How do you feel about protests?

[PhätTony]

A many people came out today around the country to protest the war. A lot of them in San Fransisco and Washington D.C., how do you feel about protesting on the war these days and how far is far enough when prostesting? Throwing red paint on government buildings? Laying in the middle of the street?

how far is too far?

[CALL AAA]

I just watched that on the news. I wanted to smack that woman who said, "It's about OIL OIL OIL." I would like to ask her which one of the women in her bridge club told her that.

I think protests are useless. Sure, it shows that a lot of people share a common thought, but if they are wrong, then the other gullibles just see that, and hop on board.

But, hey. We in the United States have the right to protest, without being mustard gassed. That can't be said for a lot of countries. Whether people choose to accept the fact that the United States is the greatest country on this, or any other planet, (largely due to the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who defend it) it sure as hell is. Sure, our president isn't terribly popular right now, but he overthrew a murdering dictator, and he's chasing down an elusive terrorist. Bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch and then sleep comfortably in a $500,000 home in a safe neighborhood?

Great. It's coming on again. I had better change it before I reach in to the TV and choke that bitch.

[Agent Orange]

Useless people with nothing better to do, obviously

[CALL AAA]

The thing that absolutely infuriates me, is how the news (every new station I have watched) shows all the bad shit that happens in Iraq. I'm sure that there are villages in which people are free to walk the streets for the first time since the first Gulf War, thanks to the Marines and Soldiers who are putting their asses in harms way. But all we see is some retard who makes (or fake-makes) a movie about throwing a puppy off a cliff or an Iraqi girl getting raped?
Seriously, I sat off the southern end of the Al Faw penninsula, guarding the 2 oil terminals, so Iran didn't just paddle over and claim them. The only reason those terminals still belong to Iraq, is because of the USN, RAN and RN sailors staving off Iran for the last 15 years. I have never heard one single mention of this on any news station. (although there was a Discovery HD show on a few months ago)

A few years ago, I spent a lot of money on my TV. But If I could have lifted it, i would have thrown it through my front window when the news put the story of 5 dead Marines AFTER the latest news about Brittney fucking Spears.

[CALL AAA]

Useless people with nothing better to do, obviously
I was home on leave, and my dad and I were going to a hockey game. There were supposed to be some huge protests at the University of Massachusetts. As we were driving up to the campus, he said, "Let's go harass the protesters." We got there, but there was no one there. Apparently, it was too cold for them. But that was one of the funniest things I have heard my dad say.

[Agent Orange]

Lol

[CALL AAA]

KUSI just did something kind of cool. At the end of their 11 o'clock broadcast, they scolled the names, ranks, ages and city of residence of all the San Diego military folks who dies in Iraq (Afghanistan, too?) while showing various images from the war. (good images, happy Iraqis)

[madajb]

A many people came out today around the country to protest the war.
Most of the protests around here suffer from "mission creep".
In the drive to be all-inclusive, they lose focus on the message.
For example, our local "Peace March", in addition to the anti-war folks, had all the usual suspects*:
"Free Mumia","Che for President","Impeach Cheney","Vote Nader", "Stop Wal*Mart", etc.
So, even though I think the war is a waste of lives and resources, I can't in good conscience support the protest march.

-ajb
* And one kid in a MegaDeath shirt.

[madisonry]

I tend to think they're ridiculous, no matter the cause. They can start out with a decent, peaceful plan but then just turn into something so stupid. I'd be super upset if I were in the middle of one of the larger protests. It gets stupid when people who are protesting a decision the Bush administration has made somehow impedes on my normal day to day life in anyway. I didn't send any troops to Iraq so get out of the road and stop chaining yourself to shit.

[TOYr32]

Well, My wife hates when I do this . . . but I like to honk my horn and swerve at the people protesting on the golden gate bridge . . . it's a funny reaction for me because there are these huge rails and I doubt I could even hit them, but they usually fall back in this funny position . . . and it's a group it's fun to see them trample each other to get out of the way.

I'm not a big fan . . . but it's good to know that those people which I dispise are waisting their own time.

Not a fan of large protests because it takes time out of an already starined police force in the bay area.

