Isis's Imagery

NEW WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

FINALLY ISIS HAS A *REAL* WEBSITE

www.isisimagery.com

HOPE TO SEE YA ALL THERE!

PEACE!!!

The August 12 ANSWER-ADC Rally Part 3

2006-08-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

This is part 3 of the photos I took of the August 12th ANSWER-ADC Rally in DC.
Once again, I am having issue uploading photos to Blogger.

I am working on fixing this soon.

Please stay tuned!!

A Hate Crime in Virginia

2006-08-07T21:17:00.000-05:00

The word "FAG" sprayed painted on the mailbox was just a small portion of the estimated $10,000 worth of propery damages to a home in Loundoun County Virginia.

Imagine waking up one morning and finding the over 100 trees in your yard cut down, gasoline pured all over your lawn and words inspired by hate sprayed painted all over your driveway and other parts of your property?

On Saturday July 29 2006 a gay couple in a section of Loudoun County Virginia called "Aldie" woke up that morning to find just that.

This is an action that has hit many members of the community through their hearts to face such a high level of hate that would be behind this kind of destruction.

There is a plea for any help or info as well as more photos of the property on the Equality Loudoun web-site to be found here:

http://www.equalityloudoun.org/aldie_hatecrime.html

If we look at history, hate and Virginia have been linked before as we reference to that famous case "Loving vs Virginia" when an interracial couple fought against the laws that banned the marriage they united just over the border in Washington DC June 12, 1967.

Now, nearly 40 years later the debate on who has a legalized partnership is once again in debate.

Now, a differenct kind of couple is facing the same legal challenge for it is the

same sex couple

as this fall Virginia faces a Marriage referendum that will ban and deny any chance of same sex relationships and/or purhaps other kinds of unmarried partnerships the same rights of the legal union between a married man and woman.

This is what the intent to change the Virginia State Constitution will read if this passes by the vote of the public:

ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 15-A. Marriage.

That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage

Now, I know what you all are thinking. You are thinking: Isis is it fair to tie a hate crime to a referendum based in state legislation?

Well, dear readers, I usually do not rant or rave or show a bias in my reporting, and I pride myself on that. But, if you clicked onto the link for Equality Loudoun and saw the photos, you will see that I was the photographer who took those photos, and the pain I felt during that shoot is beyond words to describe.

It is one thing to have a political based rally and voice an opinion, I will never condem anyone for that, but a crime of violence to this degree is not exceptable.

According to several reports including this one from the Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/center/splcreport/article.jsp?aid=152

Gays and lesbians in America are victimized in hate crimes twice as often as blacks, and numerous studies show these attacks are much more brutal than most assaults.

And, there are many links to this rise in hate crimes to gays to the rhetoric, actions and legislations put forth by the anti-gay movement even if it is indirect as this hate crime might have been.

It is one thing to step on a soap box against people you disagree with.

I am a die hard Constitutionalist and freedom of speech, anyone's speech, is something I will always defend the right to.

But, once there is an opening of a door to pass laws that do indeed target and scapegoat, I cannot agree.

And, if there are law makers who try to disempower members of our community though legislation it is the responsiblity of all citizens to take the stand to say NO.

As a proud citizen of the United States of America and as a resident of the state of Virginia, I will not stand around idle and watch a group of people being viciously targeted both by violence and by legislation.

*deep breath*

Peace OUT!

Isis

Isis on the radio with Rev. Barry Lynn Friday July 28 @ 5pm est

2006-07-28T14:18:00.000-05:00

Isis will talk candidly and openly with the defender of separation of church and state Rev. Barry Lynn of American's United on his state of the edge talk show : CULTURE SHOCKS

http://www.cultureshocks.com/

Listen live every weekday from 5 to 6pm Eastern Time, 2 to 3pm Pacific.

Listen to Culture Shocks weekdays on the following radio stations:

KCAA 1050 AM, Los Angeles
KCXL 1140 AM, Kansas City, MO
KRXA 540 AM, Monterey, CA
WBNW 1120 AM, Boston
WMET 1160 AM, Washington, DC
WPUL 1260 AM, Daytona Beach
Please listen and enjoy an interview that explains the purpose of Isis's grassroots photojournalist project.

If you miss it, don't worry it will be archived at the Culture Shock website
at
http://www.cultureshocks.com/

PEACE

Isis

The Other Side of The Story

2006-07-20T16:35:00.000-05:00

"...the U.S. government has no clue what to do over there, and peace for the Palestinians and Israel is going to take the support of entire world, and ignoring it, neglecting it, punishing one side or the other, which has been the policy of many countries, has failed, and that’s why we have this conflict. So, we want to see people stop fighting. We want people to sit down and talk and recognize each other’s right to exist, each other’s right to live where they want to live in peace. Who needs the borders, frankly? Who needs the borders?"--Adam Eidinger a wheat paster for peace.

On Sunday, July 16, 2006 the Washington Post magazine printed a five page article call: A Beautiful Friendship? In search of the truth about the Israel lobby's influence on Washington By Glenn Frankel

Of course the Post like most main stream media focused only on what is happening with the fools on The Hill, once again turning a blind eye on the public and the grassroots activist groups.

On Tuesday July 18, 2006, at right outside the White House in Washington DC there was a rally of a few hundred people from various groups and organizations who gathered to protest the Israeli actions against Lebanon.

This is not a complete post as of yet, but I thought I might just get these images out for now

Patriots, Peaceniks, Pagans and Potheads: July 4th 2006

2006-07-11T17:06:00.000-05:00

This July 4th 2006 was a very wild time here in DC for grassroots activists. And as I extend my apologies for taking so long to get this post up, you will see that this time I am trying a new style for my blog that involved much more tech than I am used to. Also, this time I have a few interviews with Kristinn Taylor of Free Republic, Malachy Kilbride from D.A.W.N., and a very special and informative interview with the Rev. Barry Lynn from Americans United.

The 4 events I covered for the 4th were all very passionate and high energy events.

It all started on July 3rd with Free Republic protesting the New York Times.

