Massive World Protests Tomorrow

[Ben Kenobi]

Couple points...

I'm a part of the 'silent majority' which Agathon denies, who is against the war but didn't go to the anti-war rally here in Vancouver.

One reason I didn't go is the 'party mentality' of the protesters, as well as the behavior of the anarchists. Why support those who damage everyone else's cause with their terrible behavior?

Finally, how welcome are Christians at these kind of rallies?

What percentage of that 2 million people in London, or any of the protesters actually agreed with the cause of the rally?

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
That ain't what I've seen. They are moderately pro-war, but then so are the Democrats. The media DEFINETLY favors getting UN approval before attacking, however.

Everybody favours getting UN approval before attacking. The question is whether or not you're in favour of attacking if the US can't get UN approval. Which a bare majority of Americans support (and even then that's only a recent development which arose after SOU address and Powell going in front of UN).

The fact that Democrats in power are in favour of something while the voters back home are mixed on it ought to tell you which side has been silenced.

So don't try to make it seem that Sean Penn and actual media sources are one and the same. The fact is that the US media has a hard-on for this war, and have been pushing it from day one. Whether that's because bombs and body parts are good for ratings or because they're afraid of getting accuseed of betraying their "silent majority" ( ) audience is another question.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by obiwan18
Couple points...

I'm a part of the 'silent majority' which Agathon denies, who is against the war but didn't go to the anti-war rally here in Vancouver.

One reason I didn't go is the 'party mentality' of the protesters, as well as the behavior of the anarchists. Why support those who damage everyone else's cause with their terrible behavior?

Finally, how welcome are Christians at these kind of rallies?

What percentage of that 2 million people in London, or any of the protesters actually agreed with the cause of the rally?

obi, I don't know is Agathon meant it this way, but the "silent majority" is usually painted by the right wing in the US as being pro-right wing (which includes pro-war at this juncture).

And I for one can tell you that the demos I've been to (I haven't been to an Iraq one yet, but they probably have the same demographic) make Christians very welcome. I have respect for the religious beliefs of others, and if those beliefs are what lead them to the same ethical conclusions that I've reached, then that's all the better.

As a matter of fact, Christians are usually a significant force at these demos...

[Imran Siddiqui]

The fact is that the US media has a hard-on for this war, and have been pushing it from day one.

You've been watching some wierd media, man. Every network source and major newspaper (with notable exception of the Wall Street Journal, but you know where they lay on the spectrum) has been very hesitant about the war. They only swung around when the polls came out so favorably for it.

[Imran Siddiqui]

the "silent majority" is usually painted by the right wing in the US as being pro-right wing

The silent majority was a term used by President Nixon, when people were talking about all the protestors in the '60. Nixon said there was a silent majority of people that want law and order and don't want to pull out of Vietnam pell mell. Seeing as all the protestors were very anti-Nixon (believe me, they'd probably vote for LBJ over Tricky ****), Nixon was right. He won in a landslide in 1972.

[KrazyHorse]

No he wasn't. LBJ had just left an awful taste in people's mouths. It took a tricky **** to leave a worse taste in their mouths.

(I like that metaphor )

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

If you say so, IS then is must be true. But some proof would be nice

Nixon won the election in 1972 (I'm sure NO protesters were backing him over McGovern).

That, and the Republicans sweeping the Dems in the Senatorial and Congressional elections where a future Iraqi war was known to everyone.

Thanks, now you can commence the eating of the crow .

What's this got to do with anti-war opinion in 2003?

[Scratches head]

[Agathon]

Originally posted by obiwan18

Finally, how welcome are Christians at these kind of rallies?

Very.

Many of the speeches are given by representatives of religious groups. The United Church was heavily involved in the Toronto demo.

You get all sorts at the demos, but most are quite ordinary people.

[Alexander's Horse]

Up to a million Australians marched against war last weekend. For a country of 20 million people who mostly think politics is for the birds that is staggering.

[Elden]

I attended the protest in Adelaide - ten thousand were there and it went well...

... Untill I listened to the new the next morning; Howard claimed that "The mob has not made there descision!"

90% of Australia is against war. Howard has esentially said me and ten thousand other Australians are a mob incabable of making descisions!!! That'll be great for next ellection

[aaglo]

So, Howard made a political suicide there. Do you think it's a big loss for you?

[Drake Tungsten]

When's the next election in Australia? Howard probably won't be in much trouble if the war goes well.

[aaglo]

war goes well?



You couldn't think things more "Americanly".

The point is, that people don't want war in any case.

[Drake Tungsten]

I find it funny that the people who are most against war are the ones who will not be affected by it. It's American and Iraqi blood that is going to be spilt to remove Saddam Hussein, yet a majority of Americans support the war and there has been some evidence that the Iraqis do as well.

In the end, I value the opinions of these two groups more than any other, since they are the ones who are going to pay the price required to remove Saddam Hussein. Everyone else's opinion pales in comparison.

[aaglo]

Drake -

It's propably because nobody else sees no reason in that war. Me included.