Frustration with the war

College Democrats joing others to voice their opposition to the war in Iraq.

The message from people attending a anti-war protest this at the Capitol building Saturday September 24 was “get troops home now.”

Close to a thousand protesters gathered with signs, songs, and speeches, to show their discontent with the war in Iraq.

One of the major concerns of the protesters was that the United States has spread its troops too thin, with the war in Iraq, and there weren’t enough troops at home to help with hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Trevor Pincock knows this argument well.  As president of the college democrats, he made it a priority to attend the rally.

“On of the problems in Louisiana was that the Louisiana national guard was absent because they had been sent to Iraq,” said Pincock.

Also on the minds of these people, the possibility of a draft.              

“Our forces are stretched too thin. There will be a draft.  There are not ‘if’s’ ‘and’s’ ‘or’s’ or ‘but’s’ about it.  They have to institute a draft and that effects us the most,” said Pincock.

State Representative Carrol Morgan thinks the draft can be avoided if the government changes course.  Representative Morgan, the only member of the Colorado legislature to openly oppose the war argues that new strategies are needed to bring a conclusion to the war in Iraq.

“If we retrain, if we go international we may not need to have a draft.  If we train, outside of the war zone, we may be able to do something with the forces we’ve got.  But the pattern we’re on right now is either going to mean a slow casualties of all our fokes,” said Rep. Morgan.

Pincock believes that the US can do a better job fighting poverty, ignorance, and violence; all of which he believes breed terrorism.

“A war against poverty. A war against ignorance. These are the things that breed terrorism and strife and violence in the world.  And I think if we spend more money on books then bombs, not to pull out cliché’s, but it fits sometimes,” said Pincock.

On the outskirts of the protest were these people who demonstrated their support for the president.  Among them is Jenny Hatch.

Holding up a index finger covered in black ink Hatch said, “I inked up my finger here because I’m in solidarity with the Iraqi people.  It’s a symbol of their freedom. And I just feel passionate that they need to be supported.  These people might not realize it, but what they are doing emboldens the terrorist who are in Iraq and I believe they personally have Iraqi blood and American soldiers blood on their hands. ”

Although the protest was peaceful, tempers did flare at times when views collided. Police were quick to respond and one man was strongly encouraged to leave.

This protest was one of several, including a large demonstration at the capital building in Washington DC.

 

This story was reported by Nick Lockwood. 

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Posted October 2.