To find the Free Republic article CLICK HERE

And then later that evening it was a beautiful bread breaking for a last meal before the big "Fast for Peace" with Code Pink and the Dc Anti War Network aka D.A.W.N.

You will find the Code Pink story CLICK HERE

And on the day of July 4th, the Pagans rallied for the rights of the pentagram with the Rev Barry Lynn just a few blocks from the White House. To see this article please CLICK HERE.

And last but not least, July 4th tradition for the past 37 yrs, the legalize marijauna "Smoke-in". To see some interesting photos and for information on the history of marijauna laws and some resources on what the laws are like today, CLICK HERE.

I hope at some point in the future, I can get all of this done quicker and without some of the tech challenges I have faced this past week.

Please enjoy, and have a wonderful and safe rest of the summer.

Peace OUT

Isis

Images of The Ku Klux Klan Today

2006-06-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

On June 10th, 2006 in Antietam Battlefield National Park the Ku Klux Klan of MD had a rally to honour the battle fought by the Confederate Army as it's first attempt to push the Civil War northbound.

After the civil war was over, Nathan Bedford Forrest founded the Ku Klux Klan as a secert social society to preserve what they believed was the social structure of the traditional south from before the war.

This past Saturday, on June 10th, The Imperial Wizard of the World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Rev. Gordon Young (above photo with mic) organized a rally for those like himself who want to keep those ideals alive in tradition.

Very closely sharing the views of the KKK was The National Socialist Movement (American Nazi Party). Bill White (photo above) who is the national spokeman for the NSM was there with a handful of other NSM members in uniform.

Also, joining the event was controversial radio host Hal Turner.

The event was an interesting blend of the various racial based groups and their different attires. Yet, they all seemed to have a common theme of concern and rhetoric of what they believe on the issues of race.

There were some very strong ideas about crime, and one speech that was made even suggested bringing back lynching.

Immigration came up, as did their views of people of colour and those of the Jewish heritage.

I regret to say that I was unable to cover the "anti" side of the rally, as the police would not let me go over there to shoot photos. I do pride myself with trying to be fair and balanced, but freedom of the press is really "not" these days.
But, I do have a shot of Daryle Lamont Jenkins of The One Peoples Project who is standing in the shot of the press.

Making The Minute Tick

2006-05-16T21:08:00.000-05:00

On the evening of May 15, 2006, the President made a very interesting speech. In fact I believe it was the first time I actually saw him take any kind of firm stand on the immigration issue.

Yes, the immigration issue, which has taken this country by the throat and has brought out concerns for our border security as well as becoming a growing political wedge issue , not to mention bringing racially based individuals out of the woodwork.

One of the groups who have taken up the immigration issue is the Minuteman Project. The Minuteman Project was started by Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox of California out of border and illegal immigrant concerns, yet, there has been much controversy on whether they are racist based or just an issue based organization.

(Chris Simcox below and Jim Gilchrist in photo on right)

They claim there is no racist based motivation for starting the group, yet they have had a tremendous struggle weeding out racists who have been attracted to volunteering for their movement.

So, with facing trouble from both racists and anti-racists, last spring, Simcox and Gilchrist had decided that they needed extra professional help with public relations, fundraising and the Gilchrist congressional campaign, so they signed on with the management group Diener Consulting, which is headed by Mr. Philip Louis Sheldon, Jr., the son of the Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition.

(Bill White, in Nazi uniform, crashes Minuteman Rally in DC)

Now, for those of you with a good memory, Phil Sheldon also operates Responseunlimited.net, which is an ideologically conservative mailing list service.

If this still does not ring a bell, let me remind you of the Terri Schiavo extravaganza, Diener and “Response Unlimited” with Phil Sheldon were the handlers of the public relations, the rallies, and the fund raising and in return have all the names and information of individuals who supported and gave to the Schindlers.

Much to their credit, Diener did help the Minutemen by giving the group a good professional polish. They hired and placed some experienced people from the DC area to handle some of their concerns and to help organize their rallies, lists and fundraising.

But, what people might not realize, as they were not aware of with the Terri Schiavo situation, is that when they signed up for the Minutemen they were also handing their personal information to be sold and used for profit by thousands upon thousands of conservative and Republican organizations and campaigns for bucks in the pockets of Mr. Phil Sheldon.

Now, really, this isn’t unusual in the political world, but, the public should be aware that when they sign up for a cause they feel passionate about, where is their information and money going and how it is going to be used at a later time.
On the 15th of December 2005, due to some heated disagreements about using Diener as their public relations firm, Gilchrist and Simcox split up and parted ways.

Simcox is still signed with Diener and runs a Minuteman group called “Minuteman HQ/ Minuteman Civil Defense Corps”, while Gilchrist with his own group which is called “The Minuteman Project”.

Well, hope this has helped inform the public on the behind the scenes of this odd world of grassroot politics.

Until next post

Peace OUT!

Isis

How the Military is Marketing to Kids.

2006-05-08T17:12:00.000-05:00

I was strolling through a small town USA fair/festival. It was a pretty normal and standard family fun day, the air thick with funnel cakes and burnt sugar.

Crafts, face painting, games tempting with the latest in TV icons hanging from booth ceilings.

But, one thing I noticed that I had never seen before was a booth and a simulated ride from our very own United States Army.

Now, I was a little curious, so I tried to get a better look, and from what I could gather, it was a big painted up truck set up like a fun house, and inside was some sort of flight simulator show. It was all free, it required no money or ticket to climb up the stairs, take a look at some cool graphics and walk out the other end impressed.

But, there was one requirment and that was for all the teenagers who were interested in this high stimulation for a few minutes, and that was to fill out forms providing the military personel running the booth with all of their personal information.
Now, I'm a mom of a teen and nobody knows as much as I do how great it is to drop a group of high energy teens off at a town fair, where we all assume they will be safe, and let them run around and get those "ya-yas" out with as little worry to us as possible. But, while I watched in awe how many of these kids were just handing over their names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mails and who knows what other info to complete strangers in total trust to most likely be put on a government military contact list without their parents even being aware.

