Quote:
Originally posted by VirtuousErudite
Rudey,
As you are well aware unsolicited care packages are a no-no, so that is something that neithier pro-war or anti-war protestors can participate in. You ask for an example of "large scale" activities that anti-war demonstrators are participating in to support the troops. I'm not sure if this is "large scale" enough for you but on my campus several people who are united under the "anti-war" umbrella pray each night at 9:00 p.m. People were ask to commit to doing it until the war ends and there were over 100 students at the meeting. I'm sure some forget but as far as I know it is still going strong.
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I understand what you are trying to say but try to see what I'm saying. What did those people pray for? Did someone tell them to pray for the safety of the troops? Did they pray for anything else? How do you know what they were praying for since really praying is a silent activity? Is praying tangible? While I may think praying is great but what of those who don't believe in religion?
My roommate also goes to these prayer rallies. Their function, according to this email I am looking at, is to be "nondenominational...pray for the safety of the people of Iraq and soldiers on both side...pray for a quick end to the war."
And there are other things than care packages. Workers at a Wallmart patrol the aisles looking for certain profiles of women. They know their sons/spouses/brothers/fathers can be deployed and often these women are crying as they buy their supplies. The workers quickly move in to counsel them. This is all without any compensation. When I read this, I couldn't help but think how wonderful these people were. There is more. If you contact certain political organizations they can link you up with groups that provide support to the families of troops (counseling, tutoring for kids, etc.). If you have a real desire for this I can try and provide some contacts.
Once again people my point is simply to say that saying you "support the troops" is great PR...nothing more. This doesn't attack the right of people to protest.
-Rudey
--And I pray too