Posted on 10/15/2001 10:38:30 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
Likewise, I rarely have time to stand on a street corner and wave a sign (I think it's a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing, though it might make someone feel better. I prefer writing to my legislators, state and national).
But because I'm not out actively PROTESTING something does not mean I oppose those that FReep. On the contrary, I support them in every whit.
Little Bill
A valid point, but my intention was not to write a dissertation on the influence of the protest rally press coverage on international opinion, research the agendas of those who show up at the rallies, point out the fact that most non-protestors are raising families, working and don't want to add to the unrest, or investigate the financing and special interests behind the rent-a-mobs, though each point may be valid. The 500 Karachi protestors would be worrisome in a city of 5000, but Karachi is a city of millions.
The sum total of protestors is clearly dwarfed by the number of Americans supporting our efforts - as polls show. The leaders of our allied nations, coalition members (even Nigeria) have been vocally supportive, and I believe, from the few reports we've received from inside Arab nations (as well as e-mails), that most of the people within the nations of the world support our efforts to drive out the terrorists.
I'm not suggesting that we should ignore the protestors. Protestors are given too much press coverage, supporters not enough. That's a fact. The power of the press to influence public opinion is also a fact. The one-sided coverage encourages our enemies, both foreign and domestic.
One more point, we are more determined and courageous as a group than any angry anti-American mob. They can burn effigies, threaten us with colorful language, riot in the streets, rattle their sabers, but they'll still be on the losing side in this battle. If the press keeps up their old tabloid, fearmongering, "riots make good ratings" mentality we need to remind them (again and again) that we are at war and that, yes, we are the good guys.
LOL! I think we need to face facts that most Americans don't want to add to any unrest. I send DC and NY Veterans organizations e-mails of the upcoming rallies (+ any "patriot" groups I can think of), but have yet to hear of them joining the counter-protests.
Down here in Bush country (Florida), we haven't had any major protests and we aim to keep it that way. We can be assured that if these "peaceniks" get out of line in the future, enough Americans will rally to scare them all back to their holes in defeat (a la Jesse Jackson during the DC USSC Freep last election).
Thank you for taking on the Boston crowd. Boston has really gone downhill in the past 225 years. (^:
I'd be glad to notify other Boston patriot-types of any upcoming rallies...flag me.
Keep in mind that most broadcast news is about CONFLICT. Listen to the questions asked of Pres. Bush by the White House Press Corps during his press conferences.
MOST of them are questions that don't ask for information per se, but rather challenge Mr. Bush, try to trip him up, try to get him to say something provocative that will make good copy.
IOW, it isn't really that the press is FOR the peaceniks, but that they HAVE to have "conflict" (at least in their minds) to sell laundry soap and tires.
Did you hear Col. Hackworth this morning on Fox & Friends? Hackworth: "Those reporters wouldn't know a tank from a turd!" (commenting on the clueless White House Press Corps). A few minutes later Jim Mikleshefski (no clue -sp?) called to say he did know the difference. LOL!
In Your Very Humble Opinion....
"The number of protestors actually seen does not represent the sum total of those who oppose the war effort. Likewise, I rarely have time to stand on a street corner and wave a sign (I think it's a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing, though it might make someone feel better. I prefer writing to my legislators, state and national)."
How many times have you actually stood on a street corner and unabashedly made your opinions known to neighbors and passersby?! It is the Essence of Liberty, IMHO!!
Writing and/or calling yer legislators is good, too, but don't go knocking the patriotic efforts of others!!
"But because I'm not out actively PROTESTING something does not mean I oppose those that FReep. On the contrary, I support them in every whit."
Fair enuff...MUD
BTW..."Black II"
Counter protesting is a visable way of writing your Congressman. Most Congress critters are a spineless lot and the only thing that they see are numbers.
The actual numbers of the unwashed are actually small but because they have little to do they can put crowds together with little problem. When the critters look out they see a mass of people, but the vote mutiplier for every counter protester is much higher, they are productive and they vote, and the people they associate with are productive and they vote.
Never underestimate the power of a few people holding a sign.
Yep...see also Tennessee's Taxpayer Revolt last fall, without which--IMHO--I sincerely believe Algore would have won TN and thereby the Presidency!!
FReegards...MUD
I followed that quite closely, my fellow Massholes would never have the guts to do that.
I suggested to a State Rep one time that we shoud take the statue of General Hooker down from against the State House steps and put it on the Common.
We could then erect a gallows and top one of them off every now and then, randomly. It would save us the time and expense of putting them in jail one at a time. It would also serve as an example to the others and possibly cut down on corruption.
It wasn't well received.
Ping! (^:
Wasn't the taxpayer revolt after the election? Never mind, it was still a beautiful moment in American history. One radio broadcaster lit a little spark...
If only our media would use its powers for good. Hugs.(^:
It wasn't well received."
LOL...take it from someone who's been there and done that, suggesting the Effete Elite "Go to the Gallows," "Pay the Ultimate Price for their TREASON" and other pithy, patriotic savings is not appreciated by the Powers-that-Be nearly as much as you'd think!! Least the Secret Service dudes didn't pay you a visit...now that's a story to tell the grandkids...ROFL!!
FReegards...MUD
BTW...I like the Screen Name, LB, but I thought The Bent One's Royal Staff was referred to as "li'l willard." =^D
Or a single man standing athwart a tank...MUD
BTW...March Fer Justice/Liberty III needs to happen in '01, IMHO.
Actually, the Tennessee Taxpayer Revolt has been growing over a number of years as the li'l Sheeple like you and me withstood the Power of RINO Lundquist and the Effete Elite to stop a State Income Tax from being implemented!! IMHO, the Spirit of that Revolt was the same spirit that made it possible for Algore to be defeated in his Home State last Novemeber.
"Never mind, it was still a beautiful moment in American history. One radio broadcaster lit a little spark..."
Still brings a tear of joy to my eye...
"If only our media would use its powers for good."
Screw the Vast, LeftWing Medyuh Whore'd!! Their anti-American Hatred will be laid out bare for all to see...and they will continue to be stripped of their Power to Influence!!
FReegards...MUD
We took it to Tallahasee, and the LAW prevailed!
I'm sorry! We're on the same side! Stay well and vigilant, pal...FRegards
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2-4-6-8, protest the America-haters - Oct.20 is the date.
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