As if the young military families who make personal sacrifices to defend our country are not under enough strain...they face separation from loved ones and danger from enemies in other lands.....Now they have fellow Americans in their own communities who choose to harrass them and protest against what they are fighting and sometimes dying for? Please wake up America....we need a strong military and THEY NEED our loyalty and continued support. May God Bless our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Air Force and Guard. Sandy Helton, Lacey Washington
1 | Left by Sandy Helton | Mar. 6, 2008 at 4:50pm

Hmmm, well I think you kind of misunderstand the point of the protest. I don't think anyone in America dislikes the soldiers or doesen't appreciate that they are willing to fight for our country, it about this particular war. I am going to the protest because I think that these soldiers are dying for something that is wrong and if anything my protest of the war is because I want them home safe. I think it's sad that we're 5 years into it and Irq is a mess and our army is dwendiling, our economy is crashing, and people are dying for an unfixable situation. I'm not going to be harrasing soldiers I'm going to be trying to fix something that I see as terribly terribly wrong.
2 | Left by Hannah Thornton | Mar. 6, 2008 at 7:27pm

Hannah,

You are well within your rights to protest. Organize a march. Unfurl a banner. Write a letter to the editor. It is a right our soldiers are fighting to protect. But what right do you have to say that your politics in shutting down a mall are more important than a woman going there to buy diapers for her baby? The irony is, every time you pull such a stupid stunt, you gain a supporter, but lost three.

Thank you, Sandy, for a wonderful response!!!
3 | Left by james cotiglio | Mar. 7, 2008 at 12:41am

Hannah - I have to weigh in with James and Sandy - I spent 20 years defending the rights of those that wish to express their opinion, especially when it differs from the government's position. I will never deny your right to lift your voice, carry your banners, or beat your drums. MY problem is, like James, when you make it personal by getting in the faces of Recruiters just trying to do their assigned duty, like the CodePink debacle in Berkeley, or the drivers of the Stryker Vehicles that transited through Olympia to and from the Port of Olympia. Take your war protests to those that can make a difference.... stand on the steps of the Capitol, in a lawful and orderly manner, and let the lawmakers and policymakers know how strongly you feel. If you did THAT, I may even stand alongside you to decry the waste of our brave young defenders of freedom in the name of someone's ego.
4 | Left by Jerry T. | Mar. 7, 2008 at 12:17pm

I just have to comment on this because one, i am a soldier defending the very rights these protesters are excersizing. And two i AM SICK and TIRED of seeing people act malicious toward us soldiers. We are defending YOU, the people of this country, the same people who i see with "thank god for dead soldiers" signs. Stuff like that makes me sick. and i will be at the tacoma mall on that day, with my wife and friends, and let one person come up to me in any manner other than friendly. I promise you i will show you why i chose to become a soldier! Not because i can be violent or defend myself, but because i have more heart than anyone of you with your anti war slogans and banners. I do my duty and serve my country no questions asked. But what i want to know from you people is, why do you hate, and pray for the deaths of, the very men and women who are defending your precious security in this country? What would any of you do to defend this country against our nations enemies? Wave your banners, shout your slogans? Probably not gonna be as effective against suicide bombers and people who were raised to hate and kill us. Probably not.
5 | Left by Mike | Mar. 7, 2008 at 2:56pm

Why would the military encourage service members and their families to avoid a public place? Is that the "FREEDOM" they have sacrificed for?!
Not only should more service members go to the mall they should proudly wear their uniforms.
Veterans should come out and form a buffer zone around the military recruiting office. This quote sums it up best:

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." John Stuart Mill

6 | Left by Randy | Mar. 7, 2008 at 3:01pm

The last anti-war protest I went to involved a burning flag, and an old man, with every right to have his shotgun out...I was with the old man and the shotgun. I don't think this protest will last very long, considering the concentration of military and military support in that area. Might wanna have the MP's in their riot gear also.
7 | Left by Jeremy | Mar. 7, 2008 at 4:32pm

I think that a lot of people misunderstand the meaning of this protest. It is to end this war, not to make our own troops miserable.
Now, to James, first off, there is no necessity to be at the mall. You cannot buy diapers there, the only useful things there are by no means absolutely needed.
Also, I personally do not wish any harm to our soldiers. In fact I'm protesting so that they won't be in the line of fire for no reason. This is five years people, and we still haven't gotten this tied up.

