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Lincoln peace rally among many across the nation

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By ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Mar 17, 2007 - 07:19:03 pm CDT

Terry Ricketts is sort of a black sheep.

The wounded Iraq veteran comes from a family of Republicans who support the way the Bush administration has dealt with the war.

Ricketts’ feelings about the war are taboo among friends and relatives, and were less than popular among the men he fought with in Iraq. The Nebraska National Guardsman went anyway, he said, because it was his duty.

Story Photo
Terry Ricketts, a wounded Iraq war veteran, speaks during the "Bring the Troops Home" peace rally in downtown Lincoln Saturday. About 400 activists marched downtown in a protesting the war on its fourth anniversary. (William Lauer)

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War anniversary sparks demonstrations across nation
Events marking four years in Iraq
  • The names of U.S. military and Iraqi civilian casualties from the war will be read in more than 20 Lincoln churches Sunday.
  • Nebraskans for Peace will lead a vigil Monday in Omaha, over the Dodge Street footbridge near the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a vigil at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Farnam streets from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
  • First Presbyterian Church, 840 S. 17th St. in Lincoln, will host an interfaith service of remembrance and reflection at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

On Saturday, he stood out in a crowd of anti-war protesters gathered at Centennial Mall North to mark Tuesday’s fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Surrounded by people playing bongo drums, cow bells and acoustic guitars, Ricketts stated his own musical tastes: metal, gothic, Pantera.

His physical appearance set him apart, as well, with a shaved head and goatee, and baggy pants and a dark gray hooded sweatshirt covering gothic-style tattoos.

And, as a self-proclaimed “independent – leaning more towards Republican,” he crossed political boundaries, as well, with the crowd of 350 mostly liberal peace protestors.

It was what they had in common that held them together.

“No matter what your overall stance ... you can support the troops without supporting the war,” he said, addressing his cheering audience. “George Bush’s proposal, to me, is like trying to smother a fire with a bundle of wood.”

Mixed in with the activist crowd were some political moderates who, until recently, remained virtually silent regarding the war.

Now that former political inactivists have become spoken critics, protest organizers found the need to stress acceptance of varying perspectives.

For rally emcee Jake Hoy-Elswick, the question for the crowd on Saturday was: “Why are you against the war, and why am I against the war, and how can we bring that together?”

Susan Emanuel, the mother of another Nebraska National Guardsman who served in Iraq, told the crowd of Lincoln protesters the war issue crossed party lines.

“Our own Senator (Chuck) Hagel, a Republican, says it is wrong to put American troops in the middle of a tribal sectarian civil war for which there is no U.S. military solution,” she said.

Her speech was one of many in a lineup that included two addresses by Ricketts, who was shot through the thigh when his unit was ambushed by Iraqi insurgents in 2005.

“At the same time,” he told the crowd during his rally-opening speech, “back here in the States, my mom was in the hospital with cancer.”

Ricketts’ father had to tell his mom about the ambush, and about their son’s injury, while she was struggling with chemotherapy. It was depressing news, but Ricketts looked on the bright side: “She said it ended up giving her strength in the end.”

Her health returned months after her son came home from Iraq.

After the speeches, the rally, sponsored by the Nebraska Coalition for Peace, funneled into a march through several blocks of downtown Lincoln. Protesters walked along the sidewalks while leaders with signs and musical instruments paced up and down at a quicker pace.  

Ricketts kept pace with the crowd, but carried no sign and didn’t yell a word. Among hundreds of like-minded individuals, he had said his piece – twice, in two speeches.

The first one was planned, the second was not. He just had some things he still needed to get off his chest.

When walking in the march, he said he was trying his hardest not to go off on one of his rants again.

“They think I have a lot of anger and I do,” he said. “I had to argue and fight ... to get back home. ... They were going to keep me at Fort Riley (in Kansas) and not let me go home to see my family.

“The (military personnel in Iraq) generally got treated like crap anyway. ... I’m not out (of the National Guard) on paper, but I’ll never deploy again. ... I don’t see any reason to be over there, and I never have.”

Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7120 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com


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Erik wrote on March 17, 2007 4:52 pm:
" I know there's a lot of people in this country that doesn't support Bush, but I don't see the point of protesting. It's been done EVERY YEAR since Bush declared the war against terrorism and he's not going to budge. "

 Hank wrote on March 17, 2007 6:28 pm:
" I am sorry to see that Erik sees no point to protesting an obstinate president who refuses to budge from his policies of war and the undermining of our own Constitution. Fortunately, today's protest in Lincoln shows that not all Americans have fallen into such a vegetable state and do still care about our country. "

 Ricky wrote on March 17, 2007 7:40 pm:
" Had Pete Ricketts taken the same stand as his nephew during his campaign against Ben Nelson...I would have voted for him. I admire Terry Ricketts for his moral courage. "

 vet wrote on March 17, 2007 8:43 pm:
" I hope somehow this message gets through to Bushey. He seems to have selective hearing. He did everything to stay out of war, the man has no morals. I'm glad to see citizens demand to be heard. I did my 20 and did the first desert storm. That had a purpose, this does not. "

 wallace mcnabb wrote on March 17, 2007 8:45 pm:
" this is a typical "oprah type of article". it is not a fair article because it lacks any pro iraqi freedom content. hank, what are you talking about? what undermining of the constitution? name me one person that has had their civil rights abused? no enemy comabatants dont count. the courts have ruled on that. the question is do you care about iraq or any other country? no hank iraq was not better off under saddam. if you dont believe me go there and talk to the people like i did. i am really sick of the brainwashed thinking they know what is going on in iraq. "

 Kosovo wrote on March 17, 2007 9:09 pm:
" How's that Kosovo thing going? Home by Christmas, wasn't it? Now, which President that got us into that never-ending situation? "

 Erik wrote on March 17, 2007 9:36 pm:
" Hank, if these people are protesting, I would bet more than half of them don't even support our troops at all. If you support the troops, you have to support the war whether you like it or not. If you support the troops but don't support the war, where's the logic in that? "

 Peace wrote on March 17, 2007 10:53 pm:
" Please read the story. These are the troops. These are their families. Of course they support themselves and support their children. That is why they are protesting this occupation which was based on lies and is perpetuated so as not to admit the truth. Misplaced fear and ignorance is not a reason to support a failed mission. I just want my dear son to be home safe, and I do not want him to die for a lie. "

 Rob wrote on March 17, 2007 11:00 pm:
" I don't have any problem with people protesting. Notice that 99 times out of 100, it is the left that is demonstrating. Why is that? As far as selective hearing, Bush has commented that he knows this is not a popular war. But, I believe he also thinks, as do I, that leaving Iraq in a fragile situation could mean very bad things in the future. Clearly, there are people who could care less about that. They are only interested in a narrow, short term political victory. I believe history will prove them wrong. "

 Gene Hogan wrote on March 17, 2007 11:06 pm:
" To refer to those at the peace rally as people who don't support the troops is UNCONSCIONABLE. "

 Husker Neocon wrote on March 18, 2007 12:06 am:
" I'm glad these 300 (in reality probably half) people were able to get off work to protest the war. Maybe they should spend their time preparing for the Jihad here, when they cut and run from the Mideast. "

 SH wrote on March 18, 2007 12:45 am:
" As a Soldier who IS in Iraq RIGHT NOW! I still do talk to the people and Can say full heartedly that I am GLAD that we are here. We are saving and helping Iraqi's daily and for that the US should be proud. The Terrorists came on our turf and if we dont shut them down now then who is to say that they wont be back. I appreciate all the support from those that DO support and for those of you who dont. Welcome to Vietnam. If you dont learn from history you are doomed to repeat it!!! "

 DP wrote on March 18, 2007 12:51 am:
" I'm sure there are soldiers and family members of soldiers who are against this war, but I think they are in the minority. The majority of miliary families think they are serving our country proud and would never take part in a rally such as this. I also find it a little odd that the United States is constantly being told by the media that there is a sectarian civil war over there but a poll of 5,000 Iraqis was recently taken and only 27% of them thought they were in a civil war and the majority thought they had a much better life now than under Saddam. I guess I have to believe the word of people living there instead of a bunch of journalists from CNN. Maybe things aren't as bad as they are made out to be. "

