Ah the hypocrites are so set against war yet love to get up in the face of the police.

These peace freaks always love to provoke the cops with their illegal activities and hate speech. Why is that? They promote peace, yet their actions are pure violence. Hypocrites!

But that is always the case isn't it with these hypocrites. They are always claiming they want peace yet get violent with law enforcement.

Ironic that while these Marxists protest, the news finds a Marx to interiew.

It's unfortunate that these people want to disrupt a peaceful assembly and trample on the rights of others, hopefully the police will be able to restore order.

Watch more closely - I doubt it is the protestors getting into the face of the police - rather it is the other way around.

this is america - land of the free - free speech

even for idiots like you. (you spew hate, violence, and hypocrisy - go look in the mirror

keep watch - many of the protestors are military - all branches - who oppose the lies, hypocrisy, and stupidity of the GOP administration

Welcome to peaceful protests, and a Militant government reacting, Welcome to Germany in the 30's, look into history everyone, learn!

To bad they can't run amok inside the convention hall. 4000 troops dead, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead, trillion dollars+ gone, standing of the US destroyed in the world, threats of more war with Iran. I commend the protesters for showing up. Just follow the law, but let yourself be heard.

You mean Pro-Terrorism, Pro-Genocide protesters. The only Anti-War Movement in this country are the people trying to win it despite the traitors here.

Did these protesters not get the memo? US combat troops are already planned to be withdrawn from Iraq...What is blabbin "bring our troops home now" going to do exactly? Just seems really stupid...

Neo Politicus

4000 troops dead, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead, trillion dollars+ gone, standing of the US destroyed in the world, threats of more war with Iran

There is your pro-terrorism, pro-genocide

Jazz - Near as I can tell, McCain sang a song about bombing Iran. You know that country with 75 million people next to Iraq.

.
For those that can't see the obvious: the reason Nancy "Impeachment-is-off-the-table" Pelosi failed to do her constitutional duty and impeach the ChenyBush criminals for their high crimes and misdemeanors, is that the Dems desperately NEED BUSH to run against!

They have nothing else. These pathetic losers will just campaign against bush for the next decade or more., showing that the entire party is as shallow as its leader, the empty suit sweetie hussein.
/

Wonder why the anti war protestors who were at the Dem Convention were not an angry mob like at the RNC....could it be that this is another plot arranged by Obama and his gang of thugs...seems like that is exactly what is going on..oh, this bunch will stop at nothing!!!

mfmros - Think about it for a second. The current administration sold a war on lies in which lives were lost and our treasury raped. Now do you understand why the protesters are pissed?

All protestors are idiots. It wouldn't break my heart if the police start shooting these idiots. Go home.

Bogler - They would probably wish the same on you since by your comment you support our current foreign policy trends.

Neo Conservatism is a liberal movement. Real Republicans are anti war and pro personal freedom. There is nothing about the current Neo Conservative administration that is conservative.

Ron Paul is the ONLY Anti-Iraq War candidate.

Old Hippies never die, they simply fade away. The protestors might want to check on combat troop levels, they are down, more on they way home and more importantly they have done a remarkable job in getting things under control. While leftist rant at the unfortunate deaths that have occured they fail to realize that a half million Iraqi's died during the period of sanctions that we helped enforce during the 90's.

U - God bless you. Finally someone with some sense. Ron Paul is awesome.

Ummmm, what part has Joe Biden played in our current foreign policy situation? What is he doing in the Senate foreign Relations Committee? Biden08, McCain/Palin08

I live in Saint Paul and attended the rally and march from the Capitol to the Xcel Energy center this afternnon. It was a very peaceful march from my perspective, the cops and the SWAT teams were actually looking quiet bored. There is a difference between protesting the troops and protesting an unjust war. Support the troops and bring them home safely! Stop fighting an endless war and occupation. Iraq had never attacked us before we attacked them. If you're not outraged, then you're not paying attention! Get out, get active. And if you don't vote in the upcoming election, then you have no right to complain with what the next President does.

david - Sad but true, and Madeleine Albright said all of those Iraqi deaths were worth the sanctions. This of course was played all over the middle east over and over again. No wonder they want to do us harm.

