4 war years

With their son Mike already in Iraq and daughter Sarah soon to be on her way, Norman and Cathy Peacock stood in Bloomington’s courthouse square Monday in a somber protest against the now four-year-old war.\nWhile tears welled in the eyes of several Bloomington anti-war gatherers, Norman Peacock wrapped a single comforting arm around his wife.\nBoth are veterans of the Vietnam War, both call themselves strong supporters of American military, but both remain unwilling to cede support to a war they believe unjust.\nDemonstrations occurred throughout major American cities Monday to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Iraq invasion. In Bloomington, a somber scene prevailed. Names of fallen Hoosiers were read by demonstrators on the courthouse square, where more than 150 people quietly gathered.\nUnlike other recent Bloomington demonstrations that have been loud, passion-filled and direct, this demonstration was different. Tears welled in the eyes of some demonstrators as the names of 76 deceased Hoosier men and women were read. \nNorman and Cathy Peacock stood towards the front of the crowd. Their black baseball caps read, “a piece of my heart is in Iraq.” With one son already in the war-torn nation and a daughter who recently enlisted, Norman Peacock said though a riff formed between he and his war-supporting son and soldier, he still could not back the aging conflict.\n“I can’t support the war,” Norman Peacock said, even though he called himself a registered Republican. “I can support the military for the job they are doing. I can’t support the administration for putting our people in harm’s way unnecessarily.”\nAfter the names were read and the protest seemed over, Norman Peacock halted the demonstrators, and gave an impromptu address – what he described as his first time publicly speaking out against the conflict.\n“I’m just trying everything I can,” he said. “I’ve been quiet for too long. We didn’t say anything. We didn’t agree with going into Iraq.”\nAlthough only a small portion of Bloomington’s residents came out for the somber demonstration, passersby were not shy in expressing their convictions. Cars cruising down Walnut Avenue often honked in support of the demonstrators – slightly breaking the sedate mood.\nStill, America’s division over Iraq was prominent as war supporters loudly jeered protestors. Some yelled profanities while another young man directed obscene gestures toward Norman and Cathy Peacock as they spoke with members of the press.\nThe objectors did little to dampen spirits of the event organizers, who expressed a belief that they hoped their work could help in making a difference. The vigil was organized primarily by MoveOn Bloomington, with support from the Bloomington Peace Action Coalition and Democracy for Monroe County .\nAlison Kaiser, an active member of MoveOn helped in organizing the event. She said she was encouraged by how many people turned out despite gloomy skies and a threat of rain.\n“The hope is that sensible people will come together and keep the pressure on lawmakers,” Kaiser said.\nShe addressed the politics of the war, calling elections last November “a mandate” toward lawmakers to end the Iraqi occupation. However, she remained displeased with some Democratic politicians who she described as “immobilized.” \n“They are so busy fundraising and figuring out a strategy – a safe strategy – that they are not listening to the people at the moment,” Kaiser said. \nNorman Peacock predicted the war would not end this year or in 2008 – adding that the end would only follow a change in leadership. Despite their efforts, Norman Peacock called his son’s battle not winnable. \n“There’s no winning,” he said. “There’s no winning of any war anymore.”