 Nope wrote on March 18, 2007 4:16 am:
" Wallace, what about that Canadian citizen that was picked up in the US and sent to secret prisons overseas and tortured for a few months and then released without any charges being filed against him? Now, there are more, but that is the only one that comes to mind now. Now, if that isn't an abuse of civil rights, what is? Erik, the troops are just following orders. Even Terry Ricketts, a National Guardsman, does not support the war. He went because it was his duty. That is why I support the troops and not the war. The soldiers are just doing their job. BTW, I did serve in Vietnam. BTW, I do support the war in Afghanistan to capture Bin Laden if Bush would ever try to capture the guy who started this mess. "

 Bob wrote on March 18, 2007 4:56 am:
" Welcome home Terry. If you think that military personnel in Iraq generally get treated like crap try being a Vietnam Veteran coming home. We are still being treated like crap, but we are fighting so that you will not be treated like we were when we came home. For Peace I hope that your son comes home safe as well. Just remember this it is not the news media or a Senator in Washington DC who keeps us free, it is the soldier, Marine, sailor and airman who do that for all of us. These individuals are doing a dirty job. This job will stay the same even after we leave Iraq and have to fight somewhere else in the world in order to defend the freedom of others as well as our own. These individuals are highly trained and educated individuals who volunteer. Who know the risks that they are taking for you and me, much like I knew the risks that I was taking for 26 years for all of you. We are in Iraq and yes it is a big mess that we can not just up and leave without cleaning it up. Iraq is working on taking over the internal security so that we can leave. How long that will take no one can be sure. It would be nice if we could leave there tomorrow knowing that Iraq is a stable democratic country able to rule and control it's own security. That everyone there are living in peace with each other in the way that we live together in Lincoln, Omaha, Firth, any where else in Nebraska or the United States. Now that would be nice if this would happen all over the world to include Kosovo. "

 nitemare wrote on March 18, 2007 6:07 am:
" Our soldiers "signed up" for the military. They were not "drafted". So, BOYS, belly up and do your job. You made a conscientious decision to join when you did, so now it's time to be a MAN and do what you said would would do. GOD BLESS AMERICA!! "

 Charles wrote on March 18, 2007 7:04 am:
" To Erik: Having been around to watch the late 60s & early 70s, I can tell you that these protests do not go unheard. Read some history. Our government works better now than it did then. Lets just hope it will work faster, so we can get out of the quicksand of this futile military effort soon. "

 Dee wrote on March 18, 2007 8:56 am:
" Bush does not have selective hearing. His ears are plugged by dollar bills. To bring back a very valid point and chant from the Vietnam era.... we're not against the soldiers were against the war. "

 Todd wrote on March 18, 2007 9:31 am:
" Why is everybody doing the Bush bashing. Do you know how many people it takes to run this country? It's not only Bush it the entire administration. Most of you people are so hung up on Bush you loose site of the great country we live in. God bless our troops- Todd "

 Nick wrote on March 18, 2007 10:40 am:
" Protesters, to me, seem to be the only ones who actually care about the direction of their country, This War is illegal, we have been lied to, and our soldiers don't deserve to die for lies. And as for Wallace's comment, you want to know of people who have lost their civil liberties. How about American Muslims being taken to our military camps all over the world, being held there, and tortured there, for no reasons what so ever, and on top of that they have not and will never be allowed legal representation. These are American citizens under mere suspicion, being tortured. Have you not heard the many reports of these victims? Any who oppose this war can be labeled by our government as an enemy combatant thanks to the Military Commissions act. The Bush Administration is profiting off this war while soldiers, and innocent men, women and children of Iraq die everyday!! They must be tried for war crimes. "

 sam wrote on March 18, 2007 11:25 am:
" You join the Military nobody forces you. You should know by now that the ultimate sacrafice might happen. If the Commander and Chief says "Go". You go. What's there to discuss. "

