Anti-War Rhetoric

I want to go on record as saying I'm personally against the War in Iraq, but not against the War in Afghanistan.

That said, what I read in the Seattle Times today just caught me by complete surprise and makes me question the intelligence of some members of the anti-war movement.

The headline reads:

Police fire pepper spray in anti-war protets at Port of Olympia

The article goes on to say that shipments of Army gear and supplies were being shipped from Olympia out to the troops in Iraq, and anti-war protestors lined the complex and tried to interfere with the shipment. While most of them were relatively peaceful, a number of protestors became unruly to the point that police had to fire pepper spray to disperse some of the crowd. And that was after repeatedly being warned that they would have to use pepper spray.

One of the protestor's comments were: ""It burned. I couldn't open my eyes for 20 minutes. My face is burning. I dunked my face in water and in Puget Sound." {Rachel Graham} as she rubbed watermelon on her face. (Quote courtesy of Seattle Times)

After acknowledging that they really couldn't do much to influence the shipments another protestor remarked that: "I think Olympia can be an example. If multiple communities begin to emulate these kinds of actions, it might gum up the gears a little bit." {Sandy Mayes}

I believe in the freedom of speech and the right to protest. But at least be educated in what you are trying to accomplish, and be aware of the best way to accomplish your goals.

What Ms. Mayes states when she made her comment above sounds very much like a call to other people to be unruly and disruptive. Peaceful protests are one thing, but causing a public disturbance, blocking the Port of Olympia from conducting normal operations, and trying to trespass on private property show a lack of understanding of what it means to peaceful and calm protest.

I do not have much compassion for those who complained of burning eyes, when they were repeatedly warned, and were breaking the law. If you choose to do so, then you also choose the consequences of your actions. The Revolutionaries, during the Colonial Times, chose to revolt despite the possibility that if they lost they would be executed.

More importantly though, what is really bothersome about this particular protest, is that these protestors are trying to keep supplies from the soldiers in Iraq. It's one thing to protest the war. But those soldiers are still out there risking their lives, whether by choice or not. Some agree with the principles that lead us to this particular war. Some do not. This type of protest targets both, and targets both unfairly. Regardless of where you stand, those people over there still need help and protection and supplies.

It's bad enough our own government sent troops out without adequate body armor. We don't need to add to that problem by trying to delay shipments of much needed supplies. If you really want to put an end to this war, try to get a new President elected next election. If you really want to protest this war, protest this war peacefully. Don't try to stop much needed shipments. You're ony hurting those who have no say in what happens to them.

Unless of course Ms. Mayes and Ms. Graham actually want the troops over there to injured. And I doubt that's what they really want.