Another only in DC moment...

Posted: Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:27 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Mike Viqueira

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

Capitol Police have shut down the Capitol Rotunda due to a protest group, numbering about three dozen who have lied down.

They were chanting, "Clean needles save lives."

*** UPDATE *** There were 26 demonstrators arrested -- 15 males, 11 females -- in the Capitol Rotunda and charged with Unlawful Assembly, Disorderly Conduct Loud and Boisterous.

More context... There were about 30 AIDS activists who lied down in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, chanting, "Clean needles save lives."

The Rotunda, normally full of tourists at this time of day, in this time of year, was cleared by the Capitol Police, who then began to handcuff the protesters and lead them away.

A flyer handed out by an individual, who was with the protesters but standing amongst the press, indicated that the group "decried the Obama administration's failure to make good on a range of AIDS campaign promises," including a pledge to lift a federal ban on funding syringe exchanges. They demand that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rectify what they see as an oversight in Congress.

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Comments

Sure seems like the Capitol Police have overreacted regarding this small protest group.

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:32 AM)

Are they talking about hospital hygiene?

Richard, Washington State (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:34 AM)

Oh my . . . President Obama better hurry home to "handle" this situation . . . right First Read?

The President's "bad summer" just got a whole lot worse . . .

I mean, first sagging poll numbers, now protesters, heck, he may be IMPEACHED by lunch time!

Did I mention that the SKY IS FALLING!

lol

:P

P.S. From the the previous topic, I'm not BLAMING the corporate news media, I'm just POINTING OUT that they are VERY SELECTIVE in what they report and they rarely stray from the approved NARRATIVE of the day . . . strange that with so many channels that they all discuss the same things . . . use the same talking points . . . its like they are reading from a script or something . . . things that make you go hmmmmm.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:35 AM)

Interesting that this BS can shut down the Capitol Rotunda. Treat them like roadkill and scrape them off the sidewalk.

Fortunate Son (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:39 AM)

I thought this was interesting, as reported on Think Progress:

Netanyahu appears to be suffering from confusion and paranoia. He is convinced that the media are after him, that his aides are leaking information against him and that the American administration wants him out of office. Two months after his visit to Washington, he is still finding it difficult to communicat[e] normally with the White House. To appreciate the depth of his paranoia, it is enough to hear how he refers to Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod, Obama’s senior aides: as “self-hating Jews.”

Matt Yglesias notes that Emanuel, who has taken a leading role in the Obama administration in pushing the two-state solution, has frustrated many in the right-wing American Jewish community for being too “tough” on the Israelis.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:40 AM)

Aways Proud, Wash, DC (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:48 AM)

Right on!!! Common sense saves lives!

Eric, Columbus, GA (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:50 AM)

I would like to protest the lack of jobs. I'm still looking for all those jobs that Obama promised.

Willing to Work (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:50 AM)

Chickenhawk cheney would have known how to deal with these protestors...send them to gitmo for a little waterboarding action...

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:51 AM)

Feisty is not a regular here. She is not taken seriously. Obama does not want that far left bias bull. Too decisive.

Chris, Wexford,PA (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:52 AM)

Yes, "Clean Needles Save Lives" do save live as well as the proliferation of the HIV virus. This why is also why health care reform should not be watered down. Although the group may be small they have brought tremendous attention, in my opinion to why we need and should possibly address stimulus 2.0 The July 2 release of CBO's score of what the committee's chairman referred to as the "complete bill," was not made available to all segments of society via the media.(Ever wonder why?) The CBO calculated that the updated bill would cover more of the uninsured for a lower cost than it had estimated the earlier version of the bill would.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/104xx/doc10431/07-02-HELPltr.pdf

However, education, the quality of peoples lives, and people mean nothing to the Fat Cats calling the shots against this debate.