Look at all of the allies in terrorism outside that convention. Those Osama binLaden supporters and Jihadists should be ashamed of themselves.

I bet most of this bunch cheered and still cheer when they watch the video of the planes crashing into our buildings. Disgustingly pathetic bunch of treasonous trash, but this is America. I would just love to be a cop.

Go Cops!! - Maybe they have lost friends, neighbors. Maybe they don't like the trillion dollars spent on occupying a country that we invaded through preemption. Maybe you are part of the problem. Are you cheering for the lives lost and money wasted?

Ben Straub: Why don't you crawl back under your rock? Iraq is a tremendous success story in the face of extreme criticism from the same type of people who were ready to lynch Abraham Lincoln.

Note to protesters: Take over the PA system and play Black Sabbath's War Pigs.

Isn't this more of a police matter than a pro-war or anti-war matter?

Nobama09 - Success story. I hope you are not serious. We have adopted a foreign policy of preemptive war that we can't afford without borrowing money from China. Maybe you and your republican goons can do us a favor and crawl under some of those rocks you mention.

Where' Griff from FOX News shouting "Do you not believe in freedom?"

Mage - Griff must be under one of those rocks Nobama09 referenced.

Seems that the anti-lib/dem clashes at the DNC were somewhat peaceful but of course, the lib/dems can't show the same respect for the RNC. I say, go get 'em cops! Clean out the scum.

Preemption? Try failing to adhere to the resolutions put on them. And the continued failure of them was "serious consequences".

I knew, as most people knew, what that meant.

So save your rehearsed speech from 4 years ago about the war.

Saddams failure to comply was reason enough for war.

You people just hate war and you hate the troops that fight them. You are not fooling anyone. You started that crap 4 years ago then back peddled profusely when you realized you would be booted from the country if you ever try that crap again. So you "change" it to support the troops, end the war garbage.

You plug your ears and scream like a parrot "Bush lied". Um, he still has a job with a democrat majority. If he lied and it is so easily proved, why is he still residing at 1600 Penn?

Got news for you Benny. I'm not republican, I'm independent. And I think we did the right thing in Iraq by getting rid of the mass murderer Saddam and then sticking it out until the country could run itself. It is clear now our mission is succeeding. It is only buffoons like yourself that give the terrorists any hope at all.

MEANWHILE THE RNC CONVENTION IS FAILING!!!

It will be the biggest joke in history!!

CNN is reporting on all the stories floating around the floor of the convention right now. Like all of Palin's problems and why wasn't she vetted properly!!

The delegates are all worried about what will come out tomorrow in the sad Palin VP mistake saga....

Poor, poor Republicans....

And since Gustov turned into a CAT 1 and pretty much missed New Orleans, what is John McCain going to do hide behind now???

At least McCain got to avoid having Bush and Cheney speak on TV at the convention!

With Gustov or not this Rethug Convention was doomed to FAILURE...

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!!!

With McCain having an even more radical position on the war than even Buch, saying stay a 100 years in Iraq, protests are even more appropriate.

I hate jihadists- Are you saying that I hate my friends that serve in the armed forces. You are a dumbass. We should not be in the business of enforcing UN resolutions where war is called for against a country that has not attacked us. Don't you republicans believe in fiscal conservatism anymore? A trillion dollars and counting. You people actually believe this was a good idea. Are you mental? For democracy? Give me a break. Ya I hate war because innocent civilians die. So what. Is that really so bad? Bush is still residing at 1600 Penn because the dems are not gutsy enough to get rid of him, and by the way I was stupid enough to vote for Bush so i am extra ticked off.

