They're Marching, But for What? (Anti-war demonstrators and Gathering of Eagles)

The Washington Post ^ | August 27, 2007 | William M. Arkin

[2ndDivisionVet]

Four thousand marched against the Iraq war in Kennebunkport Saturday, an event that I surely would have missed except for being in Maine, where the Portland Press-Herald had multiple days of respectful page one coverage.

The Kennebunkport march isn't the kind of event that makes national news -- and indeed it didn't -- but it got me thinking: How many other similar protests and marches are going on out there? With public opinion so overwhelmingly against the Iraq war, even with crystal clear results in last November's elections, surely these protesters must see by now that the war isn't going to end before the 2008 elections. Talk of impeachment is folly and even unjustified. And yet: Here is a case where the "will" of the people will indeed eventually end the Iraq war, and yet it is for a very wrong reason.

Saturday witnessed what the Portland Press Herald calls a "high-spirited but peaceful" anti-war rally, the largest in the town's history with a crowd of about 4,000 protesters.

--snip--

The strident railed against the administration and Democrats -- alike off on vacation -- while the normal people and the heartfelt spoke of "alternatives" to war, and children left behind, and global warming, and "social justice", and health care and their frustrations.

The organized counter demonstrators were there too: "Terrorists love Democrats" and "Warning: Leftists trying to demoralize our troops" some placards read. Supporters of the war -- numbering about a hundred, according to police counts -- mostly focused on continuing to support the troops. Support for the war, though, was almost tepid, if not apologetic. Byron Grant, organizer of Gathering of Eagles, spoke of not 'evacuating' before the war was 'finished,' but also said his group wanted the war over as well.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Ping!!

[DoughtyOne]

With public opinion so overwhelmingly against the Iraq war, even with crystal clear results in last November's elections, surely these protesters must see by now that the war isn't going to end before the 2008 elections. Talk of impeachment is folly and even unjustified. And yet: Here is a case where the "will" of the people will indeed eventually end the Iraq war, and yet it is for a very wrong reason.

Let's see, we've got 165,000 troops and their families who want the war WON and over. We've got the conservatives in America who want the war WON and over. We've even got old democrats of the Kennedy erra who want the war WON then over.

As usual, the compost is doing a good job of spinning itself into oblivion.

If the left thinks they're going to turn this into Vietnam II, they're in for Civil War II.

[LeoWindhorse]

If the left thinks they’re going to turn this into Vietnam II, they’re in for Civil War II.

I agree , be ready...

[singfreedom]

My thinking exactly. My family lost too much during the Vietnam era to EVER let it happen to another generation of American youth. Hubby and I plan to fight until the very last dog dies. I am sick of a few deluded, delusional dumb asses trying to speak for me.

I think the left’s main problem is that they are all so naive. They have absolutely no clue what real life is like-— here, or anywhere else.

[Nathan Zachary]

It never ceases to amaze me how media so blatantly inflates their numbers, (which is why you NEVER see a wide angle shot of these "massive" crowds) never identifies these people who are always the same old has-been hippie pot heads, traveling in their pathetic little freak show group living off the donations other stupid leftist loons, and gullable people they scam.

In other news, did anyone see MacCain On Jay Leno tonight? He made a very good speach. I was impressed at how well he got the facts out on why we cannot simply cut and run from Iraq. Hope he and others keep it up, it sounds so much better than the shrilling and disorganized nonsense coming from the left.

[freema]

He would have surely missed the 4,000 protestors in Kennebunkport had it not been for the news.

He might want to check those figures.

[freema]

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=129851&ac=PHnws

[kingu]

Saddam still in power? Republican Guard still standing watch over Baghdad? No? War over. Just helping an ally over an insurgent problem, but we are not at war with the Iraqi people.

Sorry, little pet peeve. That’s why it’s so easy for the drive by media to paint this as they please - after all, if we won, why aren’t we home? Where’s the surrender for us to point to? Where’s the victory parade?

We’re fighting terrorism over there, and that’s just plain something too nuanced for a media that has an attention span of mere moments, unless it’s Paris’ stay at a LA County jail.

[Doogle]

..one must remember, William M. Arkin is the scum bag who wrote about military plans early on in the war.
Seeing his name, I get the feeling I should scrap my shoe to clean the bottom

[CalvaryJohn]

Looks like about 1500 or so to me.

[Thrownatbirth]

But those who cherish peace and liberty, on both sides, shouldn't be oblivious or unreceptive to the hard fight ahead -- or the changes necessary -- in addressing the real threats.

Arkin is about as subtle as a beheading.

[SueRae]

THat’s 4000 people? Hardly. Thanks for the photo.

[crazyhorse691]

Where are the other 3000? Hiding in the undergrowth because they saw a chemtrail coming their way? Granted I may be out of practice estimating wildlife numbers from a photo, but, I do not think that my margin of error is 300-400 %.

[jmaroneps37]

“How many other similar protests and marches are going on out there? With public opinion so overwhelmingly against the Iraq war, even with crystal clear results in last November’s elections, surely these protesters must see by now that the war isn’t going... “
It would NEVER occur to the ratmedia that maybe the “anti” numbers are suspect and THAT is the reason we don’t hear about the anti Americans marching.

[Finalapproach29er]

The Post is still publishing his anti-victory crap.

I hope B.O.R. nails him at the top of his show tonight.

[Dilbert56]

With public opinion so overwhelmingly against the Iraq war..

This guy must not read the news.

Gallup Poll:

In view of the developments since we first sent our troops to Iraq, do you think the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq, or not?

August 3-5
Yes 57%
No 42%

[maeagle]

I’m no expert on this, but I would guess there were about 1,500 folks who marched by us in the street. Definitely less than were there in July. Believe me, support for the troops AND THE MISSION was not tepid. Even when they “get it,” they don’t get it right.

[DoughtyOne]

I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for your response.

[DoughtyOne]

Ready... Take care.