 Let's see wrote on March 18, 2007 12:58 pm:
" The USA was one of the NATO member countries who bombed Yugoslavia between March 24th and June 9th 1999 during the Kosovo War. 78 days. Pretty much home by Christmas, but that doesn't make it right. Many opponents of the Kosovo war supported George W. Bush in 2000, fooled by the neocons' loud opposition to the bombing, which was nothing more than opportunistic posturing, into believing Kosovo was "Clinton's war." But Bush the Lesser has made no changes to Clinton's policy in Kosovo – or anywhere in the Balkans, for that matter. And why would he? It was Kosovo that made Iraq possible: both illegal, illegitimate wars resulting in equally illegal and illegitimate occupations, not to mention the toll in destroyed human lives and property, or the destruction of social and cultural heritage. Senator Joseph Lieberman, who would like to be Emperor after Bush, said in 1999 that the blatantly fascist KLA was "fighting for American values." Lieberman came close to being elected vice-president in 2000, and this statement was never held against him. There have been several proposed resolutions in the Congress supporting the independence of Albanized Kosovo, but not one – not one! – demanding an end to the occupation. Today, Kosovo is an issue almost forgotten in the American political discourse, even though the United States is chiefly responsible for the current state of affairs in that Serbian province. Empire's hands are drenched with blood of the massacred and tears of the dispossessed. It is not surprising that those who should be ashamed of their actions have forgotten Kosovo. But those who care about honor, justice and liberty have every reason to remember. "

 Al wrote on March 18, 2007 1:55 pm:
" The protest was a joke. Half the crowd was so stoned they didn't even remember what they were protesting. "

 Military Mom of Two wrote on March 18, 2007 4:18 pm:
" So, if I attended your "Peace Rally" while my children are overseas.......I would have "felt your support" and concern for me, my family and our children who Chose to go? Really? Prove it to me in your news reports, and I may attend once. Or would I have to listen to you rant and rave too? I go near NO ONE who is loud and vocal, pro or con. I keep my place, praying for my loved ones and their peers safety. I have listened to Iraqi's fyi in my office tell me to tell my children "thank you" for serving. Since they lived there under Sadam, and escaped to here, some of you believe you know better than they of what they lived through? "

 Shannon wrote on March 18, 2007 7:36 pm:
" Grow up people. Bush doesn't make all of the decisions, remember that. It isn't a one man decision. Second of all why bash our troops? What did they do wrong. Join the Army to help their country and get a career they can be proud of? These young men and women CHOSE to do this, so them complaining is absolutely absurd. I know it is hard to deal with. I am an Army Wife. My husband has been gone a year and six more months to go. But that is what I married into and I am going to be here for my soldier and the other soldiers by praying and sending them packages and words of encouragement. I am sure not going to rally, what does that do? Nothing. When the attacks happened, you people all wanted what we got, war. Then it happened and now you are all against it. Decide. If it wasn't for our soldiers of today and soldiers of the past, you wouldn't have the freedom of speech to throw this little rallies, so remember that. We don't need to fight in a time like this. We all need to come together and support our troops, let them know that they are making a future for America. I couldn't be more then proud of our soldiers and what they are doing. I say way to go soldiers, you are making a path for the rest of America why they complain because they have nothing better to do. I will ALWAYS support the soldiers and the cause for which they are deployed. God Bless You All In Iraq. "

 SUPPORTER wrote on March 18, 2007 7:37 pm:
" A LIE? Prove it...I want offical documentation. People just need a reason to complain. Support our troops, that is what they need. "

 vet wrote on March 18, 2007 7:50 pm:
" To husker neo something. I for one am tired of the saying "cut and run". Another thing Iraq is not middle east as a war location. I certainly would not add HUsker anywhere in there as it makes it look like all the people in Ne look like BUSHES. Have you ever had the opportunity to "cut and run"? "

 Melissa wrote on March 18, 2007 9:44 pm:
" This goes out to all those who have made grand assumptions about those who attended this anti-war rally. Let me start by saying that you most certainly DO NOT have to suppport this war in order to support the soldiers. Were this idea derived from is beyond me. To tell a soldier to 'belly up and do your job", to tell them that they volunteered and should stop complaining is incredibly offensive, given that this war is far from being legal. Please do not respond by demanding that I show you proof. Look it up yourself. There is a wide variety of media sources other that FOX, CNN, ABC, etc. Do yourself a favor and try getting your information from a source that does NOT Profit from what they report. Where each of us gets our information may help explain why we all have such differing opinions when it comes to this war. It would be nice if we were told the truth all the time but unfortunatly we are not. I am not angry at the troops for fighting an unjust war, they are only doing what they are told, I am angry at the Administration who sent them there under false pretenses. I fully support the soldiers who have had the courage to stand up and speak the truth, those who have refused to fight a war that is contradicting the very vows they swore upon when joining the military. Anti-war protestors are not against the military, we just want to see our men and women fighting for a just cause instead of dying for the lies and profit of this administration. Must some people be so blind with patriotism that we forget what it means to be an American. "

