I have strong feelings about it, but am hesitant because every time I post about something even remotely political I get hot and cold running wingnuts popping out of the fundiesphere to vent and to be honest I'm pretty tired of hearing it. However, I (much to my dismay), realized that this is an issue upon which we may actually agree. At least partly.

Conservatives are outraged that the protest happened at all, and are horrified by the chanting, the spitting and the burning of the effigy/flag. Also in the unedited version one of the protesters steps forward, drops his pants and poops on the flag while it's still burning.

Okay, first off, while I support anyone's right to protest and encourage people to do so, this sickened me. The soldiers are doing what they have been ordered to do, many of them are dying because of it and in my humble opinion are completely deserving of our respect. They are doing a difficult and often painful thing half a world away from their families and friends, and getting fucked by the VA in the process. The VA is not taking care of the soldiers like they are supposed to. Health care via the VA is a joke, many soldiers are not getting any kind of a break (indeed some haven't been home even for a short visit in two years or more), and if one is killed the VA doesn't want to put his or her symbol of faith on their grave marker unless they belong to one of the majority religions. In one or two of those cases progress has been made but it took a lawsuit to accomplish it. Apparently Pagans are good enough to die for this country but that doesn't mean they deserve to have the pentacle on their markers.

These people are dealing with a lot of shit from the government in the process of getting shot at, and they're the targets of suicide bombers every day.

They're doing a job no one else wants to do in a place no one wants to be.

So yes, it pisses me off to see them lumped in with the Bush adminstration as targets for protesters as if they're part of the whole sick deal that got them sent out there to begin with. Does no one think they might want to come home? Can anyone watch the news and see the number of soldiers who have come home traumatized (who become protesters themselves), and honestly think they're part of the problem? To show the soldiers such blatant disrespect is wrong.

The burning of the flag doesn't affect me at all. I've never seen that as a big deal, defacing the flag is an expression of frustration by people who realize we're all getting screwed by the government and feel helpless to express it any other way. It sends a clear message to the president that things need to change. It's basically an attention-grabber for the cause of reform.

Shitting on it, however...

That's just nasty. If public discourse degenerates to the point that humans are shitting like animals in the street how can protesters expect anyone to take them or their causes seriously? Not to mention the fact that children were watching. This is a damned poor example of how to conduct one's self in public, not because there isn't a point to be made, but because there are more dignified, intelligent and productive ways to make that point. I'm no prude, but if some guy dropped trou and shit in the street in front of my kids I'd be likely to push him over on top of the pile simply because he's acting like an ass. No pun intended.

Protest, people. Do it as often and for as long as possible. Let the government hear you. Be progressive, be loud and get your message out to the media. It is your right to be heard.

But dammit, maintain some of your dignity in the process. If your actions overshadow your message, who have you reached?