For those who don't already know, There will be a mass demonstration against Bush's proposed war against Iraq, organized by "United for Peace and Justice"
The city has yet to grant a permit for the protesters to march, but it seems likely that it will happen anyway.
Is anyone here going? Why or why not? What do people think about the effectiveness of demonstrations like this in general?
Should people be required to get a permit in order to express their opinions?

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

The rabid right weighs in-
http://www.nysun.com/sunarticle.asp?artID=529

I'm going. Anybody got an excuse not to demonstrate wherever you are? (lazy,chicken,Republican, not valid excuses)

:eek:

OK that's it I'm gonna poll.
:bugeye:

hmm........my parents are going to visit my brother next weekend, I'll be left to myself.....if only I had a driver's license. Could take the trains but I would get lost in the switch at Newark....well that's my excuse.

grazzhoppa,
the united for peace website has travel information, you might be able to get a ride up with people in your area

I wish I could, but #1 I'm not friendly with many of my adult neighbors to ask them about their political views....let alone take me to a political demonstration and #2 I live in a rural/suburb area where my friends (teens, the ones that can drive) would look at me weird if I brought up politics. Most of my friends are looking for love/relationship/sex and not looking at the world around them, they would either laugh their asses off at me or just be like, "ummm.....right." They wouldn't care enough to drive to NYC.....it'll cost us about $14 in tolls to get there too, but I wouldn't mind paying that and splitting gas.

My sister lives near the Assembly point....she wouldn't drive down here to get me though...not for something like that.

Hey grazzhoppa-

Who is going to laugh at you, when you express an informed opinion against war now, and then the war goes horribly wrong?

How would you feel if after a disastrous war takes a horrible toll on every side, you did not have the courage at the outset to speak out?

In your lifetime, such a time as this may never come again. At least I hope not.

Originally posted by grazzhoppa
....but I would get lost in the switch at Newark....well that's my excuse. You can't get lost in newark... there's alot of trains going into NYC... they have monitors to tell ya the track to be on.
Plus, if you get teargased, you have something to brag to your friends about.

Originally posted by Persol
You can't get lost in newark... there's alot of trains going into NYC... they have monitors to tell ya the track to be on.
Plus, if you get teargased, you have something to brag to your friends about.
In that case I'll seriously consider taking the trains. Thanks.

hypewaders:
Who is going to laugh at you, when you express an informed opinion against war now, and then the war goes horribly wrong?

How would you feel if after a disastrous war takes a horrible toll on every side, you did not have the courage at the outset to speak out?

My teenage friends will laugh or will make judgements....you know how it/was as a teen. And there is as much evidence that this pending conflict will spiral into worse situations or go horribly wrong as the evidence used to support the war....not much evidence at all. If I express an opinion that I believe strongly enough to rally with others, then I am not on the median of "yes" and "no." If Saddam and his government are linked to deaths of Americans and we did nothing to prevent it, there's more than ridicule for me to face, I'll be called anti-american and it's amplified even more while in public school. My reasons are pretty much me being a coward and me not wanting to face the actions my belief may bring about. My age automatically lets me stay in the middle and doesn't make me accountable for most events in the world. If I publically step out of my responsibilities, it'll be a lot to face up to......That may do nothing for you, but typing that out cleared up a few things for myself, thanks for asking.

I guess I'll have to take a risk.....it's not like I'll be thrown in jail for it.

Originally posted by grazzhoppa

I guess I'll have to take a risk.....it's not like I'll be thrown in jail for it.


Are you sure ???
Well, if you do end up in Guantanamo I'll send you some food.