For the last week or so there has been much debate on the issue of the Stop the War group. I have been watching this issue unfold through the newspapers and through personal experience. I must take the time to address this issue from someone who has been the target of protests by Stop the War.
Stop the War claims to be a 'peaceful' group. We must ask ourselves what we really consider peaceful. I was there and know first hand what their idea of peaceful is. I was in the ROTC building when Stop the War protested. Shouting and pounding on the front door of the building. Giving the finger to a civilian (non-military) that works in the building. Throwing of an object that resulted in a 14-year-old boy being hauled off in a police car. I watched from a window as two protesters attempted to cut down the American flag from the flag pole. Is this really peaceful?
Stop the War can claim anything they want. They have their freedom of speech! They need to think more about their tactics, however. Is protesting ROTC really going to change anything? By protesting ROTC, can those ROTC cadets and cadre stop the war? Can they tell Bush to step down from office? Don't protest a group of people that volunteered to be in the armed forces. These people will fight and die for you to keep your rights which you so freely enjoy.
