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Title: Rudeness mars peace message
Source:
Portland Tribune
URL Source: http://www.portlandtribune.com/opin ... hp?story_id=117459283544877600
Published: Mar 23, 2007
Author: Staff
Post Date: 2007-03-24 00:06:36 by mirage
Keywords: None
Views: 105
Comments: 9
If the cause of peace is worth supporting — and we believe it is — then peace protesters must demonstrate the values they promote. The vast majority of the estimated 15,000 protesters who took part in a peace march Sunday in downtown Portland did just that. They were well-behaved, well- intentioned and serious about their cause. But then there was a smaller group of demonstrators — if they can even be called that — who engaged in numerous actions that violated the sensibilities of ordinary people and damaged the very cause the activists claimed to endorse. This splinter group of protesters showed its support for “peace” by burning a U.S. soldier in effigy. It exhibited its supposedly pacifist nature by knocking a police officer off his bike — an action that brought out the police riot squad. Perhaps the most disturbing scene of the afternoon, however, involved the man who pulled down his pants in front of women and children and defecated on a burning U.S. flag. This disgusting act actually elicited cheers from some members of the crowd, but we hope that the emotion it produces in the community is one of revulsion. Offensive behavior does not advance peace and justice in the world. Rather, it undermines the moral message of peace demonstrators. It leads people to believe that it’s not possible to be both patriotic and opposed to the war in Iraq. If the goal of peace demonstrators is to influence public opinion and encourage an end to the war, the activists must connect with their fellow citizens — not repel them. Most of the people who marched on Sunday fully understand this. And by singling out the few who didn’t, we don’t intend to place thousands of demonstrators under one label. But the actions of a few do create a public perception that at least some advocates for peace are anti-American, anti-police and far out of step with mainstream values. The anti-war demonstrators who behaved responsibly this past weekend have an obligation to denounce — and distance themselves from — those protesters who purposefully offend others and consequently destroy the intended message of peace.
Poster Comment: For an antiwar protest in Portland, this one was pretty calm. Only a couple of reprehensible incidents this time. Unfortunately, the rest of the protesters didn't repudiate this small group and thus, one ends up with "guilt by association" as a result unfortunately......
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#1. To: mirage (#0)
Oh yeah, these are the "peace" protestors for sure, not some cia psysops.
"First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. Then you win." --Mahatma K. Gandhi
First they feel offended, then they feel afraid or angry, then they feel ashamed, then they retreat. Unless they act.
"Toad, Toad, wake up. It is May now." Fuck that...It is well beyond the time that these protests don't involve 'rudeness' in the highest order. "Round, round, to the ground...there's a revolution going on today!"
Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee Website
The Latin America protests were much more macho and impressive.
"First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. Then you win." --Mahatma K. Gandhi
I think this summer, after the colleges are idle, should prove quite interesting, indeed. Time for another 'real' Woodstock/Gooselake...!
Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee Website
this could be the work of the gathering of eagles. bird poop
Only if the public is to be "turned off" to getting out of Iraq. A calm demonstration would do more to further a withdrawl than a bunch of morons trying to piss people off. Early on in the war, I pepper-sprayed a moron "protestor" off of my car. Attacking civilians does nothing but antagonize people against "the cause" - it loses the 'hearts and minds' and ensures that the public delivers the opposite of the demands rendered.
Press 1 to proceed in English. Press 2 for Deportation.
the guys who defacated on the burning flag are not real peace protesters. they're obviously undercover agents or provocateurs.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
a bunch of cons at the local medium security prison? Signs printed courtesy CIA. (Check out the smiling fellow behind the wimmin.) He's not quite right.
"First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. Then you win." --Mahatma K. Gandhi
burning a U.S. soldier in effigy
#2. To: mirage (#0)
"What?" said Toad.
"Can it be May so soon?"
"Yes," said Frog. "Look at your calendar."
#3. To: mirage (#0)
#4. To: Brian S (#3)
#5. To: angle (#4)
#6. To: mirage (#0)
#7. To: Brian S (#3)
Fuck that...It is well beyond the time that these protests don't involve 'rudeness' in the highest order.
#8. To: angle (#1)
these are the "peace" protestors for sure, not some cia psysops.
#9. To: Red Jones (#8)
(Edited)
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