Code Pink: Gadfly or One-Trick Pony?

When pro choice members of Emily's List were holding a reception at the Downtown Denver Sheraton (pro life demonstrators were dutifully kept outside) six Code Pink members marched right in. Seeing that they wore the right color and were not associated with the pesky demonstrators, their progress was not barred. The Rocky Mountain News reports that, once inside, they opened up a huge banner calling for the impeachment of George Bush.

How do a Bush impeachment and a pro choice meet and greet connect? They don't but for the amount of television cameras that are likely to film the spectacle. Once the intent of the Code Pink demonstration became known, security quickly escorted the ladies outside.

This is not the first time that Code Pink is making headlines at the Democratic National Convention. The Rocky Mountain News reported yesterday on another Code Pink member who ended up on the wrong end of a police baton and was finally arrested for her alleged interference in the arrest of another person.

Code Pink has proven itself over the years to be an equal opportunity offender, and there are no sacred cows when it comes to getting out the message of ending the war in Iraq and seeing Bush impeached. Last year they made their presence known at Nancy Pelosi's office when, as The Hill reported, members of the organization sought to play a game of pin the war on the donkey, the direct result of the Democratic Party's failure to defund the current war effort.

I must confess that I disagree with a lot of Code Pink's philosophy but I grudgingly admire the chutzpah that has members of the organization swirling around the crowned heads of state in an effort to get their message out -- and some television coverage in the process. Reminding me of the uncompromising Green Party stance of my youth, I find their approach to politics invigorating although their cause could use some refinement (the latter is not for me to say, though).

Keeping in line with the Obama Greek temple backdrop that is currently materializing at Invesco Field - you just have to take a look at See Swann's YouTube video - Code Pink and its recurring message might be loosely compared to a pacifist version of the decidedly Roman sentiment Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam Cato the Elder would always tack on to any speech he gave before the senate. Even back then it was immaterial whether or not the speech had anything to do with Carthage or the maintenance of the local vomitorium.

Sources:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/26/code-pink-anti-abortion-protesters-make-their-poin/
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/26/code-pink-protester-still-jail/
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/anti-war-protesters-arrested-at-pelosis-office-2007-03-22.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/987854/anticipating_rasmussen_daily_tracking.html?cat=9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmId6sLrro