Last Wednesday, the Campus Antiwar Network was at it again, this time invading a career fair at the Kohl Center to continue protesting the war and dissuading students from the hypnotic allure of the Marines recruiting at the fair.
Other than educating students about war, the main tenets of CAN include immediate withdrawal from the Middle East battlefield, demanding full physical and mental health benefits and educational funds for all military personnel regardless of discharge status, and developing a grassroots, democratic and independent organization that actively opposes all forms of racism, Islamophobia, sexism and homophobia.
Our board recognizes the value in promoting peace and tolerance within our community and abroad, but CAN's tactics and vision have deteriorated into an inappropriate, counterproductive campaign.
Aside from the career fair, CAN - as well as members from other groups - barged in on a panel last fall involving Tammy Baldwin to focus on the bailout bill's passage and the state of the economy, disrupting the panel numerous times and failing to follow a civilized protocol or engage in intelligent debate. The sole purpose appeared to be disruption rather than fostering an environment conducive to healthy dialogue and education.
Protesting irresponsible and egregious policies and the lawmakers that develop, implement and prolong them is both justifiable and warranted. Protesting and hassling the soldiers that served and continue to serve in the military is an embarrassment, not to mention seemingly contradictory to their core values of protecting and supporting military personnel's interests regardless of discharge status.
What does CAN accomplish by hassling low-level military personnel without any decision-making power or dissuading equally powerless entry-level recruits? The revolutionary '60s aesthetic is cute, but most people in our community already oppose the war, and the actual product in these cases is obnoxious, self-indulgent posturing without real potential for effect - a publicity defeat and a net loss for the cause for peace.
We don't oppose CAN's mission, but their tactics necessitate revision - unless, of course, they believe they can annoy and disturb people into complicity. Arrive on time to forums and debates if they're of value to the organization, and make points highlighted by intelligent, thorough and persuasive rhetoric rather than loud, abrasive and recycled talking points. Caps lock doesn't work to make a point in e-mails, and the oral social equivalent is no better. The mission for peace is important, but focus the battles responsibly toward the powers that be and their policies, and respect the troops that risk their lives and possess no control over the withdrawal from the Middle East.
