War Protesters, Anti-Military, Hippies?

Question

I've been looking on Yahoo Answers and I've been reading many answers from different people who protest the war and who are anti-military. But what I am wondering is what do they do to make a difference?

They protest for a couple hours, pack up and call it a day. Afterwards they go on their computer come on Yahoo Answers, and do it there. If you think that that is making a difference and that you are doing something that will get recognized I hate to tell you that you are sadly mistaken. I highly doubt people in Washington consult the Yahoo Answer board for decisions. But what I love even more as that when you come on this site, you blast military people over cyber space. But do you have the balls to do it in real life? Do you honestly think you could walk up to a man/woman in uniform and tell them what you think of them? This is the only place you will be safe ever talkin **** about military people. So enjoy it.

Watzzzup, really all are criminals? I too find it criminalizing when troops are handing out food to Iraqi children. When the troops offer medical attention to those who wouldn't other wise be able to get it. But yet the Iraqi extremist use children now to detonate bombs to kill people are saints. Stop watching CNN for all your information. They show you 30 seconds of a clip in the day of the life of whats going on over there.

writersblock since you've been in the military you should know that following orders and actually making the decision to go to war are two different things. Anti-military are protesting at the funerals, wheres your bitching about that immortality?

writersblock, also your answer had nothing to do with my question, its just bashing Bush.

pensterx, freedom of speech is apparently taken for granted. Protestors use that same right military people have protected, to use it against the servicemembers.

sky2evan, what military base has been put in a country that we haven't ever went to war against? Or had the countrys approval to do so? Also you wanna talk about world peace, thats more naive than anything else I have said. Americans aren't the only ones who have ever went to war. Wars have been fought ever since the dawn of man and I highly doubt that because you hold your signs for "love not war" that they will ever stop. Your voices go unheard, theres been people like you before who have never made a difference. Your definition of courage is your opinion. I agree that standing on a street takes a lot more balls than leaving for a foreign country for more than a year and getting shot at (sarcasm). Is the "Jedi Way" your view of courage? Its a movie, nothing more.

No Star Wars comparisons this time? The dictionary defines "patriot" in two ways: 1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.
So by definition yes I am a patriot. No where in my previous text have I accused you (as gutless as you are) or anyone else of being a traitor, nor have I implied it. You reply with childish name calling and slander and have the indecency to call me intellectually challenged. You preach peace but yet you resort to verbal assaults, oh how I love the irony.

You need to consult a dictionary when it comes to your inferior name calling. Coward is a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, or easily intimidated person. I do not fall under any of those characteristics.

Even against opposition to the war I have enlisted in the military. So by going by your views of what courage is than I will take some of what you say as a compliment. Cowards with guns kill citizens who fight for a stronger nation. I kill people who seek to harm it. Your comparison to cowards with guns and me holds no water. Cowards and militia are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Terrorists try to incite fear, murder numerous people because their religion depicts us as "infidels" They use children and women for shields to protect their own asses and yet they are the ones to be admired? Tell me whats courageous about that? I think you are the one who is a few clowns short of a circus.

Answer 1

Whatever they do, and regardless of the time spent doing it, it is a disgusting practice. It dishonors all of those brave men and women who put so much on the line so all of us can live free.

These people don't deserve to live in this country, because they are too cowardly to fight for it when the need arises. Thank God for our soldiers in uniform.......at least they show us that they have honor and guts. And I cannot sing enough praises for all those kids who give it their all.

Answer 2

you are mostly right.
Most people complain but do no action Protesting is our right in a democracy though and I wouldnt discourage anyone frm doing it -whether they are against a war or a tax law or abortion or whatever it is that they care about-it is a right to dissent. It promotes debate so people can learn about the issue and decide how they feel about it. I would disagree that protesting doesn't "make a difference" How do you think US got her independance from GB? It started with dissent and protesting(Boston tea party?) It is part of our rich heritage but many forget we had to work and fight to get our democracy. It also needs nurturing or we can lose it if it becomes "wrong" or "useless"to protest. That is a quality of dictatorship countries.
Not everyone can be a lawmaker or a millionaire to affect change in big ways, but everyone should particpate-civic participation thaey call it. Wite to your congressmen, join a political group if you wish, read and learn and discuss.

