Is it right to protest the war AND our veterans on veteran's day?

Question

I respect that people have the right to protest war, but without getting into a pro/anti war discussion (PLEASE). Is it prudent for protestors to demonstrate, and even scream obscenities at veterans for their service to our country, to the extent that they should attempt to prevent the NYC parade? Our veterans don't decide to go to war, they decide to serve their country. The majority would rather never see war time, but still put their lives on the line for our freedoms. Do we not owe them some respect on the one day we are called to appreciate their service? Can we not remember that if it were not for their courage in volunteering to serve, we would all be subject to the draft?

Just to clarify for those who aren't actually reading the whole question. I support my 2x vfw hero who happens to my husband and am appauled that proteters would call him "baby killer" as he is trying to lead his brigade through the streets of the city in a parade in which he would rather not have participated (he is very humble). My life is on the line daily as I serve my country here in the US. I DO fear the draft because people who are forced to fight do not make the best soldiers, and it is with regret that I am too old to volunteer myself. Please take the time to understand the question before providing mindless banter. Thanks :)

Just to clarify for those who aren't actually reading the whole question. I support my 2x vfw hero who happens to my husband and am appauled that proteters would call him "baby killer" as he is trying to lead his brigade through the streets of the city in a parade in which he would rather not have participated (he is very humble). My life is on the line daily as I serve my country here in the US. I DO fear the draft because people who are forced to fight do not make the best soldiers, and it is with regret that I am too old to volunteer myself. Please take the time to understand the question before providing mindless banter. Thanks :)

Just to clarify for those who aren't actually reading the whole question. I support my 2x vfw hero who happens to my husband and am appauled that proteters would call him "baby killer" as he is trying to lead his brigade through the streets of the city in a parade in which he would rather not have participated (he is very humble). My life is on the line daily as I serve my country here in the US. I DO fear the draft because people who are forced to fight do not make the best soldiers, and it is with regret that I am too old to volunteer myself. Please take the time to understand the question before providing mindless banter. Thanks :)

Answer 1

Humble opinion... as a Veteran...

One has the Constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech. Therefore, one has the right to protest whenever one wants.

But, along with a "right" goes the duty to exercise it responsibly. It seems cowardly to say anything against one's country, if one hasn't the courage of their convictions to leave it. It seems hypocritical to say anything against the military, thus abusing the freedom for which that very military has fought and died to secure and defend. And it seems treasonous to speak against a war that is in progress because such speech only gives aid and comfort to the enemy.

I have the right to keep a weapon. But, because of some morons, there are laws that prevent a person from carrying a weapon around in public. There are laws preventing people from using a weapon to settle arguments with neighbors... or members of your family.

I have the right to practice my religion my own way. But if my religion requires human sacrifice... I would expect that that right too would be curtailed.

I have freedom of speech. But there are laws to prevent me from slandering others, or divulging military secrets.

When people can't exercise their rights with responsibility, the rights are, and by rights should be, curtailed. The bottom line is that you can exercise your right... only so long as doing so does not infringe on the right of others.

Is it "right" or "wrong"? I think it's inappropriate. You have a bunch of soldiers putting their lives on the line to secure for a people the very rights we possess... and that we tend to abuse. This day is one of two in which we choose to honor them. How is demeaning their mission, their command structure, and them honoring them?

Answer 2

I believe it is always ok to protest war, on Veteran's Day as much as any others. Protest definitely does not need to be and should not be ugly. It hurts the protesters cause and makes something that might have been a valid point become part of the problems in our culture.

I don't think there is ever a need to protest veterans. The veterans are not going to war for what the politicians and lobbyists are pushing them into battle for. They go with good intentions or in cases in the past were drafted without any say in the matter.

Not only that but roughly 1/4 of the homeless population in our country are veterans. It is awful to want to scream and spit on an already overly mistreated section of society. Protest can be done rationally. People need to educate themselves enough to find the sources that should be protested.

