# What do peace protestors believe they can accomplish at this stage of the war? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 28, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718 "2003-03-28T05:23:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/1 "2003-03-28T05:23:25Z")
I believe in everyones right to protest, that is not an issue. What I don’t understand is what these people are trying to do with all the war protesting right now. Do protestors think that we will just pull out of Iraq because they play dead in Times Square? Doing stuff like that just pulls police and fireman away from important duties and wastes money. Once someone makes it known that they do not agree with the war what else is there to say? The only thing they can hope for is to vote the people out of office during the next election. Just seems like a waste of time to me when there is virtually no chance that protestors are going to be able to “stop” the war. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/2 "2003-03-28T05:40:16Z")
Perhaps they feel they can raise the conscience of others. WAG ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/3 "2003-03-28T05:44:10Z")
I think it’s more like they can disrupt commerce and be generally loud, annoying, and convinced that they’re right. I also think this is more of an IMHO type thing, if’n you get my drift. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/4 "2003-03-28T05:50:37Z")
It was amusing to see Martin Sheen with duct tape on his mouth: [http://www.nbc4.tv/news/2065772/detail.html](http://www.nbc4.tv/news/2065772/detail.html) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/5 "2003-03-28T05:59:50Z")
Off to IMHO. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![aeropl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@aeropl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aeropl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/6 "2003-03-28T06:09:01Z")
Saying protesting doesn’t accomplish anything is like saying one vote doesn’t count. It’s kinda true but not really… ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/7 "2003-03-28T06:14:27Z")
The thing, for me, is that whether or not we can actually, directly stop the war somehow, the point is that the sheer number of people protesting will ensure that posterity will be unable to say we went along quietly. Something major has changed. The continuing protests are keeping up the momentum. And even though the war has started, people still disagree with it and are still going to say so. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/8 "2003-03-28T06:15:38Z")
If the protests stopped now it would send the wrong message, not just to current pro-war people but also to future politicians and historians. And anti-war protests are also anti-bush demonstrations; the goal is to sway public opinion so that Bush is voted out of office next year. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/9 "2003-03-28T06:34:37Z")
What? We’re not going to stop the war immediately? I guess we’d better just pack up, go home, and shut up. Meanwhile, in the Vatican, the Pope decides never to speak out against violence again, because hey, it’s not going to stop violence 100%, so why bother? Meanwhile, abortion protestors, after realizing that abortion is still legal, decide never to speak about it again. Meanwhile, writers of editorials in every newspaper decide not to say anything unless it immediately effects a political change. The first amendment also altered to include, “unless they’re being loud and annoying.” ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/10 "2003-03-28T07:13:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*The thing, for me, is that whether or not we can actually, directly stop the war somehow, the point is that the sheer number of people protesting will ensure that posterity will be unable to say we went along quietly. Something major has changed. The continuing protests are keeping up the momentum. And even though the war has started, people still disagree with it and are still going to say so. \*\* [ul]:rolleyes: [sup] **The French Canadians have spoken. That’s double jeopardy isn’t it?** [/sup][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/11 "2003-03-28T07:42:43Z")
We don’t silence ourselves because we want the world to know that Americans have diverse opinions about this war–not everyone wants it. To keep silent would imply that I agreed with the decision, which I do not. That being said, I believe in protesting in a fair, non-annoying manner. I’ll say my peace, but I won’t block Lake Shore Drive to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Flying\_Monk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@Flying\_Monk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flying_Monk)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/12 "2003-03-28T08:01:20Z")
\> The first amendment also altered to include, “unless they’re \> being loud and annoying.” Aaah, who needs individual freedom anyway; it’s such a bother. It’s much easier to enjoy these fine products, and this great entertainment, and OBEY. The authorities are much more capable of taking care of us than we are. THEY LIVE, WE SLEEP ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/13 "2003-03-28T12:26:59Z")
'Cause silence implies agreement, or at least acquiescence, and the protestors want everyone to know that they don’t agree. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/14 "2003-03-28T13:11:39Z")
I can understand that. But what is the point in saying it over and over and over. Once you tell the guy sitting next to you that you don’t like K-Mart you don’t need to tell him again. He isn’t going to “know better and better” the more times you tell him. Sitting there saying "K-Mart sucks. K-Mart Sucks. K-Mart sucks. K-Mart Sucks. K-Mart sucks. K-Mart Sucks. K-Mart sucks. K-Mart Sucks. " over and over isn’t going to make K-Mart disappear. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/15 "2003-03-28T13:18:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kniz \* > \*\*[ul]:rolleyes: [sup] **The French Canadians have spoken. That’s double jeopardy isn’t it?** [/sup][/ul] \*\* This implied personal attack has no place in IMHO. Please try to remember which forum you are posting in from now on. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/16 "2003-03-28T13:22:08Z")
