Yet Another Oh-So-Potentially-Divisive War Thread: Peace Rallies

[Brainatra]

Yesterday, I decided to attend the peace rally/march here in Portland, which, according to the papers, had upwards of 20,000 people showing up. I'd never been to an antiwar rally before, but found the experience interesting. One of the local TV stations' newscasts decided to only focus on one disruptive protestor holding up traffic/stupidly fighting the cops instead of the protestors themselves, though.

Most amusing aspects: the group of people in the march wearing French berets, carrying long loafs of French bread and holding signs written in French (I asked them about it; they thought the "French fries" flap was stupid); and some of the signs (a few weren't, um, repeatable here). There were some of those "Code Pink" dressed-in-pink women there; one of them said she was one of those in D.C. in the news awhile back.

Anyone else been to any antiwar rallies (or *pro-war* rallies, if so inclined; there was one such rally held here today, though with apparently only several dozen in attendance)?

-B.

[Barb Gordon]

No. Thought about going to one, just to see what it's like even though I'm for what my President decides. Gone past the one some fellow students held last Wed or so during that walk out day or whatever it was. Was rather pathetic, like only 200 people...least that's what the paper says, I only saw about 100. Had to admit, did see a rather amusing sig: Stop Mad Cowboy Disease. I got a kick out of that. I may have differences of opinion, but I have to give credit for an amusing poster.

~Barb

[randomguy]

I dropped by one a couple of weeks back, and I had a pretty spirited debate with a group of peace advocates outside my favorite bookstore last night, but I haven't really spent much time at any of the anti-war rallies.

I think the peace movement in the US means good and is a noble cause, but the approach it's taken thus far has been lacking. The question of rather or not Iraq should be attacked is a more valid intellectual debate than either side is willing to admit. This problem shows itself a lot more on the pro-war side, but it's a problem in the peace movement too. I don't think enough of the protesters and peace advocates active right now do enough to acknowledge the other side, and I haven't met or talked with many that are as well-informed as they should be. Too many of the anti-war folks that I've interacted with haven't thought hard enough about the issue, and have either jumped on the bandwagon or joined the peace side with little research or meditation.

But I digress... I think I'll definitely attend the next one, and I know organizers in many cities are planning "emergency" rallies that can be started up the day war starts, should that happen. I'm in a capitol city, so I know where to go should any rally occur.

[TimTwoFace]

I've never been at a protest as a protestor, but I've been to a protest on my university campus. This was back in 1997 during the APEC summit in Vancouver. It became a riotus frenzy and the Mounties went in there with beat sticks and pepper spray. And there I was, worried about getting to class on time. :p

There are many protests (and strike action, for that matter) out there I think are silly - but I don't mind the anti-war rallies, as I'm also in the anti-war boat right now. I'll give it to the protestors, though - they do come up with creative signs and slogans.

-Tim
("Make Love, Not War" - ehhhh, it's so stereotypical. Get a new slogan.)

[Stardust]

There has been a few on campus, but I don't dare to stop by. I don't trust myself to keep silent. I think war protests are good because this country is so great to allow us to have one, but if you're going to protest something, you better know your information because I don't want to debate with a dud. And so far, I hear most of these students on campus protesting don't really know what they're protesting.

I look at those people in disgust because they seem to have no respect for their fellow classmates who are in the military. The one protest seemed so distasteful; they had people put on white make-up and lay in body bags to simulate dead people. Yeah, like that's really gonna make me listen to what you have to say.

Yesterday, I decided to attend the peace rally/march here in Portland, which, according to the papers, had upwards of 20,000 people showing up. I'd never been to an antiwar rally before, but found the experience interesting. One of the local TV stations' newscasts decided to only focus on one disruptive protestor holding up traffic/stupidly fighting the cops instead of the protestors themselves, though.

It's wrong of the media to focus on the one guy, but hey, it's sensationalism: sex, scandal, and money sells. :rolleyes:

[Brainatra]

>>("Make Love, Not War" - ehhhh, it's so stereotypical. Get a new slogan.)

Well, I saw a few rather amusing ones, one in particular; howeverr, I don't think the board moderators would let me write it. :-)

-B.

[Pilmedium]

I would never go to a peace rally, but I think the people who go do it for a worthy cause. Some signs they hold up are more creative than productive, though.

[TimTwoFace]

Due to reorganization at Cafe Toonzone, all threads dealing with the Iraq situation have now been closed. A new thread has been opened, and all topics involving the potential war with Iraq will be permitted there and only there.

Follow this link (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70991) to take you there.

Thank you for your cooperation!

-Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton
Toonzone Moderator