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Spiffor
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CPA - Evil Clone brigade
Nov 2001
time: 06:26
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I would like to dispel a myht about anti-war protests. I was yesterday at Paris' rally, with 100,000 protestors, and I have seen some things very oppsite to the pro-war beliefs. I have also seen things very true with those.
Myth #1 : only spoiled youth is in pro-peace rallies.
Left wing politcial parties were a big part of the rally, and their population isn't all youth. In the communist party, to which I belong, there were many middle-aged workers, office employees or retired people. There were young people as well, but not as nearly as "oldbies". In less old parties, there were sure youth, but middle-aged and old people were still present, and maybe a majority. Only the 'hip' parties and groups were clearly young.
However, When I distributed tracts in front of highschool, many highschoolers seemed to be prone to go demonstrate because it's fun. The tidbit I love most (a girl arguing with a pro-war mate) : "We have to go to prove the youth won't accept oppression like this" 
In short, there is some spoiled youth in the rallies, but it is completely wrong to say they are the only ones, or even the most in numbers.
Myth #2 : Anti-war people are just anti-Bush
There is a strong correlation indeed. The word "Bush" and "Blair" have been very, very much shouted in the protest. However, the very cause protesters don't like Bush or Blair is because of the war (Bush can be hated for other reasons, but Blair definitely because of his involvement in the war), and these people incarnate the war.
In Europe, there was quite an anti-Bush feeling after Kyoto (I know his Senate is different than him, but I learned it on this forum), but I have seen anti-blairism extremely rarely. The chanting against Bush and Blair in these protests came solely from the war.
There is a much stronger anti-war feeling than an anti-Bush feeling though, at least in the part of the Demo where I was. Kosovo-war old "war is such stupidity" signs (poor translation), phrases such as "Solidarity with all people on Earth" or "Bush, Blair, Stop the war", have shown a real concern against the war, rather than hatemongering against Bush or Blair.
In short, yes Bush and Blair get hated, but it comes from their involvement in the war.
Myth #3 : protesters just hate America
There was very little hate towards the US in the 2 protests I went to. However, it would be a lie if I told you it was completely absent. There have been some very marginal actions, but they did exist. The windows of a McDonald's have been broken by anarchists thursday (the police only attacked those anarchists, since the rest of the protest didn't support them). We could see fliers calling for a boycott of American products, and even fliers calling for an intifada from Baghdad to Paris. However, no American flag has been burnt.
In short : yes, antiamericanism is present to some extent. It is however very marginal.
Myth #4 : protesters do not attack Saddam
As much as I hate to admit it, it is true. I haven't heard any single phrase referring to Saddam. It has been even more awkward when I hears paroles like "Bush assasino, Blair assasino, Aznar assasino" etc., but which didn't attack Saddam (despite attacking Chirac  ) This group was marginal (never heard the name before), but its public was entirely youth, which is worrying.
Worse, I have seen a loonie with a sign saying : "Kofi Annan, quit ! Iraq has been free for centuries". The sheer stupidity of the content made me think he is a loonie, but it is worrying people think like that at all. I haven't seen or heard any Saddam apologist though.
It is sad, because it gives the opposition to Saddam only to the pro-war side.
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Lincoln
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quote:
Originally posted by Dissident
what exactly was the U.N. doing about iraq 1 year ago before Bush started pushing them?
That's right. Nothing.
Oh I forgot. Sanctions. The same sanctions the anti-war protestors were against. |
Don't expect much consistancy here. They want us all to sit around in a circle and sing "We are the world.." If that doesn't work then we can all just "visualize world peace." Yea! that will probably work...
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23-03-2003 14:17
. But others here have served in the army. 
: 
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