You can bet I'll be there.


8 | Left by Yvette | Mar. 7, 2008 at 9:07pm

Randy, Jeremy, Mike - Please e-mail me so that I can contact you, cherishedimages at comcast dot net.
9 | Left by Jerry T. | Mar. 7, 2008 at 9:40pm

Hey guess what kids. THERE IS NO DRAFT! If you dont want to be in the military, you dont have to! Wonderful isnt it. Leave these soldiers alone and if you dont like the war then express yourself by casting a ballot at election time.
10 | Left by CA | Mar. 7, 2008 at 10:59pm

Words of advice for would-be protesters: Don't do this. Vote instead.

If you say that you support the troops but don't support the mission, for crying out loud use your valuable time to volunteer to help a disabled veteran. Then you'd be doing something useful rather than someone's useful idiot.

Whether or not every servicemember gives a damn about these protests is because we're too damned busy keeping bad people from hurting you. I take it personally. I remember seeing the guys before they died. I remember flying their caskets back. We didn't have enough of some left to put in those caskets. We had no time to cry. We had a mission to do and al queda to hunt. I know those faces and their families. RESPECT THEM. Don't go out to protest us.

The propaganda war IS real--the radical's actions are fuelled by protests like this one would be.

No one who has seen it likes this war. But I have an obligation to you! It is to protect our constitution and way of life with up to and including the sacrifice of my own life. And it's worth it.

Don't go.
11 | Left by K. Orengali | Mar. 8, 2008 at 6:05pm

This is not a demonstration against the military or against people who wear the uniform--as an ex-Airman I would never participate in such an event. No one wants to confront or harass military families. They have enough on their collective plates.

It is a protest against a war that should never have been waged, against the recruiting of working class kids, against the role that corporations play in propagating poverty & violence, and against a campaign of systematic torture set up by U.S. intelligence services at the behest of this administration.
12 | Left by afroking | Mar. 8, 2008 at 6:07pm

For those of you who keep saying "This is not a demonstration against the military" and "No one wants to confront or harass military families", READ THE ARTICLE!!!

It states clearly "protesters plan on distributing anti-war and anti-military literature as well as confront local recruiters or interact with soldiers, family members and civilians who appear to be military affiliated."

So, now that you have to eat your own words, you might want to rethink your strategy. The call is going out to everyone to protest the protesters. You and your anti-war buddies are going to be outnumbered.

I myself will be there, protesting against you. Why? Because I, as you, have that right. I spent 20 years defending that right, and now I plan to actually exercise that right.

You have the right idea, just the wrong area and venue.
13 | Left by cycodude | Mar. 10, 2008 at 11:23am

Peacefuly protest or whatever... But don't disrupt stuff. What you "people" are doing is looking for an excuse to be disruptive/destructive. Here's exactly what the riot culture is looking for...

1) Set up a "peaceful" protest, but make it borderline illegal in some way.

2) Wait for a law enforcement officer to make a disputable (but more than likely legal) arrest.

3) Turn it into a riot because law enforcement used "excessive" force, when in actuality they offered undue restraint.

The riot culture makes me sick...

