War Protests

I had a conversation with a person about war, war protests and soldiers. This person commented that they had ‘no problem with anti-war protests as long as the soldiers (those fighting the war) were respected.’ The continued logic was that the protests are meant ‘to bring the troops home.’

I have a problem with antiwar protests. Protests like those mounted during the Vietnam War created an enemy within. Had the protests reflected the sentiment of the nation against an unfavorable public policy then one could rightfully argue for the protests. The enemy within was actually the purpose behind the protest. There existed core groups whose leaders were ‘community organizers’ of the Bolshevik ilk and influence. The most vulnerable group to the war effort was the group of young men between the ages of 18 and 30. Notice what Bill Clinton did while he was in college. He committed to serve in the military vis-à-vis the ROTC. When it came time for his graduation and commissioning he reneged on his deal and left the country. He was not alone and this tactic was used frequently as well as the escape to Canada.

What the protests against the war did within the nation was horrific. What it did to the fighting man was even worse. Fast forward or rewind to the 1968 Tet Offensive. We can still see images of Walter Cronkite declaring that the ‘light was out at the end of the tunnel’ as he stood at Khe Sanh with a burning C123 as a backdrop. He declared the war lost and it encouraged a beaten North Vietnamese Army to rally. His words were disparaging and disheartening to those who ‘trusted’ Cronkite. Replacement troops were more and more resolved not to fight or to find ways around fighting. Our ally, South Vietnam, was going to be ground up in the Bolshevik grist mill and fired in the crucible reserved for malcontents and traitors to the Bolshevik cause. Jane Fonda would be declared a hero to the communists and the American soldier would return home to jeers, sneers and taunts.

The celebration of Veteran’s Day is Monday. Please do me and every veteran a favor and do not say to us, “We aren’t protesting you we’re protesting the war.” We do what we’re called to do. The rest of you who won’t, can’t or don’t need to simply be quiet. It is far better for you to remain silent and to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and erase all doubt. When you publicly protest the war you embolden our enemies. When you publicly protest the war you embolden our enemies. It is just like multiplying the number of troops they have on the ground and in the fight. Our soldiers die when you embolden the enemy.