What do you think of antiwar protesters?

[katseiye]

You might want to consider just who and what was responsible for your right to peacibly assemble and protest against war. It wasn't anti-war protests that gave you that right, it was a war.

I don't know how old you are, but at some point, you may look back and realize that. I get the feeling that anti-war protesters all wish we lived in a perfect world, and that their protesing war will get us there.

Well guess what? We all want to live in a perfect world, but while you are wishing for it, and asking for it, some people are actually going out and risking their very lives, and not just a night in jail, to try and get that more perfect world.

I know you probably mean well, but understand why many of us just don't take you seriously when you think you care as much about an issue as people who are willing to give their lives for their beliefs on the other side. Be honest, now. You don't care that much, do you?

As for protesting, as long as you do it peacibly, and don't think you can physically attack me or others without repercussion, my feeling is that better men than yourself, gave their lives, so that you could stand up and complain. I would not dishonor their sacrifice by stopping you from doing that, because no matter how much you protest war, the very fact that you have the right to protest is an affirmation of war, and warriors, and of their sacrifice, as an ends to justice and human rights.

And, yes, I know you don't see it that way. It doesn't matter.

Wel said sir !

[katseiye]

It is interesting I came across this thread just now...just had a tragic incident here in Iraq, so thought I oughta pipe in. Just for background...I'm in the middle of my second tour here with the National Guard...back home I'm a LEO with about 3.5 years in.
First of all, what I think about anti-war protestors... I think that even if they don't really intend to, they cast a shadow over the memory of the sacrifice that thousands have made here - at best. I don't think any protestor has room to say they "respect the troops and the sacrifice they make." Being in this war becomes a part of your identity, like it or not, and seeing it protested makes it seems what you have done and been through counts for nothing in the eyes of the people you fought to protect.
Worse still are those who accost soldiers because of their service. You may picture us as "baby killers," "tyrants," or something equally as evil. You will never see what we have gone through for our country, or the people of this country. You will never see the heroic efforts to rescue innocent civilians caught up in terrorist actions. You will never stand on scorched pavement, feeling the lump in your throat and refusing to break down as you look at the remenants of toys and shoes of children who have been virtually disentegrated by the blast of a random car bomb. You don't have to like what we do - just remember we do it so you don't have to.
Worst of the worst are those who attend soldier's funerals to protest...I can only imagine how they fallen warrior's families must feel to see the memory of their loved one marred by the presence of those heartless people.
Before you start speaking about how "your" government has done horrible things...you should remember there was once a dictator and murderer named Saddam who ruled Iraq. He WAS the government. He needed to be removed, period. I only wish action had been taken sooner. A more evil person you would be hard pressed to find. During my first tour, I worked with numerous members of the (then) new Iraqi National Guard. Many of them told me they wanted to serve in the ING because of things Saddam had done to them personally, or their families and loved ones while he was in power.
One ING soldier told me he was once playing soccer (national pastime!) in a field near a bridge that Saddam and his entorouge were crossing. One of Saddam's men approached the soccer players and told them Saddam didn't want them in that particular field. The friend of the man I spoke to asked Saddam's crony why they couldn't play soccer in a public place such as that field. Saddam's man responded by shooting him in the face, rejoining the rest of Saddam's party and leaving the area.
Several other ING soldiers told me they had been imprisioned for years for speaking against Saddam's government - some were not freed until Saddam was ousted. So, while you are protesting, saying whatever you want about the President, the Government, and the troops - enjoy. A lot of people have suffered because they did not have the rights you relish. The same war you are protesting is the war that began because of tyranny. Food for thought, right?
Sorry, just a little emotional at the momment...stepping off my soap box now.

This is just one of the soap boxes youv'e earned the right to be on anytime, anywhere. Thank you for your service and come home safe

[Ralph8119]

It's still the Greatest Show on Earth!

Hey Downtown Hound, this wouldn't be you???

[NORCOCOP]

Smoke and mirrors.

That about sums up your not so infomative post, next time stay on topic and prove a point instead of making lots of "interesting" points. Referencing non related information and sources to lead us down a path that is so twisted and tangled only a very short bus could navagate it. I don't really have a collective opinion on protesters, they all have differnt reasons and motivations, but I certainly can say you are dillusional. Thinking the medie is TOO conservative, puh-lease, pass the koolaid, I knew you were wrong as soon as you spewed that non sense.

Way to ride on the back of an true American hero, Butler, to make you dilusional and idiotic idea seem somehow patriotic.

[Downtown Hound]

LOL Ralph 8119. No, I'm afraid that is not, in fact, me. I am infinitely better looking than that guy.

[Downtown Hound]

Katsieye,

I have taken your advisement about reconsidering my stated positions under advisement. After very careful consideration, I regret to inform you that they have not changed as of this time. But thank you for the suggestion anyways.

