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 Smearing Code PinkPosted on Nov 6, 2007By Marie Cocco WASHINGTON—In the beginning—back when most Americans believed Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when Donald Rumsfeld was known for his quick verbal jabs and not the quagmire in Iraq, and when President Bush still could hope to be revered as a great wartime president—the women of Code Pink would stand quietly on the broad sidewalk in front of the White House and hope someone would pause to take their fliers. I never did. Nor did I see more than an occasional tourist pause briefly, more out of curiosity than agreement with the grandmotherly ladies in their pink windbreakers. The women were genial enough, but so far beyond where the collective mind of the American public was in 2003 and 2004—still in sync, if not in complete sympathy, with the president’s policies in Iraq—that they were easily ignored. They were ignored by Democrats. They were ignored by Republicans. And they were ignored by the Bush White House, which paid them no mind—even when they helped to organize massive anti-war protests—because Bush paid the tens of thousands of street protesters no mind, either. Now Code Pink, whose tactics have become increasingly confrontational and disruptive as the Iraq war has wound on, has become an applause line in a presidential speech. It is a turning point and an unnerving preview of ugliness still to come. “When it comes to funding our troops, some in Washington should spend more time responding to the warnings of terrorists like Osama bin Laden and the requests of our commanders on the ground, and less time responding to the demands of MoveOn.org bloggers and Code Pink protesters,” Bush said in a speech to the conservative Heritage Foundation. This is not the most dangerous sophistry in which Bush has engaged over the past seven years. But it is a precursor to the Nixonian demonization of dissenters that looks to be a hallmark of next year’s presidential campaign, complete with the distortions and untruths that helped undo the presidential campaign of decorated war hero John Kerry in 2004 and ended the Senate career of Vietnam veteran and triple-amputee Max Cleland of Georgia. Deconstructing the Bush smear is simple. “Some in Washington”—notice no one is named—should spend more time worrying about terrorists and funding the troops. Well, Democrats in Congress have funded the troops, at the levels Bush has sought and sometimes with more money than he’s requested for Afghanistan and for veterans. In this sense, Democratic congressional leaders aren’t listening to either MoveOn.org or Code Pink. If they were, funding for military operations in Iraq would have been cut off by now. And, most likely, the abysmally low public approval ratings that Congress gets in national polls would be higher. Though MoveOn.org is linked to Democrats (it was started in protest of the Clinton impeachment and routinely funds Democratic candidates), Code Pink is not. The group has been almost as critical—and practiced its unnerving, in-your-face protests—toward House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton. Code Pink members have been “sitting outside my home, going into my garden in San Francisco and angering my neighbors, hanging their clothes from the trees, building all kinds of things ... (putting) couches, sofas, chairs, permanent living facilities on my front sidewalk,” Pelosi complained at a lunch with journalists recently. As for Clinton, Code Pink has tried to overrun her New York offices, trailed her around Washington and dogs her at fundraisers. The group targets both Pelosi and Clinton on special Web sites (PelosiWatch.org and ListenHillary.org). Democratic congressional committee chairmen have thrown Code Pink members out of hearings and had them arrested. Democratic lawmakers have confronted their Code Pink confronters in the hallways—most famously when Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey of Wisconsin was caught on tape in an angry tirade, lecturing the protesters about the realities of the legislative process. There is no evidence whatsoever that “increasingly Congress is being run by Code Pink,” as White House spokeswoman Dana Perino charged after a protester with red dye on her hands was arrested while badgering Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a hearing. But a lack of evidence did not stop Bush from launching a disastrous war. Certainly it will not stop him from hurling divisive political broadsides. The only antidote to official disinformation is truth. It is missed, deeply, by a discontented public that yearns for an end to the Iraq war and a change in this nation’s course. Marie Cocco’s e-mail address is mariecocco(at)washpost.com. © 2007, Washington Post Writers Group Previous item: Robert Scheer Debates Ralph Nader Next item: Oprah's Learning Curve Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By Sharon Ash, November 8, 2007 at 2:25 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