Why aren't these cakes working? Where do they get their money? Oh, I forgot, it's from ANSWER, the communists.

Bush lied? Come on now, libs. Slick Willie and Hitlery were screaming for Saddam's head in the 90's. They just didn't have any gonads to go get him. Well, Bill didn't.

If it was me over there, I would mop up the trash in the street with one of them. Better yet, draft them to go fight in Afghanstan.

Republicans are having a tough time today.

Generals gathered in their masses,
just like witches at black masses.
Evil minds that plot destruction,
sorcerers of death's construction.
In the fields the bodies burning,
as the war machine keeps turning.
Death and hatred to mankind,
poisoning their brainwashed minds.
Oh lord, yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away.
They only started the war.
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor, yeah.

Time will tell on their power minds,
making war just for fun.
Treating people just like pawns in chess,
wait till their judgement day comes, yeah.

Now in darkness world stops turning,
ashes where the bodies burning.
No more War Pigs have the power,
Hand of God has struck the hour.
Day of judgement, God is calling,
on their knees the war pigs crawling.
Begging mercies for their sins,
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings.
Oh lord, yeah!
--Black Sabbath, War Pigs

Funny when people speak of peace and get our troops home,then they are the ones to be violent outside the peaceful gathering of the RNC.

Funny how this is a "Top Story", yet the protests here in Denver were largely unreported by the MSM... but there is no double-standard... No, really...We swear!

I hate jihadists - I almost forgot the armed forces have given overwhelmingly to Obama and Ron Paul. The troops don't believe in the Iraq intervention. By these statistics, I would say you hate the troops and love war.

Amy - violence? Hardly, no one has died.

The demonstrations will not stop the imperialst USA. But the Russians and Chinese just might do it when the USA starts messing with them.

republicans again using their power, looks like they are in RUSSIA instead of the USA. Republicians are disgusting

Spirit Rebel - I think we will go bankrupt first. That is if we continue to have China fund these types of foreign operations.

You people are really not very bright. You equate a protest with a full blown war that has cost thousands of lives and have maimed thousands more. Give me a BREAK!!!

It is really time for the Republicans to leave the White House. Their sense of logic and reasoning is severely and dangerously flawed.

I have a brother in Iraq, and if I have to endure a clash with the police in an effort to bring him home safely I consider that a very small price to pay.

Get Real You Hypocrites - Good luck to your brother. I have a neighbor in navy seal training, and I pray that the war ends and no more start for his safety.

The peace protesters are so ready to use violence to make their point. Just a little hypocritical don't you think. Per usual, they are against violence except when they are making their point. Shades of many years ago via Vietnam. In reality they are more about making their point than a real concern about the loss of life in war. Just like in the Nam period. It was about saving your butt. Not about any real concern for Asian loss of life. The proof of this last point was seen in that their was not one demonstration in America for Cambodia when when they lost 1.5 million people to genocide during a 4 year period. Just silence on the streets. Shame on us!!!

I love the fact that anti-war protesters get VIOLENT. You have to admire these idiots for what they are.

Amy - violence? Hardly, no one has died.

>It's unfortunate that these people want >>to disrupt a peaceful assembly and >trample on the rights of others, >hopefully the police will be able to >restore order.

Are you talking about the protesters or the RNC?

Wow, it's really funny how all these people who claim to love and support America get so down on people who exercise the very rights that make America great. If you are against these people protesting then YOU are against America. The Republicans, especially the Bush admnistration, and the police who do everything within their power to suppress, subvert, and hide free speech and trample on our rights are the ones against America. You, theits supporters, are just to stupid or too blind to see it. You are being controlled. You are being misdirected by the focus on a "terrorist threat" that's practically non-existant and is a non-issue when compared to the cost in lives and money of most diseases and other concerns in this country. Go ahead though, give away your rights in the name of saftey, line the pockets of big business in the name of security, but when you, your children, and your grandchildren find every aspect of your lives watched and restricted and controlled for "safety" you will be to blame. When they're arrested, beaten, or "disappeared" for acts that you took for granted as a child it will be your fault. When America the Great is America the Gulag it will be your fault. These people, like it or not, are working to prevent that from creeping up on you morons walking around with blinders on.

