News-Leader - Peace Network asks motorists to 'Honk for Impeachment'


Scoop

By Press, Section News
Posted on Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 01:52:06 PM EST

Jaime Baranyai, News-Leader 

Protesters gathered near the intersection of Glenstone Avenue and Battlefield Road during rush hour Wednesday encouraging passers-by to "Honk for Impeachment."

Pat Chipman, 71, of Springfield voiced her opinions over the blaring horns and cars that sped through the intersection.

"We're here because we want to see (George) Bush and (Dick) Cheney impeached," she said, holding an oversize "Honk to Impeach the Criminals" sign. "We want something new. We're tired of the old solutions that don't work."

In conjunction with getting honks for impeachment, Chipman said the protest was tied closely to the war in Iraq.

"The American people do not support this war. We want to influence people to vote for progressive candidates -- we want Bush and Cheney out."

And the sooner the better, said Joan Collins, 70, of Springfield: "We can't wait until the election," she said. "We have to stop what's happening now before we lose our democracy entirely."

Dave Davison, president of the Peace Network of the Ozarks, which held the protest, said, "We hope it helps encourage and educate citizens in the community to read newspapers, books, blogs, etc. and find the truth about what is happening to our country at the hands of a few who are out for profit and oil," he said.

Davison was pleased with the response the protesters received: "We've had a lot of friends with car horns, but we've also had a few who chose not to honk and people in one car who yelled profanity."

But the group of about 30 was successful in getting its point across -- at least according to Alex Bass, 19, of Springfield. He turned his car around and joined the protesters after he passed them on his way home.

"I just had to pull over and talk to these guys," he said. "I've seen a lot of alternative media and I know there are a lot of things that shouldn't be the way they are."

The Patriot Act particularly concerns Bass.

"There are a lot of people who sit back and say, 'Why should I do anything? It's not going to affect me.' But they're wrong. It's eventually going to reach everyone."

Source

< From the Mail Bag: Drinking With a Redneck Girl | The Greene County Democratic Central Committee Invites You to a BBQ Picnic! >

Menu

+ create account
+ faq
+ search

Login

Make a new account

Username:
Password:

Related Links

+ Jaime Baranyai, News-Leader&nbsp;
+ Source
+ More on Scoop
+ Also by Press
Display: Sort:
News-Leader - Peace Network asks motorists to 'Honk for Impeachment' | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 hidden)
From Peace Network of the Ozarks (none / 0) (#1)
by Press on Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 01:59:14 PM EST

We want to report the result of the Impeachment Rally yesterday at the major intersection of Glenstone and Battlefield in Springfield. We definitely learned the wave that is rolling all across this country is now in the Ozarks with a lot more friends out there now. If you missed it, you missed a fun time. The rally was
successful with what turned out to be one long car honk for the entire hour of the rally. 

We had a positive response from the public in general. We heard town horns. We heard country horns. We heard beeps and big blamps. We heard semi-trucks that nearly broke our ear drums. We had a lot of friendly waves and thumbs up. Several windows rolled down as they went by and we heard "Hell yeahs." 

There were a lot of younger people as well as older people who responded positively to our signs that read "Honk To Impeach." We viewed the rally as being largely successful. It was a lot of fun to smile and wave back at them. 

There is, of course, more than one opinion on the subject of impeachment. I got so tickled standing on the southbound lane of Glenstone where a lot of "right winger's", the so-called holiest, were on their way home during the rush hour to their little communities south of the James River Freeway. What tickled me was the few that reminded me of my Dad (God rest his soul.) who always said if you simply find yourself in a situation where you must use profanity, do it well. 

What tickled me was the holiest wingers seem to have a knack for doing that better than anybody. It was a hoot. I was very proud of our members who do so well to stick to our own policy of treating all citizens with courtesy and respect. 

We even had some newbies show up that are interested in the peace movement. The word is getting out there. We had some young people that spoke very well, and some that drove by and honked, and turned around and came back to join us on the curb.  The wave that is rolling all across this country is in the Ozarks now, and many people are paying more attention to the antics of our very poor national leadership. People are talking to their friends and neighbors, and that is a very good thing.  Our purpose is simply to help open eyes and ears, and to educate and communicate as best we can. 

----------------

We have some events coming up in the near future. Stand by for the notices that will be issued with the detail.

Aug. 28, Candle Light Vigil, Department of Peace Curbside vigil at 6 p.m. at 2522 S. Campbell
This is in conjunction with the Moveon Vigil Nationwide

Aug. 29, &ldquo;Healthcare Not Warfare&rdquo; Protest at Congressman Blunt&rsquo;s office, 5 p.m.
In solidarity with CODEPINK

Sept. 15, &ldquo;Walk For Peace&rdquo; Dept. of Peace
The walk starts at 9 a.m. at Phelps Grove Park and ends at the National Cemetery, not a real long walk that many of us can do.

There will also be a September Pizza and Informative Movie Nigh at one of the fire stations. The date is still to be determined. 

There will be other events in September as well. Watch for the notices. September is a VERY important month to our country with the so-called Iraq War measurements being released, and we will need to stand ready to support peace rather than continued preemptive war for the sake of profit and oil, and to stop the white house from using our young people in the military, and the citizens of Iraq, as chew toys.

Thanks to everyone for all that you do. Lets keep it going. There is still a valid chance to stop our national catastrophe, the biggest blunder of our country&rsquo;s leadership in many decades. We need to encourage true diplomacy rather than Bubba bravado. We can't let them preemptively attack Iran to cause WWIII and enflame the entire middle east, and many parts of the world. 

Think positive, and good things can happen. We do attract that which we emit. The wave is national now, and rolling. 

In Peace &amp; Hope,

Dave Davison
Pres. PNO
http://www.ozarkpeace.net/


News-Leader - Peace Network asks motorists to 'Honk for Impeachment' | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 hidden)
Display: Sort: