly every day on the streets of LA. Hardly a challenge for the cops to handle. Probably won't even make the local news.\r\n\r\nWithout people like me, you're little revolution won't even merit a puff of smoke when crumples.\r\n\r\nGood luck.","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 17:26:21","modified":"2004-08-04 17:26:21","fileurl":""},{"id":114988,"heading":"And furthermore...","article":"you claim that Bush is making your revolution for you, but you choose to vote for Nader? Why not ensure your revolution comes to fruition: vote for Bush.\r\n\r\nAnd you say I make little sense..............","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 17:44:06","modified":"2004-08-04 17:44:06","fileurl":""},{"id":114990,"heading":"baffled","article":"Black November, you're irrational.\r\n\r\nA vote for Nader is "a vote for Bush" only if Nader is causing people to *not* vote for Kerry. In fact, if you want to get technical, it's a "half-vote" for Bush, because a person who switches from Bush to Kerry actually creates one vote for Bush, and minus one for Kerry: the net gain to Bush is two votes.\r\n\r\nNot voting at all is just as much a vote for Bush, if you were intending to vote for Kerry. It's a "half-vote" for Bush.\r\n\r\nRather than discourage Nader voters from going to the polls, the best thing to do is discourage Bush supporters from voting. This would decrease the conservative turnout, and affect other items on the ballot.","author":"more rational","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:05:27","modified":"2004-08-04 18:05:27","fileurl":""},{"id":114991,"heading":"What the f*ck was that?","article":"What kind of math are they teaching our children in public schools these days?\r\n\r\nGo back and read "more rational's" mathmatical computations and howl!\r\n\r\nMake that two lone idiots with guns.....","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:13:59","modified":"2004-08-04 18:13:59","fileurl":""},{"id":114992,"heading":"black november is a conservative troll","article":"That whole Nader dis was funny. It also reveals you to be a conservative troll.\r\n\r\nNader's claims to fame: seat belts. He also started the PIRGs and Common Cause, to deal with pollution and government. He also participated in some anti-Microsoft monopoly suits. He's the contemporary model of the popular lawyer-activist.\r\n\r\nSure, he manipulates the media, but not the way that the White House has. He's not manipulating it the way the Republicrats do. He's working it for the people.\r\n\r\nAs for Democrats: they should have fought the election results. This much was obvious right after the elections, when all the drama was happening. They rolled over and played dead. In fact, I think the Democrats did this themselves -- specifically because they had no confidence in Gore, and because they thought Bush wouldn't try anything stupid (other than be stupid). The Dems could reclaim the office in 2004. In fact, things were working out just this way, until 9\/11.\r\n\r\n","author":"more rational","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:16:04","modified":"2004-08-04 18:16:04","fileurl":""},{"id":114993,"heading":"devo vs. rush","article":"Devo:\r\n- Cool videos\r\n- Bitchen costumes with flowerpot hats\r\n- New Wave!\r\n- Now make tv commercials\r\n\r\nRush:\r\n- Neil Peart\r\n- Screeching libertarian lyrics\r\n- Did "Take Off" with Bob and Dough McKenzie\r\n\r\nRush should leave Canada and try living in urban America to see what capitalism is really like.\r\n","author":"more rational","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:26:18","modified":"2004-08-04 18:26:18","fileurl":""},{"id":114994,"heading":"Your deductive reasoning skills rank up there with your math skills.","article":"I'm a conservative troll. Yeah right. Whatever.\r\n\r\nI'm voting for Kerry. I'd urge you to vote for Kerry as well. If that makes me a conservatvie troll, then so be it.\r\n\r\nIf you don't understand what the consequences of a plurality election can be, then you need to study the 2000 Presidential election in detail.\r\n\r\nNot sure why you indymedia nuts are peddling Nader. I'd have figured you'd be backing Kucinich as a write-in.