Here’s an excellent discussion of the issue: [http://slate.msn.com/id/2080735/](http://slate.msn.com/id/2080735/) > [@](#): > > Member > > Registered: Jul 2002 > Location: Colorado Springs > Posts: 879 > I can understand that. But what is the point in saying it over and over and over. The same point as saying “Saddam Must Go” over and over for ten years. There’s a chance that eventually you might convince others. ---
**Author:** ![leroy\_the\_mule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6a8cbe/32.png) [@leroy\_the\_mule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leroy_the_mule)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/17 "2003-03-28T13:48:21Z")
A strong and visible anti-war movement is a good way to ensure public safety in a time of terrorism. Peace demonstrations reinforce the distinction between people and government to potential terrorists, so that they are more likely to attack symbols of power or nodes of commerce rather than people. [FBI agents](http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=28543§ion=NEWS&subsection=FOCUS&year=2003&month=3&day=6) expect more terrorism because of our attack on Iraq, and can not protect us from it. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/18 "2003-03-28T16:49:21Z")
Den Beste had a great essay about this just the other day. Here is a quote: > [@](#): > > The primary force organizing most of the large antiwar demonstrations in the US now is the Worker’s World Party, through various daughter organizations which are mostly staffed by WWP members, and financed by the WWP or its sympathetic contributors. And many who have attended these demonstrations have found themselves listening to speeches advocating positions on various issues which didn’t seem to have anything to do with war. Many have been turned off by this, but at least a few have heard things which they found appealing, and have thus potentially become recruits for the larger causes that the WWP works for. The WWP is cynically using this cause as a way of trying to recruit members. > > And if they can convince people to join them in public antiwar displays which are painful or disgusting or embarrassing or which cause the general public to react negatively, this has the effect of causing many or most of these new recruits to become bonded to the group, and thus potentially to coming to accept the larger agenda of the parent organization, which is to say, the WWP. > > Which would mean that in fact those organizing these displays don’t care in the slightest that they have no chance of actually stopping the war or of influencing the population as a whole to oppose war. They’re trying to build their membership, and these public demonstrations aid them in doing so. Each of these demonstrations amounts to an initiation ceremony, or a promotion ceremony, which are no different in psychological effect than the ones used by the Masons. The “peace” protests are being used by their organizers to recruit new party members and to radicalize the people who attend. ---
**Author:** ![elfje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@elfje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfje)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/19 "2003-03-28T17:07:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stinkpalm \* > \*\*I believe in everyones right to protest, that is not an issue. What I don’t understand is what these people are trying to do with all the war protesting right now. Do protestors think that we will just pull out of Iraq because they play dead in Times Square? Doing stuff like that just pulls police and fireman away from important duties and wastes money. Once someone makes it known that they do not agree with the war what else is there to say? The only thing they can hope for is to vote the people out of office during the next election. > > Just seems like a waste of time to me when there is virtually no chance that protestors are going to be able to “stop” the war. \*\* well, look at the Vietnam War, for instance. At the start of the war, there were hardly any protesters. Protest grew DURING the war, not before. it’s a means of letting your government know that you don’t agree with them. To cease protesting would send out a message that you don’t care anymore, or that you agree with their policy. Protest in Spain has actually increased. Protests in South East Asia are still going strong, too. Protest has also another function: it’s in the public eye. There are always going to be people around who do not really care one way or another. If they see protests going on for as long as the war’s going on, maybe these’ll think twice? I don’t think that the only option that you have a as a citizen, is protesting once, and then standing docilely aside to let them do what it is what thay want to do. Voting out is definitely an option. But people need to remember what went wrong during his presidency. If there’s no protest anymore, people might forget. Humans have VERY selective memories, and the majority of most countries’ population, suffers from political apathy. If it were up to me, I’d make voting mandatory. (and you’re probably thinking “well, it’s good it’s not up to you, then” 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718/20 "2003-03-28T18:02:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by puddleglum \* > The “peace” protests are being used by their organizers to recruit new party members and to radicalize the people who attend. Whether or not that’s the reason that the organizers are doing it, that’s a far cry from saying that that’s why the vast majority of participants are doing it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-peace-protestors-believe-they-can-accomplish-at-this-stage-of-the-war/164718.md?page=2)