So I decide to get in my truck today, get a coffee from the drive-thu, and just basically drive around and look cool. (yeah, yeah, you guys all do it too)

So I'm cruising down by city hall on the waterfront, and I can hear all this cheering and yelling. My curiosity is aroused, so I pull over and turn the engine off.

Kingston has been invaded by the peace rally, hippy types trying to make a difference in the world. One by one, all these lost souls get up to the microphone, and say their 2 cents, followed by long applause, hooting and hollering, and a couple of dorks squeezing a bicycle horn (honk, honk)

I would say 90% of them were 21 and under, and after the rally, they all decide to march for peace down the main drag with police escort.

In all honesty, I was surprised by some of the things these kids were saying:

"Bush is the devil"
"Let's boycott American products and hurt them where it counts"
"America the war machine"
It went on and on for over an hour.

Let me tell you, I wasn't thrilled by what I heard, these statements coming from my fellow Canadians. The irony is, that I didn't feel anger towards them, if anything, I felt pity that they could be so naive and misguided.
I get the sense, that many of these kids are only there because it's in vogue, and they want to be trendy.

If these kids represent this countries future, then I'm seriously thinking about relocating.
I was ashamed by what I heard today, and I really hope this doesn't represent what most Canadians think.

I for one support the war effort, and believe the pay now policy is a much better alternative to paying later. (not that I'm a pro war fellow, but it's the lesser of two evils I believe. Saddam has to go, and this is the only way.

 

You say that many of them were probably under 21?

Most of these kids are probably doing this because they were told by someone that our President was a bad person. And sense they are young, they do not know what to believe. Their parents probably did not like America, so when they were growing up, they think that same way. When someone else in a higher position says something, then it must be true. They obviously do not know how to think for themselves. Someone also probably told them that it would be cool to do something like that.

What is Ironic is that they are calling for peace between everyone but yet they are saying that America and President Bush are bad for what we are doing.

To tell the truth, I am ashamed of many Americans, because they are doing the same exact thing. And that is here in our own country.

Habibi is also right in that fact that most of them are 21 or under, they are just doing to fit in with the crowd. One of the kids friends wanted to go, so they decided to go and bring one of their friends. Next thing you know, there are all of these kids protesting something that they know that they can't stop.

These protestors really burn me up sometimes.

 

Don't worry, Habibi, we have the same kooks down here...probably more. Those freakazoids go by names like "Black Bloc", "Carnival Bloc", "Queer Bloc", etc. They try to link up with so-called affinity groups so they can get more folks out on the street to raise hell. I suspect most of these folks are simply speaking their mind, however, the Black Bloc is made up of anarchists who live only for troubled times so they can come out of the sewers.

Demonstrations are mostly controlled chaos, however, the Black Bloc likes to do break-away demonstrations which can get ugly really fast. Sooo, if you are around one of those demonstrations, be careful of the breakaways....

 

They are meeting again Tue at 5, so I'm gonna get down there and snap a few pictures.

(Someone has to keep you guys entertained)
and then we can all poke fun at them and make jokes LOL

Habibi

 

You should attend in a shirt that says...Save Tibet but let Iraq fend for themselves or something

It is Canadas socialist government that these kids are growing up with that is the problem.
Same problem in France......even Mexico is a socialist country now.

I beleive the U.S.protesters have no excuse for there behavior....i only wish i had time to hang around at one of there protests, wearing a smart as* t shirt and carrying a smart as* sign.

 

They won't feel the same when they grow up. They are demonstrating because they are young and it makes them feel like they are doing something.

 

Habibi,
At least be greatful that the demonstration was peacful. If you strongly disagree about what was said do not leave but let your opinion be known. Write the Kingston
Whig-Standard. BTW is this the story? http://www.thewhig.com/webapp/sitepa...ame=Local+News

JMC

 

Habibi:

You have to realize these are young kids with a head filled with mush, not yet fully developed into a coherent working brain.

They most likely have never been away from home or their home town so they really don’t know about the real world and reality. It’s not just in your country but mine as well.

My brother, who passed away many years ago had a great sign in his apartment that really explained it well, it stated:

“Hire a teenager now, while they still know everything”

You see these young kids, and even some non-thinking adults really have no clue why they “think” they believe what they believe.

If you come across someone that says that President Bush is evil and Saddam is not ask them this questions:

“Is a child molester good, and police man evil?”

It will blow their mind, when they say “well no of course not” just state back to them “well your logic about President Bush being evil and Saddam is not is the same logic of the child molester is good and the police man is evil.”

They most likely will not understand what you just said, but it may cause them to smoke less of what ever they had smoked thinking they are on a real bad trip…

 

Yes JMC, that was the same march, but on a different day. These kids are doing this 2 times a week, and trying to gain more support.

In all fairness, they have a right to express their opinions, as I do mine, so that's cool, I guess I was just surprised that so many people opposed the war.

I was having a friendly chat with one of my FTW buddies today on MSN, and he asks me "so, do you think GWB is right?"
I told him I agree with the way the American led coalition is handling this, and that this is the best action for a peaceful future, and a more stable middle east. (This is what I believe based on the information that I know)

So I was very surprised when my buddy informed me that he was against the war, and that basically the Americans didn't give the weapons inspectors a fair chance. (yes, we all know this argument)

This is the reply I gave him:

"How would you feel if Saddam Hussein had nuclear weapons in his control, how would you sleep at night"

Everyone here knows that SH is/was doing everything in his power to develop and acquire such weapons.
The sobering reality is that given enough time, he would succeed in getting them. He has the money, he has the resources, and it was only a matter of time before this would become a reality.

Now maybe I was a little hard on the kids who were protesting (in my thoughts), but sometimes I need to learn that not everyone will agree with my point of view.

After all, the protesters believe they are right, and I believe that my point of view is right, so I understand 2 opposing views can both share their passions about a position.

The reality is that the protesters are wasting their time, what's done is done, and all the rallies in the world won't change a thing.
They should direct their energy towards a more worthwhile cause (I think)

I still wish Canada would have supported the US, and at least offered some sort of "token" support.
This however was not possible because of the public opposition.
Politics are politics, and some things will never change.

JMC, please look me up next time you visit Kingston, I look forward to meeting you one day.

Habibi

 

Habbi,

While Canada is not in the war, it is helping out with Operation Apollo. I believe there are already 4 Canadian War Ships in the Arabian Sea. Iroquois, which became the command vessel for a multinational fleet patrolling the Arabian Sea had to leave Halifax without a chopper. Remember hearing about a Sea King crash on a Canadian destroyer back in February?
The only thing stopping Canada form joining the coalition was approval from the UN. This has started heated debates, act now vs give inspectors more time, and only serves to enrage Americans in light of recent remarks made by members of Canadian parliament and dare I say hockey fans.

JMC

JMC