Newport, Oregon: Dissent Is NOT Disloyalty Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

#	Name	Comments
1	Rik Reynolds	I won't even stop for gas in Newport, now that I know what disregard you have for the right of free speech guaranteed by our Constitution, and for the sacrifices of veterans to defend those freedoms you abhor. Shame on you Newport.
2	Gordon Sturrock	I'll be back but it won't be to shop, it will be to help the people of Newport Oregon remove the people from office who supress freedom of speech in the name of "Loyalty". How disgusting. Gordon Sturrock member VeteransForPeace, VVAW, VeteransAgainstTorture.com
3	Marion Ward	A sign should be placed on Rt. 101 and Rt. 20 into Newport, Oregon stating: "Dissent is unwelcome in our city: we do not recognize 1st Amendment Rights of the Constitution of the U.S." Boycot Newport !
4	Dorothy Louis	This is shameful and I will no longer visit the town of Newport in the future. You have done a great disservice to the Veterans for Peace and those in your community who support a peace effort.
5	mike mullane	As a veteran I am saddened that so few understand what this country is about.
6	Samuel A. Scharff	Operations, HQ 5AF, SWPA, WWII ARDC, Korean War
7	Michael Munk	Despicable" is the correct word for what you did
8	Robert Bryant
9	Terrence F. Zander	Tell me once again how our young people are killing Iraqis to make sure we are free in America. Tell me once more how toruturing people, raping the women and putting people in cages for years is making America a better country. Tell me one good reason why I would ever want to step foot in Newport, OR again. As a Vietnam veteran, and a member of Veterans for Peace - Rachel Corrie chapter 109, Olympia, WA, I find your convictions laughable. You pathetic people amuse me. But go ahead, stand up for your beliefs that we are bombing innocent people halfway around the world in order for you to deny people the right to free speech. Those who made the decisions will get everything they deserve...... and them some.
10	Dorli T Rainey	Veterans have already done their duty for this country and many have since found that peace is the only way to save our country now. To deny them a part in the "Loyalty" parade is denying them the freedom they fought for.
11	Mike Ellison
12	Leah Bolger, CDR, USN(Ret)	I am outraged by the judgemental and self-righteous behavior of the parade organizer, Ms Louisiana. I would like to believe that she alone was misguided in her decision to exclude the veterans group, but since there has been no apology from the city, I have to assume that the city of Newport agrees with her decision. Since the people involved don't seem to do the right thing on their own, perhaps a boycott will help them see the light. It always seems to come down to money.
13	Lois & Clif Kenagy
14	Leo W. Quirk	Patty Louisiana's decision to exclude the VFP bus from the parade is mind-boggling. It appears that the "good" citizens of Newport, Oregon have more in common with the Germans in 1939 than with the words and spirit of the Constitution of the United States of America.
15	Roberta Hall	If the city of Newport would distance itself from the Loyalty Days organizers, I would be happy to end this boycott. It is important in this country that all people and all perspectives have an opportunity to express themselves. I therefore ask the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce to disavow the Loyalty Days organizers, and refuse to permit any parade that is not open to all.
16	Anonymous	Our family will not be stopping as usual in Newport this summer. We can not support your communities unamerican stifleing of free speech.
17	Valerie	Newport has always been a special place for my family and I to visit. I can and will not visit or spend money until the community decides to be inclusive of all Veterans Groups, and especially the peace community. Your community should be ashamed to promote only violent response to worldwide problems.
18	Elvin Todd Allen	I am boycotting Staples as well.
19	Gordon Tuor	As a veteran, I am really upset that a town known for its diversity can be so bigoted against people expressing opinions that the majority of Americans agree with. Does the municipality of Newport want to be remembered for promoting an immoral and unjust war? Gordy Tuor USMC 68-71 VVAW
20	Bill R. Jones	Seems to me that the most eager supporters of this current illegal war are people who haven't served just like Bush and Cheney.
21	sherry champagne veterans for peace chapter 22	uh, we weren't allowed with our stop the war bus in the fourth of july in fort bragg... people can be petty. war is death.... that is the reality. some people don't care our young people are dying and killing for a lost cause. that doesn't even include civilians who are dying for no reason. iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and still the people die for a lie gordon and all veterans for peace we are making a difference keep the faith and keep on the path to peace glad you got a petition going i wont stop in that town either...
22	Daniel Shea	The war is over, the occupation has failed and terrorism is on the rise. Many supported President Bush because they believed the lies reasoned for going to war but no more. The occupation has failed because all occupations are oppressive and resistance is inevitable. Terrorism is on the rise because of President Bush and his neo-con administration’s arrogance, incompetence, and complete disregard of all prior intelligence and warnings that their plan for Iraq just would not work but only incite more anti-American sentiment. Veteran for Peace and citizens of goodwill have the right and the duty to resist violence and the production, distribution of weapons of more mass destruction. Theirs is a positive message for all of humanity and to deny them access to participate in the Lincoln County "Loyalty Days Parade” is to deny Lincoln citizens the democratic right to hear all sides. As a Vietnam Veteran who served in combat I know war, violence, and occupation is no way to build a future for anyone.
