Comments on: Comments on 4391

Post number 4391

snakey — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 09:40:08 -0800

Thousands Protest at U.S. Army School of the Americas -- 1700 arrested Man, that's one place I wouldn't want to be arrested.

By: CRS

CRS — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 09:49:53 -0800

Since when is SecDef Cohen the "acting president of the United States"? Maybe it's some comment on the military control of the government? Sheen is a nut.

By: pnevares

pnevares — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 09:57:26 -0800

I don't think Sheen was talking about Cohen being the "acting president", but rather himself (The West Wing). That's still nutty.

By: snakey

snakey — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 09:58:39 -0800

I wonder if they'll send DEA agents for training at the School of the Americas as part of the $2 Billion Columbian 'aid package.'

By: dhartung

dhartung — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 10:15:01 -0800

It was speech-puffery. He was obviously joking around with the crowd.

By: snakey

snakey — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 13:40:28 -0800

Martin Sheen is a pretty cool dude. He protested at a No Nukes protest in Los Alamos last year. It's nice to see celebrities using their fame for a good cause.

By: Witold

Witold — Tue, 21 Nov 2000 15:09:08 -0800

I could never understand why these organizations are so set on arresting people. It plays into the tactics protestors use: the more of them get arrested, the more press coverage it will get. It was clearly their intent to get arrested. I work for a prominent political organization and no matter how unfriendly the protestors get, (blocking all exits, raiding the building) we will not have them arrested, though we could. The result: even though we had some big crowds protesting, none of it ever made even the local news. Anyway, just a thought...

By: snakey

snakey — Wed, 22 Nov 2000 08:26:13 -0800

This incident didn't get that much attention, what with that election thing that's been going on. From the feds POV, it probably made sense to arrest them, knowing that the media would bury the story anyway. And hey, if you're a cop, it gives you the chance to stomp some ribs up into some nostrils.

By: baylink

baylink — Wed, 22 Nov 2000 18:56:25 -0800

"I have a directive I mean to share with you," Sheen said. "To the secretary of defense: Dear Mr. Cohen, as the acting president of the United States, I want you to declare the School of the Americas closed." Clearly, President Bartlett is referring to himself here, not Secretary Cohen.