War Protests at U.S. Colleges

[Flatlander Fox]

I heard on the radio today that several colleges in the United States were the site of "War Protests".

Several students interviewed cited the draft as a reason for protesting... They seem to think that they will be drafted and sent off to fight in the mountains of Afganistan...

So they protest, and in my humble opinion, dishonor those who died not even two weeks ago...

But they don't even understand what they are protesting for... Or even what they stand for.

A rather disgusting attempt at "finding an identity" don't you think??? Kids

I firmly believe that if they perhaps had lost a loved one or friend their tune would be slightly different. But unfortunately, they now draw bad press to a cause that NEEDS to be undertaken...

I am far from a warmonger, so before you tag me as such, remember who is doing the dirty work here... I have no personal desire to fight, but am ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission given to me. I have a wife who I worship, and do not wish to leave her alone AGAIN, after so many separations. There are millions of sailors, airmen, marines, and soldiers out there just like me.

The armed services of the countries who stand with us are sending their people into harms way. I have read many posts of people who complain and whine about how America and her allies are going to kill innocent civilians and such.

Frankly speaking, this war is going to happen.

Have a little respect for those from your country who serve and support them, not undercut them.


Wheeew!!!

Guess I got a little riled up there, but hearing these idiot college kids talk about their beliefs and such really pissed me off...

 

[allan]

"A rather disgusting attempt at "finding an identity" don't you think??? Kids"

That's what the hippy-dippy crowd is ALL ABOUT these days. Which is why I left their ranks years ago....

 

[Juize]

Ok, whatever.
Lets bomb innocent. Anyway, you're older, and u know it all.
But dont blame me when mr. Usama (who will be somewhere else at the time) reveanges, by bombing Sears Tower etc.
For he, It'll be a 'reveange-strike' against the 'terrorists' (USA).
[EDIT: Sorry, cant help it... Must talk about this... Maybe its somekind of disease...]

 

[drake]

Fox, these are the kids that people in the military die to protect the rights of. You and everyone in the military are in all true americans hearts. If it weren't for you, America would have been destroyed long ago, and these kids that protest probably wouldn't even be allowed to protest without risk of being shot. Let them live in their dream world. People like that will never understand.....like Juize

My brother is overseas just as you fox and though I fear for his and your lives, I am glad you are there. If the country came to the point where it needed me, I would be honored to serve it. Freedom is worth fighting for. Some people just take their freedom for granted. I don't.

 

[Flatlander Fox]

You'll be O.K. my young disillusioned friend...

You just need a little suffering in your life.

Then you can truly understand what life is about. The meaning is different for everybody.

I hope you can remain naive your whole life, that will mean that nothing REALLY bad has happened to you...

And I seriously doubt if Osama is gonna make it outta of this one.

You have made good points in some of your other posts, I hope you can continue this without the disrespectful rhetoric.

 

[dreadhead7]

I'm going to open my mouth and say something here. I am a peace and justice activist, and have been so for most of my life. The thought of war terrifies me. However, after the Tragedy of September 11, I firmly believe that something should be done about terrorism. I don't like the idea of our war because I'm afraid that it will create new violence, and terrorist attacks against us. But you best believe that as a proud and loyal American, I will do what I can to support my country.

What disturbs me here, is the uncompromising black-and-white views of some folks around here. I get the feeling (and I may be wrong), that if you don't believe 100% in everything coming out of the White House, that you're just as bad as the terrorists. Some folks say that if you had lost someone in these horrible acts, that you would be gung ho about war. Well, there are 5 members of my family in NY that are unaccounted for. In other words, they may be dead. I don't even have words to describe how I feel, except like bawling.

I'm appealing to some sensitivity here. It is entirely possible to hate the thought of war, yet still be wholly supportive of one's government. Being a person with disabilities, I don't know if my country will find me worthy of doing anything spectacular, like signing up for service, but I desperately want to do something tangible to support my country. We peacemongers are not the horrible low-lives some of you make us out to be.

 

[drake]

sorry to hear it dread

I don't agree with everything that comes out the whitehouse. I don't agree with all american policies. A great deal of AMericans dont...but most all of us have a common enemy in terrorism....and we all know it needs to be taken out, whatever face it may wear. Has nothing to do with religion or race, as the fundies are trying to convince everyone.....

We peacemongers are not the horrible low-lives some of you make us out to be.

