(no subject)

I got arrested.





No, no, just kidding. I didn't get arrested.

But I did get interviewed. Channel 5- NBC. It apparently was supposed to air on the 11:00 news but I got home too late to catch it. Now there is just relentless front-line coverage. Urrrrrrrrr............

The reporter- who's name I cannot remember, but she's the youngish, well-dressed black woman who does a lot of on-location reports for Channel 5 news- seemed to be very supportive of the rally and was looking for specific answers to specific questions. She asked me if it was possible to be anti-war and still support our troops. She didn't phrase it that way, but that was the general gist of it. So I replied of course, that ask anyone in the plaza right now and they'll probably all tell you that we support our troops, and the best way we can think of to support them is to bring them home safely. She seemed satisfied.

Too bad I looked like UTTER CRAP in my raggedy jeans, my 12-year old jean jacket and a dirty bandana on my head. I guess I looked like a good protester in that outfit, I dunno.

I am totally exhilarated at the same time I am terrified out of my skull. There is a goddamn WAR happening.

I was extremely proud of the 10,000- plus people who turned out downtown Chicago last night. I sort of feel compelled to apologize to all the folks who got stuck in traffic for two or more hours. But I am so glad that the protesters kept it nonviolent, and I hope they got their message across to at least SOME people. A huge part of me wished I'd been there. Damn, I miss all the good parties.

For all of you who are out there protesting, remember, KEEP IT PEACEFUL! And stay strong.

I have to go attempt to take a nap. I don't know how well it will work, there is a whole lot of adrenaline running through my system right now.

(crossposted to my personal journal and antiwar

(no subject)

I'm exhausted. I'm frustrated. I'm worn down.

Two protests in one day yet I still feel like I'm not doing enough. I sort of feel like I have to go way out of my way to do more now, as penance for not doing enough before to actually stop the war.

Its so scary.

So far, the US has something like twelve reported casualties. Two were actually killed in combat.

Ten were killed in accidents.

What's wrong with this picture?!?!?

I need to find out how to track civilian casualties.

Did you know that in the last gulf war, the US lost about 150 servicemen/women to combat.

The US also lost about the same amount due to accidents and "friendly fire" (don't EVEN get me started on the whole topic of "friendly fire").

There were over 150,000 Iraqi CIVILIAN casualties.

You know, everyone has their own opinion. I feel very strongly about mine, and I know people of conflicting opinions who also feel very strongly. That's fine, that's all great. Last I checked, this IS America. In fact, I encourage people to form an opinion about the war. Even if its not the same as mine.

I will tell you what really gets me, though. Two things.

1)People who think that this doesn't affect them at all. Apathy. Y'know, it DOES affect you. In a very large way.

2)People who go around saying stuff like "yeah, I'm so glad we're going in to kill all those damn arabs" or something like that. THEY'RE PEOPLE! I can't believe how callous some people are about human life. It is very scary.


PEOPLE ARE NOT COLLATERAL DAMAGE


Pray for peace.

I've hardly slept the last few days. I can't get it off my mind. I try to distract myself, but then I feel guilty for distracting myself. I'm scared.