To be against a war does not equal being against the troops. People who sign up are trusting the govt to only ask for their services in a life and death defense of our country situation But more and more they are used for political gain of others- a gross misuse of those brave troops. Also young enlisted men and women need strong leadership so they will not have to be faced w/terrible conditions overseas without a role model to guide them and keep them in order.... when they are left alone in a hostile country and environment they may not be able to maintain the discipline required. I fault the leaders who didnt give them adequate support in terms of numbers and equipment nor did they have a defined clear mission in many cases. I have worked w military but was a civilian and was impressed with the quality of work and discipline. We need those qualities in our young people especially.
I listed a book below about needing to participate in our govt

Answer 3

Guess I haven't read as many of the answers to the different questions that you have, but, from the answers to different military questions I have read, they weren't bashing the military, but the administration instead. Granted GW is the Commander in Chief, but he'll never be at the front of any line, unless it's a photo opportunity at the front of a chow line.
The average soldier, sailor, marine or airman has absolutely no say in what wars we get into. The obey the commands of those appointed over them, eventually leading to GW. I am proud of our military and proud of what they have accomplished especially since there job description doesn't include being a diplomat. That is GW's job and he's failing at it. I would go up to any military person and tell them what I think of them. I might even wear my uniform, an air force uniform that I wore for over 22 years. Care to stand beside me with yours on? Just so you can explain your questions to them better than I can understand them. Hippies? what rock have you been hiding under for the past 40 years?

Answer 4

How about someone whos signed on the dotted line and already served his country and was willing to die if necessary for his country if need be?

Ive earned my freedom of speech to speak out and point out all these inconsistencies, these illegalities and immoralities that this administration has resorted to.

And every Republican for 6 years has allowed bush to sink this country into shambles.

So if my coming on here and exposing why people should hodl their official accountable effects a few peoples minds -- then hey Ill be happy.

P.S. with fox news also.
If I can expose fox news and bill o'reilly to people that would otherwise not know their tactics of disinforming people, then Im happy to do so.

I type 80 words a minute and its not too much trouble forme to wing out a few questions and answers

If in doing so I can affect a few voters for the next election, or uncover something an honest person didnt know, then thats good enough.

But what it sounds like to me is just another republican trying to argue why there should be no oversight, no accountability.
This is a new age -- information is spreading -- the web is where people learn their info.

So..heres a few things forpeople to look at
Bush -- not being able to show his patriotism when puch came to shove and it was his turn to step up in defense of his country.
http://www.realchange.org/bushjr.htm#vietnam

Lets not forget why bush and out little latino friend hold an alliance in the first place-- Bush had a dUI on his record that Mr little AG man hid from jury duty process.

Proves early on our president was an unpatriotic screw up

AND..
Lets start talking about Bush in office.
Before Bush came to office we had a balanced budget, and would have reaped a 5 trillion dollar budget surplus
but, because HE falsified intel
then went after IRAQ instead of Afganistan
We now are in deficit 3 trillion dollars

PS. -- Further more ******************
Lets not forget bush administration was offered Bin Laden prior to 9/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUZDG84Fae4&mode=related&search=

Lets not forget all the intel that was passed onto Secretary RICe office -- which she denied for years -- than finally conceeeded and said she passed it forward -- yet nothing was done ACCEPT terrorists on 9./11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76X0Yh0jUe4&mode=related&search=

Shall we even get into the billions given to contractor friends of the republican party?
Or how there was never an Al Queda threat in Iraq until now, because of our attacking IRAQ -- (if there actually is Al queda in Iraq right now)

Spread the truth!!!

Answer 5

All protesters have a right to peaceful protest.The only 100% certain thing is-if they do not protest nothing will ever change.
It is so easy for couch commentators to denounce the use of rights that men, and women, have died for to give us this rare commodity.The price paid was enormous and we owe it to them to protect,preserve and practice our right to protest.
The military do a job defending what their leaders decide is worth defending, they believe in what they do is for the greater good (defending people like you who are too weak to defend themselves)right of wrong.
Whether its protesters or soldiers never question if they have balls, that is self evident by the fact that they take action in what they believe in and in my book that shows a lot more balls than some self appointed Socrates throwing garbage at them from their couch.
Any fool can complain and critisise-and most do!

Answer 6

The first 4 answers + goose + shadow, get a global clue about the history of the US military & its role in world affairs over the past 60+ years.

Google "US military interventions", and you'll find a list of over 30 military-CIA actions that include crushing independence rebellions, staging bloody coups, and training/supporting/financing repressive right-wing dictatorships all over the world that have killed millions in total. So if you think the US military & political leadership is primarily "benign", "freedom loving", "humanitarian," and that its #1 mission is to "protect American lives", you're drunk & overdosed on mainstream American propaganda.

Then Google "US military bases around the world," and you'll discover that the US military currently operates over 700 overseas bases in 130 countries around the globe. Talk about an American Empire (and you thought everyone else was exaggerating). If you think these bases serve as "peacekeeping police stations", "outposts for democracy," or "safehouses for freedom refugees," then you are one politically & militarily naive idiot.