When you become too shrill (i.e. Sheehan) or too offensive (i.e. Code Pink), you wind up doing more harm to a cause than good. And that rule applies on either the left or the right. The vast majority of people reside within that great big bell curve of life, aka normal, not in the left or the right extremes. The belief system of the masses, which resides within the bell curve, changes slowly and sometimes without enough critical thinking, and it is always in distrust of the extremes. The right, with their use of fear during the Bush Administration, caused the masses to shift their thinking much faster than could ever otherwise have been accomplished. The lesson from that rapid shift by the masses, is that a rapid shift of beliefs, by the majority, can be a very dangerous thing for a society. Great masses most safely move slowly. The masses actually owe a great deal of thanks to the extremes on the left, for screaming loud enough so that the masses have now heard and are beginning to show some signs of doing some critical thinking. There are even some signs that the masses are getting this fear factor thing which has, and is being used, against them, figured out. The left now needs to make a more moderate shift toward the middle to work toward solving the problems of this country and wrestling the grip away from the radical right wing. And, the left must use a method which is not shrill or divisive. The left has the attention of the masses, but shrill screaming does nothing to solve the problems and it runs the risk of the masses becoming weary. The right, the far right, I hold out little hope for their trying to work toward a middle ground, it has something to do with how their brains are wired, but I do believe there is some hope within the left. If our country’s democracy is to be restored, it will be by the moderates and the left finding common ground.
Report thisBy cyrena, November 8, 2007 at 2:05 pm #
#112410 by Chuckwagonchuckie
..To show she is not partial Madaam President will start drafting WOMEN.
Code Pink just might get attention when they get the public to storm the FORTRESS over sending their little girls into the civil war in IRAQ.
Chuckwagon,
Why do you think this thing with females fighting wars is such a new and different experience? It isnt. There are already several thousand females in the military in Iraq, and points beyond. Matter of fact, there are 16,000 SINGLE MOTHERS currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, thats all WITHOUT a draft. They signed up for the National Guard, (known since its creation to be a domestic military unit to assist in emergencies here at home) and gee, now they find themselves 8,000 miles away from home, and they cant leave, and no draft required.
So, theres nothing particularly new or innovative about women serving in the military, or compulsory service. Israel has compulsory service, and it includes women. Women MUST serve in that country, although its the only country that I know of, off the top of my head, that DOES require mandatory service from all of its citizens at some point in time.
So, I doubt very seriously that the code pink ladies would mind if a draft were reinitiated. The Constitution certainly provides provisions for it. And, it might be just the thing. If we get a draft, wed end this war, because its not the code pink ladies who would stop it. Its all the OTHERS who have been pleased as pie that they dont have to sacrifice their own blood or treasure to the exercise of stealing oil this little business venture that the rethugs have assigned to only 1% of the US population.
So, why are YOU so afraid of the draft? I mean, if were gonna steal the oil, somebody has to do it - right? Wouldnt you like to see us spread the wealth (and the misery) equally? Yep, I say bring back the draft, and include women. Then the ladies in pink can take a much deserved break. They wont have to storm the Fortress, because the rest of those folks who would never allow their little girls to serve, would finally be doing some of the storming of the Fortress themselves.
Yep, great idea. I can see them now. That would end the wars in 24 hours or less.
Report thisBy Chuckwagonchuckie, November 8, 2007 at 1:31 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
So if the truth is known the Democrats wanted the war in Iraq as much as the Republicans. Now they are in power,we are no where near leaving Iraq and Bush is now wanting to zap Iran.
Report thisIf Madaam President places the CROWN on her head you can bet the bank we will still be in Iraq and the Democrats will restart the draft. To show she is not partial Madaam President will start drafting WOMEN.
Code Pink just might get attention when they get the public to storm the FORTRESS over sending their little girls into the civil war in IRAQ.