Now, with that, I want to make it clear that this is not an anti-military article, what my goal it to bring awareness to parents everywhere that this is happening and in the most innocent of places, where we least expect it, and if you are a parent who would object to the United States military having all of your child's personal information, it might be time to sit down and have a little chat with your trusting teen.

>>>>Heros Armed with Hardware *and* Software.<<<<

The military is extremly glamourous. Everything from military helicopters to tanks, to missile launchers were on display on the mall in Washington, DC from May 1st to the 7th in a Dept of Defense sponsored event called "Public Recognition Day".

The goal of the event was explained to me as a way to show the public what the military is doing, using for combat as well as put a friendly face on the American soldier.
I really sort of am embarassed to admit that I had a great time while I was there. I thought the whole event was kinda cool. I got to climb on tanks look at big powerful guns up close, and there were a lot of give aways, not to mention some VERY good looking soldiers. But, as some of the camo smoke screen was lifting and my hormones got somewhat in check, I noticed that it was pretty obvious that the event and the freebies were geared to marketing the military to kids.
Screen savers, video games, and posters were handed out showing kids very high tech graphics and slick images. The big friendly soldiers were available playmates and it was an arsonal playground. As an overgrown tomboy, I remember playing soldier, I had toy cap guns and threw many a water balloon grenade. But, in reality is it fair to our children to show live and up close that military hardware and wartime action is a game? As fun as it is to play on this large and powerful equiptment, in other parts of the world there are children who are facing military hardware in an atmosphere of terror, death and fear. Is it so wrong to also show our children and keep them informed of the gruesome visions of the piles of bodies and survivors of wartime with missing limbs and broken lives? I saw no mention or images of that side of war reality.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The Dress Up Fantasy<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Dressing up is loads of fun. When you are a kid, your imagination can go boundless and there is that precious magical world of make believe and for hours you can be whatever you want.
I decided to strike up a conversation with one of the children playing. I asked him how he feels about the military and the war at present. He seemed very positive and supportive about all of it. I asked him if he would go to war when he grows up and he answered with a very enthusiastic "yes". I then asked him if he would be willing to die in a war, he again, nodded a yes. I then asked him if he mother was aware of this, and he just smiled and shrugged. As we are showing our children the impressive bravery our soldiers are facing, and giving them the honour they deserve, we also have a responsibility to let them know that war is not a game, a fantasy and a playground. As parents we have the power to keep abreast what Washington is marketing to the trusting minds of our offspring. It does not matter how your family feels about the military, or if you agree or disagree with this war, these are our children, they are being raised by us, not the Federal Govnerment and it has become apparent to me that we must all keep a close eye on the fact that the military is keeping a closer eye out on them.

Well, I hope I have brought some awareness to an age old situation. Yes, I know the military has always appealed to kids, but, there are now some new ways that you might or might not know about. Keep your eyes open and keep yourself informed.

Until next time!

Peace OUT

Isis

Is This Good Mourning, Mr. Phelps?

2006-04-30T13:55:00.000-05:00

*WARNING HIGHLY OFFENSIVE AND DISTURBING MATERIAL*

On may 30 of this year, I will have been shooting photos for exactly one year.
I have shot various grassroots groups from all walks of the political spectrum, and never have I ever found any group as disturbing as Fred Phelps and his Phelpslings.
In case you don't know who this guy is, he is the loon who came out with the "godhatesfags.com" web-site. A site that celebrates the murders of gay youth.
Mostly everyone from all political views, even those who have issues with gay rights, denounce his cruel and sadistic approach to gay hate.
He would even go as far as to picket and wave his cruel signs at the grieving families during the funerals of their lost children.

And now, as of late, as if THAT display of disgrace to the human race wasn't bad enough, Phelps and his followers, who are all just his family (the Phelpslings)have taken to attacking our soldiers who are being killed and wounded in Iraq by picketing their funerals and outside military hospitals where there are wounded soldiers.
On April 28, 2006, they were picketing outside the Navel Hospital in Bethesda MD next to NIH.
Here are the images of that event. And may I warn you, these are some of the cruelest picket signs I have ever photographed.

Okay, just to rest everyone's mind, there was some very strong opposition, as this guy from Protest Warrior http://www.protestwarrior.com/

But, the main organizers of the opposition were the conservative based grassroots group called Free Republic (Freepers) www.freerepublic.com

And, to make the whole day complete to honour the wounded...in rolled the thunder... www.rollingthundermotorcylerally.com

And in the mist of all of this, was the DC Avon Walk for Breast Cancer walk.avonfoundation.org
Many of these walkers, even some who told me they were "anti-war", high fived those defending the troops, as everyone honours the soldiers, no matter how they feel about the war, and NOBODY supports Phelps.

And may I add a thank you to the Montgomery County PD who treated everyone fairly and showed both a fair and friendly approach as well as top notch security.

Tell next time!

PEACE OUT!!

Isis

Si Se Puede 1

2006-04-12T04:49:00.000-05:00

Si Se Puede 2

2006-04-12T04:16:00.000-05:00

Si Se Puede 3

2006-04-12T03:42:00.000-05:00

Part 2 of the April 20 Protest

2006-03-28T21:56:00.000-05:00

Sorry this took this long, but I had some up loading issues with Blogger here.

Most of these shots are of the arrests at the Pentagon for when people hopped over or crawled under the gates of the 5 sided fortress.

The 3rd Year Anniversary of War Continues

2006-03-22T22:36:00.000-05:00

Monday March 20, the first day of spring, the protest against the war in Iraq continues as on a Mondday midmorning about 200 people gathered near to the Lincoln Memorial to march to the Pentagon to try to deliver a message to Donald Rumsfeld how they want out of Iraq and the war to be over.Well, what ended up happening is they got to the Pentagon gates and about 20 people jump over and got arrested.

The photos for this are in 2 parts and I have chosen to post them out of order.