 Hippies go home wrote on March 19, 2007 12:19 am:
" The last bastion of socialism in the United States is the college campuses. Is it any wonder that in a college town there would be plenty of burned out hippies to show up and protest the cuase dejour. Now it's the war against terrorism, when i was in the military in the late 80's it was nuclear weapons. If you had your way then the soviet union would still be around, if you had your way now the terrorists would win. I've heard illegal war so many times it makes me want to throw up. This war was authorized by the United Nations, you libs know what that is, it was also authorized by the Congress, nearly unanimously. For those of you who don't know what you're talking about just shut up. For those who have family members currently deployed, as i do, you are in my prayers. "

 poop stick wrote on March 19, 2007 1:11 am:
" its fun to read about all this guzzling of patriotism everyone seems to display, while they watch american idol and believe general motors when they say a 4% increase in fuel efficency is difficult technoligy to come by, how many lies can a politcian tell or a corporation, before anyone cares about the fact that were all being lied too, ripped off, crimes most normal people wouldnt committ happen every single day with this current administration, whos buying into this stuff about bin laden, the war on terror, and the war in iraq and afghanistan, people are protesting the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians for the hanging of a dictator which america kept in power throught his entire dictatorship,the people that are protesting are the inocent ones, the ones who believe in the lies that bush, cheney, rove, rumsfeld,wolfowitz etc etc etc are telling are the one with blood on their hands, they helped kill all those dead iraqis, afghains, americans,british soilders, keep complaning in the name of jesus and money im sure both are going to get you into heaven "

 Roger Allen wrote on March 19, 2007 8:30 am:
" Go figure. One who does not want war will always find ways to say that it is not necessary. War is not fun and yes no one involved is likely to be liked by anyone, but that is part of being in the Military. Let them protest and let the protesters say and do what they want, that is what America is all about, our freedom to say what we want. How come the other side is looked at like the evil beast, that is the side that supports the war, there is room in America for difference and that is important. "

 SUPPORTER wrote on March 19, 2007 9:07 am:
" If you protestors can SERIOUSLY believe everything the media tells them you are stupid. The media is so NEGATIVE about Iraq. Did you ever think that there are things that we don't know and shouldn't know as of right now for the safety of us here at home???? Lay off the military and the president and let them do their jobs. That is what they SIGNED UP TO DO! And while they are doing it they should be SUPPORTING their country and their COMMANDER IN CHIEF! He's doing the best job he can! "

 Corey wrote on March 19, 2007 11:00 am:
" I support the troops! I bought a yellow magnet that was made in China, and I put it on my car, so I MUST support the troops more than anyone else. That proves it. "

 Erin wrote on March 19, 2007 12:09 pm:
" As an American whose family has fought in the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam - I feel blessed that no one in my family is serving in Iraq. I fully support the troops and will be forever grateful for the sacrifices that so many have made because they were trying to protect our nation. I just wish that the war in Iraq was actually something that would help to protect the U.S. I wish that the soldiers coming back would have the health care and the benefits that they've been promised. I wish that more Americans could see the forest for the trees. I'm not against war - I'm against ineffective war or wars waged for hidden reasons and that's how I see this war. This in NO WAY belittles the sacrifices that our troops and their families are making and will continue to make for years and years while they try to integrate back into "normal" lives. If you really want to support the troops, make veteran's affairs an important issue for years to come. I love America, I love our soldiers, and because of this I'm against the war in Iraq. "

 SoCal Husker wrote on March 19, 2007 1:44 pm:
" Just the same old Leftists that would not stand up to defend themselves in ANY instance. The weakest of the weak ready to be preyed upon. Wake up, folks! The world is an ugly place and you had better be prepared to defend yourselves and this nation or it will be gone sooner than you think. "

