Take Timely Action Against the Afghanistan War

[2tr4nqued]

I will not stand still for a surge in Afghanistan. I am going to take action against it. Americans hardly remember they are at war. I am going to be there to remind them. I invite you to do something similar in your hometown.

On the day after Thanksgiving, I am going to go to downtown Chicago, probably around Macy's, and hold an good-size antiwar sign so all the shoppers can see it. One side will be a big, visible peace sign; the other side will just say "Stop Your Wars."

I see this time in Obama's administration as a crucial turning point in Americans' perceptions of the president. Americans are about to see that Obama is oriented toward continuing the war. It is especially important during this time that Americans be allowed to see first-hand that there are citizens who, maybe just like them, disagree with Obama's position toward escalating troops.

And it is true generally that most Americans tend to forget we are even at war at all. I think those of us who do remember have the responsibility of reminding everyone else who has forgotten. We cannot rely on the media to do it. So that really is all I want to do, remind Americans, as they enjoy their holidays with their own families, that they are still killing other people's families. I just don't feel it's fair for Americans to be able to forget the kinds of activities they are involved in.

So I invite anyone who strongly opposes escalation in Afghanistan to seek out the shopping district in your area, find a visible location, and demonstrate against the US wars on the day after Thanksgiving. Lots of shoppers will be out, so lots of people will see you and think about our wars. This is a very useful time. I hope other people will join me and make the best of it.

If not you in your town, then who?

And if my way of doing things isn't right for you, figure out another way to remind people we are at war. It is up to you. The media won't do it.

Do it for the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.

[BaneMaler]

1. Good ideas, be the change you know

Already trying to get a protest off the ground but it won't be until after the President makes his decision. Wish people were taking to the streets now like they did with Gaza or the original plan to go to war in Iraq. Where have all those people gone? Were they just the politic?

[2tr4nqued]

3. Today during rush hour, I protested

by myself on a street corner just outside my apartment. There was lots of traffic. I might protest again tomorrow. And I am definitely protesting Friday. Then there will be a large protest next Weds afternoon downtown, and another one on Saturday.

Group protests are important, but so are individual protests. They are so much easier to do, and you can do them more often.

[BaneMaler]

2. Everything is fine

Continue to your next shopping experience. Nothing to see here. Thinking about the war only makes you upset and anxious, better to buy more useless trinkets to consume your time. Everything is fine.

[dreamnightwind]

4. K, too late to R

Right on! I'm thinking of doing something similar in my area, ASAP.

[normrx7]

5. Afghan war protests

Let's be real, no sane person likes war, and it's easy to protest against something so unpopular. What we have to guard against is becoming a simplistic, unthinking movement who's only cry is "End The War" We need some concrete alternatives, some viable solutions. Buzz words and placards are not gonna do it.