[Downtown Hound]

And so, ladies and gentlemen, brave officers of the law, I shall be leaving you now. I think we have all said what we felt we needed to say here, and it's probably best to let this thread begin to die. The admins can delete my account or keep it open, but either way, I shall not be returning.

It is possible, if fate has it in store for us, that we may one day meet again, in person the next time. I do hope such a meeting will be as pleasant as possible, and I will try and see to it that it is such. But one can never be sure of anything in these troubled times that we live.

Once again, stay safe, much love to y'all. And most of all, peace. To us all.

[Group 29]

LOL Ralph 8119. No, I'm afraid that is not, in fact, me. I am infinitely better looking than that guy.

See what I meant when I said I had never met an anti-war protester, yet who didnt have high self esteem?

The thing is, Hound, we know you and your type, a lot better than you know us. Have a good life, and just try, just for a few seconds every day, to remember who gave it to you.

[(S)Sgt Elmer]

The thing is, Hound, we know you and your type, a lot better than you know us. Have a good life, and just try, just for a few seconds every day, to remember who gave it to you.

Deserves repeating.

And You're Welcome, Hound.

[t150vsuptpr]

Heh, heh. Where do I go KAPSFB? Well, I go a variety of places. On Thursday, when I made my first departure, I had to go see if I could track down my sister, who once again has stopped going to her AA meetings and begun drinking herself into a stupor and then disappearing. A family matter that required my attention, I hope you can understand. I’m sure you LEO’s know too well the story of alcoholism. I have responsibilities and I have things to attend to.

And yes, actually I have 2 jobs. I’m a part time contractor, and part time computer support specialist. I’m also a full time IT student who graduates in four weeks. Every day I go to school from 9-2, then I go to work, then I come home and do homework. In addition to all of this, I have certification exams to study for. And if you really must know, there’s also a special woman that likes to occupy my time when she can, and that’s where I’ve “been” this weekend. I don’t really spend all of my time posting on the internet, on this board or any others. I do post on other boards sometimes, but only occasionally, as I do here. So I apologize that I disappear between posts every now and again, but my world is quite full right now, and I have to prioritize.

So .... do you still live under your parent's roof?

[Downtown Hound]

On one final note, no, t150vsuptpt. Both my parents have been dead for more than 10 years. I live off of the money I earn, money I have from selling my car last year, and financial aid. I ain't rich but I get by, and hopefully in a month here, I'll be making decent money when I graduate.

Oh and Group29, I will concede that you may know me and my "type" better than I know you for now. But nothing lasts forever. You are no doubt watching me, but I am watching you. And I have learned a lot since I've been here, and I will continue to learn. Thanks for the education, and thanks for your service.

Now I really am out of here. Peace.

[Group 29]

You are no doubt watching me, but I am watching you.

No, no one is watching you. Isn't that the whole reason you have to protest in the first place? To get someone to notice you.

[Downtown Hound]

Right, no one is watching me. None of us are being watched. There aren't 700,000 American citizens on the terrorism watch list. Our phone calls, emails, and all other forms of communication aren't being monitored by the NSA with the complicity of the telecommunications giants, and there is not and never has been a "no fly" list for antiwar activists.

We're all being watched Group29, even you, in this here land of the free.

[Group 29]

Right, no one is watching me. None of us are being watched. There aren't 700,000 American citizens on the terrorism watch list. Our phone calls, emails, and all other forms of communication aren't being monitored by the NSA with the complicity of the telecommunications giants, and there is not and never has been a "no fly" list for antiwar activists.

We're all being watched Group29, even you, in this here land of the free.

Yes, time to take the little yellow pills they gave you. We will re-route the black helicopters away from your house until they have had time to take effect.

(I feel like I did the time I went to pick up my wife when she worked at a mental health facility, and I passed the time waiting by talking to a gentleman who nodded at me for five minutes, and who then started picking up dirt from the ground and putting it on top of his head).

[(S)Sgt Elmer]

Right, no one is watching me. None of us are being watched. There aren't 700,000 American citizens on the terrorism watch list. Our phone calls, emails, and all other forms of communication aren't being monitored by the NSA with the complicity of the telecommunications giants, and there is not and never has been a "no fly" list for antiwar activists.

We're all being watched Group29, even you, in this here land of the free.

Good lord, why didn't you just leave well enough alone and stay gone.

You've just proven yourself a fringe moonbat. Good job.

News flash - nobody gives a damn about you and your antiwar buddies. If the NSA is watching anyone, they're watching those that could actually do something bad to us, not a bunch of misguided kids. They don't have unlimited resources so they can't watch you, however unhappy you might be, or however much you hate your country.

Tell me, where could you go to avoid all of this so called opression?

To all of your points I have just two words: PROVE IT.