I'm protesting protesters
Joelle Halon
Issue date: 2/22/10 Section: Opinion
Protests are stupid.
Every Saturday on the corner of Ridge Road and Indianapolis Blvd in Highland, there is a small group of protesters that gather, holding up their signs protesting anything from the Iraqi war to former President George W. Bush (he is out of office, guys, unless you are really that obsessed with him…), which has been this group's focus of protest over the several-year period I have seen them standing on the corner.
Personally, I think they are just protesting just to protest, like there is some sort of super power that comes from holding up a protest sign. Maybe they think that by holding up these signs of protest, they are bringing about real change to a nation full of moral wrongs.
Someone should tell these protesters that this is NWI, and that people are too wrapped up in their own lives to notice them, especially given that on Saturdays, hundreds of cars drive by their corner and only about ten people honk in acknowledgement. Or if they want to protest, protest issues like job loss or foreclosures.
But honestly, what do protests prove? Do protesters really think that the government is watching them be traffic hazards and saying, "Wow! I should change this particular legislation in order to prevent a fatal car accident."
I think not.
I support their freedom of speech and whatnot, but really, what are they proving, especially since they are protesting in a little town in the United States that no one pays attention to?
I do find it amusing though that they try, but they need to worry about the REAL issues. Sometimes, when I see this particular group of protesters, I want to jump in and hold a protest of my own in order to share my freedom of speech and in order to call attention to some real problems that plague our world.
I already have some of my signs made up:
"Every time a mime gets stuck in a box, a child dies from the sniffles! Honk to protest mimes!"
"Life is the leading cause of death. 100% of people die from life. Say 'NO' to life!"
I bet the Highland protesters will try to quiet my freedom of speech because they would be jealous that my protest of real issues is upstaging their cause (I say with a knowing smile and a wink).
I'm just sayin.'
But seriously, what does protesting solve? If you want to help make change, harass your congressmen, call the President (if he is not having "date night" with his wife or golfing in Hawaii) and be proactive in the government instead of just wishing for change. Standing on a street corner holding a sign with a long web address (www.stop-the-war.com/Highland-protesters/standing_in_7he_street. spiffysigns.html) is not going to help end the world's problems.
Every Saturday on the corner of Ridge Road and Indianapolis Blvd in Highland, there is a small group of protesters that gather, holding up their signs protesting anything from the Iraqi war to former President George W. Bush (he is out of office, guys, unless you are really that obsessed with him…), which has been this group's focus of protest over the several-year period I have seen them standing on the corner.
Personally, I think they are just protesting just to protest, like there is some sort of super power that comes from holding up a protest sign. Maybe they think that by holding up these signs of protest, they are bringing about real change to a nation full of moral wrongs.
Someone should tell these protesters that this is NWI, and that people are too wrapped up in their own lives to notice them, especially given that on Saturdays, hundreds of cars drive by their corner and only about ten people honk in acknowledgement. Or if they want to protest, protest issues like job loss or foreclosures.
But honestly, what do protests prove? Do protesters really think that the government is watching them be traffic hazards and saying, "Wow! I should change this particular legislation in order to prevent a fatal car accident."
I think not.
I support their freedom of speech and whatnot, but really, what are they proving, especially since they are protesting in a little town in the United States that no one pays attention to?
I do find it amusing though that they try, but they need to worry about the REAL issues. Sometimes, when I see this particular group of protesters, I want to jump in and hold a protest of my own in order to share my freedom of speech and in order to call attention to some real problems that plague our world.
I already have some of my signs made up:
"Every time a mime gets stuck in a box, a child dies from the sniffles! Honk to protest mimes!"
"Life is the leading cause of death. 100% of people die from life. Say 'NO' to life!"
I bet the Highland protesters will try to quiet my freedom of speech because they would be jealous that my protest of real issues is upstaging their cause (I say with a knowing smile and a wink).
I'm just sayin.'
But seriously, what does protesting solve? If you want to help make change, harass your congressmen, call the President (if he is not having "date night" with his wife or golfing in Hawaii) and be proactive in the government instead of just wishing for change. Standing on a street corner holding a sign with a long web address (www.stop-the-war.com/Highland-protesters/standing_in_7he_street. spiffysigns.html) is not going to help end the world's problems.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 29
Willi
posted 2/22/10 @ 4:22 PM CST
I fully agree with Joelle Halon in the article. stop protesting and get things done that matter. those still protesting the Iraq and Afgan. wars is useless, in both places the jobs are being done that need to be done and stop protesting. (Continued…)
Mitchell
posted 2/22/10 @ 7:52 PM CST
I found this "editorial" insulting not only as an American and a student, but as a human being. Where do you get off trivializing people who give up their free time to speak out on issues they feel passionately about? Did you stop to consider that many of those people protesting have loved ones serving in the military, or are former soldiers themselves?
And as for "only about ten people honking in acknowledgment," let me ask you this: How long did it take you to compile these stats? Did you spend an afternoon with a pad and pen tallying these numbers? I doubt it. (Continued…)
Bertrand Russell
posted 2/22/10 @ 9:11 PM CST
Oh, Joelle, your ignorance and contempt of democracy would fit in quite well at a major newspaper, right next to other ignoramus' such as Thomas Friedman ,and David Brooks. (Continued…)
BERTRAND RUSSELL
posted 2/22/10 @ 9:24 PM CST
Dark Ages America by Morris Berman
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Ages-America-Final-Empire/dp/0393329771/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266894878&sr=8-1
A great book for those that are atleast somewhat read, and informed, as well as for the perpetually clueless, such as Joelle(let your enlightenment start here, darling)
From Publishers Weekly
"In this provocative, scattershot jeremiad, cultural historian Berman (The Twilight of American Culture) likens America to ancient Rome on the brink. (Continued…)
Marybeth Klein-Harden
posted 2/22/10 @ 11:00 PM CST
Hey guys, its an editorial piece nothing more. Why are you making assumptions about the writer when you dont even know who she is or what she does or what she knows? You act like shes stupid when she probably isnt. (Continued…)
Denise
posted 2/22/10 @ 11:44 PM CST
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humor
These all here may be helpful to some ya. (Continued…)
Jonathon Jones-Martinez
posted 2/23/10 @ 12:23 AM CST
sat·ire (str)
NOUN:
1.
1. a. A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.
b. The branch of literature constituting such works. (Continued…)
Carrie
posted 2/23/10 @ 12:35 AM CST
Actually, I've known Joelle for years. She isn't smart enough to use satire.
Nick
posted 2/23/10 @ 12:46 AM CST
I Honestly not sure what caused me to laugh more, the article itself or some of the comments left in response to the article.
I honestly found the article itself a good laugh in the humorous portrayal on the matter while at the same time making some points anyone would have to admit when it comes to a logical argument. (Continued…)
a professor
posted 2/24/10 @ 2:42 PM CST
Enough is enough. Joelle has been in several of my classes, and she excels at everything thrown at her. She is also one of the best writers I have seen on the Chronicle staff, not to mention one of the best writers and students I have EVER had in a class. (Continued…)
Post a Comment