Three Years of War

2006-03-21T20:58:00.000-05:00

This past weekend marked our third year in Iraq. All over the world there were protests against this action. Here in DC, on March 18, 2006 there was a rally and march from Vice President's Cheney's house to Dupont Circle.

A Voice to Speak Out Against the Evictions of the Katrina Victims Part 2

2006-03-17T19:38:00.000-05:00

Now, this is part 2, so it might be a wise idea to scroll down to part 1 to see the whole story.
Basically, this was the March 14th, 2006 march part of the march/rally to bring awareness of the 8,000 families who started to be evicted from their homes the next day on Wednesday March 15th, 2006.

Yes, the roller coaster of moving these families who were already wiped out and broken continues. And this time with very little to no news coverage.

The beautiful part was watching people join the march off the steet as it proceded from The Capitol to the White House. Tourists, DC residents, and various other random caring folks joined in unity and I watch and photographed this event more than double in size.

A Voice to Speak Out Against the Evictions of the Katrina Victims Part 1

2006-03-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

This past Wednesday, March 15, 2006, about 8,000 families who are Katrina survivors were being evicted from their temporary homes starting at 12 pm that day.

The day before these evictions, Tuesday, March 14, 2006, there was a march/rally in Washington DC from the Capitol to the White House with hopes to being awarenes to what is happening to the people of this nation.

Here are some of the images of that event, which was not huge, but still quite passionate.

And, of course, all completely ignored by the mainstream media, but the public must know what is really going on.

Shaking it up at the Gridiron

2006-03-13T13:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday night March 11, 2006 was the annual Gridiron Dinner. For those outside the buckle of the beltway loop, this is a yearly event where big hot shot politicians, including the president and the power house media all dine and yuck it up over bad jokes and over priced salad greens.

Yet, outside the event and across the street of the Capitol Hilton, there was a very different crowd...

A crowd not hapy with any of the politicians or media inside the event, no matter what party or what publication.

It was a small, but fiesty protest, who had a few words with the police, the Secret Service and some of the invited guests.

One of my heros on the scene was Kevin Zeese

http://www.kevinzeese.com/

http://www.csdp.org/kz/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Zeese

Yet, everyone had a voice and everyone counted!

Flag from http://truth-now.com

Counter protest to the protest from http://www.protestwarrior.com/

One of my dear buddies from www.yellowcakewalk.net

And then the black cars started to arrive
They lined up and blocked the front of the hotel
And then came the guys with the ear pieces
And the cops got a little fiesty

And then "YOU KNOW WHO" arrived

And the people still spoke their voice

Peace OUT!

Isis

The Anti-AIPAC Protest

2006-03-06T22:58:00.000-05:00

Tonight, March 6, 2006 was the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) annual dinner. At the Washington Convention Centre several hundred Israeli supporters and lobbiest gathered together with top shelf politicians to gala and smooze for continued Israeli support against it's enemies in the Middle East.

Yet, outside the convention, gather about 30 people who were quite against what was happening across the street. One of the groups most vocal was DAWN (DC ANTI WAR NETWORK)

Carol Moore of DAWN

Others from DAWN

And, yet, there was another very interesting, unusual and quite vocal group there. They call themselves the "Neturei Karta" The International Jews Against Zionism.

According to their web-site http://www.nkusa.org "Neturei-Karta is the Aramaic term for "Guardians of the City"."
"The name was given to a group of Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem who refused (and still refuse) to recognize the existence or authority of the so-called "State of Israel" and made (and still make) a point of publicly demonstrating their position, the position of the Torah and authentic unadulterated Judaism."
"The group was founded in Jerusalem, Palestine in 1938, splitting off from Agudas Yisroel. Agudas Yisroel was established in 1912 for the purpose of fighting Zionism. Gradually lured by money and honor they sold out to the "Golden-Calf" (see Exodus, XXXII) of Zionism. Those who wanted to maintain their faith and continue the struggle against Zionism, dissociated themselves from Agudas Yisroel and associated parties."

Interesting, the folks going to the dinner seemed to get more upset at these Orthodox radicals far more than the other protesters there.

Over all, I think most of the guests from out of town were a little shaken by all the protesters.

But, for the rest of us jaded souls, it was just another night of grassroots activism here in Capt City.

Peace Out

Isis

Sun, Surf and Swastikas, Nazis in Orlando Part 3

2006-02-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

Sun, Surf and Swastikas, Nazis in Orlando Part 2

2006-02-27T17:13:00.000-05:00

Sun, Surf and Swastikas...Nazis in Orlando...

2006-02-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

Mr. White Goes to Washington

2006-02-08T18:48:00.000-05:00

It was like a strange dream, where everything starts off sort of in reality and then it takes a turn for the weird.

It started off as a Minuteman rally, the anti-"illegal"-immigrant groups based out of CA. Jim Glichrist, one of the founders of the movement was there to lead things off

As well as other "pro-border protection" speakers.

There were about 60-70 supportive activist donned in their red whites and blues in very spirited voice for this growing movement of isolationism.

And, of course, like every political rally there will be the counter demonstrators.
In this case, those protesting against the Minutemen believe that it is racism and this sort of trend will lead to a divition in American society.

Everything was going pretty much like a normal day for a poltical rally.

Then all of a sudden, off in the distance, like the shark from "Jaws"...

Here comes Bill White, spokesman for the National Socialist Movement....

The first thing Bill did was to steal all the media, and from at that time, it was Gilchrist who was at the Minuteman podium, but the media then flooded Bill like moths to a lightbulb....

Bill claimed to be there to oppose the rally. Much of what he said was the Minutemen movement is a form of "white racialism" and that their allience to any of the poltical parties are not going to get them anywhere.

(more to come)

Isis Supports Free Speech

2006-02-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

I don't agree with this image, but I do believe that people have right to express themselves.

To murder innocents and threaten terror over a drawing is idiotic and proves that religion is for morons.