 Sue F. wrote on March 19, 2007 1:45 pm:
" As someone who was actually there I can tell you a few facts. There were probably closer to 500 people there. There were high school students, grandmothers, fathers, soldiers, mothers of soldiers, lawyers, ministers, doctors, teachers, artists, and sales clerks. People of all ages and all walks of life. People who still believe in this country and in our constitution. People who believe that too many have died. We all have our reasons for being against this war, but most of us won't shut up until peace is a priority in our country and the world. "

 captnfantasitc wrote on March 19, 2007 2:35 pm:
" after reading this i can see the republicans didnt get their talking points out in time, all these wonderful republican responses are all scatter brained, calling people stoned and talking about college campuses being liberal blah blah blah, well of course a college campus would be liberal, a university is supposed to be a place of ideas and independent thought, which would explain why the republicans dont dig it, mostly because talking points cant get them through it, all you hear about time after time is midwestern values, i would love to know what those are, are they the raping of women and children? the murder of women and children? are they guns in the ghettos? old text books and illiterate children? cubians can read better then we can, and we've been exploting them and the rest of the 3rd world since america left the thrid world, how can you critizize people who are out there wanting change,i know being a republican the key matter is me me me me me, but its a little silly to take a look around at whats been going on, and with a good decent mind not question this corporate whorehouse we call the white house, not one person whos on here complaning is going to bennifect from the new world order bush is trying to install, your the same peopel who complain about illegal immigration, unless your picking peaches and cotton, i cant imagine why you'd care, being blind sided into thinking it matters if they cross the border when the same corportaions you fight so hard to protect, that dont pay texes by the way, knowingly employ these illegal immigrants, the police in the local counties knowingly let them get away with being here, looks to me like all of you who oppose these rallys,marches,freedom of speech, seem to be even more unpatriotic then those who are all "stoned" that showed up to up support whats left of a failing democracy or a failing republic what ever you want to call it, must be hard to look your kids in the face when you know you sold them out and runined their future "

 Chuck Lippstreu wrote on March 19, 2007 2:36 pm:
" The fact that we have an all-volunteer force that's full of good, brave, effective soldiers doesn't make our government immune from poor policy decisions. And this, whether or not everyone can wrap their mind around global reality, is not doing the United States one iota of good. Not one. And it's getting a lot of effective, brave people killed. "

 Tom wrote on March 19, 2007 3:18 pm:
" Now wait a minute. Bush does not make all the decisions? Has he not said he is the divider - umm decider I mean. So he is the decider but decides what? You mean the other people that help him divide - decide I mean - like Cheney, Rove, Rice, Gonzales, Scooter and others are making the decisions? Well did not Bush put them in those positions? Why? Because they go along with him without asking questions. Remember Powell? He said something again Bush and his ideas and where is he now? And you are right. When we were attacked I believed and still do that we should be at war. Still believe it and that place is in Afghanistan going after Osama Bin Forgotten. You remember him? The one that actually attacked this country unlike Saddam. We are fighting a justified war; it is just not in Iraq. You people that say Bush does not make the decisions really do not pay much attention, but then again, that is pretty obvious. "

 I think its sad that wrote on March 19, 2007 3:45 pm:
" when a protest is held for peace all you hear is bashing about it. Those who support the war seem to think they can say whatever they want and we should accept it. Whatever happened to allowing each their own opinion. And YES you can support the troops and not the war! Get over that already! "

 Roger wrote on March 19, 2007 3:49 pm:
" OK, the yuppie-hippy wannabees have had their 15 min. of fame, time to sit-down and shut-up. And which one of you is it that has decided this war isn't "legal"? What makes a war legal or not? Time to get your copy of the War Powers act and brush-up a bit. "

 to those who... wrote on March 19, 2007 5:14 pm:
" would compare "terrorists" to the Nazi's, and I hear this all too often, what do you think the Nazi party and all its supporters said and did to war protesteers? They silenced them, as so many on this board have suggested doing to war protesters in this country. What might have been prevented if those dissenting voices had been heeded in Germany in the 1930's? There is a significant number of people in this country who feel this war needs to end, why not think for a minute about the argument instead of swallowing the rhetoric of corporate sponsored politicians? Those who dissent have heard the president speak, have listened, have considered his justifications and come to the conclusion that his justifications simply don't ring true. War protesters have evaluated the U.S. government's argument that this is a just war and found that it really does not agree with the treaties our nation has not only signed but helped to write. I'm not suggesting anyone abandon their opinion merely consider the arguments made by those who dissent and respond in an intelligent manner, not one dominated by unexamined rhetoric. "

