See post #359, above, from the American Legion. It says, in part, "“No one respects the right to protest more than one who has fought for it, but we hope that Americans will present their views in correspondence to their elected officials rather than by public media events guaranteed to be picked up and used as tools of encouragement by our enemies... It would be tragic if the freedoms our veterans fought so valiantly to protect would be used against their successors today as they battle terrorists bent on our destruction."
The American Legion, the largest veteran's group in the country, recognizes the damage done by protesters in the media during Vietnam. That is why we are counterprotesting -- so that the actual passersby, and there are thousands every Friday night, will see that we are not letting their evil go unanswered. Nothing PC about it.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far"
During TR's term as Governor of NY State he fought with the party bosses, particularly Boss Tom Platt regarding a political appointment. Roosevelt held out, although the boss threatened, to "ruin" him. In the end the boss gave in.
According to Nathan Miller in his book "Theodore Roosevelt, A Life", page 337,
"Looking back upon his handling of the incident, Roosevelt thought he 'never saw a bluff carried more resolutely through to the final limit.' And writing to a friend a few days later, he observed: 'I have always been fond of the West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." ' "
The proverb and the policy followed him into numerous instances in his career, including his policies abroad during his presidency.