\r\n\r\nOh well. Live in neverland.\r\n\r\n","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:26:42","modified":"2004-08-04 18:26:42","fileurl":""},{"id":114995,"heading":"correction to "baffled"","article":"I meant a switch of voting from Kerry to Bush.","author":"more rational","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:28:06","modified":"2004-08-04 18:28:06","fileurl":""},{"id":114996,"heading":""meant a switch of voting from Kerry to Bush."","article":"That makes slightly more sense. Although, it is still whimsical.\r\n\r\nIf there are X number of registered voters and:\r\n\r\nX = A + B +C\r\n\r\nwhere:\r\n\r\nA = Kerry Voters\r\n\r\nB = Bush Voters\r\n\r\nC = Nader voters\r\n\r\nand \r\n\r\nC = G + H\r\n\r\nwhere\r\n\r\nG = those Nader voters who would vote for Bush in Nader's absence from the ballot\r\n\r\nand\r\n\r\nH = those Nader voters who would vote for Kerry in Nader's absence from the ballot\r\n\r\nand\r\n\r\nH >> G\r\n\r\nthen\r\n\r\nremove Nader from ballot:\r\n\r\nX = (A + H) + (B + G)\r\n\r\nboth A and B are constant and H is much greater than G \r\n\r\ntherefore\r\n\r\n(A+H) > (B+G)\r\n\r\nand\r\n\r\nKerry wins.\r\n\r\nGod bless America.","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:37:11","modified":"2004-08-04 18:37:11","fileurl":""},{"id":114997,"heading":"and the argument about getting Republicans to swith to Kerry","article":"is absurd.\r\n\r\nThat requires ten times the effort to effect than getting a Nader voter to swtich to Kerry, since a Nader supporter is practically a kissing-cousin to a Democrat anyway.","author":"Black November","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:44:49","modified":"2004-08-04 18:44:49","fileurl":""},{"id":114998,"heading":"math","article":"Okay, math lesson:\r\n\r\nIf a voter switches from Kerry to Bush, you end up with Kerry losing one vote, and Bush gaining one vote. Bush gains two votes on Kerry.\r\n\r\nIf a voter switches from Kerry to Nader, you end up with Kerry losing one vote, and Bush gaining no vote. Bush gains one vote on Kerry. This is half the effect of a Kerry->Bush switch.\r\n\r\nIf a voter switches from Bush to Nader, Kerry gains one vote on Bush. (It would happen - the Reform Party sided with Nader.)\r\n\r\nIf a voter switches from Bush to Kerry, Kerry gains two votes on Bush.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAlso, Kucinich was just a ploy to keep progressive in the Democratic fold after the Green\/Nader slate did okay in 2000. I was surprised that so many people "fell" for it. There were a lot of true believers in that campaign. (At least he raised more money LaRouche and his creepy cult!)\r\n\r\nA big gain Nader can provide is getting more liberal voters to the polls in uncontested states.","author":"more rational","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-04 18:47:59","modified":"2004-08-04 18:47:59","fileurl":""},{"id":115092,"heading":"Bumper Sticker fun","article":"Choose Love.","author":"MadMaxim","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-07 02:40:08","modified":"2004-08-07 02:40:08","fileurl":""},{"id":115208,"heading":"Black November","article":""I'm voting for Kerry. I'd urge you to vote for Kerry as well."\r\n\r\nWhy the hell would I want to vote for a fucking fascist? Don't come on here and pretend like you care about the common working class with this pro-KKKerry BULLSHIT!!!!\r\n\r\nFUCK KERRY!!!!\r\n\r\nA vote for KKKerry is a vote to keep the jack-booted thugs in power, and you want to help them stay there, like there's a fucking difference between Bushit and KKKerry. You're a fucking stooge. Die already!!","author":"fua","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-09 00:37:12","modified":"2004-08-09 00:37:12","fileurl":""},{"id":115334,"heading":"CHOOSE TO GET A LIFE, MAD MAXIM","article":"What, another lurker?\r\n\r\nGo back in your hole, Max....sheesh, where do these clowns crawl out from.","author":"Duck Twacy","parent_id":114789,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2004-08-10 23:36:28","modified":"2004-08-10 23:36:28","fileurl":""},{"id":115337,"heading":"This just in...","article":"