 the poop n twig wrote on March 19, 2007 9:44 pm:
" if bombing thrid world nations, which we helped create is the good people of americas idea of a decent country, i say let it fall to the ground, im a leftist ill watch it burn and build it right back up again, in the name of everything sain and decent, with laws that help people,where people can have decent medical coverage and afford to live with the jobs available too them, where corporations get taxed, where we prosecute war criminals who break international law including the president and his commrades, who disregard our constitution and say is just s damn piece of paper quit shoving it in my face, anyone who dosnt see that tell tail signs of an on coming police state,or a dictator ship being run by corporations, has the right to go ahead and live in one,just not here, go find your ideal dictator ship where you dont have to think about anything or worry about anything, because big brother will take care of you, anyone who actually took the time to read and watch what happend on 9/11 knows the truth, its like saying jfk shot himself we all know thats not true, just like we know that 9/11 wernt caused by those forces who our president accuses, not suspicous we havnt caught bin laden? its not suspicious that everyone sold airline stock in mass quanites the day before 9/11, still think everything sounds right huh, what about weapons of mass destruction where are they? didnt find any huh, well saddam supported terror, that didnt work so well, he had links to bin laden, oh we already said he didnt, well we just didnt like him, he wanted to attack us, none of that is suspicous? sounds pretty strange to me, we just blew up 2 countries in the name of freedom and none of the reasons including the yellow cake africa deal panned out, what seems right about any of this? no armor for the soilders? walter reed? soilders having surgerys that they dont need just so they can go home? is that how we treat our veterans? thats how we show our appreciation for dying for a false cause? that seems cold hearted and brutal, much more so then protesting the very cause the war which created all these conditions, everyone should be ashamed of this terrible that has been cast upon america, this isnt the greatest country on earth and where certainly not the most free, if where supposed to be the glaring wonderful example of modern progress, then i think the whole world should be sick to there stomach for whats coming the near future, where setting a terrible example on every level, letting go of gay translators, all this is so completley insane, then to read messages on here from these people complaning, i know people hate anything they dont understand, but maybe anyone who dosnt agree with this should take a look around and ask themselves, is this really the way things should be going? are we making progress in any way shape or form? are we as great as we think we are? and maybe they should look at there own life and face some realites, that the people running this country are just using them to make as much money as they can then split for a foreign county, your being used by the very people you support, shame on you for being so blind to the very idols you worship, should take a nice long hard look and ask yourself if your being ripped off or not,because you are, you dont have to agree with the protesters being our there, but respect the fact and the people who are really keeping you free, if your false idols had there way you'd be their slave too, and no matter what the age they'd stick you in a war zone before them and be happy to watch you die, you mean nothing to these people "

 sj wrote on March 19, 2007 9:52 pm:
" HEY!! Guess What!! You CAN put out a fire with a bundle of wood, if you do it right. "

 Darren wrote on March 19, 2007 11:28 pm:
" There sure seems to be a lot of anger and hate for a "peace rally". "

 OldVet wrote on March 20, 2007 7:04 am:
" Why don't all of you that support the war go enlist and go fight over in Iraq and then come back and tell us how good and just war is. Maybe the reason you support it is because you are sitting safe at home drinking brews every night watching Faux News. Come on, show us your patriotism. I went and fought in Vietnam and this war in Iraq is shaping up to be just like Vietnam, being micromanaged by the White House. "

 Sylvia wrote on March 20, 2007 11:57 am:
" Darren says there seems to be a lot of "anger" at the rally from peaceful people. I think here on the LJS comments, there seems to be a lot of pro-war rhetoric from those who claim to follow the "Prince of peace". Walk the walk, fellow Christians, walk the walk. I walked the walk on Saturday. I'm sorry if you believe protesting is a sin against our God. "

 okay.. wrote on March 20, 2007 1:48 pm:
" why has no one mentioned that these men that are killing our soldiers want all Americans dead? Liberal, Conservative, AMERICAN. Our soldiers are giving their lives in Iraq so that these men don't attack America AGAIN on AMERICAN soil. Iraq/Saddam Hussein did not attack America BUT the terrorists are everywhere. And some were in Iraq already & some came to Iraq to fight America. They hate us!! If we leave they will follow us home. Not to mention what will happen in the Middle East. We can attend peace rallies without the worry of a roadside bomb. All Americans WANT peace. Terrorists want Americans DEAD. War is scary, our world today is a very scary place. We must take care of each other & stop hating. Be thankful your in America, you can attend a peace rally, say nasty things about your leader and openly express your opinion to whomever at anytime without fear. Thank a soldier for that!! "

