PROTEST
I visited Washington, DC, this weekend with my son, who is looking at DC based graduate schools. This morning we visited George Washington University, and we heard a commotion while walking around the campus. Following the sound of a very noisy loud speaker, we walked down 23rd Street, past the State Department, and ended up on the National Mall nearby the Lincoln Memorial. Standing around us were droves of war protestors, there to protest US involvement in Iraq. It was supposed to be a march of a 100,000 plus people, originating on the Mall and ending at the Pentagon. In reality, there were about 10,000 protestors. These ideologues apparently don’t like the cold weather.
It was obviously well financed. Tour buses were dropping their loads of protestors. People lined the street handing out stacks of pre-printed protest signs. There were shirt salesmen and button salesmen. There were people dressed in costume like the grim reaper wearing an American flag, and George Bush masks worn by people wearing swastikas. And in the background was the constant drone of the loud speaker. And that is what is interesting.
While there was a strong dose of anti-war rhetoric, for the most part the chants were concerned with other issues. They chanted against racism. They chanted against economic inequality. They chanted against globalization. They chanted against Israel. Standing all around were people handing out Socialist literature and newspapers. All of this raised the question, who was paying for all of this?
More importantly, counter-protestors were everywhere. Local television reported threats against the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that were being circulated on the internet, and the Vets showed up in droves to protect it. On its face, there appeared to be an equal number, if not more, counter-protestors than those opposing the war. They were adorned in American flags and motorcycle jackets. Their gathering place was a knoll above the Vietnam Memorial, and chants of U-S-A proudly competed with the socialist drone coming from the loud speakers.
We stood in line to go through security to allow us to walk in front of the Vietnam Memorial, and some protestors were in line in front of us, ditzy girls who were giggling and laughing, and talking in a patronizing manner to the police officer attempting to move people through security quickly. They were pitiful, with their anti war stickers on their sleeves and on their butts. What a lark for them. What a tragedy for those fighting in Iraq.
The length of the Memorial was lined with veterans, who came up and shook our hands and thanked us for coming. One thanked me for my service. I was embarrassed because I didn’t serve. Then we went to the knoll, and heard the speeches. Unequivocally and loudly, one speaker stated the obvious: the biggest ally our enemies have is the Congress, and its attempt to undermine our efforts and the efforts of our troops by usurping the authority of our generals and the President.
I agree. The gross over-estimate of the number of protestors, and the gross under-estimate of the number of counter protestors, and the rhetoric from the loud speakers that was aimed more at hatred for Bush and other left wing issues rather than war, makes the antics in Congress look petty and small. I respect anyone who truly opposes the war, and the right to express that opposition. I have nothing but disdain for those who are using the war, which may be irrelevant to them, as a tool to politically push other left wing issues, or even worse, to simply win elections. I am sure that is the case of at least some of the Congressional leaders, and it makes me physically ill. It brings treason into the halls of Congress.
It was obviously well financed. Tour buses were dropping their loads of protestors. People lined the street handing out stacks of pre-printed protest signs. There were shirt salesmen and button salesmen. There were people dressed in costume like the grim reaper wearing an American flag, and George Bush masks worn by people wearing swastikas. And in the background was the constant drone of the loud speaker. And that is what is interesting.
While there was a strong dose of anti-war rhetoric, for the most part the chants were concerned with other issues. They chanted against racism. They chanted against economic inequality. They chanted against globalization. They chanted against Israel. Standing all around were people handing out Socialist literature and newspapers. All of this raised the question, who was paying for all of this?
More importantly, counter-protestors were everywhere. Local television reported threats against the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that were being circulated on the internet, and the Vets showed up in droves to protect it. On its face, there appeared to be an equal number, if not more, counter-protestors than those opposing the war. They were adorned in American flags and motorcycle jackets. Their gathering place was a knoll above the Vietnam Memorial, and chants of U-S-A proudly competed with the socialist drone coming from the loud speakers.
We stood in line to go through security to allow us to walk in front of the Vietnam Memorial, and some protestors were in line in front of us, ditzy girls who were giggling and laughing, and talking in a patronizing manner to the police officer attempting to move people through security quickly. They were pitiful, with their anti war stickers on their sleeves and on their butts. What a lark for them. What a tragedy for those fighting in Iraq.
The length of the Memorial was lined with veterans, who came up and shook our hands and thanked us for coming. One thanked me for my service. I was embarrassed because I didn’t serve. Then we went to the knoll, and heard the speeches. Unequivocally and loudly, one speaker stated the obvious: the biggest ally our enemies have is the Congress, and its attempt to undermine our efforts and the efforts of our troops by usurping the authority of our generals and the President.
I agree. The gross over-estimate of the number of protestors, and the gross under-estimate of the number of counter protestors, and the rhetoric from the loud speakers that was aimed more at hatred for Bush and other left wing issues rather than war, makes the antics in Congress look petty and small. I respect anyone who truly opposes the war, and the right to express that opposition. I have nothing but disdain for those who are using the war, which may be irrelevant to them, as a tool to politically push other left wing issues, or even worse, to simply win elections. I am sure that is the case of at least some of the Congressional leaders, and it makes me physically ill. It brings treason into the halls of Congress.
Comments
So you were in Washington, D.C.?
I enjoyed reading about your experiences there, and I plan to send along your blog to many of my e-mail pen pals. Thank you for telling us what you saw and heard.
SK