Lessons in proper protesting

As April brings consistent waves of optimistic news from Iraq, including the liberation of Baghdad, some Americans still feel the need to protest against the war, as they have an understandable desire to make their voices heard about a war they think is unnecessary and even criminal. After a backlash of popular opinion that criticized the protesters for not supporting our troops overseas, signs started to go up during the protests that claimed they do in fact hope the best for our soldiers. Yet, their actions contained a different message.\nJust several days ago protesters targeted the Port of Oakland, the port from which supplies are sent to our men and women overseas. They also blocked the Concord Naval Weapons Station, which is supplying our troops with the necessary weapons to win the war and get back to their families. It should be noted that protesters didn't just stand outside of these places with signs chanting "peace-not-war" slogans. They actively and quite intentionally blocked supplies that the longshoremen were trying to load and interfered with trucks leaving the naval station.\nProtests are a terrific way to get your voice heard and let people know of your disapproval, but there are certain lines that must not be crossed. If the protesters are trying to abuse the system that allows them to march and simultaneously piss off the rest of the country, then they've chosen the perfect tactic. What do the leaders of these protests have to say to the families of the members of our armed forces who have risked and even given their lives so that we can live in greater safety and so the Iraqi people can be free to dance in the streets of Baghdad? These Americans somehow believe that by hurting troop morale, slowing their supply lines and ultimately prolonging the war, they are saving lives. Let me join in chorus with the rest of this country in saying that they're wrong.\nThe San Francisco area has, without surprise, been the worst so far. According to the Associated Press, San Francisco mayor Willie Brown has accused protesters of turning demonstrations into riots. This accusation was furthered by subsequent discoveries of Molotov cocktails around protest sites. \nSo what positive impact has resulted? Well these same people have charged that the war in Iraq moves resources to the Middle East when they should be here stopping terrorism. I was under the impression that the CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies were supposed to cover that -- not the 101st Airborne. \nAnd where are the police that are supposed to be standing vigilantly on guard to watch for criminals and terrorists? Of course, they're breaking up unruly demonstrations. \nAlso, the protesters seem to think that the war has brought needless death upon the people of Iraq. In fact, In January the Reuters Report noted that according to U.N. predictions from December, this war would bring 500,000 Iraqi casualties and more than 1 million refugees. Well despite Saddam's best efforts, I don't think we've quite reached those figures. \nConsidering our mission, the number of innocent and allied casualties has been incredibly low. \nThe demonstrators are free to declare their opinions, especially on something as controversial as war, but their tactics were wrong. \nDespite their intentions, their actions only act to increase the danger for American soldiers and Iraqi civilians. Protesting war to make people aware of your discontent is part of a democracy and a part of America of which we should all feel proud. \nHowever, intentionally hurting our supply lines is a treacherous act that should result in harsh penalties. Keep your demonstrations civil and target policy makers, not our military.