Tomorrow between 4:30 and 5:30pm I’m going to go stand in the
middle of the intersection of San Benito and Fourth streets.
I’m going to hold an American flag in one hand and an olive
branch in the other, or maybe a megaphone.
Tomorrow between 4:30 and 5:30pm I’m going to go stand in the middle of the intersection of San Benito and Fourth streets.
I’m going to hold an American flag in one hand and an olive branch in the other, or maybe a megaphone.
I’m going to protest the protesters. Both sides are wrong.
The “Hollister in Black” contingent is protesting the war in Iraq and, I believe, war in general.
It’s true, war is an abomination. It’s probably true that the war in Iraq was poorly justified. Our follow up, blemished by the messes at Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo, may well be a breeding ground for more terrorists.
But freedom can’t necessarily defend itself. Look to our own history for examples.
In our country’s beginning, we tried to negotiate with Britain. We asked nicely. We followed the rules. We voted, then Britain took away our vote. Eventually, it took violence to throw off the tyranny of British rule.
Then, less than 100 years later, our politicians and citizens were enmeshed in the debate over slavery. In fact, California became a state without going through the step of being a territory, in part, to foil those who would have it enter the Union as a slave state. Politicking and compromising from the 1840s onward just made the mess bigger.
Eventually, the states went to war against each other to decide the outcome. And if they hadn’t, how long would slavery have existed without the Civil War? Would we still be counting enslaved people as 3/5 of a person, as it was written in the original Constitution?
So, sorry, Hollister in Black. I’m not with you on this one. But I’m not with the flag wavers on the other side of the street either.
I didn’t think the Iraq war was justified when we invaded. I found the administration’s “go it alone” policies pugnacious, and I do even more now that we’re there and need other countries to help make Iraq secure.
Still, I support our troops there and everywhere, and I’m grateful for the sacrifices they’re making. My questions are about the justification and conduct of the war itself.
But, listen up, flag wavers. One of the things our troops are defending is my right to object.
Objecting to government actions doesn’t make me unpatriotic any more than supporting our troops makes me a warmonger.
I wouldn’t have the troops come home immediately and abandon Iraq in mid-democratization. As long as they’re there, I hope they’re being backed up not only with adequate armor, but also with the very best intelligence and diplomacy our leaders can muster.
Well, I feel better after my rant. I guess the protesters can keep protesting. I hope every 10th car or so notices them and takes the time to think it over. Wouldn’t it be great to see somebody stop, park their car and get out and join one side or the other – or even go stand in the middle of the intersection and conduct a rant of their own.
