Re: Protests in wartime

From: toughslush <meurtre_at_earthlink.net_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 21:22:44 -0000

I'm curious, of course, as to whether any of you will be changing
your minds about this war if (when) we can definitely test the
potential WMD sites (labs, etc.) and prove that they were there all
along (rather than being magically dissolved by pixie dust in the
early 90s). And if (when) we are able to comb through the
records and establish that Salman Pak and other terrorist
training camps in Iraq were used by Al Qaeda in their actions
against us. [For more, see my last blog.]

But, no matter. I think it's possible to support the troops on a
certain level without approving of the war. But I suspect the
troops prefer to hear that we like what they are doing, feel more
"supported" by the demonstrations that use the flag and applaud
the troops versus those that do not.

I also think there's something very troubling about having a
protest against the war in such a way that it diverts city resources
against basic security measures, and therefore the "war" against
terrorism. Some of the tactics employed by the leftists and
liberals in these actions--blocking traffic, throwing up on
buildings, looting excursions--keep other people from earning a
living during a recession. It's hugely destructive to working
people, and a drain on municipal resources.

I do not concede that this administration is in any way against
free speech. I understand that it's hip to believe that, but I haven't
really seen any evidence to that effect.

As far as Hollywood is concerned, David--aw, come on. The
entertainment industry is about 90% liberal-left, and those who
are "out" libertarians/conservatives are hurt by discriminatory
hiring practices all the damned time. The fact that some
entertainers have received a little blowback from saying largely
inane and silly things--in some cases, making statements that
amount to a "fuck you" to Middle America and add nothing to
public discourse--may be an overdue consciousness-raiser.

If Jeanane Garofolo or Cheryl Crow make stupid remarks, and I
point out that they are stupid--much as I admire these ladies'
work--I'm not anti-free-speech. I'm anti-stupidity.

--J

--- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, "tschibasch"
<tschibasch_at_y...> wrote:
> I could not agree more with David. It is entirely possible to be
> AGAINST the war but SUPPORT the military. And it is our right
to
> demonstrate, if we so choose.
>
> And another thing: We are only too aware that Iraqis could
never
> demostrate against their own government. The fact that they
cannot and
> we can does not mean that we shouldn't.
>
> John
>
>
>
> --- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, "dne44"
<dne_at_d...> wrote:
> > Lenny-
> >
> > It's as simple as this: I respect and admire the courage,
dedication
> > and professionalism of our troops. However, I do not believe
in the
> > cause and timing of this war as outlined by our government,
and
> > therefore do not support the war. This does not strike me as
a self-
> > contradicting view in the least.
> >
> > When we see actions such as those taken by the president
of the
> > baseball hall of fame refusing to honor the movie Bull
Durham because
> > of the political views of Tim Ribbins and Susan Sarandon, it
strikes
> > me that more than ever people are losing the ability to be
rational
> > about what free speech is supposed to mean (and this is
true of both
> > sides; however, it is particularly worrisome on the right since
the
> > government is taking an actively anti-free speech stand, at
least
> > rhetorically).
> >
> > - David
> >
> >
> > --- In OliveStarlightOrchestra_at_yahoogroups.com, "7visions"
> > <7visions_at_p...> wrote:
> > > As for the " I Support the Troops" line being bandied about,
it has
> > always
> > > been a bit of a cliche. This men and women have trained
for a long
> > time to
> > > be where they are. If you say, "I Support the Troops, but I
am
> > against what
> > > they are doing", just what are you actually saying? ..." I think
> > you are
> > > nice people, but I don't like soldiers". ?
> > >
Received on 2003-04-14 14:22:50