Geez, no one tell Juize that. He seems to believe the idea that Americans are "the great satan"....little does he know, we're no different than his neighbors.....oh well.

 

[Magnus]

Part of the reason America is the land I love, (besides being fortunate enough to be born here) is that it allows people to protest war involvement. The civil liberties Americans enjoy must remain in place or America will end up being indistinguishable than those they are fighting. I am sure there will be plenty enough volunteers to sustain the war-effort.

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

Originally posted by Juize
Ok, whatever.
Lets bomb innocent.

Welcome back. I see your time away has taught you nothing.

Anyway, you're older, and u know it all.

Young man, I seriously suggest you open your eyes to the world around you. This isn't Vietnam, or an unjust war on innocents.
At least 6,000 people are dead.
War is here.

But dont blame me when mr. Usama (who will be somewhere else at the time) reveanges, by bombing Sears Tower etc.

Seeks revenge, is what you were trying to say.
He already attacked the US, and your solution is to do nothing, and hope he won't do it again.
What you don't understand is, THEY ALWAYS COME BACK.

For he, It'll be a 'reveange-strike' against the 'terrorists' (USA).

If he can do it from the grave, I will be surprised, because he will die for what he's done.

Anyway, I am god-damn-sick about this subject. If I will continue
posting about this, I'll be banned again. So Juize+9/11=out.

You were banned because I told you not to do something, mainly open a thread about complaints in the OT, AFTER I told you not too, you did it anyway, not because of your views.
Part of growing up is knowing when to back off, and to respect the feelings of others. You did neither, and as such, were banned.
BTW, I agreed with TF in cutting your ban to one week. Don't make me regret that.

For Dread:

I understand exactly how you feel, Dread, none of us wanted this.

We wanted to be happy and safe, but they won't allow that. I saw the attitude that the students show today when I was in school.
They don't understand that freedom is not a gift, it must be earned, because someone is sure to try and take it from you.
Many of them think this is 1968.
They are true hedonistic dinosaurs. Now we must fight, or watch our way of life be taken from us forever.

About your family, I understand that also, as you know from reading my thread on this subject, so I won't repeat it here.

We will do what we must do, so that our people can again live in peace and freedom.

 

[Juize]

You were banned because I told you not to do something, mainly open a thread about complaints in the OT, AFTER I told you not too, you did it anyway, not because of your views.

I don't want to start buggling about this, but listen now:
I opened a new topic mainly because I thought racism and threatenings are forbidden in here.
But I was wrong. OK?!

 

[Simon Darkshade]

The great prepoderence of these people do not protest because they genuinley agree with peace, or even understand what is going on; they are simply protesting for its own sake, which is frivolous.
To the true peace activists, such as dread, who know what has happened, and understand it, I embrace and salute you.
But unfortunately, the vast majority of those who go out on campus ( I say this from an Australian perspective) have no idea what is going on. They should attend lectures, and learn, rather than joining "Rent A Crowd"

 

[Juize]

AAAARGH! Im really pathetic and little and perhaps even wimp when I'm talking this again.
Real sorry, I have to talk, perhaps it the age..:
But anyways:..

Geez, no one tell Juize that. He seems to believe the idea that Americans are "the great satan"....little does he know, we're no different than his neighbors.....oh well.

No, I'm not. I know many folks who do consider you a satan-on-earth, homewer.
I just refuse to believe that the muslims are "the great satan", as you have told me.

I'm going to open my mouth and say something here. I am a peace and justice activist, and have been so for most of my life. The thought of war terrifies me. However, after the Tragedy of September 11, I firmly believe that something should be done about terrorism. I don't like the idea of our war because I'm afraid that it will create new violence, and terrorist attacks against us. But you best believe that as a proud and loyal American, I will do what I can to support my country.

What disturbs me here, is the uncompromising black-and-white views of some folks around here. I get the feeling (and I may be wrong), that if you don't believe 100% in everything coming out of the White House, that you're just as bad as the terrorists. Some folks say that if you had lost someone in these horrible acts, that you would be gung ho about war. Well, there are 5 members of my family in NY that are unaccounted for. In other words, they may be dead. I don't even have words to describe how I feel, except like bawling.

