Where Have the War Protesters Gone?

[mikeb302000]

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/17/where_are_the_war_protesters">Salon published a fascinating article on what happened to the anti-war movement.

The movement's drawing power was limited from the start, and then, once the war was on in earnest, it felt -- realistically -- that it had run smack against the brick wall of George Bush's manic pigheadedness. Demonstrators are unlikely to invest their energies in what look from the start like very lost causes. And the demonstrations also tailed off because the mainstream media didn't pay attention -- refused to pay attention. The story line they were promoting was: America kicks ass, new era begins!

I thought that made pretty good sense. In fact, I'd say one word, "apathy" says it all. But the author took the article in another direction.

But also, in the new century, once war was on in earnest, the demonstrations dwindled because many former or potential demonstrators gravely doubted how nice the outcome would be if the expeditionary forces left -- or at least, lacking a tragic sense, downplayed the human costs of withdrawal.

From there he goes on with some type of apology for the current wars, comparing them to Viet Nam. Back in the late 60s and early 70s, "getting out" it was the right thing to do, but not today.

What's your opinion? Do you think even anti-war folks feel that our getting out of such places as Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya might be wrong?

I don't think that and I don't think anti-war activists think that. For me personally, the awful realization came gradually during Obama's 2nd year in office. We are powerless to change what http://mikeb302000.blogspot.com/2010/09/george-carlins-american-dream.html">"the owners," as George Carlin called them, want. From there apathy and cynicism set in, which unfortunately, would take the steam out of any movement.

http://mikeb302000.blogspot.com/">(cross posted at Mikeb302000)

What do you think? Please leave a comment.

[Hardrada]

1. We don't have a Congress with us who could defund the war as they

did with VN. Not now anyway. And the press and other media have obviously been instructed to ramp up the militarist articles.

[mrcheerful]

2. 1 there is no draft like there was in the 60's, which fueled the anti war movement

2) media showed the Vietnam war in detail where every night at 6 pm you saw the bloody mess war is, today media limits the gory details and just reports the violence with little video of the blood bath.

3) protesting in the 60's often meant violent clashes with pro war law enforcement which lead to arrest records and jail time or as in Kent state death.

4) protesting in the 60's was in your face type protesting, under Bush protesting was limited to "free speech" zones far away from politicians and media.

5) the libera media is a myth, we are dealing with corporate news media that pushes pro government propaganda and besides Charlie Sheen crazy antics or Paris Hiltons not wearing panties while getting out of a limo is more entertaining then the boring headless bodies in war zones.

6) Citizens of the US are far different then those of the 60's, today we are fighting tooth and nail to keep our kids housed and feed on top of wondering if tomorrow will be the day we no longer have the job we put so much time into and what we will do then.

That is my opinion on the reason theres fewer war protesters today.

[mikeb302000]

5. You're right

I think the lack of a draft has something to do with it.

[bananas]

3. The protests continued through 2008

They didn't subside until Bush was out of office.

http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ademocraticunderground.com+2008+antiwar+protest

About 14,800 results (0.18 seconds)

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PHOTOS "March Of The Dead" D.C. Protests & Arrests - 19 March 2008 ...
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Mar 19, 2008 – Employees of the Internal Revenue Service watch as police arrest antiwar protesters at their building in Washington, DC, March 19, 2008. ...
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Italy greets Bush with anti-war protest - Democratic Underground
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Jun 12, 2008 – Italy greets Bush with anti-war protest. ... 12, 2008. ROME - President Bush can look forward to a hearty welcome from his old friend, ...
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Protest Rally - WCW Chicago and 5th Yr Antiwar Coalition ...
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Mar 19, 2008 – Protest Rally - WCW Chicago and 5th Yr Antiwar Coalition. ... March 20, 2008 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM DuPage Against War Now (DAWN) will sponsor a ...
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US Port Workers Strike in Anti-War Protest (25000 workers stayed ...
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May 1, 2008 – US Port Workers Strike in Anti-War Protest (25000 workers stayed home updated by ... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/us/01cnd-port.html?hp ...
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HISSYSPITTING! - PHOTOS "March Of The Dead" D.C. Protests ...
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1 post - Last post: Mar 19, 2008
Employees of the Internal Revenue Service watch as police arrest antiwar protesters at their building in Washington, DC, March 19, 2008. ...
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Anti-war protesters target Bush in Maine - Democratic Underground
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Aug 3, 2008 – Anti-war protesters target Bush in Maine. ... Article Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008. KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - The scene played out Saturday for ...
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Anti-War Protestors Try to Confront Long-Time Bush Advisor ...
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Jul 25, 2008 – Source: Radio Iowa Anti-war protestors try to confront long-time Bush advisor. Friday, July 25, 2008, 3:22 PM By O.Kay Henderson ...
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Code Pink Plans to Stage War Protest (on House Floor Tonight ...
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Jun 19, 2008 – CODEPINK Plans to Stage War Protest By Jennifer Bendery Roll Call Staff June 19, 2008, 6:17 p.m.. Anti-war protesters will throw 164 ...
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Black Sabbath - War Pigs {antiwar protest} - Democratic Underground
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Jun 7, 2008 – Black Sabbath - War Pigs {antiwar protest} ... Posted on DU: June 07, 2008. By DU Member: Echo In Light Views on DU: 1059 ...
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Yahoo News: Anti-War Protests SLIDESHOW (Candlelight Vigil, Around ...
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Mar 17, 2007 – Yahoo News: Anti-War Protests SLIDESHOW (Candlelight Vigil, Around The World, etc. ... The war in Iraq is one of the issues confronting 2008 ...

[Kennah]

4. Today we only have a Poverty Draft, so it's easier to ignore

[pipoman]

6. You do realize this is the "Guns Forum", no?

From the post pinned at the top of the Guns Forum: "Discussion of gun-related public policy issues or the use of firearms for self-defense belong in the Guns Forum." I'm not seeing the connection here..

Oh yeah, and unrec for once again promoting your blog unnecessarily..

[mikeb302000]

8. you're right

I posted this by mistake under "guns."

[X_Digger]

7. unrec -- irrelevant blogspam n/t