 Amazing wrote on March 20, 2007 2:02 pm:
" I am just amazed a peace rally could take place in the reddest state in the nation (per a CNN report). It roughly equivilent to not being surprised that the dog can stand on its hind legs, whats amazing is that you don't have to hold his front legs up. There must be one hell of a back lash overall on this war. "

 Roger wrote on March 20, 2007 2:49 pm:
" People need to learn their history. We clearly aren't remembering it. 1) The U.K. created Iraq out of pieces of the Ottoman Empire after "The War to End All Wars". The Kurds were deliberately left without their own nation for strategic and political reasons. 2) The U.S. overthrew the democratically elected leader of Iran and replaced him with the Shah. 3) Years later the U.S. is shocked that the Iranians want to overthrow the leaders imposed from outside. For good or for ill they make their choice. 4) The U.S. backs Saddam's cruel and bloody war against Iran. We sell him the arms, we train his military, and we look the other way as he kills Iranians, Kurds and Iraqi's 5) Saddam is no longer a use to us, or too much of an embarrassment so we go after Iraq's oil. Dead men tell no tales. 6) After years of various sides being played off one another the U.S. fails to anticipate the civil war it has been unwittingly stirring up for decades. But it's all for the good, because now we get to use the situation to get back at Iran. If we really wanted to "export democracy" or be "pro Iraqi freedom" we would have learned our lessons by now. "

 Whats wrong with peace wrote on March 20, 2007 2:58 pm:
" It saddens me that many of the opposing comments use angry, hateful and insulting words, when voicing how they feel about the rally and the people who were there. This kind of negative discussion is the exact reason why this country can't fix any of its problems. We are to busy blaming one another, to busy hating one another, to busy judging one another that we have forgotten that we all live on this earth. All of us. Until we learn how to love one another inspite and because of our differences, until we stop the misuse of power, until we stop hurting and killing one another and the earth, we will live with war. And those of us who want nothing more than for this anger, hatred, and killing to stop, we will continue to raise our voices for peace and justice, in hope for a better tomarrow. "

 Stop for the sake of the children wrote on March 20, 2007 3:07 pm:
" The industrial military complex is out of control. I don't want my children, who have yet to see a day were this country is not at war, growing up surrouded by violence. How can anyone justify a war that has killed so innocent many men, women and children. I cannot except that "that is just the cost of war". Nothing is worth that, including our freedom which we claim to be fighting for. How selfish of us. Can someone please explain to me why it is OK to use force whenever we think its necessary, even if the reasons that make it "necessary" turns out to be all lies. "

 Craig wrote on March 20, 2007 4:27 pm:
" I don't want my children to grow up in a world where women are treated as second class citizens. Where there is no freedom of religion, only death for non-believers. I don't want my children growing up in a world where they are told daily by traitors and cowards that their government is run by liars and killers. I don't want my children to grow up in a world where people cannot discuss their differences because it may be politically incorrect to have an opinion. I don't want my kids to grow up in a world where more Americans are killed by violence in California each year than in a war in a foreign country. I don't want my kids to grow up in world where you are told you can oppose a war but support the troops, but not criticize the protestors and respect the right to protest. "

 Peace Poop wrote on March 20, 2007 5:09 pm:
" People here are sayin that there is a lot of anger for people of peace. Its just hard to hear some of you bash us, just for the sake of wanting peace, and for wanting the safty of our troops, our sons, daughter, mothers and fathers. We do not want our troops over there fighting for a cause based all around lies. Like oldvet said its easy to bash us while you are at home having a beer, eating chips, no care in the world. And in the meantime our own people dying for an unjust cause. I see people with those yellow ribbons sayin support the troops, to me thats not supporting the troops, what the heck good does that do, but supply China with the money you spent for it. Supporting the troops is trying to keep them safe, and bring them home. "

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