PS, do NOT interfere with military personell in the AO, you will really regret it as they are offered much more leeway when it comes to "self defense" against some slack ass jobless grunge sack hippy...
14 | Left by ArmyDep | Mar. 10, 2008 at 5:00pm

cycodude - ABSOLUTELY correct!!! You won't be alone...
15 | Left by Jerry T. | Mar. 10, 2008 at 8:10pm

I myself am in the military and believe in every persons right to free speech and expression. My only question is "Why the Tacoma Mall". From what I have read, the goal is to make a point about not being happy that we are in Iraq and that people are tired of a declining economy etc. So again I have to ask, Why shut down the Tacoma Mall, a place of "COMMERCE" where business transactions happen i.e. MONEY is exchanged which helps build a strong economy. Doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose? I have to agree with many of the comments I have read, if you want to show your contempt for the government and the Foreign Policies of the United States, why not take your demonstration/protest to the State Capitol where maybe someone who has the power to help make a difference will listen. I think maybe it's because these groups are looking for publicity and news coverage, most of the protesters I have seen don't really understand the issues anyway, they are "BANDWAGONERS" who only want to be apart of something without free thinking and making their own decissions. So, to fix that, DON'T COVER IT IN THE NEWS, that only feeds the fire and makes these people believe they are making a difference. If you want to make a difference, register to vote, educate yourself and your students, as it seems many teachers are fanning the fires in the school system, and go into politics etc. and on that subject, how is it any different when a teacher preaches their personal views regarding the government and its policies to impressionable school kids than it is when a recruiter speaks to high school kids. My recruiter even spoke to my parents and explained everything to them and answered all of their questions. How many high school teachers have done that or have even been invited to do that. Hateful signs and shouts at the mall, military recruiters, military members and veterans really seems pointless to me. Maybe some of these teachers should educate students on government as it is written and let them make their own decissions regarding policy. You don't have to agree with the government, that's called "FREEDOM". I can tell you one last thing, if any rioting happens, it will be started on the end of the protesters as military members are a cut above and wouldn't stoop to a low standard. Riots start when protesters aren't getting the attention they feel they are owed.
Thank you and God Bless our military and our veterans!
16 | Left by Dave | Mar. 11, 2008 at 6:49pm

As a member of the Army. And have access to everyone in the BDE's email. I have sent out a email entailing the civilian and UCMJ explanation of "Self Defense" Any aggressive gesture made to us or our families can be met with the appropriate amount of force. Remember our job is to protect the citizens of the United States. We are soldiers 24/7 so in turn ANY act of violence against a citizen of this wonderful country can be met with appropriate measures to defend those citizens. Please, PLEASE be violent to anyone. I will be there watching and so will many of my fellow soldiers.
17 | Left by Tux | Mar. 11, 2008 at 8:22pm

Part of our family outing will be spent at the Tacoma Mall Saturday. Try to block our travels in the Mall and see what happens. Should the "peaceful demonstration" turn out otherwise, I will be helping quell the violence with my hockey stick. Tacoma is not Olympia.
18 | Left by ZamboniDave | Mar. 12, 2008 at 10:22am

I hope ALL the protesters get bashed in the head just like a little baby fur seal. Or how about a one way ticket to Iran! Pukes the whole lot of them!
19 | Left by Rosario | Mar. 12, 2008 at 12:29pm

Here's what I'm telling all the veterans that I know that are coming to watch the "kids" if they get stupid and try to provoke any of us that have BEEN THERE and DONE THAT...... simply turn your back, and show the respect that the clowns deserve. DON'T interract with them at all, for that is what they want! Instead, let them see our restraint, our level headedness, and our contempt, by seeing nothing but our backsides!
I forsee the "parade route" lined with a wall of people ignoring the shouting and banging of drums or whatever, with our backs turned to the parade participants. Care to join us??? Dave is right, this isn't going to be like Olympia.... but you really need to leave your hockey stick at home, thanks.
20 | Left by Jerry T. | Mar. 12, 2008 at 7:43pm

I can't wait to see you anti-war, anti-military, anti-America protesters. I'll be there.
21 | Left by Marcal | Mar. 12, 2008 at 8:43pm

I am a wife who has spend almost a year apart from my husband with 3 kids, all alone, trying to make it day by day so that all you unthankful 'protesters' can still live day to day without worry. Why has our country been somewhat safe since 9/11? Why is Sadam Hussian not playing Hitler over in Iraq anymore? Maybe it's because some people actually have the balls to stand up to what they are defending, unlike some of you who would rather have peace and love but without fighting for it? There are many terrible things in this world, but knowing that my husband is out there protecting our country and my children's future, it makes me proud. My husband risks his life everyday just so that you and I can be free.