Answer 3

They were not arrested for speaking out against the war. They were arrested for disobeying a lawful order to move away from the podium. A U.S. Supreme Court precedent allows private groups that obtain proper permits to choose who can participate in their events. They were trying to speak at the event and were excluded by the organizers of the event. If they wanted to speak, they had every right to schedule their own event. Being a veteran does not give you the right to break the law. Edit: Since you did not supply links, I searched for myself and only found items relating to that held in Boston. There may well have been other similar situations elsewhere. I am a combat veteran myself, by the way (Btry C, 2/13 Arty, An Loc, Vietnam, 1969-70).

Answer 4

I have only one perpetual problem with protestors. When confronted, they don't seem to have any logical alternative to the course of action they are protesting.
I'm old enough to remember some of the same faces during the Vietnam Era and in front of the cattle crossing at the Nevada Test Site. Seems that the entire thrust of their lives is to protest. It merely adds living proof to the observation made by a British journalist some years ago who concluded that the biggest problem in the U.S. was the growing ranks of people masquerading as adults while they were still mentally in seventh grade.

Answer 5

As a diasabled veteran, I wish everyone would applaude as Soldiers & Sailors passed in review, I'd appreciate it, wouldn't demand it, and be thankful when I got it. I am sadened about the protests. I believe they have the right to protest, I believe they have the right to burn our precious flag and dis our religion. Those who protested Vietnam are embarrased by their actions. I believe these protestors should also be ashamed, many of them students from this country and others, taking advantage of our system, and way of life, but with the backing and blessing of academia (especially some of our professors most of whom never had real jobs outside the universities, let alone served their country) feel they must protest ANYTHING American.

They are few, loud but few. They will be ashamed of their actions, and most will even deny these actions in a few years.

Answer 6

Are you a veteran? Have you ever fought in war?
Do you enjoy the freedoms afforded to you by veterans who
have fought in war....by what you say, I believe you are afraid
of the draft...do you lack courage? This country (USA) is my
home...I joined during a war when there was a draft in force,
I didn't rely on the draft to put me in uniform..this my home
and I will stand to do what I can to protect it...and if you
want to PROTEST go right ahead, the constitution affords
you the right to do so....if you don't think you owe thanks
to veterans...you are not alone, just go on living on the
blood, sweat and tears of others...Your tail will be safe
for a little while and maybe the enemies of our country
will lay down their arms and do you no harm...and again,
maybe they won't!

Answer 7

Veterans Day is not just about today's veteran, it is about all of the veterans that have ever served, starting with the Revolution! This day is about all of the service people who have ever served, not just about the current conflicts. No matter how we feel about the war itself, those who serve do so honorably & should not have their day ruined by a bunch of protesters! If you can't honor them for doing their duty as called upon to do, then stay home!

Answer 8

NO. Your problem is not with the veterans. It is with our politicians. The same goes for people who want to burn the American flag. They need to take it out on the politicians, not the flag.

The flag represents this nation. The politicians represent whoever paid them off. By the same token, veterans are there to defend this country. It is the politicians who are miss using the military.

That's why I am voting for RON PAUL.

Incidentally, I was in Iraq in 2004-2005.

Answer 9

People in this country who protest the Veterans Parades are people who have never served this country in any manner. They do it for profit or because they don't like their political leaders. Some are religious fanatics. Very dangerous people. We should all protect and honor our Veterans. It is a shame the way this counntry treats our Veterans. I salute and respect them all from WW I to today. Amen.

Answer 10

It is never right to demonstrate against our corageous veterans from any war. As you've said, that decision is not theirs to make.

These are people who put their lives on the line from day one of basic training in order to protect our lives. They fight so that we can live peacefully. They give up some of their freedoms so that we may keep all of ours.

If people want to speak out against a military operation, that is their prerogative, but they should NEVER, EVER, EVER smear the names of our finest and our bravest! They should get down on their KNEES and kiss the boots of our soldiers, whether they're vets or active duty.