2004 VFP and DNC Convention Report2004 VFP and DNC Convention ReportAlthough my original purpose for going to Boston last month was to attend the Democratic National Convention, my priorities shifted dramatically once I arrived. I had arranged to reach Boston a few days early in order to attend the annual Veterans for Peace National Convention scheduled before the Democratic Convention was to start. This was one of the biggest conventions the VFP has held, with over 400 registered participants. I was there representing the Olympia VFP Rachel Corrie Chapter #109.
The VFP convention was held at Emerson College, a liberal arts college located in the heart of Boston. Convention attendees stayed in the college dormitory across the street from the Boston Commons, the oldest municipal park in America. The campus also served as host for the daily breakfasts and most of the scheduled workshops and events. Each day was filled with an array of workshops and panel discussions, covering a range of topics, bringing attendees face-to-face with notable experts, scholars, and activists from around the country.
The opening plenary at the convention involved a panel on contemporary issues and the role of activists in fostering change in the current political atmosphere. The panelists included the esteemed historian and scholar, Howard Zinn, activist, writer and lecturer, Daniel Ellsberg, and, women’s studies and militarism researcher, Cynthia Enloe. It was incredible being in such an intimate setting, with so many passionate and committed activists, being inspired by such courageous patriots.
The most notable workshops I attended included: “Being the Media”, offered by a correspondent from Democracy Now; “Abolishing War – Throwing Corporations out of the Constitution – New Strategies for the Peace and Democracy Movement”; and, “Defense of Civil Liberties”, a panel which included an unscheduled guest visit by Ralph Nader. The discussion was lively and proactive in each workshop. The focus was consistently on learning how we can do better at getting the VFP message out, and what we can do to foster the changes we see necessary.
On the evening of the first day of the convention we marched through downtown, with our VFP banners waving, to the Boston Harbor. There we boarded a private passenger ferry for a tour of the harbor and some of the historic sites nearby. A local volunteer singing group serenaded us with peace songs through much of the cruise. It was a great time to get to know one another and to begin the bonding that will affirm friendships for years to come.
My most memorable experience of the entire trip came on the second evening of the convention. The VFP has arranged for the convention to assemble in the historic Faneuil Hall near the Boston Market. Faneuil Hall is an incredible part of America’s earliest history. Built in 1742, it served as the town meeting hall through out the 17th and 18th centuries. Known as the “Cradle of Liberty”, it was within its walls that Samuel Adams and other “Sons of Liberty” debated the premise of a new America and sparked the fires of revolution. In later years its galleries heard the voices of Frederick Douglas, Daniel Webster, and Susan B. Anthony resonate. It was here that VFP had scheduled its “Veterans Address the Nation”, as an opportunity to bring our cause to the world stage.
The evening schedule was full, with songs sung by David Rovics, Charlie King, and Karen Brandow. It also included presentations from returning soldiers from Iraq, members of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO), Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors, and September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. Keynote speakers for the evening included Daniel Ellsberg, Howard Zinn, with a special guest address from Dennis Kucinich. To be in that hall with that energy, and to be a part of that moment, was unbelievable. I had no idea it could get better.
About an hour before the trek to Faneuil Hall started, I received a frantic call from Congressman Kucinich’s Boston office. The Congressman had been called to a late vote and wasn’t able to attend the event. As I was his only delegate at the VFP convention, he asked that I make a statement on his behalf. His staff rushed over a brief speech. It turned out the speech was a file statement that really didn’t reflect the tone or energy of the evening. When the time came, I used the opportunity instead to offer some inspiration more in keeping with what I felt Dennis would say.
I asked the convention to look past the Democratic and Republican conventions that would soon consume the media’s attention, and focus on the role they could play in moving forward the peace agenda. I asked them to go home with the skills and renewed energy they were getting at the convention and push for changes at every level and every institution of our democracy. I asked them to use the leadership, planning, organization, and teamwork skills they learned in the ranks to “become the change” we desperately need. I asked them to support and champion the national leadership team they felt would most likely have an open door to our concerns as veterans and military families. I felt inspired to be able to speak from the lectern in that grand historic place to such an exceptional audience of patriots, on behalf of a great man like Dennis Kucinich, and to have the honor of sharing the stage with such notables as Daniel Ellsberg and Howard Zinn. After that the remainder of my trip, though still very important, seemed insignificant.