Take my word for it, be careful with what you plan on doing on Saturday. For some reason I don't think that you will be marching along, calmly, holding your Anti-war signs holding up the peace sign. If you plan on getting outta control and being crazy, you will start your own war, in your own country.
22 | Left by wifeOfUSN | Mar. 13, 2008 at 9:35am

I strongly agree that there must be action taken to end the war. If you look at recent polls most Americans feel the same way. I used to participate on a regular basis in marches held in Seattle.Over the years I learned that these types of demonstrations only tend to make people misdirect their anger at the demonstrators that are "inconveniencing" them. Many people do not take the time to think for themselves and will jump onto the "you're not supporting our troops bandwagon" I understand that you're are trying to bring the troops home alive out of the hell hole of Iraq. Unfortunately your message will be lost in the resulting melee of this demonstration. Decent people are very aware of and very angry at the mess in Iraq.Please consider using your energies in a more productive manner.
23 | Left by Rajndy | Mar. 13, 2008 at 12:53pm

It is the Soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag…

who ALLOWS the protester to burn the flag.

(but not on MY watch....!)
PS - wifeOfUSN - proud of you AND your sailor! Been there, done that myself.

24 | Left by Jerry T. | Mar. 13, 2008 at 8:30pm

The "pro military" posts here all seem to be arguing that the military is "fighting for our freedom". That is a myth. An attractive myth because the reality is painful to look at for soldiers and family the government calls on to sacrifice and even die.

The truth is the military is fighting to preserve and extend an unjust US global corporatist empire. This truth may be painful to look at, but is easy to see - look at the extreme violence that is being carried out by the US right now in Iraq. Over 1 million Iraqis killed and 4 million forced to flee. The US government has openly embraced torture - a psychological weapon against an occupied world.

Domestically, the unelected Bush government has set new precedents about spying on and jailing our population. "With us or against us." Equating questions or dissent with "terrorism". Threatening anyone who gets in his way. This is not "freedom".

And who is benefiting? (Certainly not soldiers or anyone they are "defending".) Exxon made world record $40 billion profit last year as gas prices went through the roof.
Halliburton and Blackwater have become household names for their dirty war profiteering, while Iraq remains in ruins. The US economy sinking fast.

This is the cause the recruiters are recruiting for - more of the same.

Soldier or non-soldier, do you really want the US government to continue to use us to obediently sacrifice to help them terrorize the world, masked behind lies about "freedom and democracy"? Isn't this exactly the debate we need to have?


25 | Left by barry | Mar. 14, 2008 at 5:04am

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Unfortunately, due to requirements as a defense contractor, I will not be able to make it as I originally planned. Please, everyone be civil, don't make it a circus. That would only give them what they want.

I leave you with this poem that has always meant a lot to me:

I read in the news how you made a stand,
you marched in the streets of our country's land.

Trying to say who is wrong or right,
telling our country they should not fight.

Marching against sailors like me, here,
defending the rights you hold so dear.

Assuming I love to kill and maim,
acting like this is some sort of game.

You call yourselves experts on what we should do,
on September eleventh, where were you?

While thousands of Americans suffered and died,
are you trying to say this is something you can abide?

Were you at the funerals as they lowered the caskets,
maybe you should remove your rose colored glasses?

I so want to feel the comforts of my home,
where recently I left my family all alone.

Yet I'll do my duty in this far off land,
so you can march on Washington and make your stand.

Do not despise me for what I do,
because truth be known, I do it for you.

To hopefully free you from terror's arm,
so you can have your freedoms, free from harm.

What is the price for the life you live?
What is the payment you have to give?

Is it starring in a movie, or singing a good song,
that has kept you free for all this long?