By Jeanine Molloff, November 7, 2007 at 1:51 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Maybe we can ‘smear’ them back. Kucinnich pushed through a ‘privileged resolution’ forcing a House vote on impeaching Cheney. The move has survived the first hurdle--being passed on to the House Judiciary Committee. I would urge all those interested in justice to contact each and every member of this committee. The Congressional switchboard number is: (202)224-3121. The House Judiciary membership is as follows:
Democrats: Republicans
Chair Hon. John Conyers Hon. Lamar Smith
(ranking member)
Berman Jordan
Boucher Gohmert
Nadler Franks
Scott Feeney
Lofgren King
Jackson Lee Forbes
Waters Pence
Delahunt Issa
Wexler Keller
Sanchez Cannon
Cohen Lungren
Johnson Chabot
Sutton Goodlatte
Gutierrez Coble
Sherman Sensenbrenner
Baldwin
Weiner
Schiff
Davis
Wasserman Schultz
Ellison
This is the entire House Judiciary Committee who must consider the privileged resolution to begin impeachment trial against Cheney. You call the capital switchboard and have them contact each office.
Other House offices to harass:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
House Majority Whip Rahm Emanuel (Rahm Emanuel is an old Bill Clinton aide and fund raiser. He is soundly in the Hillary camp.
Hope all of you decide to stop complaining and actually give these arrogant MMM in congress some migraines.
Jeanine Molloff
Report thisBy iIke Kay, November 7, 2007 at 8:41 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Dear Marie Cocco,
I am thankful that some of the Washington Posts writers who are concerned with the drift of this country toward fascism. Limiting dissent, the backbone of democracy, and support of vociferous Americans, like Medea Benjamin who appears in my documentary, and realize like your group, that we are in deep trouble if we wipe out dissent. Truly than we have begun the slide down the long slippery slope to fascism
I was in Europe on the morning of 9/!11 and began writing a work titled Mountain Storm I finished it four days later. I foresaw all f the events that would take place in these 7years of Bush leadership, Including hanging on to power at any cost. The Iraq war was inevitable since it all but assured the Bush reelection. I closed the 200 page document with this statement: Bin Laden is a very clever man, he knew how George Bush would react, he thought very carefully how he could bankrupt America. The tragedy of 9/11 and George Bush in power is that it will replace the emphasis of where American resources should go, the fight against Global Warming and the degradation of the environment the first priority, and terrorism but dealt with strategically.
I could not get this document published. It was equal to treason since the entire US congress and judicial system was on a witch-hunt. Any document like mine would have made me a suspect for arrest. I considered publishing in the newly formed Al Jazera but dismissed that idea, since I would not have been taken seriously in the West and it would have been used as propaganda.
It did not take a lot of work for Bush, Rove and Cheney to accomplish their goal; to use fear and a false war to win reelection. The American people have been conditioned by long years by television advertising to accept the so-called truth fabricated in multinational board rooms and broadcast by a controlled media. The circle of mind control is complete in America and the G-8 nations. The above combination aids and abets this condition of an ignorant and compliant public.
The American people are free to choose between several brands of tooth paste and polluting vehicles produced by the big three in collusion with the oil companies.
Marie Cocco, you write for the media conglomerates and know that the important stories and messages are subverted at the editors dictate and the publishers pleasure. Also, we all know television journalism offers no help for the public to be educated in its choice or point of view. The media is represented by the Russerts and Williamsons of the world who marginalize candidates with questions about UFOs and religious prayer.
Ms Cocco, you know that many in your group try to offer some other point of view in support of truth and fair appraisal of fact in main stream media, but must rely on CommonDreams or other places that do not touch the general publics mind. We are truly in a drift toward the Brave New World.
However, given this condition the abuses to the public by the Bush administration have been so extreme that 75% of the population have seen through them, reflecting the polls for this government
In one final note: One of the most important editorials here on Common Dreams is the FCC hearing chaired by Michael Copps who sees the danger of media conglomeration and is trying to save us all from it. I suggest you all read that editorial.
GOOD LUCK TO THOSE OF YOU WHO STILL CARE ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL.