I'm appealing to some sensitivity here. It is entirely possible to hate the thought of war, yet still be wholly supportive of one's government. Being a person with disabilities, I don't know if my country will find me worthy of doing anything spectacular, like signing up for service, but I desperately want to do something tangible to support my country. We peacemongers are not the horrible low-lives some of you make us out to be.

! NOW were talking the same language here!
(I hope they dont kill you because I love your comment...)

 

[Flatlander Fox]

"The great prepoderence of these people do not protest because they genuinley agree with peace, or even understand what is going on; they are simply protesting for its own sake, which is frivolous."


You said it so well Simon, and I didn't...

My point that I didn't make is that I believe in their right to protest, and will defend it. But I revile the uninformed, or the "rent-a-crowd" group that thinks it's O.K. to do this just because it's allowed. Or those looking to share their ignorance with the world on CNN.

I also agree with you Dread. People don't celebrate gentleness or caring in the media, they focus their klieg lights on the exact opposite. Therefore "peaceniks" are either demonized or used for the "opposing view".

As black and white as my views sound, they are tempered with the knowledge that others see it differently... I want to hear the other views also, and see what I can take from them...

 

[BlueMonday]

You won't see me out there protesting, but I suppose that's just the way it's going to be. There are many people out there that would do anything to avoid a war, even if in the long run it would hurt them more. Some people are so attached to peace that they cant see through the false veil that peace brings. So few of us understand that great and beautiful things like peace and freedom are not given to you. Instead, they are something that you must always fight for, struggle for, and kill for. Humanity isn't just going to turn over and be peaceful, life is a never ending fight -and quite a brutal one I might add.

As for the draft, I think it's a little pre-mature to even be considering starting a draft much less protesting one. Unless we get involved in occupation of crapistan I doubt a draft would be neccessary. As for whether I'd join up, the answer is no, I would not volunteer; but if I were drafted, then so be it -I won't even try to dodge it by calling myself a consciencous objector. Do I fear that happening? Yes, that's not something I had planned on doing with my pitiful little life but just becuase I don't want to do something doesn't mean that I won't do it. If they ask me to pay the price so that we can stave off this black cloud a little longer...so be it.

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

It going yo look real good on their job resumes "I marched against the war on terrorism".

 

[Ashoka]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm going to open my mouth and say something here. I am a peace and justice activist, and have been so for most of my life. The thought of war terrifies me. However, after the Tragedy of September 11, I firmly believe that something should be done about terrorism. I don't like the idea of our war because I'm afraid that it will create new violence, and terrorist attacks against us. But you best believe that as a proud and loyal American, I will do what I can to support my country.

----

Dread -

I am also torn by this. I served in the USAF, In military intel, *then* less then 3 months after I left, was protesting the Gulf war... (specifics - the Saudi gov't is by NO means a Democracy, nor Kuwait... nor Saddam, of course. It is stupid to get in between tyrants, gettin my friend still in the USAF possibly killed, just to keep gas cheap at home) this was difficult, because I wanted to support my friends who were on active duty, and I justified it as my attempt to keep them out of harms way for what I felt was unimportant in comparison to their lives. After this, I became a Buddhist...this experience making me really look at my values deeply.

NOW - HOWEVER - I am infuriated by some of the air-head peace talk. (Very un-zen-like, I know.) They talk about peace, I hear young, confused and scared people-- and their elders talking about "peace at any price." Do we all remember the last time this phrase was popular? The kids probably don't know who Neville Chamberlin was... the leftover hippy-dippies *should* remember.

If this is not a situation that meets the definition of 'just war' and 'self defense'... I am at a loss to see what is.

If anything, this shows that we should have resorted to action, even military action, *earlier.* Bush Sr. wanted to save US lives, etc. by not going into Bagdhad. Nothing was saved. EVERY SINGLE organization that acts as an *alarm* about human rights, repression, fascism and terrorism started hounding us about the Taliban years ago... even before we pulled our support away from them.

I suppose lots of the kids protesting and their hippy-dippy elders get updates from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. But it is much more important, I guess, to sit back, do nothing, and clap each other on the back in congratulations of how 'peaceful' we all are.

Ashoka

 

[TrailblazingScot]

These aren't real students...I remember in my college (Castle College, Durham) going to dinner one day and find out that I along with virtually everyone else had got up at 5 pm

I couldn't be bothered to march versus the rise in the accomodation fees...

To protest is only worthwhile if you've chained yourself to your bed OR that your protest is not to submit any work.