Opinion:  This was an unusually futile and idiotic gesture on the part of anti-war protesters.  Trying to block shipments of war material going TO Iraq at least makes sense.  Trying to block shipments of equipment and material returning FROM Iraq is just plain stupid.  Attempts to peacefully block outgoing shipments a few months ago at the Port of Aberdeen were at least logical, if not successful.  The violence in Olympia only gives fuel to right-wing commentators like Rush Limbaugh and, frankly, provides a negative lesson to the high school students who peacefully protested the other day in Seattle.

And what does a violent attempt to block soldiers and their equipment from coming home say to the veteran troops so close to Veteran’s Day itself?  One of the most negative legacies of the anti-war movement in the Vietnam era is that many of the troops who fought for their country felt that protesters were against THEM, not just the war. The emotional and psychological damage those protesters inflicted on returning veterans of that war still resonates among members of that generation.  Protesting against a war is a right all Americans share; insulting and protesting  against the men and women who serve our country, and interfering with their return home, is just plain wrong!   

High school students march against Iraq war: Several hundred participate–Seattle PI, Nov. 16, 2007

War Protesters Arrested at Wash. Port–Associated Press, Nov. 15, 2007

Google Results for Olympia anti-war protests

Now, let me say out in front that his politics are a bit far to the left for me on several issues, but I did come away very impressed by his demeanor, intelligence, and his sense of humor.  The event in Aberdeen, held at the Bishop Performing Arts Center at Grays Harbor College, was free to the public.  Between two and three hundred people attended, and, given the volume of applause, and the lack of hecklers or even critical questions, (yes, he took unedited questions from the audience!), I assume most in attendance were favorable to his comments and opinions. 

He criticized President Bush, as expected, but some of his harshest comments were directed at his fellow Congressional Democrats!  He basically accused them of being no better than Republicans when it comes to dealing with the War in Iraq.  Kucinich called the debate on the Iraqi "surge" a fake debate, and a waste of time.  He informed the audience of a vote in Congress the day before which basically gave President Bush enough money to carry on the war through July, 2009, well past the end of his presidency.  The next day, I saw that CNN reported on that same information.

All in all, while I don’t think Kucinich has much chance to overtake Hillary, Obama, or Edwards, if we had a vote on intelligence, honesty, and "normal human beingness," he would get my vote.  He speaks his mind, and to heck with whether or not it is politically correct.  He does not pander to his audience, like many office-seekers do, and that will cost him a chance to truly win.  Issues and politics aside, the American people DO need more candidates at all levels who are as open and forthright as Congressman Kucinich.

Oh, and his British-born wife, Elizabeth, also spoke, talking about the 9/10 Forum, a plan to discuss how people viewed the world before the 9/11 attacks.  She is quite striking, a tall redhead who contrasts sharply to her much shorter husband, and it is obvious that she could hold her own in a speaking forum with the other candidates wives (plus Bill, of course).

Links to articles on Kucinich’s visit to Aberdeen, Tacoma, and Olympia:

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2007/03/31/local_news/01news.txt
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6440898p-5738797c.html
http://www.theolympian.com/101/story/74326.html