Don't forget to throw in the 7,000+ operational nukes that the US has in its arsenal, plus another 3,000 in reserve. So if you actually think Iran or NKorea is a nuclear threat, you are either extremely paranoid or terrible at math. If you have no idea why they'd want to build a couple nukes, then you lack empathy and the ability to put yourself in others' shoes. It's easy - just imagine if Iran had 7,000 nukes & 700 overseas bases, and the US had none. What would YOU do? Sit back and enjoy the view? Kiss some Iranian a**?

The Imperial US military is financed by 50% of all taxpayer dollars. That's because our BIG Government spends 50% of the federal budget on what it calls "Defense"(War). (And the Republicans eat up all that propaganda about Smaller Government.) That's $400+ billion/year. More than 40X the COMBINED spending of all potential US enemy states (Iran, Syria, NKorea, etc.).

Bush Vader, the all-volunteer Imperial Storm Troopers who follow his orders, and the war-mongering Republican supporters who provide his political base, are the greatest threat to the future of America & world peace today.

The irony is, they think they're doing everybody else a favor, & "protecting lives & freedom". (Vomit here.)

Now Bush Vader wants to build Theater Missile Defense & Space-Based Weapons, to complete the transformation of America into a Death Star. Guarded by 12 Imperial Star Destroyers (aircraft carriers).

And you think War Protestors & Hippies are crazy or unjustified???? From my point of view, they're more patriotic than you are. And more than 5 billion people around the world probably also agree with them.

There was little opposition from War Protestors & Hippies over WW2, the First Persian Gulf War, or Afghanistan.... & the rest of the Free World also supported those wars. What a coincidence. Could it perhaps be that... those wars were justified, while Iraq is not?? Or is this something that your stubborn narrow mind can't accept, since you think Bush & the US military are always right, and it's just morally impossible for them to be wrong???

I have no idea what you are referring to when you say they "blast military people or talk **** about them". I'm not against military per se - only when they act unilaterally against global consensus. Unfortunately, that's most of the time. But those in uniform who speak out, that takes a lot of guts & they have my highest respect.

It takes a lot more courage to stand for peace than to fight in a war. A courage which you are obviously lacking in.

REPLY: Your response proves my point exactly about bloodthirsty war-mongerers. You resign war as a fact of human nature, disregarding the obvious reality that not all human beings or even countries engage in war - your limited mental capabilities are evidently incapable of grasping such a basic logical contradiction.

RFK, MLK, Gandhi, Rabin, Romero, and countless of other high-level figures stood unarmed & protested against war & injustice in the name of peace - and got assassinated by cowards with guns. That's infinitely more courageous than picking up a gun & going to war. So as far as I'm concerned, you're a coward, and both a dangerous threat & a disgrace to the human race.

And then you wonder why so much of the world hates America. It's people like you who are bankrupting our country - financially, morally, politically, and internationally. And even militarily, since we are now seriously overextended, leaving America less safe and with more enemies than before.

And you mindless berserkers have the gall to call yourselves "patriots protecting the country" and everybody else "traitors". As far as I'm concerned, you are the true terrorists - and you don't even realize it.

Answer 7

Today's anti-war groups portray themselves as pacifist and as human rights organizations, while their leaders often have ties to the communist dictatorships in North Korea, China, and Cuba and privately support the communist system that is responsible for millions of deaths; (c) how "anti-war" is frequently synonymous with "anti-American," since protesters have an ideological tunnel vision that prevents them from seeing abuses other than those allegedly committed by the U.S. or its ally Israel; and (d) how these anti-war activists tend to loathe capitalism, viewing it as the root of all evil in the world, and had temporarily parked themselves in the anti-globalization movement before the war in Iraq broke out.

Answer 8

You are exactly Correct...they do Nothing but keep up dissension and are divisive! Dear Patriots! Express yourself next month at the Hold Their Feet to The Fire March! Join American Legion, DAV..Display your flags. Open new USO clubs in your area and welcome the troops home with larger than life parades!

Answer 9

Yeppers... free-speach and the rest of the Constitution was what I swore to protect and defend during my 15 years of service...

But GAWD sometimes I want to deport some hippies and protesters !!

Answer 10

It is a little bit disturbing that many are saying that these protests shouldn't take place, that these protesters shouldn't live in the US and that they should be taken care of. Whatever happened to freedom pf speech and the right to peaceful protest? I can see the US conservative viewpoint gradually slipping towards goosestepping, small moustaches, side shades and swastikas!