Report thisBy poonchkie, November 7, 2007 at 7:36 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I admire the courage of the code pink ladies for standing up to the most corrupt and scary administration in US history. With the ability to make people disappear or face felony charges of assault just for speaking to the grand poobah or his henchmen/woman, we live in fear of the new laws that allow our government to monitor our every word and move. Condi Rice is almost as scary looking as Cheney and the woman who approached her during the hearings must have nerves of steel.
It’s amazing that the corporate media rarely if ever covers protest marches or any other public display of dissent. We live in a country that is supposed to allow freedom of the press, assembly, speech, and protest as basic democratic rules.
As a Navy veteran and the mother of two sons who also served our great country, I would not sacrifice myself or my children to the Bush/Cheney grist mill.
Report thisBy fsuthai, November 7, 2007 at 3:32 am #
Hooray for the Code Pink Ladies! I am mystified why there aren’t tens of thousands protesting with them in Washington every day. Wake up, America. Our country is being destroyed from within...by our ‘leaders’, our non-media, our war profiteers, & our ‘rape the earth’ corporations in their greedy quest for more and more of the rapidly-diminishing-value dollar.
Report thisI’m glad to hear they are ‘bugging’ Nancy Pelosi, who is not doing her sworn duty to IMPEACH the criminals Bush & Cheney, and wishy-washy, corporate-owned Hillary who can’t seem to take a stand on anything of substance or present a new thought toward changing the downward spiral of our once great nation.
Radio has been like a circus freak show for decades now, but we used to be able to trust the news in papers and on TV. Boycott the papers and TV news. And if our spineless Congress won’t bring the Executive law breakers to task, then we need to have a General Strike...shut down commerce (while the Blackwater mercenaries are busy making $1,000+ per day elsewhere). We have a lot more to fear from our government right now than from another terrorist attack. Demand change...before we lose the right to!
And, while I’m ranting, please try to get religion out of government. Too many of them WANT to die!
By Leefeller, November 6, 2007 at 7:40 pm #
Okay Corey Morris,
I will bite, it sounds like Code Pink was hired by republicans to replace Russ Limbaugh and Ann Colter?
Report thisBy driving bear, November 6, 2007 at 4:35 pm #
The democrats used code pink to win back congress in 06. Now that the democrats are in power they have no use for the crazies of code pink. face it the democrats played code pink
Report thisBy cyrena, November 6, 2007 at 4:23 pm #
#111903 by weather on 11/06 at 5:57 am
Marie, I ditto weather, (quite frequently actually) on my thanks to you, for writing this piece. Im pretty sick of the demonization and vilification of a group of individuals who were the only ones to have enough guts to actually DO something, when NOBODY was doing a damn thing.
And maybe, just maybe, its because they ARE of a generation (like my own) who HAD the guts to DO something. To ACT, even at their own peril. They are, (in large part) of the generation that made the Civil Rights Movement what it was, and there has been precious little of that in the interim since Dr. Kings death. No, we havent been routed out entirely, because we DO still have a handful of those same heroes doing good work, and within the democratic parameters of what democracy is about. John Lewis (now long term Congressman from Georgia) comes to mind, but there are others. Unfortunately, there arent enough of them, and they cannot fight these evil doers on their own. Enter, Code Pink.
From day one, I have appreciated their efforts, and will continue to support them in any way possible. Since my mind is willing and my body doesnt always follow suit, I have to contribute in the ways that I can, and encourage others to do the same. For those who can WRITE, thats what we need to do. So Marie Cocco, I thank you again.
And, Id like to repost what Leefeller has already said
#111896 by Leefeller on 11/06 at 5:39 am
When government ignores the people, demonizes the people, divides the people, it does not serve the people. Code pink is only the tip of the iceberg of real peoples feelings.
We should all keep up the good works, in whatever ways we can contribute. Demonizing those that would represent the interests of us all, (including the ones too stupid to even realize that their interests are being so totally demolished at the hands of this administration) is NOT the way to accomplish anything other than the division that Leefeller describes here.
I should add that I too (like weather) grew up believing in the media, but I wont apologize for it, because THEN, the media was a representation of the people, and of reality. THEN, there was integrity in journalism and news coverage. We COULD believe what we saw with our own eyes, (such as the marches and demonstrations) because those events were covered by responsible journalists. live and in living color-.
