Uneasy Rhetoric

Every Tuesday I walk through the protesters for peace on 16th and J. I support them, but was disturbed today to see someone waving a Soviet flag.

This means one of three things:

First, he is an attention monger. Congratulations for getting my attention.

Second, he is a subversive, implying that the peaceful protesters are Communists, thereby weakening their position. He succeeded. His message evokes an ignorant, emotional response.

Third, he is a legitimate protestor. His presence cheapened the protest’s message. The Soviet flag is a symbol of neither peace nor protest. It represents a corrupt, defunct political system.

Maybe he is saying the US is no better than the Soviets; that wasn’t my first thought, and it probably isn’t what most of those driving by thought, either.

If he agrees with the protesters, he should stop waving the Soviet flag. It sends the wrong message.