All protest are pointless. Why? It’s because they never accomplish what they set out to do. They are a waste of money and effort to all who are involved. Take a look at all the anti-war protest recently, what have they accomplish? Not a damn thing! We are now at the brink of war despite all the efforts of the protesters.
     Of course, the protesters are now echoing Mohammed Abel Qudos, an Islamic writer’s sentiments, “(The protest) is a symbol. We know that we won’t prevent war, but we are just expressing our opposition.” This is a symbol of what? Does anyone actually think Bush isn’t aware that people are strongly against the war? Even if he doesn’t, do we really need to protest non-stop for 3 months to get the point across?
     Everywhere I look, there are signs posted on everything imaginable. Mail boxes, telephone poles, windows, doors, walls and even urinals. Signs such as “Anti-War Protest – Today,” “No War on Iraq – This weekend,” “No Babies for Oil – 2 Saturdays ago” and “Peace Protest – 3 months ago” are everywhere. As I stare at all these signs, I am left to wonder exactly what we are protesting for, and why.
     Peace, you are no doubt answering. The purpose for all these protest is to gain peace and not go to war with Iraq. OK, fair enough. But let me just point out that even if we don’t go to war, we still will not achieve peace. Historically, human beings have never co-existed peacefully and sadly, they never will.
     There are rallies everyday in hundreds of places around the world and these protests have deteriorated to such a level; it belittles the issue involved. Protests are no longer a group of people standing up to one single unified belief; instead it has become a social gathering for the political leftists.
     Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area peace rallies and signage of every other political agenda can be seen. Such signs include “Free Pakistan,” “Free Tibet,” free this, free that. Is this the real reason why tens of thousands of people gather around? If not, why are these side agendas being mixed into the protests?
     Besides, “peace rallies” are anything but peaceful. Defacing and destroying properties, attempts to stop the flow of traffic or the operation of a business and the melees with SFPD are some of the things that have happened in EVERY SINGLE San Francisco “peace” rallies. How can someone demonstrate for peace, when they cannot practice what they preach?
     What’s worse is that some of these protests are self-motivated. High school and college students across the nation “walked out” on March 5 this year to protest the war. Is it surprising they had a “huge” turnout? I am so shocked that students would choose skipping classes to protest rather then stay in class to better their education. My question is what percentage of people who walked out actually attended the rallies.
     A professor in Citrus College in Glendora, California was offering extra credit for students who were willing to write anti-war sentiment letters to the president. The same treatment was not given to students who were pro-war. So, instead of letting people join the cause with facts, reasons and ethics, allowing them to make their own decision, they are enticed with rewards. I am willing to bet with enough money, food and well-known guest speakers I could gather tens of thousands of people to protest against just about anything.
     Not to mention that these protests cause taxpayer a lot of money. Extra police, street cleaners and replacing destroyed city property are just some that comes to mind. Couldn’t this money be better spent somewhere else; especially at a time when our country is facing a budget deficit and our economy is in such batter state.
     Now, Rather then wasting time and energy on protests, maybe we can use it for a better cause. Instead of blaming Bush’s drive for war as the cause for every problem we are facing, perhaps we can investigate the real problem and do something about it. Instead of thinking a gathering of people will actually change the outcome of a decision, let’s really do something that will make a difference.
     Imagine if all the money and effort that went into the war protest, instead into helping the homeless, and food for the hungry. Image if we spend that energy into beautifying neighborhoods that really needs it? Image all the good protesters can do if they concentrated on the problems locally. Just image…
     But if you have your heart set on stopping this war, the only real solution that might actually accomplish this feat, is to become a human shield like those brave souls already there.