A Good Bye too Jack Herrity

2006-02-04T17:29:00.000-05:00

(photo by Isis, click to make large)

The first time I met Jack was about 3 years ago. A friend of mine invited me along when he was going to meet Jack for lunch. I was still pretty green in the world of politics, but had some local county political experience under my belt.

The one thing I had learned from the begining is that it is a very hard field for women to be taken seriously in.

When my friend and I sat down with Jack, he was looking for my friend's endorsment for an office he was running for and to ask his opinion on a few people he had lined up to be his campaign manager.

Jack, right away, not only took much effort to include me in the conversation, but also asked and listened to my amatur input as he rattled off his list of people and concerns.

Several years back, Jack had a heart transplant. His new heart came from a woman, and Jack was so proud of this, his famous line was: "I have the heart of a woman".

As sweet as all this sounds, Jack was not always known as a "sweet" person.
During his funeral today one person had mentioned one of his lines in response to a person who was against the growth and develpoment in road work he was supporting "I will shove my 4 lanes up your 2 lanes"

Jack was the former Fairfax VA chairman for th board of supervisers. In his time, he worked together with such major developers as Till Hazel and others to build up Fairfax county to be one of the most weathly desirable counties to live in the United States.

Yet, has he rose, he fell, and these past few years were rough on Jack has he worked tirelessly to make his come back to hold an elected office.

Jack never lost his dignity. The last event I saw him at, he asked me to sit at his table, adding the kind remark "I always ask the prettiest ladies to sit at my table".

Even though Jack was from the Republican party, he still saw education and health care for all a priority, and often pulled strings for unpopular heathcare programs for children amongst his fellow Republicans.

Jack often met with opposition from all sides, but he never had trouble telling any of them where to go if they didn't like his views.

Today, in the church his son had commented that usually when there is some as unique as Jack, they believe the mold was broken after he was made. But, his son did not believe this about his dad, because he continued "when they made my dad there was no mold, my dad was made from scratch".

Normally I would say "rest in peace, Jack", but I know he would hate that, so I will say, "give'm hell in your place in heaven, Jack".

Facing Racism with Honour

2006-01-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

On Thursday evening January 27, 2006 a very interesting human being, Daryl Davis graced the Cole Hall auditorium at the Bridgewater College.

Daryl Davis is a wonderful musicain, but this is not his only claim to fame, Daryl is a black man who faces the KKK to try to solve the issue of racism.

Many attended the lecture, mostly students who were very supportive of Mr. Davis, yet there was one person, Mr. William White of Roanoke, the Communiations Director and Media Coordinator as well as one of the chief officers of the NSM who did not seem to agree with Mr. Davis's multi cultural ambitions.

But, dispite Mr. White's nay saying, I think he might agree with me on one thing, and that is Mr.Davis style and approach far exceeds in both diplomacy and decentcy when it comes to activism in challanging racism than others who are trying to do the same, but in more hostile ways.

Mr. Davis doesn't attack people, he doesn't harass their homes and families, he doesn't throw rocks and participate in riots, he doesn't try to grab for fame and glory by pawning off cruel tabloid style rants and call it activism.

Mr.Davis is a gentleman and a musician, he has found that he has met and touched people through his music, and a handful of these people are members of the KKK.

It seems that through his music perfomances in the MD area, he picked up many fans, some who were memebers of the KKK.
Mr.Davis, instead of shunning or confronting them, befriended them.
He built relationships and then reached out to them.
He then had his "white" secretary call other KKK officials and arrange meetings with them.
These meetings were based in honour and respect, as his quest was not to put them down, but to try to understand where they were coming from for they could help him and he could help them and together they could bridge the gap between those who disagree with others based in racial backrounds.
(Mr.Davis holds a shirt once worn by a young girl who is now against racism)

Mr.Davis does indeed have a charismatic style. He works very well with the media shows such as the interesting clips he showed of himself on Heraldo and CNN.
His piano playing was fantastic as he banged out a whole lotta shaken goin on for us.

Today, Mr.Davis has much to show for himself. He has a book that he has written about his experiences called: "Klan-Destine Relationships", and he is still performing and recording great music.

You can read up more about him on WWW.DarylDavis.com

Kingston NY November 19, 2005

2006-01-20T17:15:00.000-05:00

Kingston NY was sort of a small sleepy upstate town until an incident where one kid beat up another kid very badly. One very big and strong African American kid injured a much smaller white kid, leaving him with some possible permanent injuries.

The big question and public fuss was whether it was a hate crime?

New Jersey racial oriented radio host "Hal Turner" organized a rally claiming the white kid "Robby Hendricks" as a cause to defend white kids everywhere.

Others viewed Turner's rally as an excuse to publically express racism.
At any rate, here are some photos which I am posting without comment.

You as the public can draw your own conclusions without my opinions.

(no, the above photo was NOT photo-shopped)

There are a lot more photos, so I might do a "Part 2 Kingston", stay tuned......

Virginia Welcomes Tim Kaine

2006-01-15T23:55:00.000-05:00

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The new Governor of Virginia Tim Kaine

On a very raining Saturday afternoon, thousands of people huddled in bleachers to watch the swearing in of Virginia's three top elected state officials.

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But, why was this swearing in different than other Virginia swearing ins?
They are usually done in the Virginia capitol building in Richmond, but, the Capitol buildng is under construction, so this year the inaugural ceramonies took place in the original Virginia capital in Williamsburg Virginia.

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First official to recieve applause was departing Governor and a possible 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Mark Warner.
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Also being sworn in on Saturday was the new Lt. Governor Bill Bolling
(click to enlargen) Lt. Governor Bill Bolling shakes hands with supporter during his post ceramony party at the Williamsburg Inn.

Also, the new Attorney General Robert McDonnell
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War Crimes Over Alito

2006-01-10T23:24:00.000-05:00

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It was the second day of the Alito hearings and the activist action on the streets were at a pathetic low.

Yes, as the news has been reporting, nobody seems to care about our Supreme Court or who is being placed on it to vote on issues that will probably effect the rest of our lives.

Yet, at 1600 Penn Ave there was a bit of noise.

