seattle indymedia center

From my terrible spot during the Seattle Center part of the rally, I guestimated 5,000-8,000 people. Anyone who had a better view have a better estimate of the crowd?
-klek

I'd say your first figure is about right.Thank's for putting these up.Did anyone hear the last speaker at the rally [ military family's]I beleive.Denounceing demonstration's.Kinda odd.

 http://gallery.pig-monkey.com/m19_05

I estimated about 7000 people - great energy, solidarity, creativity

Loved the drumming, singing, creativity, spirit and camaraderie in the rain - in the face of the madness we are up against.

There was a young black man who delivered a fantastic rhyme talking on many of BushCo's problematical positions and actions... Anyone recall his name? I'd like to find him again, and find more of his stuff. He was good.

As a liberal democrat, I was opposed to the war in Iraq when it was first proposed.

But now, with the newly elected Iraqi government just getting on its feet, I can't in good conscience support a withdrawal of our troops. This new democracy needs our support, and the war has created upon us an obligation to the people of Iraq not to abandon them to the perils of a potential civil war.

I believe there is lots of room for criticism of the Bush administration for its decision to go to war and for how it conducts itself in the occupation, but the solution is not to call for an immediate withdrawal, but to consider thoughtful policies that attempt to make the best of the situation we have.

I believe human rights are for everyone, not just for the privileged few living in Europe or the United States. The people of Iraq have the opportunity now to take for themselves what we take for granted, and I believe it is our obligation to support them.

As a liberal democrat, I was opposed to the war in Iraq when it was first proposed.

But now, with the newly elected Iraqi government just getting on its feet, I can't in good conscience support a withdrawal of our troops. This new democracy needs our support, and the war has created upon us an obligation to the people of Iraq not to abandon them to the perils of a potential civil war.

I believe there is lots of room for criticism of the Bush administration for its decision to go to war and for how it conducts itself in the occupation, but the solution is not to call for an immediate withdrawal, but to consider thoughtful policies that attempt to make the best of the situation we have.

I believe human rights are for everyone, not just for the privileged few living in Europe or the United States. The people of Iraq have the opportunity now to take for themselves what we take for granted, and I believe it is our obligation to support them.

But my posts seem to keep vanishing.

I realize that my opinion that we should support the new democracy in Iraq is a dissenting opinion from the majority here who celebrate a march advocating immediate withdrawal, but I thought this was a place where dissenting opinions might be tolerated. Am I wrong?

We should help those people have democracy whether they want it or not. I mean, the very fact that they are willing to die to get rid of us is proof enough that we know better than they do what is best for them. And while we're at it, shouldn't we get back into Afghanistan as well before they break into another civil war?

When you say "they are willing to die to get rid of us" you’re guilty of stereotyping the Iraqis. They are a population of 25 million people and it’s not rational to assume they all think the same way any more than it would make sense to assume all Americans or Europeans do. The actual number of militants who are willing to take up arms against their fellow countrymen are quite small in relation to the population at large.

You may scoff at the idea of Iraqis choosing democracy, but what’s the alternative? Another strong-man like Saddam who will rule through terror? A theocracy like Iran? At this point, if we were to withdraw, the Iraqi government would be formed not by the people of Iraq, but by whoever was able to produce the most weapons and create the most terror. I find it hard to believe you really think that’s in the best interests of the people of Iraq.

Eight million people voted in the Iraqi election. Given the dangers and hardships they faced to do it, I think that’s astonishing. Even more remarkable, a full one third of the Iraqi parliament is women, making the Iraqi government as progressive as any European democracy in that area. They may not all want democracy, but the government they’re building will represent the voice of all who choose to participate, and I don’t know how to do better than that.

You imply I’m being paternalistic in assuming they do want democracy, but what does it say about your attitude towards them in assuming they dont?

When you say "they are willing to die to get rid of us" you’re guilty of stereotyping the Iraqis. They are a population of 25 million people and it’s not rational to assume they all think the same way any more than it would make sense to assume all Americans or Europeans do. The actual number of militants who are willing to take up arms against their fellow countrymen are quite small in relation to the population at large.

You may scoff at the idea of Iraqis choosing democracy, but what’s the alternative? Another strong-man like Saddam who will rule through terror? A theocracy like Iran? At this point, if we were to withdraw, the Iraqi government would be formed not by the people of Iraq, but by whoever was able to produce the most weapons and create the most terror. I find it hard to believe you really think that’s in the best interests of the people of Iraq.

Eight million people voted in the Iraqi election. Given the dangers and hardships they faced to do it, I think that’s astonishing. Even more remarkable, a full one third of the Iraqi parliament is women, making the Iraqi government as progressive as any European democracy in that area. They may not all want democracy, but the government they’re building will represent the voice of all who choose to participate, and I don’t know how to do better than that.

You imply I’m being paternalistic in assuming they do want democracy, but what does it say about your attitude towards them in assuming they don’t?

Great photos, thanks. I do layout for Eat the State! newspaper. Can we get permission to reprint one of these photos, & if so, who should get photo credit? -Lance

Sorry, I thought the contact info I typed in would appear in the post, but it didn't. It's  info@eatthestate.org

My favorite sign was the one that said, "Iraqui people we are sorry! Bush was Right!"

There was a time when the left wanted people to be free. But the times they are a changin'.

Liberal democrat; You are the reason conservatives are ruling the land and the world. The elections were a fraud...the post-election period is a fraud and all liberal democrats who support this war (which is not over by the way and makes your argument that you opposed the war in the first place a puzzling one as IT'S NOT OVER) ARE ALSO frauds!

You really may as well join the republican party...
Now, rant like a nit...