Veterans Arrested at Veterans' Day Event

I applaud the Veterans for Peace, who were arrested for protesting their exclusion from an American Legion sponsored Veterans' Day event in Boston, Sunday. The commander of the American Legion in Suffolk County had them arrested for a silent protest at their Veterans' Day ceremony.

The group was made to bring up the rear of the annual parade - for which hundreds of patriots lined Boylston and Tremont streets - and were even placed behind the street sweepers.

“They do not want to adhere to our rules of conduct,” James Lawler, commander of the American Legion in Suffolk County, told the Herald, suggesting the protesters’ time would be better spent in Washington, D.C., fighting for benefits and better VA hospitals." Full Story, Boston Herald.

I understand Mr. Lawler's concerns, but these are extraordinary times. The rules of conduct certainly were not followed in the build-up to this war. More and more people need to make the status quo very uncomfortable to keep the carnage and consequence of this war front and center. What else works?

Let's not forget on this Veterans' Day the unusual number of suicides by returning Iraqi veterans, another needless toll of the disaster in Iraq.

More and more veterans are speaking out, breaking a code of silence and denial the military encourages. Yet, maybe it is only the military that can prevent a disastrous war with Iran. A most unusual situation, don't you think?

One thing I know will get the attention of policy makers is a holiday shopping boycott by we civilians. Why not join me? :>)