Get Out of the Street
The attention getting tactics of the several street filling protests yesterday has me irritated. Protesters ran out into the street and blocked traffic, clogging the roadways for miles. Some degree of civil disobedience is acceptable. Ruining an otherwise pleasant commute is not.
I know my disagreement with their opinion fuels my disgust. I’m happy to see Americans exercise their right to free speech. I’m happy to know that dissenting voices exist to keep us all level headed and open eyed. I’m unhappy that, in this anxious time, policemen are diverted from their primary tasks to deal with folks who have trouble understanding the peace part of a peace protest.
I take solice in the fact that they’ve failed miserably in their attempt to sway public opinion. I’m not surprised. An agenda of anger and frustration doesn’t tend to bring people into the fold. The fact that many protests cross the line from an agenda of anti-war to anti-US leaves more than a token flavor of distrust in the air.
I’m happy to see some pro-war demonstrations counter the recent rush. Funny enough, I’ve yet to hear that one of them got out of hand. No policemen with batons required. No vandalism at the local McDonald’s (can’t we leave the Hamburgler out of this?) to speak of. The irony of this is not lost on me.
I can’t imagine sitting in traffic in one of those victimized cars, waiting to return home to my wife and child. I’m nervous and anxious, listening to war on the radio while signs and chants cross in front of me. Sir or madam, I don’t care about your message. Just get the hell out of my way.
Laura
March 21st, 2003 at 11:24 am #
Ever wonder if the pro-war protests aren’t “getting out of hand” because the government supports them and doesn’t feel the need to send the police to supervise them?
Just playing a little devil’s advocate.