War protesters are obligated to speak out (LTE)

[goddess40]

LET- letter to editor

Mon, Jan 24, 2005

War protesters are obligated to speak out


I would find the obscenity citation recently issued to war protester Mike Wallschlaeger laughable if I didn't understand the whole picture. The complaint wasn't really about the "obscene" sign; it was about our right to protest this immoral and unwarranted attack on Iraq.

If obscenity is the real problem, then the police need to come and pick up the people that drive by and yell the F-word at us or flip us off while we protest. These people are the minority as most people give us positive feedback. Because of the few rotten apples my children, who truly understand the gravity of this "war," are unable to protest with us.

My fellow protesters and I have been threatened with violence and had obscenities hurled at us. One person covered his license plate and drove up on the curb and ran down a sign. Several weeks ago a young man in a white SUV swerved at us and thought he was funny; if he had hit an icy patch he wouldn't be so smug right now.

I will continue to protest this illegitimate war, which is my constitutional right as an American. This is my country and I love it. I not only have the right but also the responsibility as a citizen to point out when our government is wrong.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhopinion/313299361902912.shtml

Wow, they printed the entire letter this time.

[quiet.american]

1. Way to go!

Goddess40, your letter is terrific.

:yourock:

And I really admire you for being right out there and protesting. Here is the response I submitted in the "Comment on this article" section:

The opinion piece entitled, "War protesters are obligated to speak out," is quite inspiring.

Many Americans have often wondered why the citizenry of other countries were so silent while their government committed unspeakable violence against innocent civilians.

Now, it is up to us to put our money where our mouths are, so to speak.

The author should be commended for her courage, and as for those seeking to oppress her and her fellow protesters' free speech, in their vulgar and violent ignorance they show the world just what this "free" country has become under the Bush administration.

[Wind Dancer]

2. Great letter. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Great letter and great work!! n/t

[goddess40]

4. The newspaper timed this letter to coincide with the return of troops

here in town. The local reserves are starting to return today and it might make this Friday's protest interesting. This incident happened a couple of weeks ago and I sent my letter soon after it happened.

BTW Thanks for the positive feedback