Demonstrations, both political and otherwise

[ravencallscrows]

Today, the world spoke out against the US government's plans to go to war in Iraq. Large crowds were reported around the world. I've seen estimates of a million marchers in Rome, three-quarters of a million in London, half a million or more in Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin, a hundred thousand in Paris, seventy thousand in Amsterdam, even fifteen thousand in Prague and two thousand in Kiev (no reports on St. Petersburg or Moscow). In the States, estimates vary wildly- i've seen ranges from a low of 100,000 to a high of 500,000 for the New York demonstration. Reported numbers for the Seattle demonstration range from a low of 8,000 to a high of 50,000 on an overcast day in the Emerald City, occasionally spotted with rain showers.

Alexander and i had the opportunity to participate in the march, along with greenshadows and his neighbours A. and M. I felt the need to dress for the protest, and made the march in Red Army parade uniform (pictured below after the march, courtesy of greenshadows):
.

I'm amazed at the comprehension alexander has of the event and its purpose- he and i talked after we got home and he told me that "the people didn't think that there should be war in Iraq," that "President Bush should listen to people who don't want people to go to war and get killed, because no one has to die," and that "we shouldn't need to go to other countries to hurt even bad people for oil." A little simplistic, perhaps, but all in all, a pretty phenomenal grasp of the general opinion coming from a little kid who isn't even five years old.

Then the other sort of demonstration- a little more personal and affectionate. We spent several hours on the phone with hottoastermama this evening (and into the wee hours of the morning there). She's a sweetie, and deserves a much more peaceful domestic situation than she has presently. We may just not let her go home after she comes to visit.

Comments

[grace-batmonkey.livejournal.com]

That has to be one of the best uses of that uniform I've ever seen, and a fabulous photograph.
Also: What a perceptive little person you guys have.

[hottoastermama.livejournal.com]

*LOVE*

Feeling rather ignorant

[hottoastermama.livejournal.com]

What is the Red Army?
*Scratches head, stumped for once (or twice...) in my life*

[oponn.livejournal.com]

It is sad to know that our government does not listen to its' people, that Prince Bush is drudging up daddy's war once again. Our own government playing on our fears to submit to a war that no one wants. I would hope to think that the human race has gone beyond this need to fight, but alas, I know that it is not true. It is a sad time in the world.

That is a great picture. Take care

Re: Feeling rather ignorant

[inanna.livejournal.com]

The "Red Army" is the nickname for the Russian Army, back in the cold war days. This is a Russian miliary outfit.... wingedelf will have to tell you which branch and rank, though.. i forget.

Re: Feeling rather ignorant

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Soviet-era Russian military. The one pictured above is as would be worn by a lieutenant-colonel (English equivalent rank- the Russian is Podpolkovnik) in communications troops, which wouldn't be an uncommon billet for a university graduate who speaks a handful of languages (even if the majority of mine are corroded almost to the point of unusability).

[deliciouspear.livejournal.com]

I wish we'd seen you!

Bea, Sika, Pearl and I were bitching that we saw no other seagoth folk.

I mean sure there were 20,000 people, but stiiiiiiiiillllllll!

~Squee

[wilson-lizard.livejournal.com]

He is such a perceptive child! And so sweet too. :)

Hey.. I have a totally unrelated question maybe you can answer..? Are you familiar with the word "Allons"? I'm trying to get a grasp on what it means.. seems to refer to Bohemians a lot.. Anyway.. I thought you might know something. :)

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen it used in English, but would guess from your commentary on how it's used that it's perhaps the French first person imperative form of the verb "to go"— "Let's go!" applied as a name. It'd seem to be appropriate for Gypsy types and others with no particular roots.

[wilson-lizard.livejournal.com]

Thanks! ...I'm sure it is a French word. But I wondered if it might have had Slavic roots before then. Or even Mongolian...

Babblefish translated it as "let us pave".. hehe.. probably means something more like "let's hit the road".. :)

[gwynn-aaron.livejournal.com]

Very nice picture.

I wish Lauren and I could have been a part of something like you were, but if there was anything going on in Cleveland it received zero publicity and we never heard of it. We'll just have to see how things develop in the future. For now we'll just have to content ourselves with stickers and lawn/window signs.

[hottoastermama.livejournal.com]

I took a nap today with Jonah and had a dream about this picture. You invade my thoughts even while I sleep!

Re:

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Russians have, since 1965, had a history of invading fertile Czech territory....
*leer*

Wha? Protest march?

[(Anonymous)]

What are you, one of those lily-livered commies we heard about in the 80's?

Oh wait. Yes. Yes you are. My bad.



And Shannahan got a Hat Trick tonight. Woo-woo!

Re: Wha? Protest march?

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Yup, and Igor Larionov has been one of my heroes for ages. Datsyuk looked pretty sharp in the game as well from what i heard.

'Bout time the Wings started playing well.