It is the POLICE - UNDERCOVERS - THEMSELVES THAT ARE THE ONES INSIDE THE ANTI-WAR PROTEST THAT START THE VIOLENCE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE ANTI-WAR FOLKS LOOK BAD.

Many of these Undercover Cops are starting the riot themselves --

IN A VERY PRE-PLANNED, STRATEGICALLY REHEARSED AND CHOREOGRAPHED PERFORMANCE THAT THEY PLANNED FOR MONTHS BEFORE THIS EVENT.

The Anti-war folks ought to notice very carefully every time just exactly WHO these Provacateur Troublemakers are.

Bet You Won't Recognize them -- and if you do recognize them, they have infiltrated your meetings.

Typical Desperate Repug-a-Thug Liars.

Outstanding. Wish I was there.

helloall - I agree, the RNC is where the real violence lies. Lies to perpetuate a war where hundreds of thousands have died, a trillion dollars spent, and more war promised. To me McCain, Bush and Co. are insane. The protesters are hardly violent when viewed in these terms.

I hate jihadists

Israel has been in violation of U.N. resolutions for 40 years, so by your logic we should have gone to war with them a long time ago.

The Iraq war will go down in history as one of the most embarrassing foreign policy blunders in our history.

Hardly violent Ben Straub? Not violent because nobody has died? How about if I beat the fu*k out of you and if you don't die lets just chalk it up to me not agreeing with your point of view and let it go at that.

You're an idiot!

I see the article claiming that protestors are getting violent but from what I hear the police started the violence by trying to quash the protestors rights to speak. I also don't see anything about the police raids on homes of people planning peaceful demonstrations. They raided, carted away everything they had, then released them with silly misdemeanor charges that wouldn't get a legal search warrant in 1000 years. They even raided the non-protestors who they KNEW were going to stand back and document the demonstration on film to prevent the police from using violence and force to trample on the demonstrators rights.

sinclaire - I would love to beat the fu*k out of you too. People like you have ruined my countries finances and reputation. Go to hell you SOB.

sinclaire - Keep in mind the active duty support Ron Paul and Obama. I hope you realize that this means they disagree with you.

sinclair = violence

Ben Straub, kudos!

Ben Straub - I already live in hell as long as you left wing nut jobs continue to breath.

You want me to go to hell? That's classic. You peace loving liberals with your vile violent ways.

You crack me up. Everytime you type or open your mouth, you contradict yourself. Cya in hell loser.

I have no problem with it if the protestors do get violent. The goverment contributes to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and then claims to be heroes. They might have been heroes in Nazi Germany.

Are These Folks in Touch?? Forensic anthropologists are still uncovering the mass graves in Iraq from Saddam's secret police henchmen. No weapons of mass destruction?? Here in Canada, the Globe and Mail had a list of thousands of litres of banned chemicals that were verified by Canadian U.N. inspectors (who Saddam kicked out). Saddam never thought the U.S. would invade--he merely said, "we got rid of them." No videos, no soil samples, no evidence whatsoever. He was a danger, and also harbored the terrorist wanted by Interpol for the Rome Airport bombing. Simply put, after 9/11, he was too big a risk to tolerate. Oil is always a factor. But the U.S. DID liberate Iraq and was not responsible for the sectarian violence, fuelled also by Iran's involvement. The FIRST act of the U.S. was to go to the U.N. and have SANCTIONS removed so that Iraq could EXPORT oil to fund reconstruction. The U.S., Britain did not take over the oilfields. Iraq signed a 3-billion+$$ oil agreement with China days ago...the oil port is protected from Terrorist sabotage by British and U.S. forces. This is not the Vietnam War. If you haven't been reading the papers, violence is down 85%, an unbelievable drop since the U.S. so-called "surge" was implemented by Bush. How history will view this incredible event will be seen. But to leave, would leave Iraq in the hands of a vicious regime: viz. Iran....

