July 3, 2008 at 16:22:19

Rep. Virgil Goode Swears He Doesn't Hate Immigrants

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By David Swanson (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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There's an even more revolting manipulation of citizens' attitudes going on right now in Virginia's Fifth District. With Governor George W. Bush scheduled to speak at Monticello on July Fourth, local Republicans, whose attitudes toward immigration have always roughly paralleled those of Goode, and who have never before gone out of their way to promote Monticello's annual immigrant naturalization ceremony as a sacred and monumental event, have shifted gears.

To listen to them now, you'd think there was nothing of more heartfelt importance to them in their lives than honoring newly naturalized citizens. Sure, they're excited about Mr. 23% coming to speak, but their focus is all on the holy undisturbability of the naturalization ceremony (understood to encompass Bush's speech). The point, of course, is to try to shame any protesters of Bush and depict them as protesters of something else. The real shame, though, is how many Democrats obediently bought into that suppression tactic even before it was articulated. How well we've been trained! Local political pundit Larry Sabato told the newspaper that Bush is bravely stepping outside of his usual bubble by speaking in Charlottesville where most people don't like him. Sabato failed to mention that the majority of the tickets to the event had been given away to handpicked supporters.

The only thing I find encouraging is how many of Goode's misrepresented constituents have tried to persuade Monticello to uninvite Bush and how many are insisting on rallying in protest of Bush on the nearest accessible road. A coalition of groups and individuals plans to protest, including RVA4Peace, the Augusta Center for Peace and Justice, CODEPINK Women for Peace both National and Charlottesville, AfterDowningStreet, Democrats.com, and Charlottesville MoveOn.org. Many other people expected to participate are not members of any of these groups. The protest will take place at Route 20, outside and a ways removed from the grounds of Monticello. To join in, meet at 6 a.m. (or come as early as you can - we'll be there for hours) on Friday, July 4, at Quarry Park, the entrance to which is on the west side of Rt. 20 just north of Interstate 64.

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David Swanson is the author of the upcoming book "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union" by Seven Stories Press and of the introduction to "The 35 Articles of Impeachment and the Case for Prosecuting George W. (more...)

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