# Human Shield Spends 5 Weeks in Iraq, Learns Nothing.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shield-spends-5-weeks-in-iraq-learns-nothing/166271>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [April 3, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shield-spends-5-weeks-in-iraq-learns-nothing/166271 "2003-04-03T18:46:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shield-spends-5-weeks-in-iraq-learns-nothing/166271/21 "2003-04-04T04:57:28Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by gobear \*  
> True, but my point is that the human shields are the sort of people who the antiwar crowd have let be their public voice. There are a lot of sensible arguments against the war, but all one ever hears is “Bush is a war criminal, " No blood for oil,” or “Iraq is not a dictatorship.” When you let professional crankypants like the antiquated hippie in the linked article set your PR, you have to expect to be treated in like manner.

Have they _let_ those on the far side of the spectrum, so to speak, be their voice, or is the media looking for zany people to report on because they want ratings? When was the last time someone on the street got significant screentime for being intelligent and anti-war?

The media love war. It drives up ratings, and they want their ratings, so they show the most outlandish shit they can find.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shield-spends-5-weeks-in-iraq-learns-nothing/166271/22 "2003-04-04T12:49:00Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by gobear \*  
> \*\*When you let professional crankypants like the antiquated hippie in the linked article set your PR, you have to expect to be treated in like manner. \*\*

I’m not sure there’s much of a choice. By their very nature, these people call more attention to themselves than more quiet, reasoned types. And who wants to watch a debate filled with facts and reasoned discourse? Booooo-ring!

Nutjobs get better ratings.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shield-spends-5-weeks-in-iraq-learns-nothing/166271/23 "2003-04-04T13:00:23Z")

</div>

I hope nobody takes this putz as truly representative of the anti-war crowd.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-shield-spends-5-weeks-in-iraq-learns-nothing/166271.md?page=1)