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Cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 10:03 AM)
I do believe our CIC knew what he was up for before he was elected. Remember at one of the rallies he brushed his shoulders, wiping off the crap!! He did it with style, has humility. Something this country has been missing in a CIC for a long time.
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Cindy,, I think our President is still brushing those flakes off his shoulders.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:54 AM)

Warren Buffett actually endorsed a second stimulus package. He said the first was so full of "candy" that it didn't provide the necessary impact on the economy. He's hoping that political payoffs are minimized in the next package and the stimulus money is provided to people and businesses that will provide long term and sustainable future growth, rather then providing it to political cronies.
Lisa Mills, Omaha NE
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Lisa, the word of Warren Buffett, Capitalist is the Equivalence of a flying fart in space to me. It stinks like hell, so what makes you think that he has the best interest of the American people in mind. He makes billions off of us. It just goes to show you that people really don't think for themselves or see beyound, yet niether look beyound what is actually fact.

There was no friggin candy in the first stimulus package, he was hoping that the morgages were bailed out, then he would have made money both ways off of us.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:55 AM)

Liberals.

Can't live with them.

Certainly can live without them.

LL Dean, Miami (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:58 AM)

"Pullin' a Palin," is currently defined by
urbandictionary.com as:

How the party of stale male & pale are occupying themselves these days!

You Can't Make This Stuff UP! (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:58 AM)

Last time I was in DC, some group was protesting circumcision. It wasn't clear if they were for it, or against it.

Jean Reynolds, NY (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:00 PM)

Patrick Kennedy leading the charge?

PTK - Kansas (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:01 PM)

Doug Hampton
John Ensign
Cincinnati

Thanks

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:01 PM)

More Michael Jackson blow back.

Or, maybe they just got tired? (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:02 PM)

They are protesting what they call, "Clean Needles Save Lives."
------------------------------------------------------
This is a bit..."inartful", wouldn't you say, First Read?

Are these individuals really "protesting" clean needles; in which case, they want to let the consequences of dirty needle use proceed unfettered? Or, are they showing their support for programs that provide needle exchanges, thereby attempting to decrease those consequences?

Hey, it's America- for the most part, people can peacefully protest whatever they want. I get that your main point is incredulity at things around the Capitol shutting down, but a little clarity as to the actual issue would be super- thanks.

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:04 PM)

Just saw it on tv. I think that's a Needlepoint Club. A fairly radical Needlepoint Club it looks like.

Jen Norden (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:05 PM)

They should be greateful that they are in the US. Many countries wouldn't allow them near the capitol.

eagle1776 (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:11 PM)

Interesting that this BS can shut down the Capitol Rotunda. Treat them like roadkill and scrape them off the sidewalk.
posted by Fortunate Son
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exactly who cares about living in a Democracy anyway?
Let the smart rich white men make all decisions regarding what is good for the rest of us?

Eileen from Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:14 PM)

I always get a kick out of the protesters in DC! When you walk around the Whitehouse there are always people protesting their obscure causes.

What I found really funny was when I was in London, I saw a protester that I swore was the same person (with the same signs) that is always sitting right across the street from the White House. Perhaps it is his brother?

Chris - IL (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:16 PM)

I would like to protest the lack of jobs. I'm still looking for all those jobs that Obama promised.
Willing to Work (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:50 AM)

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Oh when did Obama promise that? a source or documentation would be really helpful here, because I keep seeing and hearing this repeated over and over but I've never seen where anything was actually promised. Just wondering if you are relying on what you are hearing from people who only care about their own personal power or lack of and have been known to fabricate stories, knowing full well that there will be no shortage of submissive tools who are ready and willing to repeat whatever they hear.

Eileen from Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:20 PM)

Democrats will play this up for a new job stimulus for the needle making companies. Somebody better tell Obama to head toward the teleprompter and hop on this bandwagon. "Clean Needles for All Americans NOW!!!"

Feisty Brownhair (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:22 PM)

How many RNC leaders served for our country? 0
If I was in charge, I would have ran W up so quick for AWOL when he left his post to run republican elections. Just show me the logs showing W checking in for his monthly duties and I will stop. But that isn't going to happen since all the files from his resrve unit magically disappeared during the W years. Funny, this is the best the republicans have to show for patriotism in their leadership. A president that decided running republican politicians was more important than serving our country. You see why all republicans chose party over country. My God, we had our last president prove that the republican party was more important him than serving our country. Republicans must proud to be cowards. They brag about it like Limpbag in his book with his a$$ pimple, Ted Nugent did not shower or clean up for a month and also told the recruiters he was gay, so he could get out of serving our country. And of course the RNC darling 5 deferment Cheny is now running the party of Cowards.
WOW, look at all these cowards running the RNC party, and lack of patriotism and thought is the reason the mindless drones blindly blog for these cowards.

bobf (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:23 PM)

Hey Eric in Salinas - are dirty needles also the fault of the "bushwhacker"?

