computer rock wrote:sapphic_beats wrote:computer rock wrote:whenever i see those protests i get the impression that half the people there don't really know what they're talking about
does it matter?
the point is that the war in iraq is illegal, unjust and killing so many people we can't even count. you don't have to be a genius to know (or care) about that.
p.s. thanks for this video! in my favorites now.
First of all I think it does matter that people rationally come to the decisions they make. It's the same people who are so easily manipulated by politicians into believing whatever shit they tell them who hold the placards with the oversimplified slogans on. Afterall, those placards were probably handed to them by the national socialist party or some other political organisation with an agenda, and don't get me wrong there is nothing inherently bad about having an agenda, but when your method forgoes any kind of discussion and instead prefers pithy slogans that are more suited to a election campaign I find it hard to sympathise with your cause. Essentially it's propaganda, and I think most of those protesters are either the manipulators or the manipulated.
Secondly whether the war in iraq was morally right/wrong or illegal/legal is besides the point because from what I saw most of those protesters are demanding a withdrawl of troops, which is definitely not going to solve the current problem there. I do, however, sympathise more with those protesting that certain political figures be held accountable for the monumental fuck up (and it was a pretty big fuck up) that was the war in Iraq, but still their chosen method of walking around with stupid signs is not the best way to achieve this.
i think at this point it has become a very visceral reaction to an untenable situation. especially here in the US, it is not just the war, but the way the Bush administration has completely hijacked the government and pissed on the constitution in the process. scandals every DAY. more illegal actions on the part of bush's cronies to take more power for themselves and leave the rest of us in the dirt. it just gets overwhelming.
and while i can sit and engage in reasoned political analysis all day long because i take the time to learn the ins and outs of the issues, i also recognize that sometimes it really does just come to a gut understanding that something is terribly, sickeningly wrong. and i don't think anyone should be denied their anger or their frustration because they may not know the in-depth facts of the situation when they can see that people are dying right now.
so in theory i agree in part that we must not allow ourselves to be manipulated by political agendas, but in reality, i think people are entitled to their anger. but they have to do more than get mad and then go back to their complacency, yes. without that realization, it really will all be for naught.
my 3 cents on the matter.
oh and as far as those folks who have posted that we cannot leave now...the iraqi people want us gone. that in itself is reason enough. we already destroyed their country, and yes, i believe that bloodier times lay ahead. but if we are to respect their right as a sovereign nation to self-determination, then we have to respect their wishes. if our presence there is only encouraging more violence, we have a serious catch 22 don't we? it is a completely untenable situation, but if the US continues with our ham-handed, completely uninformed, illogical "strategery", then our presence is not the solution, but a hindrance.