It is men like me and others too,
doing what our country calls us to do.

Sailing the seas to this far off land,
while you stay at home and make your stand.

I am not bitter, this is the life I choose,
So the rights you express so freely, you will not lose.

You may not support me for what I do,
But you need to know, I do it for you.

When this is over, when we are through,
I would rather you just say thank you.

For giving you the time you had,
to march in our streets and make your stand.

STAND UNITED!!!!
26 | Left by cycodude | Mar. 14, 2008 at 7:21am

I have son that is based out Bremerton in the navy and he was an star jock in highschool and an A student and had many offers to go play football in college but chose to serve his country to protect america from radicals Musslems. His mother and I were very proud of him but at the same time very worried about him. He just got out of bootcamp when he and his ship were sent to the middle east for eight long months. When they returned from that tour they were greeted at the base by thousands of cheering people, I know I was on the ship with him. I left him in Bremerton with a teary goodbye, because I would not see him again for three more months. I talked to him on the phone when I got home in wyoming and I asked him how things were going in Washington and if the people there as friendly to the servicemen and women as they were in Chicago where he went to boot camp and A school and he told me that the people around his area where very friendly but they had gone to the Tacoma mall and had to wade through the protesters and this just sickend me. What do you tell a child that is putting his life on the line and on hold for millions of americans freedoms so they can go to the mall and get protested against by those same people that they are willing to die for?? A worried Dad
27 | Left by dad | Mar. 14, 2008 at 12:55pm

To "dad"

I am in Bremerton and was once in the same world that your son is in now. I understand his confusions and concerns; I still have them over 20 years later. Just be there for him and reassure him that he is doing the right thing. If he truly does not feel that he is, tell him to perservere until his time is done then go find his way in the world. The military is not for everyone.

I used to tell my people that were first termers that they could complain somewhat because they didn't always know what they were getting into, but if they reenlisted to shut the #(*$&* up, they knew at that point. I had about a 50% retention rate, but they all knew that I would back them with whatever they decided.

I have two young sons now. Eventually, I will have to talk to them about their futures. I will give them all of the facts that I have, and let them make their own decisions.

One more thing, don't just listed to the mainstream media here. Their reporting is skewed at best. Look at news from other countries and non-mainstream sources. You get a better idea of what is really going on in the world. I can honestly say that this war is right and just. I have been there and have spent time with the people. They love us!!! The ones that don't aren't locals, they are haters from other countries.
28 | Left by cycodude | Mar. 14, 2008 at 1:53pm

If this is not a protest against the military or the men and women in uniform, it would not be at the MILITARY recruiting station where men and women hang out IN UNIFORM. Tell it like it is. You are attention whores who need a couple hundred people around you acting like fools to feel like you belong. I like what you are doing. The publicity will bring more recruits to the station after you leave, and the extra business you will bring the mall in lookyloos is a god-send in these poor times. Thanks!
29 | Left by Marine Dad, Retired AF | Mar. 14, 2008 at 9:35pm

I will be there to support our troops and our military recruiters!!!
30 | Left by Mike | Mar. 14, 2008 at 10:53pm

Indoctrination they call it...I call them the indoctrinators.

If you think for one minute that the recruitment centers and the war on terror, which was on the tube every minute of the day, can indoctrinate young people to "volunteer" then you are mentally challenged.

Get a grip, protests of the 60's are over and that was a just protest as there was a draft. No one is indoctrinating the volunteers. You guys look and act silly.

Your young people are being taught by those who grew up in the 60's and have influenced your children.
31 | Left by Drifter | Mar. 15, 2008 at 8:31am

I am so boggled by this.

You say this "protest" isnt against the soldiers!?!?!?!
And I use quotation marks around protest because this isnt a protest , its more of a act of violence toward a specific group. No different than what the KKK or any other hate group does.

Hey check this out. When I brought my Stryker back from the Port of Olympia in October you were throwing hot bottles of piss at me and my brothers.