23	Bruce Freeman	As a 100% disabled Vietnam era Oregonian veteran, I am shocked to find out that Veterans for Peace were denied participation in the Newport parade. As far as I am concerned, Newport is not a part of these FREE United States and we will never again venture to your city. You should forever hang your heads in shame for disavowing one of the key rights for which we fought. How dare you.
24	Dick & Kathy Janz	As a 5th generation Oregonian I am ashamed by Newports attitude! We love going to the coast, but from now on we will not spend a dime in Newport ,and we will pass the word.
25	Harvey Thorstad	Theodore Roosevelt stated; "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Viet Nam vet, Cdr. USNR (retired) President, Veterans for Peace Chapter 72
26	Jack Dresser	We were formally sponsored by the Lincoln County Democratic Party who planned to ride in the bus, were in the staging area, and were yanked from the lineup at the point of deployment. There was no objectionable signage on the bus, just "Veterans for Peace" and "Stop the War."
27	E. Victor Mereski, USN Ret E9	I served over 20 years to defend free speech, but Newport apparently thinks free speech is wrong.
28	Stephen H. Wessels
29	Larry Kerschner	Loyalty Days sounds like a throwback to the fascist days of the McCarthy era. Hasn't America grown beyond all that hate talk?
30	Valori George	I sent a letter to the Newport Chamber of Commerce on May 10th letting them know I won''t be going to Newport anymore, at least not until I hear there's been a formal apology to the VFP.
31	Courtney Childs	I'm very sorry to hear about this incident. Newport has been a favorite place for my family to visit.
32	Joseph Walsh	support the troops----we were the troops ----Newport is not a good place for vets, shame on you for this bush type action
33	John Nettleton	Despicable!
34	Dan Gilman	I am planning to go camping with my family to the beautiful Oregon Coast. It will a great political and civic lesson for my teenage daughter as why we won't be stopping in Newport. Viet Nam Vet. VFP.
35	Michael Pema Gedun McGraw	This town's actions are truly reprehensible and I hope all good citizens who can influence those responsible for this miscarriage of Democracy employ boycotts or techniques of censure to remind them of the sacrifices Veterans make on a daily basis in order to allow people to speak to and represent peace!!!
36	Dan Davis, Jacksonville	For shame to Newport - a lovely city on the beautiful Oregon Coast. It never fails to amaze how some people can be against peace - usually those who have never known war and seem to think it is a fun video game - so long as it is someone else or their children dying for their faux flag waving pretend patriotism - ("The last refuge for scoundrels"). How can you ignore the killing and maiming and sacrifice by our soldiers and families for oil and money for the few. Wake Up soon please. Viet Nam combat Veteran
37	Phil Scott	Loyal Americans may not respect or agree with all opinions, but they don't shut them out.
38	Mike Beilstein	This really changes my opinion of Newport. What are you guys smoking? Truly dopey!
39	Gretchen Newlin	Now that I know that the city of Newport is an ememy of freedom of speech and assembly, I will vacation eslewhere. I will spend my money in a community that honors the experiences and values of all peace loving people. It is unconscionable for a municipality to ban US Veterans from a Veterans Parade simply because they share views that may be different than the parade's organizers. It is not the American way to exclude people from a city parade based on politics. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You not only denied the Veterans but you also denied me the opportunity to support them in the parade. Gretchen Newlin
40	Mary Francis	These vets risked their lives for this nation and each person's right to speak their opinion. How dare you deny them, of all people, the rights which they watched their buddies die for!?!
41	Sam Feldman	Newport shouldn't just hang its head in shame, it should issue an immediate apology. Members of Veterans for Peace are patriots, many who served in combat and know firsthand the real horrors of war. Yet, our experiences, views, opinons and expressions get stiffled in the name of some freaking esoteric political argument that doesn't account for the lives affected and destroyed.
42	Tom Hastings	Go to Bandon! Lots of peace people there....
43	Anonymous	You are confusing citizens' dissent with disloyalty. Those who are actually veterans are the people who are most opposed to war and especially an unjust war, launched for war profits and continued for American imperialism.
44	Mariah Leung	Do the attitudes of Patty Louisiana represent all the citizens of Newport, Oregon? If not, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Disgraceful!
45	Anonymous
46	Jerry Scovel	"Loyalty Days" sounds a lot like the loyalty oaths required by the nazi regime of 1933 Germany.
47	Helen Balaski	The sponsors of the "Loyalty Days" should take a long hard look at what they are doing to the Constitution. Our veterans should be honored at all times. The people should have their rights as well. The sponsors shall reap what they sow.
48	Jerry Geroge	I heard parade organizer, Patty Louisiana now infamous statement that the VFP "doesn't support the spirit of our community". What unspeakable bigotry.
49	Bill Bokamper	Dear People of Newport, I'm a Vietnam veteran, I guarantee you peace is better than war, war that CAN go nuclear and lead to our annihilation as a country and as a people. It is stupid to honor those who blindly follow the leader into another hell like Vietnam, and thumb your nose at those of us who know better, who learned the hard way.
50	Ben Bonner	Somewhere along the line the people in Newport who are responsible for this have forgotten what this country is all about. We'd still be a colony of England if they were alive and in charge in 1776.