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Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
Current rating: 3 |
by Bill Gorrell
(No verified email address) |
25 Mar 2003
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Hard-working labor activist Bill Gorrell cuts through lies being spread in the News-Gazette by pro-war organizers about who and what is responsible for organizing local peace supporters to demonstrate every Saturday for over a year in a letter to the editor he wrote to the News-Gazette. This is the long version, which Mr. Gorrell unfortunately had to trim to meet the N-G's 250 word limit. ML |
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. |
Comments
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by Paul R.
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 3
25 Mar 2003
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You go Bill! That comment by Thompson got me wondering, too. He probably spent more money on the cranes, big flags and radio advertisements for the pro-war demonstration than AWARE has spent on all its efforts since 9/11.
Too bad there's not a Clear Channel station in town to help Thompson work up a pro-war rally to smash Dixie Chicks CDs at. Instead he's got to go it alone spending hard earned Tires Plus cash on radio advertisements to bring out his contingent.
Hey, they usually give away CDs, T-shirts and other crap at those radio appearances. Does Thompson give away free raidals to the pro-war crowd? How about just a tire rotation? That might convince me to switch sides. |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by babs
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 3
26 Mar 2003
Modified: 06:49:12 AM |
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I read the article, but completely missed the whole "puppet masters" thing. I guess that's who I need to contact for another dollar for bus fare to get up there next Saturday. Do you suppose it's ok with them if I skip a week to go hiking? |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by explainy boy
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -1
26 Mar 2003
Modified: 04:13:40 PM |
"I suggest that AWARE contact a lawyer and see if they have grounds for a liable suit against Thompson and The News-Gazette."
You go, Bill!
Did you mean libel suit? Once you can spell the word, you can look it up. In doing so, you'll find that any such suit is inherently nonsensical, since only individuals can be libeled and suffer economic distress, not vaguely organized classes such as "anti-war protesters."
for a number of other reasons,your claims of libel are comical.
libel cases are difficult to prove in court. for instance, public figures like michael jackson suffer ridicule without redress. much of the law in this instance comes out of the civil rights movement, when a racist cop tried to sue the new york times.
the american people are lucky that libel suits are rare and rarely successful. in many cases, people trying to bring forth such suits are attempting to control the speech of others. if you don't agree with me, you are not entitled to the first amendment. i'm surprised to see such a fascist posting at this site.
moving on to pure common sense, do you believe any time you or any one in the media reports a quote, you are endorsing that quote? if you believe that the newspaper must agree with the pro-war speaker because it quoted him, then you must also believe the newspaper endorses every anti-war quote as well.
if you really want to do media criticism or analysis, you need to read more closely. you can read more cogently if you read with an open mind |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by Mink!
mink (nospam) tcp.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 3
26 Mar 2003
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All I can say is, we'll see how many people show up this
Saturday and the weeks afterward. It makes sense that the
News Gazette would focus on Thompson's group, because their
appearance is a new and unusual (and thereby newsworthy)
event.
Ah, got to go, I'm feeling a strange scratching on the back
of my neck...
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by General Patton
Noway (nospam) noway.com (unverified) |
Current rating: -1
28 Mar 2003
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War is good... you are too ignorant to know |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -2
30 Mar 2003
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Mark Thompson is a leader and man. Bill Gorell is the head of the teachers union (I think) whose only job it is, is to keep unmotivated teachers in their current positions with higher pay and benefits.
Jack |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by Mark Thompson aka Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
30 Mar 2003
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Mark Thompson is that brave and courageous defender of American truth and freedom Jack Ryan. Jack Ryan is the hard-working small business owner of Tirs Plus, Mark Thompson.
Two, two, two patriots in one! |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by 5
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
30 Mar 2003
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Actually, as I understand it,
a) Mark Thompson owns Slot & Wing, I don't know who "owns" Tires Plus. It is a chain. Some corps allow individual owners and others are completely managed from afar. As far as Tires Plus, I have no idea.
b) Bill Gorrell is NOT the head of the teacher's union. Many people who visit this site already know who Bill Gorrell is and what he does---for a living and for the community.
Thank you, Bill, for pointing out the absurdity of Mr. Thompson's comments.
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I Don't Think So |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
30 Mar 2003
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I seriously doubt that Mark T. is "Jack Ryan." I've known Mark for years and, while I don't agree with his stance on the war, I just don't see him as the sick pervert that we know "Jack Ryan" is. So unless you have some real proof of this theory, please don't spread unfounded rumors. |
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Re: Local $$, Local People Make Prospect For Peace (P4P) Possible |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -2
06 Apr 2003
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ML,
No, Mark Thompson and I are not the same person. I do shop at his store and will continue to do so. He is a true patriot. ML, Pervert? I thought we were not supposed to use such words on this site. I am sorry, but I may have to ban you from your own site. No, I guess I really believe in free speech, even if it disagrees with my own. Keep talking.
Jack |
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