No, not by the guy who only sometimes resides there when he isn't digging in the Texas dirt, but a group of activists and lawyers who have a bit of an issue with him.

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To get an idea of what the action is based in, I think it is best to check out this web address.

http://www.bushcommission.org/Bush_Crime_Jan10.doc

This is a very passionate and organized group made up of a number of groups who showed great determination in getting both their message across and to deliver:

"An unprecedented series of indictments alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity, in five separate areas, on moral, political, and legal grounds, will be delivered by a citizens’ tribunal to President Bush at the front gate of the White House"
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The key note speaker of todays event was former CIA analyst Mr. Ray McGovern

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Mr.McGovern delivered a very moving and inspiring speech on the compassion for humanity. How McGovern and others who are supporting him and this action would like to see legal action taken against President Bush and others who have been working along side him.

After the speeches, there was a small march of a few steps from the center of Penn Ave to the gates of the White House.

There McGovern and friends very politely asked the White House guards to deliver the "indictments" to President Bush.

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And, yes, the guard refused to accept the documents, but I think we all kne they would.

But, it was still a very moving bit of grassroots activism, esp for a Tuesday afternoon. And it was a much bigger show than those who didn't turn out to support or oppose Alito.

The indictments were delivered to the White House by:
Retired CIA analyst Ray McGovern, authors William Blum and Larry Everest, Code Pink, Mike Hersh (Progressive Democrats of America/After Downing Street), Kevin Zeese (Director, Democracy Rising; candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland), Travis Morales (World Can’t Wait--Drive Out the Bush Regime) and others.

And:

The commission was organized by the Not in Our Name Statement of Conscience and is endorsed by: Center for Constitutional Rights, National Lawyers Guild, After Downing Street.org and others, including Former Sen. James Abourezk, former British MP Tony Benn, authors Gore Vidal and Howard Zinn, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and actor Edward Asner.

Charter, full indictments, standards for judgment, and audio and video coverage of the first session: http://www.bushcommission.org

Day # 1 Of The Alito Hearings!

2006-01-09T14:03:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day to start the hearings for the Supreme Court opening being left vacant by Justice Sandra Day Oconner.

Samuel Alito, President Bush's choice to nominate for this spot at 11 this am was lead into the Dickson Building on Capital Hill to start the proceedings.

Meanwhile, on the steps of the Supreme Court and all around "The Hill" were the grassroots activists who were there to either support or oppose the Alito nomination.

One group who was there in strong opposition is a group that I have personally watched grow from it's baby stages in life and is making a tremendous presence on the poltical scene where ever it is and that is the group The World Can't Wait (www.theworldcantwait.org).
They even had a presence at the last event in Arlington at the town hall meeting I shot.
Today, there were WCW women dressed up in bloodied white shirts to demonstrate the perils of times of illegal abortions.

Now, as passionate as the opposition was, the pro-Alito crowd did turn out some very impressive numbers. There was a fairly large crowd of Catholic Home Schooled teens who are going to be spending the week here in DC, as part of their home learning based civics program. All were dressed in red Alito tee-shirts, with the letter A+, chanting for Altio as he dashed from car to building.

Well, then everyone went to the hearings, which I find to be the boring part.

Yet, as she once wrote: "Tomorrow is another day" and tomorrow will bring out more people in protest as there is a human rights rally/press conference against Alito tomorrow at 1:30pm at the gates of the White House.

Till then, harmony, love and happiness!

Peace OUT!

Isis

Town Hall Chaos with Congressmen Murtha and Moran

2006-01-06T01:14:00.000-05:00

January 5th 2006 Arlington Virginia scheduled from 6:30-9:00pm was a town hall meeting at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in the Ballston area of Arlington with Congressmen Jim Moran and Jack Murtha to discuss their theory of deployment out of Iraq. I believe an estimate of over 600 people showed up, and by the time I got there, right at 6:30pm, the Arlington Fire Marshall had declared a holt to any more entries into the meeting.

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Yet, it wasn't as if there wasn't any entertainment outside the building as it was a small yet fiesty grassroots fest with the pro-war group "Free Republic" was on one side....

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And a handful of anti-war groups such as "The World Can't Wait"

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And "A.N.S.W.E.R."

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...on the other side.

There was no way the cops were going to let me in...

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....no matter how much I begged and pleaded.

So, I got together with these three really nice people, 2 whom were Iranian and the other a civil rights attorney with a practice in DC and we found a nice place to sit and have a few beers and coffee with a bite and dicussed our views on the war, the nation, the problems in politics and how we were going to save the world! *grin*

About an hour later, it was almost the end of the meeting I headed back to the building with hopes to be able to get in for at least a few shots. And much to my pleasure, it was open, but, much to my displeasure, I missed Congressman Murtha.

Now, I do actually like Congressman Moran, but, I also have lots of shots of him already.

Yet, there he was, at the head of the room, trying to balance the all the various views and concerns over the war and other international strifes.

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As I clicked away at the last few minutes of the meeting, one voice at the mike stood out very clearly and that was from poltical activist Peter Rush from Leesburg Virginia, who was from the Progressive Democrats of America.

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Rush's big issue was the situation in Israel and his views on how the Isreali policy still further addressing while refering to a statment that Moran had said a few years back about how American Jewish Leaders don't take enough of a stand against Israeli policy(a remark that caused Moran a bit of trouble in his district).

Moran answered with stating his concern for Sharon's health and giving him credit for the West Bank withdrawl.

Over all, it was a fun night. I didn't get in when I wanted, but I met some very nice people, did get a few decent shots to share (still working on getting the flash right) and as crazy as it was, it still might be the calm before the storm called "Alito" that begins this coming Monday.

Till then, harmony, love and happiness!

Peace OUT!

Isis

Is Kaine Able?

2006-01-03T22:57:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes, local town hall meetings can be interesting!

Okay, who are we friggen kidding, they are like watching paint dry.

