JR JAM
03-18-2003, 02:23 PM
Protests March 17, 2003
It appears that by the time this column goes to press (or ends up at the bottom of a bird cage), America will be going to war. Shouts of "Stop the presses" will be heard as thousands of newsrooms scramble to put out special editions. When that happens, I'd also like to hear a thousand voices shouting "Stop the protests."
Both sides of the Iraq war debate have attempted to make their case as persuasively as possible. (Okay, the nudists who proclaimed, "You can't fight a war naked," only proved that most people look better with their clothes ON.)
Protesters have made their point with marches, political ads, and proclamations by such political experts such as actress Kim Bassinger, director Rob Reiner, and M*A*S*H veteran Mike Farrell. Even "The West Wing's" left-wing TV president made a paid, political speech to the nation. More credibly, the Pope sent a representative to Washington to plead for peace. I've even devoted a couple columns to the controversy ("Top Ten Ways to Avoid War with Iraq").
Meanwhile, the President, Secretary of State, and many conservative commentators have argued, just as passionately, that war is the only option when dealing with a psychopathic dictator who has no regard for human life -- even of his own people. Some restaurants, to protest France's refusal to support the war effort, have taken french fries off the menu. And the www.francestinks.com (http://www.francestinks.com) Web site patriotically promotes it "France Stinks" thongs. (The same Webmaster also hosts www.germanystinks.com.) (http://www.germanystinks.com.))
According to a recent poll (and that's the way red-blooded, Americans make decisions), nearly three-fourths of Americans believe that war is now the only answer. So, the score: Hawks 71, Doves 29.
But some groups are refusing to accept the fact that they've lost the battle on the war issue.
Activists from Direct Action, a San Francisco anti-war group, have been planning their own campaign in the event of war in Iraq. Representatives say they will shut down 70 targets in San Francisco alone, including power plants, water systems, the Federal Reserve, oil companies and the Pacific Exchange and TransAmerica building. This immediately brings up several questions: Who are these people? How do they think attacking our own country's resources will contribute to the peace movement? What are they smoking?
Perhaps Al Gore, who won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote in 2000, spoke most eloquently about issues that divide our country. Here are a few sound bites from his December 13 concession speech:
Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done.
And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom."
I love that attitude, and I didn't even vote for Gore, which I guess makes me a conservative. But, I strongly disagree with the current plan for war with Iraq, which probably makes me a liberal. Then again, I like to think of myself as a middle of the road moderate, which some would argue puts me right on the center line with all the other stinking road kill.
Wherever I am politically, I'm thankful that I live in a country where I can voice my disagreement with the government without spending the rest of my life being tortured in an Iraqi prison.
Yet, I believe there comes a time when the ranting and raving on both sides (and in the middle, too), is no longer constructive to the country as a whole. (Even the late-night comics honored a self-imposed moratorium on jokes about the President following the 9/11 attacks.)
Now is not the time to raise our voices in protest, but to raise our voices in prayer that this seemingly inevitable war is short, successful, and sacrifices the fewest lives as possible on both sides.
"Thank you and good night, and God bless America."
(c) 2003 James N. Watkins
It appears that by the time this column goes to press (or ends up at the bottom of a bird cage), America will be going to war. Shouts of "Stop the presses" will be heard as thousands of newsrooms scramble to put out special editions. When that happens, I'd also like to hear a thousand voices shouting "Stop the protests."
Both sides of the Iraq war debate have attempted to make their case as persuasively as possible. (Okay, the nudists who proclaimed, "You can't fight a war naked," only proved that most people look better with their clothes ON.)
Protesters have made their point with marches, political ads, and proclamations by such political experts such as actress Kim Bassinger, director Rob Reiner, and M*A*S*H veteran Mike Farrell. Even "The West Wing's" left-wing TV president made a paid, political speech to the nation. More credibly, the Pope sent a representative to Washington to plead for peace. I've even devoted a couple columns to the controversy ("Top Ten Ways to Avoid War with Iraq").
Meanwhile, the President, Secretary of State, and many conservative commentators have argued, just as passionately, that war is the only option when dealing with a psychopathic dictator who has no regard for human life -- even of his own people. Some restaurants, to protest France's refusal to support the war effort, have taken french fries off the menu. And the www.francestinks.com (http://www.francestinks.com) Web site patriotically promotes it "France Stinks" thongs. (The same Webmaster also hosts www.germanystinks.com.) (http://www.germanystinks.com.))
According to a recent poll (and that's the way red-blooded, Americans make decisions), nearly three-fourths of Americans believe that war is now the only answer. So, the score: Hawks 71, Doves 29.
But some groups are refusing to accept the fact that they've lost the battle on the war issue.
Activists from Direct Action, a San Francisco anti-war group, have been planning their own campaign in the event of war in Iraq. Representatives say they will shut down 70 targets in San Francisco alone, including power plants, water systems, the Federal Reserve, oil companies and the Pacific Exchange and TransAmerica building. This immediately brings up several questions: Who are these people? How do they think attacking our own country's resources will contribute to the peace movement? What are they smoking?
Perhaps Al Gore, who won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote in 2000, spoke most eloquently about issues that divide our country. Here are a few sound bites from his December 13 concession speech:
Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done.
And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
Now the political struggle is over and we turn again to the unending struggle for the common good of all Americans and for those multitudes around the world who look to us for leadership in the cause of freedom."
I love that attitude, and I didn't even vote for Gore, which I guess makes me a conservative. But, I strongly disagree with the current plan for war with Iraq, which probably makes me a liberal. Then again, I like to think of myself as a middle of the road moderate, which some would argue puts me right on the center line with all the other stinking road kill.
Wherever I am politically, I'm thankful that I live in a country where I can voice my disagreement with the government without spending the rest of my life being tortured in an Iraqi prison.
Yet, I believe there comes a time when the ranting and raving on both sides (and in the middle, too), is no longer constructive to the country as a whole. (Even the late-night comics honored a self-imposed moratorium on jokes about the President following the 9/11 attacks.)
Now is not the time to raise our voices in protest, but to raise our voices in prayer that this seemingly inevitable war is short, successful, and sacrifices the fewest lives as possible on both sides.
"Thank you and good night, and God bless America."
(c) 2003 James N. Watkins