I Hated protests in Iraq, it was already a volitile environments and any added stress could lead to action that would have some stupid reprocussion because people back home don't understand that when your armed with an M16 and no riot gear, the only way to prevent a riot or subdue a rioter is to end someone's life. People don;'t understand it's not the choice we want to make, but to protect ourselves an dour brothers, we have to make, hard, split second decisions. Now you have people over there taking that split second, and extending the thought because they are scared of the possible punishment, and now that split second turns into 5 seconds and it's already too late!

^^ Wow, looks like I need to gripe a bit!! :D

[ncttrnl]

I also think protests lack focus. They start off as well intentioned but then they seem to just lose it. They turn everything into a conspiracy and it makes them look like a bunch of radical nut jobs.

One thing I cannot stand are the protesters that blame the soldiers. My father was drafted into the Vietnam war and many of my friends served or are serving in the Middle East. Not a single one of them deserves the bullshit some of these protesters spout.

My thought is that if you want to protest the war, then protest the war. Don't blame the guy that is just following orders and doing his job.

[DTolo]

Something that was passed on to me. I haven't verified it all personally, but yes... I am all for protests... I just believe that if you are going to take a stand like that, you better have some serious facts to make ur cause worthy.

My motto.. "the few, the proud, the Marines... Protecting your right to protest since 1775"... it works for any branch though.

Did you know that 47 countries' have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?

Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?
Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq?

Did you know that Iraq's higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?

Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January, 2005,for the re-established Fulbright program?

Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational?
They have 5 - 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons,
which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft
(under Iraqi operational control)
which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and
4 Bell Jet Rangers?

Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?

Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000
fully trained and equipped police officers?

Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq
that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?

Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq?
They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad
stations,
22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.

Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5
have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary
school by mid October?

Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq
and phone use has gone up 158%?

Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75
radio stations,
180 newspapers and 10 television stations?

Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had
a televised debate recently?

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T KNOW!

WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW?

OUR MEDIA WOULDN'T TELL US!

Instead of reflecting our love for our country,
we get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib
and people throwing snowballs at the presidential motorcades.

Tragically, the lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves two
purposes:
It is intended to undermine the world's perception of the United States
thus minimizing support,
and it is intended to discourage American citizens.

---- Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.

http://www.defenselink.mil/

[Kelly Girl]

i wouldn't mind the protests if the people could actually explain why they're protesting.

right to demonstrate, fine. but as far as i can see there's just a bunch of misguided uneducated sheep who think its cool to stand around and protest the war..

what the hell ever. it doesn't really do anything to protest. writing letters/email/ to the government officials that's something.

but just standing on a street corner trying to get people to honk, no one really knows who you are and you just create a hazard and targets for people like TOY

[mike]

I think protests are great, they are a great freedom to have, but with that you have the responsibility to understand what you are protesting against................

[oc-audica]

I think protests are great, they are a great freedom to have, but with that you have the responsibility to understand what you are protesting against................
I was so ashamed when all those dumb ass kids walked on the freeway for the Mexican protest last year

[TOYr32]

I was so ashamed when all those dumb ass kids walked on the freeway for the Mexican protest last year

HAHAHAHA . . . I didn't want to be the one to bring that up!!

[mario]

I paid $4.79 for a gallon of diesel yesterday.

that's how i feel about the war.

[TOYr32]

I paid $4.79 for a gallon of diesel yesterday.

that's how i feel about the war.

Good thing this war is about oil . . . I can already benefit from the discounts!!

[mike]

I was so ashamed when all those dumb ass kids walked on the freeway for the Mexican protest last year

Yeah, way to help your cause, dumb shits.

[ncttrnl]

I was so ashamed when all those dumb ass kids walked on the freeway for the Mexican protest last year

Yeah... that didn't go over too well with anyone in my family either.

[mario]

Good thing this war is about oil . . . I can already benefit from the discounts!!

hardly! this war is about benefiting the big businesses whose jobs revolve around oil (exxon-mobil) or rebuilding war-torn countries (blackwater)

as per you and me? hardly.


(these are the words of a person with strong libertarian sentiments, a registered libertarian. . . but at some point we have to recognize the truth. . . the traditional argument is made that exxon-mobil makes more in 1 hour than most people make in a year. . .yet diesel costs $4.79/gallon. . . seems fishy to me)