Scott D, Lufkin TX (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:24 PM)

P.S. From the the previous topic, I'm not BLAMING the corporate news media, I'm just POINTING OUT that they are VERY SELECTIVE in what they report and they rarely stray from the approved NARRATIVE of the day . . . strange that with so many channels that they all discuss the same things . . . use the same talking points . . . its like they are reading from a script or something . . . things that make you go hmmmmm.
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Nash, I've been snapping on this for quite sometime. I always notice the articles out here. The actual fact verses the spin and I have expressed my opinion about it on severl occassions. It must be target Obama week since Chuck is back, I ve noticed that worm in the apple as well...just pay close attention.

P.S. SP correction on last posting "beyond", on the fly...leaving now. Be good! Be Bad!

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:24 PM)

Now that Barry and Michelle were pimping out their daughter, Malia, at the G8 summit, I guess that makes their children fair game? The media and the bloggers can now pick apart and condemn every aspect of the Obama girls.

Go For It (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:25 PM)

Willing to Work:'...I would like to protest the lack of jobs. I'm still looking for all those jobs that Obama promised...'

Try Taco Bell
I'm sure they'll hire a birght young thing like you
(and so intelligent)

Unemployment is a problem
But, it IS a lagging indicator
Let's hope we can start spending more stimulus money and spending it wisely and effectively

I'm pretty sure they're not spending stimulus money wisely in Alaska or south Carolina

Oh.... willing, you might also try Burger King if you know how to tell Whoppers
Take Palin with you, she needs a job, too

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:26 PM)

This is a PERFECT example of what has happened to civil liberties in this country. Over-reaction is an under-statement. Sheesh.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep ....

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Monkberry (from another thread)~

So good to see you, my old friend. I don't know what this is all about, but I gather someone has accused you of being me or vice versa. That's a pretty good one, I have to admit. C A was one thing, but you're quite another altogether. And speaking of that, sorry that I've done something to disappoint you; but you know I've always been liberal. Just down and to the left of Gandhi, on that old chart ... remember? We certainly did have some great give and take, but I guess, as you say, that's that.

One thing, though ... I do think you shouldn't be giving the ship away on everyone's monikers. The mystery is part of the fun. ;)

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:28 PM)

Only in America.....It is some silly azz people living in this country. They need to go to work and stop taking-off to do silly s**** like this.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:34 PM)

Not only is George Carlin not a comedienne, he's dead.
Nevertheless, his guess was as good as anyone's.

Richard, Washington State

Was he ever really alive?

CJ Collins (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:34 PM)

Mike Viqueira's picture is trying to hypnotize me.

Blue in Texas, San Antonio, TX (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:34 PM)

Lisa, the word of Warren Buffett, Capitalist is the Equivalence of a flying fart in space to me. It stinks like hell, so what makes you think that he has the best interest of the American people in mind. He makes billions off of us. It just goes to show you that people really don't think for themselves or see beyound, yet niether look beyound what is actually fact.

There was no friggin candy in the first stimulus package, he was hoping that the morgages were bailed out, then he would have made money both ways off of us.
Anita, Birmingham, Alabama

So who do you think has "our best interests" in mind? Obama? The Democrats? Hardly.

The only person that can have YOUR best interests in mind is YOU. Why are you quick to give up that important part of your life to someone like a politician?

GH T (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:38 PM)

I would like to protest the lack of jobs. I'm still looking for all those jobs that Obama promised.
Willing to Work (
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Look to your PARTY OF NO. No get it done, no help for you repubs because it might help Obama's presidency...it just may succeed, no help help, because it just may help the Liberals. Never mind about our party that is in opposition. They don't live here anyway. Are you okay with that? So stop you belly aching.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:41 PM)

I would like to protest the lack of jobs. I'm still looking for all those jobs that Obama promised.
Willing to Work (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:50 AM)
++++++++++++++++++
Do you think the jobs are going to come knocking on your door looking for you? I notice you're here on this site pretty consistently, always saying the same thing about wanting a job. Why don't you go look for a job?
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Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:04 PM)

I agree with you. I thought the same thing -- are they protesting clean needles, or are they advocating clean needles. The item was not clear.

