A young woman I’ve known for many years came to visit a couple of weeks ago with her church group. She lives in Columbia, Missouri, a left-wing haven in the heart of the US. We talked about Iraq, and Birdie (who still hasn’t made it back!), and what she saw in Columbia regarding the war. She made one observation that I think needs to be explored a bit more.
In Columbia, as it probably was elsewhere, it was common to see people along the side of the road holding up signs that said, “Honk if you oppose the war.” She thought that was pretty stupid. What difference did it make? I told her it probably made those folks feel good because they could say they were involved. “Look at me! I’m involved! I care!”
My thought is that next time someone stands along the road with a sign like that, it would be interesting to see what would happen if someone else showed up with a sign that said, “Honk if you support the war!” We could have a real contest of conscience. Two signs with opposing viewpoints, both requesting drivers to honk if they agree. Of course, drivers will honk. The only question would be, which sign did they honk for?
Which of the two sign-holders do you think would get mad? Maybe even violent?
>>>Which of the two sign-holders do you think
>>>would get mad? Maybe even violent?
Whichever one showed up first. So in your case, the anti-war folks would lose their composure. With the roles reversed, the opposite would happen. It has nothing to do with viewpoints on this specific war; it’s just a natural human reaction to being undermined.
Just my $0.02.
Comment by Bogey — April 12, 2004 @ 7:23 pm
I agree. It’s an open question.
Comment by Bunker — April 12, 2004 @ 7:35 pm
Well, we were in Taos last summer and while driving thru town we turned a corner inhabited by Peaceniks with “No Blood for Oil” signs etc. The beautiful bride [who used to work for GW Bush] yelled out the window “God Bless George Bush”! I had to swerve to avoid being pummeled by crudely painted signs swung by the bandana pated, wild eyed, bedraggled mob.
You know who gets my vote.
Comment by Wallace — April 12, 2004 @ 10:58 pm