New Haven Independent

Posted by: Brian | July 6, 2006 10:18 AM

The complete story can be found elsewhere, the term "bat wielding" without clarification is irresponsible reporting. Other news reports clarify that the Marine held the bat in both hands in order to clear a path to the office that was illegally being blocked. the permit for the protest did not allow to obstruct the operations of the office. eyewitnesses confirm that the Marine never swung the bat at anyone or in general, it was used to assist in moving the protesters back to a legal distance.

Posted by: nfjanette | July 6, 2006 12:44 PM

New Havener Craig Berman, who was at both protests, said, “He was trained to act that way. He was trained to intimidate and attack civilians – maybe not here in the United States, but in Iraq. They put these soldiers in horrendous situations where they have no ability to control their anger. They’re told to use this anger, and they’re trained to treat Iraqis like they’re animals, and like they’re dirt.�

Reality check for Mr. Berman calling on line #1: your ignorance of military training is making you sound stupid and paranoid. Trained to treat Iraqis like they're dirt? Are you insane? They can leave Iraqis to treat each other that way - the treatment of different Muslim groups toward each other makes the real, but limited American abuses at the military prisons seem like a trip to Disney World. The conduct of 99.9% of American military personal involved in the Iraq conflict has been of the highest standard and honors this country.

BTW, LSD flashback from 1969 is holding on line #2 for you.

Posted by: MrsK | July 6, 2006 7:07 PM

Actually, wield requires no clarification. Wielding something simply means you are holding or handling it. Did the marine wield a bat? Yes, without question. And using a bat to "clear the way"??? Talk about a positive spin... He used it to intimidate the protesters. Did it work? Well, I would be nervous if I were confronted by an angry man with a bat, how about you?

Posted by: Craig Berman | July 8, 2006 1:54 PM

First of all I would like to point out that any information that is based on the police report (that we were blocking the entrance, that the marine did not use the bat in a threatening way) is patently false. We never blocked any doors to the recruiting station and remained on the edge of the sidewalk by the curb. The marine used the bat in a threatening and aggressive way - he shoved several of us off of the sidewalk into the street and swatted at someone's hands and cell phone (with the photo of the marine) with the bat. He also literally said to one protester "I'm going to kill you." An unprovoked assault definitely occurred. An assault in Connecticut doesn't even require physical contact, but in this case there was. It is also not necessary to get a "permit" for our constitutionally protected right to free speech and assembly. We are concerned that this marine has not been provided adequate care by the military and think he could use some anger management counseling. We do not want to see the marine prosecuted for this crime because we see him as a victim of Bush's wrongly named "war on terror." It really should be called the War OF Terror.

In addition, the idea that the atrocities *being reported* in Iraq are exceptions rather than the norm is naive. The massacres at Ishaqi and Haditha, the torture at Abu Ghraib and the raping of women (http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/haifa_zangana/2006/07/the_personality_disorder_of_th.html) are only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. I have no doubt that there are many honorable people in the military but I know that the government is asking them to do dishonorable work. Over 70% of the men and women in Iraq think the troops should come home. We are simply supporting the troops the best we know how, showing them that we care about their well being and reminding them that they will be supported if they decide to speak out. The predominant opinion in the United States is that the war is wrong and that the troops should be withdrawn and I think it's time that view was expressed LOUDLY.

The latest Poll:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002801550

BTW, I've never done acid. But if you don't think that the government is trying to systematically intimidate the anti-war movement, then read about the recent spying on protesters:

http://pageoneq.com/news/2006/dod_062606.html

Posted by: KLR | July 8, 2006 7:31 PM

NFJANETTE Clearly illustrates knowledge of military training. "The conduct of 99.9% of American military personal involved in the Iraq conflict has been of the highest standard and honors this country." It is not .1% of the military committing war crimes, atrocities and terror of Iraqi and Afghani civilians. To clarify the ideology behind warfare, is getting one group of people to kill another to do this you make the other group to be subhuman, this is simple stuff, any Veteran will tell you this in great detail, how they are taught this straight from basic. The U.S. has created the violence and is to blame for creating ethnic tensions that has cause the civil war. There would be no resistance if there was no occupation. Sounds like your the one who's tripping. Iraq for Iraqis, Troops out NOW!

Posted by: Kristina | July 12, 2006 5:47 PM

First of all,
When a protester says that they are protesting one thing to the media and actually protesting another thing to everyone that was walking on Orange street that day is the problem. If you are protesting the government than why tell a young kid or myself who was just walking to my car, Not to join the service??? Ignorance is what this is to me.
I have a boyfriend who has served in Iraq, and I'm sure he probablly would of been a lot more aggressive than that marine, who you say came out with a bat.
If what these protesters are saying is true that they don't blame the marine for his actions, they blame the government, then Why protest at a recruiting office. That'd be like me saying I dont like the lady in the pink shirt, and protesting outside her mothers house loudly, and obnoxiously for hours at a time.
Apparently the New Haven PD is the only one who understands where I'm coming from with that.
I also agree with the post above, about once again you peoples ignorance. My brother has fought in Afganistan, and he and my fiance fight for YOUR right to protest, and you do NOT need to take your problems with George Bush out on my brother or my boyfriend/fiance..
Again, the word ignorance.. that same boyfriend as mentioned above will be leaving soon to go train Iraqi's on how to build and surrvive within their own government. That's far from treating someone like dirt..
Please do yourself a favor, and quit while your ahead, because many of us passing by did not seeanyone hit or threatened with that baseball bat.

Posted by: Passerby | July 17, 2006 1:27 PM

I agree with all that was said about the ignorance of what was said about military training and so forth. I also agree with the free speech of the protesters, however the whole truth is not being told of the protesters and what they said on that day of the "Bat wielding Marine".
The content would set anyone who served in the military off. As for the two service members Swift and Watada, just because your in the military does not mean that you are protected from everything else in this world such as crime. Now, for Watada no one made you sign the contract to enlist into the military. Being part of the military means that you protect this country no matter what. The decision is not for you to make, for whether you feel this is right or not. That decision is reserved for the President to make not you! I wish you both the best in regards to your military charges, but on the other hand whatever punishment they see fit is okay as well!
Anyone who knows history can tell you that we as the United States have been fighting wars, battles, conflicts and etc.. for as long as history can tell us. So, this too will soon be the history books. Did you think that since you were in the military you had a choice or what? Now that is ignorance!
You say you do not blame the Marine for what he did, however all that is hear is that he did something wrong. Many military persons past and present say he did not do enough! As for that Marines well being, who knows, but for anyone who knows the military or goverment for that matter knows that when the either is published in a negative matter whomever is guilty for saying or doing whatever it may have been they will be delt with and it is never good.