sinclaire - I am a traditional conservative republican supporting Ron Paul. You are the new breed of neocon warmonger. Your breed has put our country in hell, and people like me will continue to resist you and make your lives hell with pleasure. Peace brother!

marat - We are going broke. 1.5 billion dollars a day just to pay interest on the external debt. Iraq worth it? Hardly.

Ben Straub: Well, all of the Dems went along with the war too...so much for your theory....anti war protestors are the wussies that would rather not fight for their country... I did not agree with the war, however, at the least, this country stopped Hussein from genociding a million more innocent people! If Sadam Hussein were in control of this country, you wussies would be kissing his a&& to save YOUR pathetic a&&!

mfmros - Actually we agree Saddam was evil. However we have also fostered an environment where hundreds of thousands more died. Our sanctions throughout the 90s is said to resulted in a million dead. So numbers -wise we seem to be just as bad. We need to disengage from these foreign entanglements that the founding fathers knew would bankrupt us. I am not going to kiss the ass of any man. By the way I have friends that are over there in Iraq and I work on radar systems to protect your ass.

I've been to quite a few protest where there was a clash with the police, and in almost very occasion it was started by undercover police in the crowd working in a preplanned manner.
In the few occasions where I have actually seen the real protesters start anything, it was a very few who did not represent the majority of the people gathered.
Case in point was in Miami in 2003. A fire was started in the streets, but when the media followed some of the agitators around the corner, they were getting into police cars and driven away so the proetesters would not catch them. I myself witnessed them exchanging high fives with the other police.

Griff, Griff!
Michelle, Michelle!

Real Conservatives or Neocons?

mfmros:

"Well, all of the Dems went along with the war too..

That is a lie. Too many did, but many did not.

Let them protest....
It is American.

Ben Straub, you're a crackup. A Libertarian, I presume. Your writing is pretty sensible, and it's really amusing to see you promptly responding to all the right wing nuts who are still spouting their lines from ... my god, it's been five years now! ... about how anybody who opposes the war is helping the terrorists, blah, blah. You'd think they'd eventually realize that people have wised up to them, but apparently not. You go, guy!

it's funny that you can hear the ABC cameraman say "yes" when the crowd gets sprayed. very objective reporting...

I was at the demonstration. I marched next to parents with kids in a stroller, veterans and your average citizen. There were about 8000 marchers who were respectful and peaceful. I saw no violence on the part of the marchers. So if 13 were arrested out of 8000 I think the characterization of the crowd as violent is irresponsible. I've never protested anything before, but decided to protest after reading about the attempts by the police to intimidate those planning to march. Read the Star Tribune's (Minneapolis paper's) articles on the local police raids intended to paint the protesters all as anarchists. This is America, Isn't it?

Bill in San Diego - Thanks. Actually I have a few hours to kill before dinner, and I saw a topic that I thought I should jump into. I have never really identified with a party or been interested in politics until I saw Paul in the New Hampshire debate. So I registered republican and became a delegate at least at the county level. Before that I assumed politicians were pretty much bought by special interests and corrupt after a few years in DC. Anyway I think I am a libertarian more or less.

There are about 1000 Iraq Vets and Afghanistan vets gathered in Minnesota protesting against the war. Are these the cowards all these people are referring too? Is this the group being called traitors, jihadist and "America haters"? The Veterans For Peace just had their national convention in Minnesota last week, and now there are thousands of US veterans marching in the streets.
I would be very careful who you call traitors. Many of these vets fought for your right to be able to say that and have the free speech you seem to want to steal away from anyone who does not share your narrow viewpoints and hate filled ideology.
That is exactly what the Nazis, Russians, Chinese, and every other fascist or communist country did to anyone who dared to try to stop government abuse and change things.
Just remember one crucial fact. In a 2007 survey by Stars and Stripes 72% of serving and active duty soldiers said they thought the Iraq War was a mistake and they would choose to come home immediately if given a choice.
Most of the military is now anti-war and opposed to fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan. I suppose they are "traitiors" too?

