Go volunteer at the VA that day instead.
Probably right. I just went to Kinkos and had some Protest Warrior signs made. Itch'in to use'm.
Several of us have countered the peaceniks at the Columbia and Jefferson City Post Offices for years. We know we will never change the minds of the peaceniks across the street from us.
However, IT IS NOT THE PEACENIKS WHOM WE ARE TRYING TO REACH. Speaking for myself, I FReep for two reasons:
First, to counter the peaceniks and let them know that they do not speak for everyone. The media would have us believe that the peaceniks speak for all Americans, and that all Americans protest the war effort, this President, the military and all they do to keep and maintain our freedom. (The media and the "peace movement" is trying to re-live the glory days of the Vietnam War.) By standing against the peace protestors, we let the average Americans who go about their daily lives know that many Americans support freedom, despite what they may see/read/hear in the mainstream media.
Second, as appreciation to the troops and their families for the sacrifices they make in defense of our freedom. Soldiers in Iraq see the media reports; they also see our FReep reports (not just in Missouri, but across the country). I can't tell you the number of times a soldier or a soldier's loved one has come up to us, shaken our hands, and thanked us for being there. In June '04, a lady in Jeff City parked her car across the street, jumped out and ran across the street, and gave me a big bear hug as, with tears in her eyes, she said, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. My husband is in Iraq right now. Thank you."
In short, if the military personnel can live in the sands 24/7 in defense of our freedom, then I can stand in support of them for one hour, one day per week.
To all the FReepers in Kansas City, go for it! It is fun to get acquainted, fun to annoy the peaceniks, and it is greatly appreciated by most passersby, the troops and their loved ones.
Or at an airport USO.
Step away from the keyboard and get involved. It is worth it. The DC Chapter proves it every week.
JH, I'll respectfully disagree with your idea that the anti-war protests should always be ignored. (I do agree with you that there are other ways to help, such as at the VA.)
We tried ignoring war protest during Vietnam, yielding the streets to the leftists. The hate-America leftists won the public relations battle at least partly because conservatives failed to mount a significant peaceful opposition to the left's protests.
Our brave troops' hard-won, military victory in Vietnam was negated by a political defeat because of that loss of the PR battle.
Ignoring the anti-war protests, and giving them an open field in the biased media, is a mistake that we cannot afford to make again.
That's one of many reasons that DC Chapter is opposing the leftists, although we are especially appalled that the Code Pinkos are at Walter Reed Army Hospital trying to exploit our war-wounded for their twisted propaganda purposes. See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1437364/posts
KC area FReepers should peacefully counter the leftists at every possible opportunity.
Silence implies approval.
I'm a field Freeper. I have seen the way the media covers protests change radically (for the better) because Freepers are there. I have had current soldiers tell me that what I do matters. I have had old vets (including some who've spent a lot of time in VA hospitals) tell me the same thing. I've seen minor opposition throw the enemy into dicombobulated disarray, and I've seen media outlets give a whole story to one Freeper because he protested a meeting of 20 or more useful idiots.
I and a few of my comrades put a 100 member peace group out of business, just by being in the field, and hardcore, and professional and courteous. If we followed your lead, Jim Wasser would have come to my town and had a totally unopposed platform to say that John Kerry was the war hero to end all war heroes. Because we were there, he had to sweat, and the media gave us great coverage. The stuff we do on the street matters. It changes things. Get out there and do something. Don't tell your kids you spent the war shoveling horse crap in Louisiana.
"Maggot infested hippies" is really a euphemism for these worthless creeps.
It's always been like Mardi Gras for them, a good time, a great "experience". So they're encouraged to do it over and over. If people only see them, they believe they're a significant portion of the public, when they're not.
Also, the counters provide people with hope. Remember when you found FR and felt encouraged by how many people think like you and that they weren't like the "average" American?
I drive by there all of the time. There are less than 20 people there, sometimes less than 10. Sometimes people honk. It takes all of my will power not to roll down the window and go off on a rant full of various "niceties".
Before the election, there were more hanging out there. ONE single guy by himself stood across the street with Pro-Iraq War and Bush posters...ppl were honkin at him left and right!!
It takes balls to FReep by yourself, especially with a bunch of hostile douchebag leftists across the street.