Reader comments
Vigil peaceful but determined

Make War Not bombs! | 3:28 a.m. March 20, 2008

The sad thing is that these anti war people aren't really willing to accept what war provides them. If they could see what they would have to give up if the US didn't regulate every now and again, they would definitely support war. It's the fact that they're comfortable and wealthy that they have the luxury of "protesting." Sorry guys, you don't protest with signs, you protest with large scale economic boycotts. And, frankly, Americans will never have the conviction to do that. So, underneath your "no war" signs, you will always be securely hooked up to the Matrix. That is all.

Bob M. | 4:51 a.m. March 20, 2008

This war was wrong from the beginning. It was not a "declared war" as required by the U.S. Constitution; it is an illegal war because among other things, it violates our international agreements and our agreement with the United Nations that we would not attack a fellow member (Iraq) without approval of the Security Council (which we did not get despite the appearance of Colin Powell) and it is immoral because, among other things), innocent Iraq's are dead (over a million and 2 million more have been forced to leave their homes). It is getting this country closer to bankruptcy which will affect EVERY citizen. It is time to bring the troops home NOW!

SDT | 6:52 a.m. March 20, 2008

RE: Make War, not bombs

Thanks, Neo.
You're right-I'm not really willing to accept what the war provides me. That's WHY I'm one of those anti-war people.

Comments continue below

War? Not me! | 7:03 a.m. March 20, 2008

Make War Not bombs! sounds like the typical conservative on this. I'll bet you he has not interest in putting HIS body on the line to see "what war provides him." "Let somebody ELSE do it," is their battle-cry. War is for the little people's children."

A conservative is a man who is too cowardly to fight and too fat to run.
-Elbert Hubbard

Anonymous | 7:06 a.m. March 20, 2008

Anybody ever figure out why we're in this thing yet?

Misguided Youth | 7:28 a.m. March 20, 2008

"Honoring both sides" who died???? The other side who died in this war are those who wantonly killed women and children, strapped bombs on the bodies of mentally handicapped people, strapped bombs to babies and children, beheaded innocents and prisoners, and committed the most depraved acts not seen since Japan invaded China. You lose all credibility by "honoring" these band of criminals and do dishonor to our own brave soldiers. Your shame is immeasurable. You have exercised your free speech only to show your ignorance.

Bart | 7:27 a.m. March 20, 2008

I agree completely! Stop this madness and quit trying to scare me with "we have to stop them over there so they won't come over here" business. That is just a nit-witted sound bite that has absolutely no truth to it.

to anonymous | 7:58 a.m. March 20, 2008

Yeh, were in this war for what it provides us. A country that is gravely in debt, more countries that despise us, and more importantly I can wake up and say
" I feel so secure now".

Matthew | 7:59 a.m. March 20, 2008

The "both sides" refers to the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians that have been killed as a result of our actions. Many of those innocents were directly killed by Americans. Not intentionally and, perhaps, not a majority, but definitely many and directly.
But let's be clear that the shame of this falls at the feet of Bush and Cheney, Inc. not the feet of our fine Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines. Even those very few members of the four latter groups that have made mistakes are justified in pointing the finger of blame at Bush and Cheney, Inc.

Timj | 8:00 a.m. March 20, 2008

Uh...
Many innocent Iraqis have died...not just enemy soldiers.'
We can and should honor both sides who have died.

to misguided youth | 8:05 a.m. March 20, 2008

I don't believe we went to war in Iraq to save people from suicide bombers to begin with. And now that we have been there for five years, it seems the bloodshed of the suicidees are even more, tell us how it has helped?

RE: Bob M | 8:35 a.m. March 20, 2008

Please look up your stats. The WHO put the amount of Iraqi dead at about half of that number. (500,000 approx). Throwing around inflated and hyped up numbers does nothing to help the situation.

Secondly, while it is true that Congress is given the power to declare war via the constitution, This has happened only five times in American history. Yet the US armed forces have been in many armed conflicts.

The Congress has funded his war and kept it going.

And by the way, the surge is working. Look at US Army stats since the surge was implemented. (Unless you think they are immoral and lying too)

Who needs it... | 8:45 a.m. March 20, 2008

Who needs the UN? Name one positive that has come from it and I can name ten disasters. If pulling out of Iraq is your goal, make pulling out of the UN your next...

Steve Dunn | 9:01 a.m. March 20, 2008

With regards to the woman who was disgusted by the vigil, and to all others who think that protesting the war is wrong. If it is PEACE that makes us cringe instead of WAR, then there is something wrong with our society. This war needs to end now!

lost in DC | 9:11 a.m. March 20, 2008

Why no estimate on the number of people in the crowd? I think that would have provided a greater indication of the strength of feeling there. Poor journalism.

Anonymous | 10:37 a.m. March 20, 2008

Who kidding whom?
The country is clearly divided on the issue.
It gets down to the usual:
Republicans are for the war.
Democrats are against it.
We will all see who wins in November.

PeaceAchange | 10:48 a.m. March 20, 2008

I am glad for the protests. Hopefully someone noticed. Actions speak louder and sometimes words are just offensive. Some one has to lead the retreat from the brink. I didn't take Senator Biden's comments personally, but obviously they are historically inaccurate. After all, we've had presidential candidates like Jesse jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Mosely Braun and Al Sharpton. They gave a voice to many important issues through their campaigns and no one would call them inarticulate.

NOdivision | 10:58 a.m. March 20, 2008

the country is not divided. More than 2/3rds of the population have been against this war since all the lies that got us into it were discovered.
Keep protesting

Anonymous | 12:00 p.m. March 20, 2008

The slimebags we have in office now knew very well that when troops are committed, troops die, and are still dying, it takes more than an act of congress to get them back home again.

If you think you've seen flag-waving before, when Bush/Cheney got in, wait til you see what's in store from now until November.

Look for lots more "if you don't support the troops - you're a traitor!"

Have we been duped? | 12:35 p.m. March 20, 2008

The thing that amazes me is how quickly everyone has forgotten history. We were told the reason for invading Iraq was 'weapons of mass destruction'. When Saddam Huissen was interrogated he was asked why he pretended to have WMD. His reply was 'to keep Iran from invading us'. Yet with our state of the art superior technology we were not able to see that it was all a charade. And now how many lives have been lost since our quest for 'weapons of mass destruction'? But, I forget, we no longer use that phrase...we now say we went in to Iran to fight Al-Qaeda, yet they were not in Iraq until we went in.......

It ain't working | 12:40 p.m. March 20, 2008

The surge is working, eh? While the Iraqi congress goes on vacation, fails to solve the problems of minority representation and sharing oil revenue. Oh yeah, and invites welcomes that delightful Iranian leader over for a visit.

Don't tell me the surge is working.

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3 photos

Jason Olson, Deseret News

Steven Dunn waves a peace flag and holds a sign as he and a few dozen others protest the war Wednesday in front of the old county courthouse in Provo.

Gallery (3 photos)