Yet, hundreds of concerned and probably bored Northern Virginians came out to the George Mason High school in Falls Church to bitch, whine and complain in the last of Virginia's new Govenor elect Tim Kaine's tent revivals in transportation anxieties.

When I arrived at the high school, there were no handouts outlineing solutions, (hmmmmm?), but I did get a little slip of paper with this email address: Transportation@govelect.virginia.gov if I had any "further comments and questions".

So, there wasn't even a web-site?

Now, this might seem like petty gossip, well, maybe it is, but for anyone who has ever tried to drive anywhere in Northern VA at certain hours, you can understand the frustration of those who face the hours of parking lot speed we all face between the hours of 6am-11am and then again from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.

Will the new Gov. solve all these issues with the town hall meetings he has been having all over the NOVA region?

Or are these meetins just Tim Kaine "coming out parties" and a chance for the voiceless to hold a mike for a few minutes and vent?

Taking a Boobie Break

2006-01-02T16:53:00.000-05:00

The Renaissance Festival is a once a year treat for many areas of not only this country, but in various parts of the world. For a few bucks you can go all dressed up into a faery land and chow on turkey legs and drink beer in donned in your historic fantasy.

One of the most fun of the days visuals is the ladies with cleavage.

So, as to take a break from politics and Nazis, I thought I would share some of the best of the boobie shots from my past festival experience.

Enjoy!

And don't forget you can click on photos to see them full size *wink*

The Best of 2005 Photos in Review Part 1

2005-12-29T20:45:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from a 3 part series that I think are the most interesting shots of this year.

Please enjoy them!

A 2005 Year in Review: The Roberts Hearings and What the Media Didn't Show You

2005-12-26T11:58:00.000-05:00

The Roberts hearings were blinded by Katrina. So while a Supreme court judge was being nominated to influence our laws for the next 30 years, the "News" was obsessed with weather reports.

Here are some images of pro and anti Roberts activists who were on The Hill while nobody watched.

WHO'S WHO INSIDE THE BELTWAY? CAN YOU GUESS?

2005-12-21T16:29:00.000-05:00

The Washington DC power base is an interesting dymanic. It is a cell in it's self incircled in a paved out shell we call the Washington Beltway.

Here are a handful of some of the more active faces who spend much time climbing The Hill and hoping never to come tumbling down.

Can you test your who's who skills and guess everyone on this post?

And as a bonus question, can you guess who is shown twice?

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4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Good luck! If you can get more than half, you are probably doing pretty darn good!

Pride at the Capitol

2005-12-19T19:12:00.000-05:00

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Every year in June it is the festival of Gay Pride in Washington DC. From the stand point of photography, it is a festival of colour, human emotion, sexuality, much glamour and theatrics.

This is the second event I photographed, and had a ball doing it!

In the Begining There Was Thunder

2005-12-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

On May 30, 2005 I took a bunch of cash I saved up for a year and bought a camera.
The first even I photographed Rolling Thunder, it was like walking onto a photographer's dream.

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But, there is more to Rolling thunder than chrome and exhaust, it was a large group of people uniting once a year for blood, sweat and tears.

This was my first try at picture taking, please enjoy them as much as I had shooting them.

(Agent Orange Quilt)

Last of the Nazi Photos of Toledo 2.

2005-12-18T01:25:00.000-05:00

I have just a few more pictures I would like to share with everyone of the Decemeber 10, 2005 National Socialist Movement rally in Toledo.

I am putting together a sort of "year in photos" of all the grassroots groups I have covered, even though I have not been taking photos for a year yet.

But, I have thousands of photos to mull over, so it might take a day or two to get started.

But, until then, you can take a look at the rest of the NSM shots I took from this past Toledo rally.

Nazis Nazis Nazis

2005-12-14T16:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, twas a Nazi appearance repeat. On a very cold Decemeber day, December 10 2005 to be exact. While most of America was shopping for holidays, watching ball games and playing in the snow, the National Socialist Movement chose a cold day in hell to don their tan shirts and red arm bands to express their need to save the white race.

This time the event was attended by NSM Chairman Harrington (below)

More familour NSM member to Toledo and who has attracted much attention from the Toledo city government, local journalists, anti-racist activists was Mr. Bill White from Roanoke Virginia.

It seems that as of late, Mr. White has moved up quite quickly in the NSM ranks and has now a higher title of Organization Spokesman and Director of Media Communications.

Mr. White even came to Toledo a little early to try to challenge the imposed restraining order the city served on the public in a hearing the day before.He actually gave it a good try, and I would like to believe for those small minute in space and time of a few hours of a moment, Bill White was speaking up for the "little guy" of all backrounds and beliefs.
(Well, maybe not, but let me live with with my unicorns and rainbows fantasy and don't tell me otherwise!)

Another NSM face from October was Mark Martin who had taken a much quieter and less vocal role than he had in October.

One rumour is that he had stated things to the Toledo police dept giving them the impression that there might have been a NSM march through the North Toledo Neighbourhood they challeged just a few months back which ended in a violent riot, and the city wanted to avoid.

(Mark Martin)

I wish I could give you a better report of what was being stated from the podium.

I am afraid my ADD has me more of a creative freak who is not very good with focus for the details of rhetoric.

Besides, between the freezing cold, dodging the cops and a muffled PA sound sytem, I had my CD headset on, turned up "Beck" and just bopped around looking for the good shots.

There was another White Nationalist group there called the "The Creativity Movement".
I am not sure what they are, but they seemed very young and very intense.

And there was also a very special visit from New Jersey radio host Hal Turner, whose speech I missed as I had left because of frozen fingers and I could not work my camera anymore.

Causes, Cameras, Cops and Cuffs

2005-12-14T09:46:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, December 10, 2005 in Toledo Ohio several people were arrested. The two types of target were Journalists and those counter demonstrating a Neo-Nazi rally at the Government Center in the down town section of the city.

The local paper "The Toledo Blade" gives a fairly good detail of yesterday's day in court for those were cuffed and dragged off of the rally area for whatever "charge" or reason.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/NEWS03/512130349

If you read the Blade's article, you can see the once again "kids from the car" who I have refered to in in my other posts, as this was one of the shots I myself almost got arrested taking.

