What They Ask Of Us

Just got back from the Denver Coliseum, where Rage Against The Machine is playing, sponsored by Iraq Veterans Against the War. The hall was filled with young people, protesting the war and the general political situation in this country. Tattoos, piercings, inflammatory t-shirts and signs, a telephone number written on many arms, the easier to get bailed out if there is an arrest.

Ah, the passions of youth.

And yet...

...some of those youths have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. They have seen it all and more. The IVAW crowd are soldiers who oppose war, based on their experience of war. They know whereof they speak in a way that no politician or theorist or talking head can.

They also know of war in a way that nobody who flew jet fighters and bombers can. I don't care how many years you spent in a prisoner of war camp, you haven't been there. You have been somewhere, it's true...but you haven't been there.

It takes a remarkable amount of courage for these veterans to stand up for what they believe in, facing the obstacles and derision they face from some quarters. What they ask of us, simply, is to listen to them. Hear their side of the story. And then act.

I am one of 4500 delegates. I don't have a lot of influence. All I can do is stand in the convention center with my IVAW t-shirt on, and perhaps engage someobdy in a conversation that will have an effect somewhere. But I at least have to do that. Maybe it will get shown on TV, or someone will take a picture, and someone will see it...and at least they will know they had one voice in the hall for them.

A vignette from yesterday: I was eating lunch at a local landmark, Sam's 3. As I sat at the counter a man sat down next to me. I asked if he was a delegate. He said no, he was a security guard from Philly, just here to take in some of the action. I asked him where he was staying. He said he didn't know, but he just had to be here to be a part of this.

Just found out the roll call vote hs been moved to 3. Gotta fly.