How come young people are the only ones expected to be protesting this war?

[Hippo_Tron]

I'll admit that 18-25 year olds tend to be less politically active than our older counterparts. But that doesn't exactly mean that many older people aren't complacent as well.

Most 30 to 60 year olds who oppose this war aren't taking it to the streets either. Why aren't we talking about mandatory service for everyone under 60 so that they will take to the streets and write their congressmen and demand an end to this war? Certainly making everyone age 18-60 politically active will have a much greater impact than making everyone age 18-25 politically active.

The fact is that as much as people want to pin this on 18-25 year olds, political apathy is a serious problem in all age groups in this country.

[Mythsaje]

1. "Taking to the streets"

doesn't seem to be a viable method of protest this time.

And as strange as it may seem, I'm not sure all this time spend in places like this ISN'T affecting the way things are going. We gather information, we disseminate information, and we communicate not only with each other, but with people outside this and other similar communities. The PEOPLE are decidedly coming down against this war as it is...it's only the Powers-That-Be that are dragging their heels.

[billyoc]

2. I have to disagree, I feel that the "blogosphere" is the modern internment camp.

Keeps the people off the streets, ala "Running Man"...

[Mythsaje]

4. Feel free to disagree...

I think we've done a remarkable job countering spin and getting our messages out. We certainly can't trust the corporate media to do it.

Hitting the streets didn't seem to work before the war, and certainly not since. A single day can mean the difference between surviving and not surviving, keeping one's home and becoming homeless. The ONLY thing that could make it worthwhile is to get national attention, but it doesn't. The media downplays it and nothing happens as a result.

[elizm]

7. Agree...Markos had a seat at MTP today. THAT is remarkable. nt

[5X]

3. Most of the people that show up at our protests are middle age to....

older. We do get our share of college age too, tho.

[elizm]

5. 55 and was in DC in January...were you there? nt

[Hippo_Tron]

11. Nope, but I did protest when Bush came to Nashville

I also wanted to go to take a road trip to Camp Casey in 2005, but my parents said absolutely not and since it's their car, I didn't have much of a choice.

My point isn't about people on DU. It's about the rest of the country that isn't politically active.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. I'll tell you a story about 2004

In my county, there are natives and outlanders. The outlanders have come from all over, and have settled in the mountains because of the beautiful land, clean water and air, and cheap living conditions. Anyway, I was surprised as all get out to find out a bunch of outlanders who were former Republicans had called all us protesters up and asked us to a meeting. They were fired up and hopping mad about what Bush has done--and they wanted to do something about it. Together, we had teach-ins, rallies, and paid for advertisements in the paper. We found out that we could work together for the common good.

It takes a while, but people eventually wake up.

[Hippo_Tron]

15. That is good to hear, gives me some hope that things will change

[NYC]

6. A lot of older people protest in NYC.

All ages turn out.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. We are all in this together. Keep your stick on the ice.

[elizm]

9. No responses from Hippo_Tron?? nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. In my neck of the woods, it's the older folks out protesting

and have been doing so since before the war began. We've gained some members-mothers whose kids are deployed and who have found out the truth--but only one or two young ones. Frankly, I wish they would come join us. Right now, we are dismissed as the "old hippie crowd" by many.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. But wouldn't you say that those protesting are still a minority?

There may be more "old hippies" protesting than young people but neither group has significant numbers turning out to make an impact.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. Don't know

in 2003 we covered the courthouse square and had newspaper coverage here and in Little Rock. I think that is significant. And we pose enough of a threat that we are really restricted on where we can stand now. We are still in full view of the main highway through town, and we've gotten honks and positive responses to those who drive by.

So I'd say we've made an impact. Gotta realize in a county with under 6000 population it doesn't take many to make an impact.

[fed-up]

18. I am sure protests are having an impact-just watch the poll numbers....nt

[Captain Hilts]

16. The anti-war marches here in DC skew much older than 18-25. MUCH. nt

[fed-up]

17. nobody ever said or claimed youth should be the only protesters-I'm 48, son is 18

he is usually busy with work and/or school

The majority of people I see at our protests are retired or disabled. I understand that most people are busy trying to take care of finances and family....

[Bluzmann57]

19. Have to respectfully disagree with you

I'm a 49 year old college dropout and have protested this illegal war many times with people in my age range and older. But we all should be more politically active. Sometimes, however, real life gets in the way. Us old folks have to pay our bills, such as house payments, car payments, saving for our kids college, and so on. Do not mistake not "taking it to the streets" for political apathy. We can and will do just that if needed.

[DemBones DemBones]

20. Who said they were? nt