Sharon IL (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:48 PM)

"...the party of "nothing is my fault and I'm not responsible for my own behavior"...
Aways Proud, Wash, DC (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:48 AM)
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Which party is this, Always? This sounds like another hypocritical statement from a Reublican, just like Palin, who blames the media for her troubles and Limbaugh who blames Obama's stimulus plan for causing Sanford's year-long adulterous affair.

The party of "personal responsibility" sure seems to shy away from it when the going gets tough.

Bethie in Texas (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:48 PM)

You know what else saves lives? Not sticking needles full of heroin into your arms in the first damn place. I'm sure those of you who side with the party of "nothing is my fault and I'm not responsible for my own behavior" will have trouble understanding that, but it's true. RIP Common Sense
Aways Proud, Wash, DC
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Don't you "tote" you bible? Notice I didn't say carry?Are you your brother's keeper? The money for social programs that teaches sex education was thrown out of the stimulus package wasn't it? If I recall correctly, John Boehner made a lovely joke about it, didn't he? The prevention of aids through the "NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM"...drug education was apart of it as well.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:51 PM)

(from an earlier post)

Like I said, Mike Murphy works for NBC.

Brian Williams does too and he sucked up to Obama. Then Obama makes jokes about being in bed with Williams.

Enough said about he political antics of NBC.

Peter Percival Patterson (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:55 PM)

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=104&sid=1714099

Omolola Adele-Oso of DC Fights Back questioned why lawmakers were bailing out financial institutions instead of devoting more dollars to AIDS programs.

"HIV is not in a recession," Adele-Oso said in a written statement from the coalition about the demonstration.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:01 PM)

Doug Hampton
John Ensign
Cincinnati

Thanks,

Bad Chihuahua (12:01 PM)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You've got it all wrong. If you want to immitate me and use my moniker then at least get the names right.

Feisty Airhead
Feisty Deadhead
Feisty Scarehead

That's more like it and now we've leveled the playing field. Obie is BBBAAADDD for America.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:03 PM)

Interesting that this BS can shut down the Capitol Rotunda. Treat them like roadkill and scrape them off the sidewalk. Fortunate Son (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 11:39 AM)
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I guess the first amendment only applies to people that call themselves republicans. Roughly 26% of the nation.

What a crock (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:12 PM)

"the word of Warren Buffett, Capitalist is the Equivalence of a flying fart in space to me. It stinks like hell"
==========================
Anita, in space, no one can smell a fart....

Fed Up with Birmingham (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:12 PM)

LL Dean in Miami states he certainly can live w/o Liberals. After living 40 years in Miami I got the hell out of dodge. I guess he and the other right wing theocrats miss the 8 years of Bush/Cheney's gulag and I do not mean GITMO. Thanks to Liberals that we still have some assemblanse of Due process that previous criminal administration came close to destroying.Obama is turing out to be no where near a Liberal. He's painfully becoming a centrist. That not what I voted for.

Juan,Ft Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:16 PM)

Glad y'all caught your error there and corrected the sentence. Couldn't understand why people were protesting clean needles :P

Anne, Pittsburgh (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:24 PM)

eagle1776 (sent Thursday,July 09,2009 12:11 pm) Many countries wouldn't allow them near the capitol. Wow are you comparing us to Iran or China or the illegal wire taps during Bush/Cheney cabal. How about the brave Americans who are gay in the military and get thrown out for stating their gay. They are second class citizens and risking their lives. Should they be grateful they pay federal taxes to a government that denies them equal protection under the law?

Juan, Ft Lauderdale,FL (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:29 PM)

How many RNC leaders served for our country?

bobf (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 12:23 PM)
.......................................................
The question you should ask would be how many liberal socialists leaders served our country.
We know that Obama didn't, too busy doing the wild thing.

Perry the Honorable Discharged Vet (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:31 PM)

Obama is turing out to be no where near a Liberal.
Juan,Ft Lauderdale, Fl

He's more like a marxist. Get it correct next time.

That's the facts (Sent Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:35 PM)

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