Many on the Open Thread are upset at the different issues being brought up by the speakers at the rally, especially the "equating" of the anti-war stance with Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I am not upset by this and I'm a bit disappointed that people are being turned off and away. I think the issue deserves its own discussion. Here are two comments from the thread, one from myself and and a better one from Cereal Breath.
Understanding the Arab world's take (none / 0)
on the issue is important. whether or not i or we equate the issue is nearly irrelevant. Understanding the thoughts and response of the people there is important.
Put it this way: If we were occupied by Mexico, largely with the help of England--and I man largely--and then England invaded and occuped Canada, would you equate the two issues? I Know I would. it would be the English continuing their crimes. that is how we are seen by many in the Arab world.
* [new] whose message? (none / 0)
answer is the organizer of the march and their agenda is larger than just the iraq war. as such, they are going to be expected to try and convey that agenda. their agenda is of a global nature. have i agreed with every sentiment by every speaker? no.
if i were organizing a rally on washington in order to maximize the political impact in the u.s., would i present it in the manner that answer has? no.
but i don't think that any message has been diliuted. it is clear from the speakers that i have heard today, that a truly moral stand is being made. and that moral is unconcerned with polls.
you may personally think that the message you want delivered is being diluted, but what was your role in the planning and execution of this rally? did you spend months of your life organizing? if you had nothing to do with the coordination of this effort, how do you know the message is being diluted? maybe the message is being concentrated through the presentation of a variety of experiences and perspectives on the impact of governmental policies on the world at large.
having attended answer organized rallies in the past, i can say that a larger perspective has always been brought to the table. it is never just about "issue X" but about the policies and the instruments of government that allow "issue x" to happen in the first place. if that is in fact the message that answer is trying to convey, it is hard to argue that they have diluted it.
by cereal breath on Sat Sep 24th, 2005 at 11:09:41 PDT
I'll finish with a request that we stay positive on this. The march is a good thing. Please lend it your hearts.