Only a few years ago Portland was paralyzed by thousands of protesters. There were arrests and businesses downtown were vandalized by some of them.
But, the latest effort only garnered a meager 200.
Three years ago there were 10,000 protesters and "Hate Bush" and "Impeach Bush" signs. (photo snip from the front page of the March 19, 2007 Oregonian below)
This year's protest had a cute green dragon. The chant "Occupation is a crime, from Iraq to Palestine!" was not directed at President Obama. And there seem to have been no signs calling Obama a criminal (which he would be if "occupation" is a crime) nor calling for his impeachment or saying he should be hated.
And, of course, the protest wasn't front page news as in 2007. What a difference 9,800 protesters and a Democrat president make.
Meanwhile U.S. deaths in Afghanistan have doubled and casualties have tripled from the same period a year ago.
"In total, 57 U.S. troops were killed here during the first two months of 2010 compared with 28 in January and February of last year, an increase of more than 100 percent, according to Pentagon figures compiled by The Associated Press. At least 20 American service members have been killed so far in March, an average of about 0.8 per day, compared to 13, or 0.4 per day, a year ago."In contrast, US casualties in Bush's Iraq war are less than 40% of what they were last year and only 7% what they were in 2007.
When are the networks going to start ending their newscasts with moments of silence for those killed the previous day in the Afghanistan war?
Here are the two latest U.S. casualties if you want to honor them with a moment of silence.
3-24-2010 - Centanni, Rick. J., Lance Corporal, age 19, died from hostile fire - IED attack, a U.S. Marine from Yorba Linda, California
3-24-2010 - Cottle, Robert. J., Sergeant Major, age 45, died from hostile fire - IED attack, a U.S. Marine from Whittier, California
2 comments:
There are more recent casualties. I have a good friend whose son, a Stryker driver, survived an IED attack that killed 3 men in his unit -- including two in his vehicle -- less than 48 hours ago.
God grant them all eternal rest.
My heart and prayers are with the families of those three men killed--and for your friend and his son (who I assume was wounded).
Thanks for this information on four of our unsung heroes.
Post a Comment