The Tug on War

Back and forth the critiques pull and the supporters tug. And depending on whom you talk to will determine who is winning this tug on the war.

At the Cindy Sheehan war protest in downtown Fayetteville, NC on September 16, 2005; the odds were evenly set.

“I’m not for or against it [the protesting],” said David ‘D.J.’ Jones who stood on the pro-war side of the rally. D.J. stated that he was there to “show that their rights are paid by others commitments.”

That feeling was universal throughout the crowd. Some felt that the Sheehan people “should protest at the Whitehouse” and “Get on their fake bus and go to Washington.”

Others were there to show support for the people they love. Like Dianae Fanning who explained “My husband was a Vietnam Veteran who faced demonstrations. I know what it did to the military then. I never want to see that happening again.”

“I’m here to offer support to the pro-war side. I read the paper and think I’m more informed then those who get their information from late night TV and talk shows.” Said Laura Peterson, being only 15, she was one of the younger people at the demonstration. She stood there with her father, who served in the military.

Across the police tape and on the other side of “the penalty box”, a time out square for rowdy protesters, were the Sheehan people.

“We would like to stop the war. We are for peace, we don’t believe in making war pure and simple” was the rhetoric of the crowd. “It’s my civic duty I don’t want to be here, it’s hot. I have to be here, it’s my patriotic duty.”

“I am supporting the troops, but disagree with the war. It bothers me to have people dying. If we had a reason that would be another thing” said Jill.

Others believe that President Bush is “isolated from the people.” While at Crawford, Texas Philip Waste explained “Even demonstrators were pushed away.”

Philip went on to say that “a mother standing in the ditch in Crawford got the attention of the country. She [Cindy Sheehan] is the real courageous sincere woman that deserves all the respect. She gave up her son and earned the right. My 3 boys served in the community for every summer. They volunteer in the military. The country sent them to a no win war, an unjust war.”

When asked if maybe the anti-war protest is driven by partisan politics. He responded “I’ll kick a democrat out of office that voted for the war. This is a non-partisan issue. The pro war protesters and I have a lot in common. We love our children and dread that knock on the door. But they are very tense. We don’t need war we need peace, and to talk out our problems. We can’t force democracy. If we win the war against terror who will sign the document, what uniform will they wear, who will they be? They could even be Americans.”

After an hour in the sun, the protesters on both sides left. After an hour of chants and honking horns from passing cars, everything became quiet again. Everyone went back to their lives and left by standers with their own interpretation of what happened, of who won this tug on the war.

So that’s what I will leave you with, your own interpretation and belief. To pick up the rope on whichever side you choose.