And lest we forget the supression of the media, as I post once again photojournalist Jeffery Willis and the other unidentified photographer who were cuffed and take off before the Nazis group even showed up.

Jeffery Willis

Photographer under arrest, (name unknown)

Others who were arrested were anti-racist-activists. Some who have claimed to have been roughed up pretty badly.

I hope everything works out okay for those were arrested and who should not have been.
I have heard many disturbing rumours about what went down behind the scenes in Toledo and it very well could be the start of a very dangerous trend in LE around the nation.

Toledo Cops!

2005-12-13T16:44:00.000-05:00

Now, on Dec 10, 2005 in Toledo law enforcement policy was not at it's finest civil liberty moments.

Many LE officers who had "power issues" to begin with, were able to main-line their authority to do as they pleased, no questions asked.

Thus, on Decemeber 10, 2005, the people of Toledo got a 24 hour taste of life would be like under martial law.

There were, however, the majority of Toledo P.D. who were there to do the job of "protect and serve", and I honestly believe there are more good people on that force that far out weigh the few higher ups who have displayed some poor actions.

The photos I am showing on this post are a combo of both, they are the ones I have chosen for both artistic content as well as showing you, the blog reader a good idea of the situation.

This was the car that the kids from the previous post got thrown out of. The one brunette cop seemed to be a bit over board, but was at least rather calm.
The silver headed cop was a bit of screaming nutter.
I heard one story that he was in a coma and had suffered some substantial brain damage.
Now, I can feel his pride to survive such an ordeal, but why would any police force on the face of this earth give someone who is obviously this mentally impaired and unstable, not only LE authority, but a GUN to boot?

Now, this was the security check point to get into the media cage.
It had all the fun and frollick of being at the airport.
I had so much metal stuff and camera equiptment on me I just stripped down to my street clothes and shivered through the metal detector.
While doing this, I announced to the cops there that if any more clothes were to come off, I would like to see them cough up some dollar bills.
They all laughed, and yet, none of them even seemed in the least bit interested. *frown*!

These are the infamous "mounties" who would parade between the barricades and the people.
If one wasn't quick enough to get out of the way of these "horsemen of the apocalypse" it meant arrest, cuffs and 3 hots and a cot.

The rest of the photos I am posting are the brave foot soldiers, most who actually have a soul.
The many who really did try to keep a humane conscience on the whole event.
To all out there who worked your Saturday in the cold, while your families were hoping and praying for your safe return, these next posts are for you.

Scenes of a Counter Demonstration

2005-12-13T08:28:00.000-05:00

On Decemeber 10, 2005 in Toledo Ohio, the National Socialist Movement rallied in a permited area. Here are a few pictures of those who were standing in opposition to the Nazi ideals.

This is a small group of anti-racists who were thrown out of their friend's car by the Toledo police and were standing by the side of the road while their friends got arrested (Their friends will be shown in another posting)I, myself almost got arrested taking this picture.

Blessed are the peace makers.
The folks from the "Peace Team" were our guardian angeles. They helped us keep our heads, helped calm some of the over zealous cops down, and often tapped me on my shoulder to warn me when I cop was about to push me out fo the way, as I was eye in the camera and not always aware of what was behind me.

I am not sure who this nice guy is, or what his organization is, but I love the picture!

Now, I have even less of a clue about this picture, but I find it a very cool shot!

I think this person states their opinion pretty clearly.

I hope you enjoy these pictures, there are more coming as this will be a nice slow drizzle out.

Please feel free to use them on your blogs and web-sites. I just ask you that you don't photoshop an mess with them without asking my persission first.

Thanks!

Isis

Freedom of the Press My Spicey Arse!

2005-12-12T19:50:00.000-05:00

(All Photos By Isis)

Photojournalist Jeffery Willis of Toledo was arrested Saturday Dec 10th, 2005 for trying to do his job of taking photos of a Nazi rally on the public square of the Toledo City's Government Center.

As was this photographer (photo to the right) name unknown.

Both were arrested within the first hour of the rally, even before the Nazis decided to show up, as they were an hour and a half late.

Earlier that day, I myself was threatened with arrest for taking a street shot of a small anti-racist group of kids who were being detained and their forms of identification were being confiscated by the Toledo police.

Thus, it was not a very good day to be a journalist or a photographer trying to get the stories and images of a group of 30 some odd uniformed Nazis who had come into this small, yet edgey mid-western town to express their views on life to the public or those who wanted to protest in opposition.

Yet, there was one photo-journalist from my own home town of Arlington, VA, who had no troubles at all with dodging police, mounties, and slipping on horse manure in the caged areas limited to the press and the public, and that was Getty Images photographer David Holloway.

David was snugged in very secure in the area that was set up for the Nazis themselves on the steps of the Government Center.

And why? Well, the answer to that is very simple, David Holloway himself is a "White Nationalist" activist for a group called "White Revolution".

(David is the bloke in the brown cap w/camera)

Now, I personally don't have anything against Mr. Holloway, I am sure he is a nice enough person and his work is really quite good.

I also understand that being that because HE IS a "White Nationalist" and a "Nazi Supporter" it would give him the rights to have the "back stage pass".

But, it weighs in very unfairly that while Holloway clicked his shutter away, protected by affiliation and membership with the White Nationalists, other more objective and "racialist detached" members of the press were harassed, arrested, shoved around by cops on horses and basically blocked from properly recording the event for the general public.

I do not agree with the Nazis, their ideals, their reasons to believe what they believe.

But, I do support their rights to freedom of speech.

Along with the freedom of speech is freedom of the press and the freedom of protest.

And unfortunatly, in Toledo on Dec 10, 2005, let the record stand that these latter rights were in severe violation by the Toledo city officials.

May we all learn one day that it is not always worth giving in to fears with the imposition of a martial law band-aid, for the violation of our civil liberties causes more damage to a society than the burning of a local bar ever could.