Even pro-war protests distract police.

City Journal ^ | 3/28/2003 | Heather Mac Donald

[redhugh]

Can’t We All Just Stay Home?

War protests divert police resources from homeland security and endanger us all.

[AmericanInTokyo]

are you a troll?

[EternalVigilance]

Bullhockey.

We had 2000+ in Des Moines, and 2 state patrolmen were there. Wouldn't have needed em, our folks are all law-abiding. But they wanted to be on hand in case any of the anarchist weirdos showed up to disrupt. They chose to show up at the local guard base that day, chained themselves to the gates and had to be arrested.

No reason for us to stay home.

[dirtboy]

Gee, let's see. Compare the number of cops for anti-war protests to pro-troops demonstrations. Yeah, it consumes some police resources, but NOTHING compared to dealing with thousands of anarchists intent on breaking the law - it's probably an order of magnitude in difference, more than worth it for the moral boost these demonstrations give the troops.

Heather writes some good columns, but this one is kinda feeble.

[AmericanInTokyo]

we will find out where this poster is 'coming from'.

if he/she does not show up after 10 or so posts to re-affirm his case, we can make the usual conclusions. 'post and scoot', is my guess.

[AmericanInTokyo]

repeat: are you a troll???

[EternalVigilance]

He's been here 2 months, so if he is a troll, he's been a careful one to date.

[ikka]

When the LEFT is winning - it is ESSENTIAL that protests continue and be recognized as valid free speech, etc. No matter what it costs, it's worth it

When the LEFT is losing - aw, shaddup already, it is not needed that there be pro-war protests, etc.

[concerned about politics]

Left wing protestors are anti-American anarchist. Police are necessary for the security of innocent civilians and private property. Left wing extremists are dangerous animals.
Pro-American protestors are in favor of America, and therefore have no gripe. Why would they scream, cry, hurt people, and break things?
From what I've seen, right wing protests have no police force around. They're good folks. The police know they're good folks. Thank God for the right wing in America.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I believe my post is #10, and he posted 10 minutes ago. And he has not returned to expand or defend the viewpoint. So in my book, he IS a troll.

"Abuse" duly noted to moderator.

[concerned about politics]

So in my book, he IS a troll.

Yeh. Wouldn't it be nice (in a liberals dream) if all the pro-Americans stayed home?
Sheeesh! No way!!

[Publius6961]

Welcome to Free Republic, troll, and good luck.

Before we suspend the rights of peaceful and non-disruptive demonstrations, here's a quarter... buy yourself a clue.

Just curious. Can you name one pro-war demonstration that was disruptive or destructive?
Can you name one anti-war demonstration which wasn't?
I know... it's hard. Borders on rocket science.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I think its long gone by now. I just sent it a "trollmail"; no reply. chicken. (aren't they all?)

[majorc_us]

Rediculous. We had 60+ lining the road in Brandon w/ no police needed. We kept out of the right of way and obeyed the law. I guarantee if any pro-America protesters broke the law it would be the top story on every news show and paper in the country.

[Publius6961]

A moose once bit my sister...

[Joe Brower]

Total bullcrap.

Unlike the looney left that's always looking for an excuse to break things and block traffic, we obey the law and cause no harm. The difference is like night and day. At our rally yesterday, no police were needed, and the few cars that went by in the course of the couple of hours we were there were honking and waving their support.

Sounds like the left is simply whining due to the fact that, once again, those nasty conservatives are beating them at their own game. Too damned bad.

[redhugh]

I posted it to see what people thought.

Personally, I'm not too convinced by it this Mac Donald piece, either, since the anarchists among the anti-war protestors have made explicit the fact that they WANT to tie up police; scolding them for being "selfish" and endangering homeland security doesn't do anything--they don't give a damn about homeland security.

However, while pro-war protests elswhere may not take up police man-hours, in large cities (where there are plenty of bottle-throwing "peace" activists), the police are used in force.

[AmericanInTokyo]

omae wa shinjinaiyo

[redhugh]

You misunderstand. The police aren't there to arrest rowdy pro-war protestors. They're there to keep the peace between that group of law-abiders and whatever jerks might want to start something with them.

Funny how people jump to conclusions. I'm a troll and Heather Mac Donald's a leftist.

[redhugh]

apology accepted