New Editor - I agree with you.

Ben Straub--its unfortunate that the Europeans, in general, put their heads in the sand. They have done the same thing with the Islamist threat--Islamic Terror rages in over 16 nations around the globe--even in China. The Chinese solution ultimately will be to cull their Islamic population if it gets too bad. But the unfolding story of Iraq's incredible economic developments of late have been major news stories. As I write, we are witnessing a relative minimal amount of violence due to multiple variables--troop presence, the role of the Iraqi army/police, the groups paid to weed out foreign fighters, and role of Syria in blocking cross border terrorism. There is a small revolution that has accompanied this huge lull in terms of small business activity of all sorts. I am hopeful that as that gains traction, this will be a boon to Iraqi stability. It would be ironic if history records the era of the Iraq invasion as an ultimately benevolent turning point in the history of Iraq. We assumed the Iraqis would seize the moment of democratic possibility--but they were unprepared. Moreover, in the entire Arab world, there really is no true democracy. The Koran mandates a theocracy--only one reason why Israel is such a threat to Middle Eastern totalitarian regimes. I believe we will soon see Iraqi oil paying for Iraqi security. This is just, and Congress should demand it as the baby, Iraq, begins to grow up...For all the pain and suffering they have gone through, Iraqis will owe a huge debt to the idealistic intentions of the U.S. Don't forget, the Iraqi invasion ALSO spurred Libya to abandon terrorism. In fact, Gadaffi openly warned Iran of what it will bring on itself if it doesn't reform. And no doubt for N. Korea to see the handwriting on the wall.

Thanks, Jennifer. I have involved in some candlelight protests here. Of course it wasn't much considering the size of the war machine running the country. A number of vets other than myself were there, too.

marat - We can only hope for the best. I tend to think the country Iraq will always be fractured along ethnic or religious lines. The questions to really ask are 1) Is it our job to determine the destiny of other nations when great resentment could result, and 2) Is it wise when we need to borrow money from oversees to make it happen when that country has not done us harm? There are plenty of other questions of course, but I think the second questions rules these types of foreign engagements out for me. Not to mention lots of people die. I am not as optimistic as you on Iraq, but I hope you are right.

DennisNC, thanks for giving us another source to prove that there are vets who are protesting. It makes the arguments of these idiots look like a hollow man.

All this rhetoric and hateful things said about the protesters being traitors and jihadists and hating the soldiers really pisses me off.

I interviewed an Iraq vet by the name of Spc. Doug Barber in 2005-2006, who was anti-war, and Doug later committed suicide in part because all the blind and flag waving idiots attacked him for telling the truth. The hatred of his fellow Americans along with his very severe and untreated PTSD finally drove him over the edge.

Oh I forgot to mention: All the Christians have pretty much been purged from Iraq. There are also 2 million refugees in Jordan and Syria. These are also travesties of the conflict that we are ultimately responsible for. I think Iraq was a huge mistake, and I hope we don't make it again with Iran.

News Editor - Highest suicide rate among active duty since Nam. 1 in 5 soldiers coming back with brain damage, not to mention countless other injuries. We will be paying their medical bills the rest of their lives. A real human tragedy. And then there are the Iraqis and their suffering.

Ben Straub, I work with soldiers with PTSD. I have seen about 30 that I was involved with commit suicide. I know of over 500 so far who have done it just from the local PTSD clinic, and that is a far cry from the real numbers. I talked with an insurance adjuster with the VA and he says