The last full day of the convention was held at yet another historic venue, the Boston library, the first public library in the country. The main business meeting consumed most of the day. A number of important resolutions were passed. A complete list of those resolutions, including one put forward by Cliff Wells (#92) calling for an independent investigation into Rachel Corrie’s death, and another on the Israel/Palestine conflict, can be found on the National website (www.vfp.org). After the conclusion of business we had the honor of hearing an inspiring talk by Scott Ritter, the US Marine officer assigned to the UN WMD inspection team, who blew the whistle on the Bush WMD hoax.
Our last night at the VFP convention included dinner in the grandeur of the main reading room of the Boston library. The speakers for the evening were Amy Goodman, from Democracy Now, and Bobby Muller, founder of Vietnam Veterans of America. I had to leave that event early to have a delegate caucus with Congressman Kucinich and his other delegates from around the nation. I was only able to hear a part of Amy Goodman’s presentation and, unfortunately, did not hear Bobby Muller at all. However, prior to the dinner commencing, I did have a chance to meet with members of the Democracy Now production team and did complete a video interview explaining my views on the upcoming Democratic Convention. I have not seen or heard that interview, though I am told it was broadcast a few days later.
I found the VFP convention to be the unexpected highlight of my trip. It was exhilarating to be embraced by so much fellowship and passion for change. While military service and even combat was an experience many of us had in common, it was not what we were about. We were there to be a collective voice for peace. We served our country, and were too often touched by the trauma of war. We took an oath to defend our country from all threats foreign and domestic. That did not mean being exploited as a tool for corporate profit or political power. Our mission there was to learn how to organize, how to refine and amplify our message, and how to use our status as veterans to promote peaceful alternatives to armed conflict. It was powerful and energizing. I can’t thank the Massachusetts organizers, Woody Powell, and David Cline enough for their hard work and the opportunity to feel a part of the difference we are making.
Prior to the closing of the convention I had the opportunity to create a connection between the Veterans for Peace and the Kerry Campaign at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). I had heard on a conference call for veteran delegates several weeks ago that this year was the first time in the history of the Democratic Party Convention they were going to organize a Veterans Caucus. I remember being stunned by that revelation. I contacted the Kerry campaign staff coordinating the caucus and asked if the VFP convention attendees, who were staying in the area could attend the delegate caucus. I also asked if we could hand out flyers promoting VFP and its mission. The campaign readily agreed and even offered us front row seats at the first caucus. I was proud to be able to facilitate that action.
The first Veterans Caucus was held on Monday, the first day of the DNC. I estimate there were easily 500-600 people attending, including several dozen VFP conventioneers. The moderator for the caucus was James Carville, the Ragin’ Cajun. Among the first speakers he introduced was General Wesley Clark. After that he introduced the members of Senator Kerry’s swift boat crew and the crew of the sister boat they shared duty with. Several members of that team spoke on behalf of Senator Kerry and spoke of his leadership and courage while under fire. The biggest round of applause came when Max Cleland was wheeled on to the stage. The ovation lasted for a good five minutes. It’s hard not to be inspired by that man’s courage and positive outlook, and to be outraged by the way his re-election effort in Georgia in 2002 was so callously and falsely smeared.
That was in essence the beginning of the DNC adventure for me. Every day was a series of caucus meetings, one right after the other, many over-lapping, and each a potentially important learning opportunity. Each day started at 7:30 AM with a state delegation caucus and briefing, including array of notable speakers. In addition to visits from our State’s congressional delegation, and other elected officials, we had morning visits from Gov. Howard Dean, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Richard Dreyfus, Carol King, and numerous Kerry campaign affiliates. The morning caucus was also where we received our daily delegate credentials. New credentials were issued each day.
After that, was a rushed cab ride across town to another hotel where the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) had their daily 10:00 AM caucus. I am grateful to AFSCME for sponsoring my trip to Boston. And I have to say; those caucuses were the closest things to an old-fashioned revival meeting I had ever seen. They too had an inspiring array of speakers, including Minority Leader Nancy Pilosi and Rep. Barney Frank.