And now you want to vandalize the cars that have military tags on them, and harrass military personnel who just want to enjoy their Saturday off at the Tacoma Mall.

HOW IS THAT NOT AGAINST THE SOLDIERS!?

Here's a few things I'd like to close with. And I'm NOT going to say we're "fighting for freedom"

1. Soldiers didnt start this war. Dont blame us for it.

2. Soldiers are people who have made large sacrafices and are serving their country (through thick and thin). Most of the time it's not fun, but we do it anyway.

3. Soldiers dont go to your place of work, your favorite resturant, or your house and try to shut you down.

4. Leave us the hell alone. We work our asses off all week and just want to enjoy our weekends. Is that too hard to ask?

32 | Left by Soldier | Mar. 15, 2008 at 9:33am

This is against the soldiers. If you dont see it then you are blind. Without soldiers there will be no military. Anti-military = Anti-soldier. Have your protest. I will be there. Just when you go to do something illegal look over your shoulder. I will be there and many others. sitting in our vehicles with video cameras that will record everything and be able to account for us when we have to step in to protect citizens from threats foreign and DOMESTIC.

A CALL TO ARMS MY BROTHERS. BE SEEN AT THE MALL. COME AND MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN. THE SOLDIERS/AIRMEN/MARINES/SAILORS IN THE RECRUITMENT OFFICE ARE OUR BROTHERS. IF YOU WILL STAND IN ARMS WITH THE MAN NEXT TO YOU IN THEATER THEN WHY NOT DEFEND OUR BROTHERS AGAINST THIS ACT OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM!!!
33 | Left by Tux | Mar. 15, 2008 at 9:55am

Okay... it happened, it's over, and personally I think WE won! WE being the group of individuals that are blatantly PRO MILITARY, most of us having been there and done that, in order to preserve the freedom to come and spit in the face of BRAVE and SELFLESS patriots like those assigned to duty in the recruiting offices that WERE NOT interrupted today. I saw people coming and going from the mall all day long, so THAT part of the shutdown also failed. As a matter of fact, the anti-war faction folks left earlier than their planned 5PM conclusion according to the newsies. That means...... WE WON (this one anyway). So, now you know what military style planning, preparation, and perserverence can do.

One thing I noticed today..... all but a couple of the anti-war moonbats were kids, probably less than 25 years old.... maybe once they get some worldly experience, more than that shoved down their throat by professors at TESC, they might come to appreciate the freedoms that they have living in this country. Maybe they will realize that more than once this country's military has prevented the unthinkable that would rob them of their right to voice their dissent. Maybe some day they may get their heads out of their a**es and actually THANK a veteran for being allowed to look really stupid today.

THANK YOU to all who came and stood with me today, regardless of how you heard about this. To me, a crusty old retired sailor, you were all there supporting ME (and I'm sure every other veteran there felt the same way), so THANK YOU!!! After seeing the Port of Olympia protests go violent, and the Berkeley, CA debacle, I was proud to see us finally get OUR voice heard today, because according to all three Seattle TV stations, the moonbats were outnumbered and outgunned by YOU that were there with me today! THANKS, THANKS, THANKS!!!

Jerry in Olympia
34 | Left by Jerry T. | Mar. 15, 2008 at 9:33pm

Its time we look at this sedition of America as sedition. A quick fair trial then some bullets in the back of the heads of these anti American people will do the country well. There is a fine line between freedom of speach an treason. Many of these people think they are being patriotic but instead are idiotic
35 | Left by Exgop | Mar. 16, 2008 at 8:40am

I hope when Barry gets his socialist goverment in power he will be not so'' BLACK HELICOPTOR" minded and wake up and smell who the real enemies are around the world and quit trying to blame President Bush for everything. And bye the way if Al Gores voters were not so dumb he my have been elected ,but as you know the Demo's down in Florida are still having trouble figuring out how things are soposed to work and now they are fighting between them selfs, and that keeps them from bitching about everything else......
36 | Left by dad | Mar. 16, 2008 at 3:05pm