| # | Name | Comments |
|---|
| 401 | Anita Dalisa | |
| 402 | John H Woodward | This is discrimination at it's worst. Newport/ Lincoln City has always been one of my favorite places to stay on trips up and down the coast, both as a businessman and as a tourist with family.
Not only will you not get my business and tourist dollars, but I will urge my fellow travelers to boycott the area until this travesty is rectified. Shame on you !
SIgned;
Someone who also fought for the freedoms we all enjoy, but not a "Veteran for Peace". However, I am a peaceful veteran |
| 403 | Anonymous | I used to live in Oregon, Coos Bay and Winchester Bay, while in the Coast Guard. I always believe that Oregon, so much more than Texas where I currently live, was truly a democratic state. The loss of expression of free speech is unbelievable for me to accept with a state like Oregon. The times they are a changing. |
| 404 | Terry Scott | |
| 405 | Bear Barfield | Advocating peace is not political; it's philosophical.
Bear Barfield
Veterans For Peace, Chapter 91, San Diego CA |
| 406 | Ed Fisher | |
| 407 | Jill Flores | |
| 408 | Tom Watson | We support the Veterans for Peace!
Thomas L. Watson
Area Vice President, IFPTE Local 1
1451 Lexington Dr. Bldg. 300, RM 113
Naval Station Ingleside, TX 78362
Union Office Telephone: 361-776-4388
FAX: 361-776-4173
Email: thomas.l.watson@navy.mil
IFPTE #1 Website: http://www.ifpte.com
"In Unity There is Strength" |
| 409 | Susan Shaffer | |
| 410 | Dr. James Newcomer | As a veteran, who volunteered to serve in the US Army and whose heart has been gladdened to see so many fellow grunts in the anti-war gatherings I have attended lately, I urge you to recognize true patriots: those who have served and oppose. It is we who know how futile this government's actions have been and how wasteful of human lives on all sides of the conflict we started. True patriots have opinions and express them, and those who have risked their lives have an unquestionable right to express them - including in a civic parade. Expecially in a civic parade.
Former Sp 5 J.R. Newcomer
RA 196025019 |
| 411 | Kathryn Hammond | As a Vietnam veteran, I am appalled and disgusted by the actions of Newport, Oregon - this was a slap in the face to everyone who has worn the uniform. |
| 412 | Roger deRoos | To deny dissent is to drny democracy. |
| 413 | Fernando Romero | I, too, find the exclusion of Veterans for Peace in the May 5th, 2007 parade of Newport, Oregon, a disgrace. We live in the United States, not in a nation where only one voice, one side decides what everyone else will do. We are all of us Americans, we all of us deserve to be heard. Shame on the organizers of the parade, who with their actions, deny the very honor they bestow upon the men and women fighting at this moment in Iraq.
This is America, where dissent is NOT DISLOYALTY, but SYCOPHANCY is, by its essence, a betrayal of our troops.
Yours truly, Fernando Romero |
| 414 | William Hardy | |
| 415 | Jim Schmauder | |
| 416 | Jackson Hammer | |
| 417 | Anonymous | |
| 418 | Anonymous | Another veteran for peace! |
| 419 | Steve Nitschke | Apparently Newport, and/or its parade organizers, are going to be too "conservative" to earn my money this year. I also support our troops. However, unlike Newport "representatives", I would prefer that they were back home and alive, not dying in a foreign land for the Bush oil cartel. |
| 420 | Anonymous | Sad to read and ehar about the denial of the Veterans for Peace contingent to take part in the community parade in your town, with the denial of their first amendment rights so clear. Perhaps you could name your town, AntiFreeSpeech, Oregon (Unless okayed by the dictator who rules on what is permitted to be expressed in the public).
Heil Newport. promoter of militarism, denier of peace voices.
May you find the wisdom to re-examine your positions. |
| 421 | phil barnette | spent many years in newport; several generations have called it home. Have moved out of state, but have always had a warm spot in my heart for newport and lincoln county. This goes against all that i know and love of the area. I can't believe this is representative of the population of newport. I feel quite strongly about boycotting until such time as i see an official condemnation from city/county government or the chamber of commerce. Absolutely appalling! I would hope such an event would be inclusionary, not exclusionary. When will people understand that dissent is not a slam against the military and veterans, but a message in favor of not sacrificing their lives for ill-conceived public policy decisions. |
| 422 | Michael Tabor | I can not understand why you are not for peace?
