Why I oppose the war, and why I protest

[Helm]

Very well. However, the value of protesting as an end in itself, is very minute from a pragmatic point of view. It stands to make little difference in how the war is going to be handled in the end. I am going to explain how protesting not only ultimately means nothing, but also stands to hurt the anti-war position.

I also have participated in 3 out of 4 major marches in greece so far. In every one, there was a vast majority of usually young people that seemed to be there for fun. To enjoy themselves. To dance to catchy mottos, really. They'd rally up to the american embassy, and then immediately disperse towards a number of directions, including the nearby McDonalds, thinking their part has been done. Many people, I think, go there so they can feel okay with themselves at the end of the day.

Those marches, I think, operate partly as diffusionary measures, so that people can feel okay with their conscience, and still not dramatically alter their way of lives to suit their belief. If they protest a day, they won't have to stop drinking Coke or voting for a goverment that has given the ok to the US to use a greek island as a military base in this war. They do their part so they won't go down in history as baby killers.

I believe that the only way for us to stop the war right now, is by major strikes, all over the world. I do not believe there's any way for this to be achieved given the current historical circumstance. So, the next best thing, is to, come election time NOT vote for the same people once again. How likely is that? I can't tell.

In any case, on a personal note, if after the next elections, the geopolitical status quo remains much the same, I don't think I will ever participate in anything political again.