THEN, we DID see those dead soldiers returning home, and we saw the wounded ones as well. We saw the horrors of Vietnam on our screens. We saw the brutality of the police targeting peaceful demonstrators. Now, we see ads for Wal-mart, and get advice from the evil doers, (via the media) to go shopping.
Thanks again Marie. It may be late, but at least 98%
of the time, late is still better than not at all.
Matter of fact, just the ACKNOWLEGEMENT that you originally paid no attention, and that you’ve now ‘noticed’, is certainly far better than if you’d never ‘noticed’ at all.
Report thisBy Corey Morris, November 6, 2007 at 12:27 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
QUESTION WHAT YOU SEE?
Why is code pink funded by the Ford foundation?
Why is code pink funded by the Rockefeller foundation?
Who benefits from pink clad ladies with pick tiaras making fools of themselves?
How do code pink protesters make it into congressional hearings and get within inches of top government officials?
Report thisBy thomas billis, November 6, 2007 at 8:36 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
The poor stupid American public.To be fooled by George Bush making one of his many if you are not with us you are against speeches is absurd.The reason the public is so docile is tha 98% of us do not have somebody involved in the Iraq war.So as cold as this may seem America does not care.Need proof.Republicans all of which except for Ron Paul support this war are viable in the next election.Put their kids over there and code pinks membership would jump substanially.You start a real draft with no exemptions and this war will be over in a heartbeat.
Report thisBy Mike Schau, November 6, 2007 at 8:25 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Are we on the same planet, folks? Code Pink..what a loathsoome bunch of heads in the sand nitwits. They encourage the terrorists worldwide with their antics. I have asked friends over their serving in Iraq and they all say these wack jobs do NOT speak for them. They want support, not protests. Wake up.
Report thisBy mary, November 6, 2007 at 7:36 am #
I’ve been hoping to hear a journalist come foreward with the unvarnished truth about these protesters. Late, but about time. I live just outside of DC and believe me, most people are not at all happy with this group, Democrats and Republican. Today is election day, this could be a window into what’s going to happen over the next year. Democrats may have the upper hand for now, but there will be a price to pay if they don’t start producing some results. Going after any protest group is not going to sit well with Americans. Speaker Pelosi, Sen Clinton and Sen Reid should be the first casualties. We all need to keep the pressure on MSM and journalists to break away from their political handlers and start covering and reporting real events, including protest groups. I’m still waiting for some brave journalist and news outlet to film the caskets returning to the US with our soldiers mutilated bodies. That could be a start in the right direction........
Report thisBy weather, November 6, 2007 at 5:57 am #
marie cocco:Thank you. What ‘code pink’ and move-on, never had was the full attention of a balanced media - it’s the Monster that made the madness possible.
The NY Times, your paper, PBS/NPR they drove the get away car in the greatest inside crime spree in America’s history.
Report thisIt starts at the top w/the publishers. The media hasn’t the courageous integrity to make a cogent report today, they’d much rather be choreographers of mis and disinformation.
Thank you again. It might be too little way too late, but its a start. And forgive me too for having once trusted the media, growing up I thought they’d tuck me in at night, how silly of me.
By Leefeller, November 6, 2007 at 5:39 am #
When government ignores the people, demonizes the people, divides the people, it does not serve the people. Code pink is only the tip of the iceberg of real peoples feelings. Congress and the Whitehouse are one and the same, impeachment is off the table for their is money to be made.
Direction of Pakistan by curbing their democracy and elections, is similar to what seems to be going on here, a democracy is not a democracy when it becomes a fascist state. A fascist state panders to special interests and where the rule of law becomes a joke for elite and cracks a whip for on the people.
Pakistan shown it’s hand, it may have exposed Bush for his same ideas.
Free enterprise becomes monopolistic interest, with undue influence on government, the good old boys have control of the purse strings, the only thing for the people to do is hope for compassion from the fox in the chicken house.
Report this