Everyday I teach my children about love and peace
We all go to Newport since it is so close and fun
But wow ...how can i tell them your town doesn't like "Veterans For Peace" ...How can I tell them that this town is promoting the war and is not being fair or ethically right. I am sure I will find the words. But it wont be one that will make excuses for your horrific attitude and anti peace statement.
Please reconsider that Peace is the Answer
Please promote Peace in your city. I am worried about how those Veterans were treated by your city and parade organizer. What a shame ...... they are Veterans speaking for peace....... shame on you ......
I will not visit your town if that is how you treat Veterans and Peacemakers.
Again I say "shame" as you promote War and shun Peace |
| 423 | Donald J. Weiss | As a part-time resident of Newport, I am very chagrined and deeply embarrassed for the community I have been very fond of. I have lived through the disgraceful Nixon-J. McCarthy era of questioning citizens' loyalty, and I am horrified to see it being repeated. The parade organizer went far beyond the technical error of not filling out an application as she questioned the appropriateness of the "message." I hope the necessary apology comes immediately and that future parade organizers understand the difference between disloyalty and dissent within a democracy. |
| 424 | Francis E. Quinn | |
| 425 | Clifford L Cook | I'm a resident of Portland, OR and I will be on the Oregon coast a few times this summer. I won't spend any of my dollars in the City of Newport. |
| 426 | Anonymous | Until an apology is issued that a mistake in judgement was made, this regular Coastal visitor will bypass Newport and take my business to other Oregon Coastal towns. |
| 427 | Maj. Debra Hedding, USAF, ret | I am confused. You have a celebration called "Loyalty Days" and you ban the most loyal people in your community from participating? Veterans for Peace members are twice as loyal as anyone else in your event -- they've sacrificed in war for you and now sacrifice for peace for you so your sons and daughters are not wasted in another conflict that makes no sense. Their courage should be rewarded!
We are Portlanders now living in Florida. We come back to Oregon frequently and love Newport. It has always been on our agenda - until now. We will take our business elsewhere.
Maj. Debra K. Hedding, USAF, ret
LtCol T.J. Hedding, USAF, ret |
| 428 | Anne Fischer | It is unbelievable that Newport representatives would think that citizens who promote peace are disloyal to our country! I would be ashamed to live in Newport, let alone conduct any manner of business there. |
| 429 | Anonymous | The organizers of the Newport parade need to think a little more about what loyalty should mean in the United States. |
| 430 | Kay Steele | |
| 431 | Peter Hamer | Unity does not mean unanimous. You reasons are just weasel words. |
| 432 | Greg Ebert | Censorship is UNamerican, and is disloyal to those who died protecting everyone's freedom. |
| 433 | Sara Rich | I can think of nothing more loyal than people that want peace in our Nation! As a military mom of a soldier who served a year in Iraq I can tell you that the message of Vets for Peace is crucial. I will join your boycott and will spread the word to my list.
Peace~ |
| 434 | PHILIP LANG | PATTY LOUISIANA NEEDS TO TAKE A COURSE IN "CIVICS" AND THE US CONSTITUTION. YOU WILL NOT FIND ME GOING TO NEWPORT OREGON FOR ANY REASON!! |
| 435 | jim wohlgemuth | I live in NC and even in the south they let people for peace participate. I am disappointed in Oregon. Ask yourselves seriously what does the bible say, what would Jesus do? |
| 436 | Lin Simpson | As a veteran myself I am outraged that Veterans for Peace were prevented from participating in this event. It demonstrates the sad state of democracy in this country today, when our Constitution is being attacked by our own government. Shame on you Newport for aiding in this attack! |
| 437 | Anonymous | The text in The Oregonian regarding the standoff on the day of the parade says it all. This is not about this groups error in not "filing an application for a bus" but rather the way ONE person decided the bus should not be allowed because it didn't fit with the supposed theme of the event. Shame on Newport! |
| 438 | stephen allen | Oregon native and member of Veterans for Peace and Vietnam Veterans of America. Combat vet with 1st Cav. Barring the peace activists on a technicality if cow pucky. Chamber of Commerce email system is broke! |
| 439 | Troy Gervais | Shame on you Newport! I am embarassed and ashamed to be a resident of this narrow minded, unrealistic community. Time to wake up!
