A Special Pentagon Report From Brian O'Malley, MD

[unhappycamper]

http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/CCIPeace

NOTE: Extra paragraphs posted with permission of blogger




A Special Pentagon Report From Brian O'Malley, MD

They came dressed in MC leathers, studs, decorations, and boots.

Not quite a uniform, but it had the effect. A crowd of aging white (mostly) men angry and ready to fight. There, ostensibly, to defend the memorial wall, allegedly threatened by the marchers. And apparently, to defend their government in general. The “Safer since 9-11” signs would seem to suggest that they support this administration.

And yet…

The group which seems to have organized the couter-demonstrators, Rolling Thunder, Inc., indicates as its Mission “To publicize POW/ MIA issues…” and “ to helping American veterans of all wars.” This organization does not in any way require veteran status, only adherence to their positions and payment of $30 dues.

They are angry that men were left behind in Vietnam- by the government that had, lying about the real reasons for the war, sent them there. And they are concerned about the treatment that returning veterans receive after they have served the needs of their government.

But they focused their hatred on us, instead. And it was hate. Ugly, nasty, swearing verbal assaults all along.

Our friends, Carlos and Melida Arredondo, marching with the traveling exhibition remembering their son Carlos, bore the brunt of some especially vicious outbursts. They bore them with dignity and composure.

The situation had every potential for explosion. We were yards apart, with no physical barriers, and only a very sparse police line, between us. Had there been a hothead reaction, on either side, that became physically violent, I suspect this could have easily spun out of control. And there weren’t going to be enough cops to break it up. They were all across the river making sure we didn’t threaten the Pentagon. (There wasn’t much chance of that. We were permitted to rally in a vacant parking lot, separated from the Pentagon itself by a six-lane highway.)

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