The Veterans Caucuses were from noon to 2:00 PM in the same hotel as AFSCME, thank goodness. When they let out there was another mad rush back to the State delegation hotel for a shower, a change of clothes, and a snack before catching the shuttle to the Fleet Center for the convention. That involved a very bizarre bus ride, initially going in the wrong direction, to a closed off freeway that funneled into an area that looked like a war zone. Each bus had one Boston Police officer riding along (The Boston Police were great). When we got within sight of the Fleet Center, where the Convention was being held, all the buildings were laced with either police in riot garb or military personnel in full battle dress. There were helicopters overhead constantly. Visibility anywhere was restricted by the array of concrete barriers and barbed wire topped fences all around.
There was an area, called “The Cage”, near where delegates were let off the busses, where protestors were allowed to gather. It was the designated “Free Speech Zone” at the convention sight. It was a fully wire encased area under an abandoned freeway overpass. My self and many other delegates considered it an obscenity and clear violation of the rights of demonstrators to have their voices heard by us, the delegates. There were delegate petitions and news conferences asking the barrier to be removed, but it didn’t work. I went to the cage most days before entering the convention to offer solidarity to the few souls who chose to be there.
Getting into the Convention was another adventure. EVERYONE had to go through essentially the same exercise travelers experience getting on an airplane. Everything is searched. No sharp objects, containers, spray canisters, etc. were allowed. The list was extensive. This was a daily occurrence. The inspection process was handled by the Secret Service, with the help of the Transportation Safety Administration. All this under the constant eye of hundreds of armed men, with automatic weapons at the ready.
Inside the convention the truth about the process and the myth of democracy became clear to me. It was crowded, it was noisy, and there were lots of speeches by many notables, including Presidents Carter and Clinton, and nearly every Democratic member of Congress. There was music and dance from Peter. Paul and Mary, Willie Nelson, Wyclef Jean, and Black-Eyed Peas, and poetry from Maya Angelou. There was a lot of cheering and applauding, and lots of visual effects, including tons of posters being handed out and piling up on the floor. It was not a democratic process, and we as delegates we not there to ”represent” anyone. We were merely extras in a huge “made-for-TV’ media extravaganza, with all the fervor and bombast one would expect from a political revival. It was not about selecting a presidential nominee, or even discussing the merits of the platform. Much to my naïve chagrin, there was no debate, no discussion, no points and counter-points. This convention was solely and completely about promoting John Kerry as the Democratic Candidate for President and for generating excitement and support among the party base for the Kerry/Edwards ticket.
What I learned was that this campaign year was very unique in the history of the Democratic Party. This year, with the campaign initiative starting so much earlier than usual, and with the delegate award process at the state level giving John Kerry enough delegates to win the nomination earlier than ever before, this convention was not about the Democratic Party or the voice of the people, it was about getting the campaign off and running. Insofar as national conventions are supposed to be the culmination of the nomination process and are intended to bring together and inspire the party loyalists to get on board the campaign train, this convention was not unusual. However, even though the goal is to unify around the eventual nominee, the process usually has enough latitude to allow for some input into what the “Party” platform looks like and what issues the people (the delegates) think are critical. This time, because Kerry had the delegate numbers wrapped up so early, his campaign was able to take over the Party machinery, getting an early start putting together a platform and a convention that had little to do with hearing from the people. This convention was not about giving people a voice; it was about giving John Kerry a voice.
I do recognize and appreciate the reality we are facing. Democrats are being asked to unify around the Kerry/Edwards candidacy, and to help organize and galvanize the country’s support for them in November. I am a Democrat, and plan on doing my part to make certain the Party legitimately wins back both Whitehouse and Congress in 2004. I do so not because I support the Kerry/Edwards campaign or the platform they fostered in the misguided belief it will help them win middle-of-the road voters. I am doing it because I support the local platforms adopted at the state and county level, and believe the only way we can foster support for those platforms is to have Democratic Party leadership in those critical national offices as well as local offices statewide.
I did learn an incredible amount during this adventure, and I hope some day I can begin to assimilate it down into something understandable and useful. I do know we are not alone in our passion to make peace a real policy option. I do know we have many brothers and sisters out there, with many more in need of our support and guidance coming home every day. I know that our democratic system of governance is not democratic at all and that our process for selecting our leaders is even less so. And, what that knowledge does, is give me strength to push forward to find ways to make a difference. Every time the earth spins on its axis, a new revolution begins.