I was going to purchase an automobile in Newport this year. Now I will take my business elsewhere. |
| 440 | Cynthia Hymer | Your "spirit of community" that excludes members of this community who wish to demonstrate their support for this country's men and women of the home guard by protesting this endless war is a shame on Oregon. Issue an apology and wipe your spit off the constitution. |
| 441 | Damon Hymer | |
| 442 | Samantha Parsons | |
| 443 | Elizabeth Maxon | |
| 444 | Mark Buchweitz | This country has lost its way when the defenders of free speech are not allowed the right to the very freedoms they risked their lives to protect.
Please reverse this terrible decision! |
| 445 | Jim Mishler | |
| 446 | Tom Lenth | I like Newport. I spend lots of money there. Rather, I used to spend lots of money there. This is really unfortunate and I will miss participating in their community. A few organizers of Newport have isoloated them from the diversity of our nation. |
| 447 | Dr. Dennis W. Mills | Newport use to be on my favorite Summer vacation spots. No longer! Newport is not 'veteran friendly.' I am saddened to see a community event be AGAINST Peace organizations, especially to Veterans For Peace. |
| 448 | James C. Gregg | |
| 449 | Anthony Del Plato | |
| 450 | elaine kain | My best extreme friend was a Vietnam vet, exposed to Agent Orange & gov't denial - he passed in 2000 after years of pain & nightmares.
Veterans for Peace ARE Veterans. They've been there, seen it, felt it, suffered from it - and THEY know full-well what our new vets are facing. You all ought to listen, without prejudice, to their stories, and then decided if YOU WANT to deploy your youth for similar treatment.
When you refuse to listen openly and clearly, when you deny the hells of war and combat and killing, when you support creating more vets exposed to chemicals, PTSD, and physical wounds - when you support a war leader that has never been in a war declaring war against international support...
I am appalled at your gullibility and lack of knowledge. Talk to folks that have been there, have served; ask them how it's going and why the US sent them, how well they're being cared for.
FYI - my uncle got a Purple Heart in Vietnam. When he went to check his records, there was no mention of the incident, because "We weren't there, You weren't there" - outside of approved military borders, so being shot down there was 'erased'.
This is what you support when you refuse to listen or think for yourself. If you're not scared of hearing another voice, ASK a member of Veteran's for Peace to share their experiences - don't deny them this right after THEY'VE SERVED OUR COUNTRY.
They can enlighten you immensely on chemical weapons, exposure, PTSD, depleted uranium, and the reality of what the military doesn't tell you. TALK to them before you send your children, so you know the fullest consequences possible.
I will challenge each of you to go to Veteran's for Peace website with an open mind and read the stories of those you denied in your 'loyalty parade'.
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/
It's time we demanded the truth at all levels and faced the reality of "Mission Accomplished" and "cakewalk" mentality. The First Gulf War had under 200 casualties... and over 200,000 disabled vets --- and we're doing it again?? I ask who is profiting from Iraq involvement these last 4 years... who voted to reduce vet benefits the same day He declared war on Iraq and yelled, "Support our Troops!" Doesn't any of this bother you?
Disrespecting our veterans... that you have done when you refused to allow them to participate. I am an Associate Member of VFP, in honor of my best friend trained to kill at age 17 and sent to Vietnam 'as a career choice' - it destroyed his life, physically & mentally, and I saw the suffering he endured. Anyone who would deny his story boils my blood, and I'll defend him to the ends of the earth to anyone, any time, any place.
And I will speak out to prevent even one person from enduring what my friend endured...
Sincerely, Elaine Kain
Peace, my friend on the other side, I hope you have found relief from your suffering on this earth and the guilt you bore from following orders to kill and maim for political means... I apologize for what my country did to you. |