Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Protest now, not later

Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

PLEASE, NO MORE phone calls requesting that I tell those anti-war protesters how "the rest of us feel." You asked for it, so here is my message to those Americans: I believe that your gatherings to protest plans for war are a fine example of our nation's strength. Peaceful protests are not only tolerated but encouraged by a large majority of Americans. It's one of the benefits experienced by people living in a free society.

Most notable among signs carried by war protesters are those personally attacking President George W. Bush. Despite these attacks, the president told reporters that, "Democracy is a beautiful thing" and then added, "people are allowed to express their opinion."

Bush also declared that the size of the public protests isn't going to affect his decision from removing Iraq's Saddam Hussein as a threat to our country and other countries.

The president refuses to get caught up in the numbers game and doesn't intend to make foreign policy "based on a focus group." He stated that "the role of a leader is to decide policy based upon the security -- in this case -- security of the people." There wasn't a smile on his face as he pondered the effect of anti-war protests around the globe.

He probably wasn't shocked when receiving word that an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 protesters gathered in downtown San Francisco. Where better than San Francisco to gather in protest of anything that is controversial. The city by the bay has a reputation for big rallies in favor of everything from spotted owls to wild salmon, and against any interference with their lifestyle. It's a great city and one of my three favorite cities in the entire world.

There are always a number of people in and around protest demonstrations who can ruin a pleasant afternoon in the streets. The Associated Press reported: "After the San Francisco demonstration, a splinter group of a few hundred people, some wearing bandanas across their faces, marched to the city's posh Union Square shopping area, where they squared off with police officers.

"Demonstrators climbed atop a cable car, broke car windows and pelted officers with rocks, food and other objects. Police in riot gear closed the entrances to some stores to prevent looting. About 40 people were arrested ..."

According to the Associated Press, there were even greater numbers that protested military action against Iraq in the streets of Rome, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Sydney and Damascus, Syria. The AP also reported that 80,000 protesters showed up in Dublin. That must have been one helluva party before, during and after the waving of banners and speech making. It might have been even more fun than an afternoon in San Francisco. From all reports received, the little demonstration held in Las Vegas was also a refreshing experience for some of my friends who feel strongly about anything that threatens the tranquility of our lives.

According to Los Angeles Times writer Rone Tempest, these protesters are a different mix than those demonstrating during the war in Vietnam. Tempest writes: "The new movement is a broad amalgam of religious groups, labor and environmental organizations, nonprofit groups and anti-globalization campaigns knit together by the Internet. Many of the participants differ in their politics, but so far they have been able to subordinate clashing ideologies and agendas to a common purpose."

Later Tempest writes that students, unlike the Vietnam era, are only playing a secondary role. Could this indicate that students today are not threatened by a military draft and therefore have less interest in street action?

So what's my opinion about today's anti-war demonstrators? Have at it and let your true feelings about war be known. Now is the time to try to change policy, not after our troops are engaged in deadly combat. Once the first American blood is shed in combat, my attitude changes immediately. Then comes the time to give full support to the Americans wearing our country's military uniforms. Please don't demonstrate in favor of our enemy and then try to convince the rest of us that you support the troops the enemy is wounding and killing. That rationalization didn't fly with most Americans 30 and 40 years ago and it won't fly today.