No debate, just an inquiry: How is your community reacting?

[TreeOfLife]

No sense debating the war anymore. It will go on whether you agree or not, it will bring on the consequences every war does whether you want them or not.

But recalling the Gulf war, I remember seeing a flush of support everywhere: Cars showed off flags, people were very enthusiastic, there were public expressions of support every day, at least everywhere I looked. When teh veterans returned, there were parades and a sense of honoring vets everywhere.

Looking out my window at work, it just hit me that I have not seen a single flag on a car going by, and the war kicked off last night. In all honesty, I think over 85% of the people I talk to in real life are against it. They express disappointment in the message their nation is sending the world: It is acceptable to go against the UN and Security Council. I just wonder what we'll tell the next nation wanting to start a war on the same basis, but Bush's supporters seem to be gathered on Internet boards by handfuls.

Regardless of whether you live near a base, in a military community, are in the service or not... How is your community reacting?

 

[MJames41]

I think it might be a little soon to tell. I know the this one caught me by surprise - I wasn't expecting actual combat until Friday. With the last Gulf War there was a lot more build up to it. I did see a couple of fresh flags on cars in downtown Chicago though.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Just today I saw a few flags on cars. If the guy shows up on the corner like he did last time, I'm buying one! My previous one is extremely worn out.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

There are more flags out here in my area. We have ours up, but we have always had it up. This morning when we went out to play group, I noticed about four or five houses with them up.

Kathy

 

[skiwee1]

Everyone I've spoke with are against the war. They feel Bush rushed into it. Keep in mind that 99% of my friends are republican and their opinion I find unusual since they seemed to back GW in everything else. I too aren't too keen on war and feel that instead of endangering our troops we should call in some mercenaries to eliminate Hussein once and for all. I haven't seen any flags around here either.

 

[minnie56]

Everyone seems numb.
It was a grey day and that matched the overall mood...there's nothing about war that makes you feel good.

 

[maddiesmommie]

I myself am not pro war, but I would not classify myself as anti-war. (if that makes sense) However, I would have to say that about 50% of the people with whom I deal are definately pro-war. I have also seen several flags on cars today.

 

[raidermatt]

Skiwee/ToL, the polls seem to indicate your samplings are not typical.

Other than the typical nut cases in SF and Berkeley, no real protests, and some flags, though certainly not as many as post 9/11.

Its probably important to remember that those who support the war are still not happy about having to go to war.

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by raidermatt


Its probably important to remember that those who support the war are still not happy about having to go to war.

Good point, radiermatt. No matter how you feel about this situation, no one is celebrating today.

 

[Bichon Barb]

My sons' elementary school had an assembly today. They wore red, white and blue. DS1 tells me that someone from the 152nd Air National Guard spoke and they sang patriotic songs.

I'm for going into Iraq, but I have to tell ya, one of my neighbors pulled over to say hi the other day when I was taking the dog for a walk. He started going on about the war (against it), and I just nodded my head, because I didn't feel like debating with my neighbor on a sunny afternoon in the middle of the street . So, you might THINK some people are against the war...

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Bichon Barb
My sons' elementary school had an assembly today. They wore red, white and blue. DS1 tells me that someone from the 152nd Air National Guard spoke and they sang patriotic songs.

I'm for going into Iraq, but I have to tell ya, one of my neighbors pulled over to say hi the other day when I was taking the dog for a walk. He started going on about the war (against it), and I just nodded my head, because I didn't feel like debating with my neighbor on a sunny afternoon in the middle of the street . So, you might THINK some people are against the war...

Most of my neighbors are republicans and love to talk about war, politics, and the economy. They always drone on about something or another and I'm the one that nods my head agreeing with them. You know how long winded those republicans can be! LOL! I'm a democrat and am not against war but rather hoped we could pick Hussein off without hurting our people. My republican neighbors think GW is sending the troops over on a wild and costly goose chase and that he should be concentrating on the economy. We all do agree that whether we like GW or not , me-not, we still stand behind what he decides.

 

[grinningghost]

Lots of flags up here, and most people are behind Bush and the war. The way it looks right now, this war may not last very long - some Iraqi soldiers are already giving up. As much as I'm for the war effort, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if it ended quickly, provided Saddam and his regime are ousted.

 

[Mermaid02]

Most people around here (that I know) are glad it has FINALLY started.... like my uncle used to say, "Let's go- so we can get back."

 

[emmagata]

The flag I put on my car is still there since 9-11 and that's where it's staying.

I have our house flag out but not up. It will be in the morning.

Most people I talk to are for going into Iraq.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

There's been a few protestors, but I've seen some yellow ribbons already.


I haven't talked to anyone in person that thinks we shouldn't be there.

 

[off2disney]

I've had a flag on my car since 9/11 (not the same one - I buy several when I find them cheap) and change it regularly. The majority of the members of the yacht club where I work support the president and our troops in Iraq. I have seen a lot of yellow ribbons around town.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

flags are up and there's a rally this weekend for troop support

 

[trishy]

I'm putting my flag up tomorrow morning and I'll put a flag on my car too. Thanks for reminding people of this important symbol. This community is mostly republican and we have quite a lot of fathers, mothers and brothers in the military fighting for the Iraqi people's freedom right now. I believe there are more supporters than protesters here (since I haven't run into anyone who said they didn't agree with the war). It's strange to me that I haven't seen many flags out today - hopefully tomorrow will be different.

 

[Keli]

You know, I really have no idea how the people in this area are reacting. I just haven't been looking to see if there are a lot of flags or not. I guess I was just too busy to care what anyone else is thinking. I'll look around tomorrow and see...

 

[poohandwendy]

Lots of flags here, although there have been since 911. Mine needs to be replaced, it was up long before 9-11 and will STAY there as long as I am living. I am starting to see the yellow ribbons, but it was raining all day (Thurs), so I expect more when the weather breaks.

I work in a salon and I would say 98% of the clientele are in support of the war and just wanted to get it over with. At least 1/2 of the people thought it was stupid to involve the UN in the first place. The funny thing, the majority of them are democrats! There are a few who are strongly against it, they tend to be the young ones (25 and younger). Many, many clients have friends, children, relatives..., over 'there' and the mood is very somber.

On a side note, I do not give my opinion of politics, religion and other personal topics at work with the exception of a very small number of long-time clients. (I save all of my opinions for the DB) Too controversial, I just like to listen while I work and boy do people like to hear themselves talk, LOL.