Whose Streets?

Tom D. e-mails this link about planned international protests, and ponders:

I think its notable that no protests are happening in Iraq, or other parts of the Middle-East, in concert with this one.

Good point. This might explain it:

...when asked whether they preferred life under Saddam, the dictator who was executed last December, or under Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, most replied that things were better for them today.

Only 27% think there is a civil war in Iraq, compared with 61% who do not, according to the survey carried out last month.

By a majority of two to one, Iraqis believe military operations now under way will disarm all militias.

It seems amazing that a population in a war zone is far more optimistic about their prospects than pampered leftists half a world away. Could there be better evidence of how soft and whiny this country is becoming?

TD also sent a link to this post from Trainer. Lots of pictures of the "handful" of "counter-protestors" that turned out in D.C. to "confront" the "tens of thousands" of anti-war heroes. Trainer also has remarks from Jack Langer, who spent the day with the anti-war protestors:

Walking home, I reflected on what the anti-war movement has degenerated into -- a squabbling collection of aging socialists, pro-Palestinian militants, and cowardly anarchists. The Vietnam vets -- who were there just to protect our monuments and show support for the troops -- had a surprising effect on the protestors. “Fight back! Fight back!” was one of the protestors’ slogans. But it was all talk. When confronted by people who actually fought and bled for their country, the protestors grew sheepish and embarrassed -- I would even say humiliated.

I couldn’t help but notice that the anarchists – the supposed hardcore fringe of the movement – waited until they were safely out of range of the veterans to burn a flag.

Langer's day with the fringe had other hilarious moments too, like the old woman who was asked to become a human shield, the difficulty of eating lunch through face coverings, and a sweet taunt voiced to the anti-war protestors:

Go impress your professors!

Malkin has loads of links, and Tantor has the usual great photo essay of a brave anti-war hero stealing and ripping up a middle aged female war mongerer's flag, calling it "hate speech." Nice.