The Activist Left Prepares to Speak

Tonight, as the President addresses the nation on the state of the Union, outside the Capitol Building a group of activists will gather to try to “drown out” Mr. Bush’s speech with drums, violins, car horns, bells, pots, and pans. The left-wing gathering, expected by its organizers to number in the thousands, will feature noted Bush haranguer Cindy Sheehan as part of her ongoing quest to humiliate the President by engaging herself in undignified publicity stunts.

The demonstration is being organized by a recently-created organization known as The World Can’t Wait. The overriding purpose of the organization, in its own words, is to get the message out that “Bush lied, Bush spied, Bush must step down.” Protesters planning to be present for the event state the President’s crimes as, among other things, waging an “unjust war in Iraq, widespread use of torture, massive spying, and total neglect of the people of New Orleans.”

It’s almost a pity that they don’t include the guilt that the President bears in making it difficult for some to quit smoking. After all, that’s the claim recently made by Sean Penn – who will forever be Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times At Ridgemont High in the mind of this writer – in addressing those gathered for another anti-war forum staged in Sacramento. Mr. Penn’s comment is notable in this context as he is one of several Hollywood personalities who have given their endorsement of tonight’s gathering on Capitol Hill. Doubtless, event organizers must certainly be buoyed by the intellectual weight that accompanies Mr. Penn’s vote of confidence.

Of course, it is doubtful that anyone, whether for or against the demonstration, actually believes that it will in fact “drown out” the proceedings within the walls of the House Chamber hundreds of feet away. The intent is obviously symbolic. But this raises the question of what is being symbolized by the left-wing ruckus. To those who vigorously desire the swift departure of George Bush – and indeed all conservatives – from the public arena, it may simply be the voice of dissent. But to the President’s supporters and, more importantly, the partisan-neutral, it is more likely to symbolize one of two things, if not both: The utter lack of a message on the part of the opposition, or the desire to silence any voices that oppose their own.

Strong arguments can be made for both. The fact is that the left has made one its SOPs the silencing of anyone who might offer views alternative to theirs. One can’t help but wonder if this is borne of a recognition – either conscious or unconscious – that they really can’t afford to try to get involved in a rational debate, because they have so little to bring to the table. Thus, the lack of message may be what drives the need to “drown out” those who do have one, but not one that they like.

As a conservative, this writer actually draws encouragement for the future at the prospect of this demonstration. After all, these are the people who will likely choose the next Democrat nominee for President. Americans will be well-served by seeing who is in the driver’s seat of the minority party when evaluating who it is they propose to place in the oval office.

Perhaps it would be helpful for the American public if a network broadcasting tonight’s proceedings present a split screen, with the orderly conduct of the President and the Congress shown on the right side of the screen, and the chaos of his opponents playing on the left side. Forget the formal response of the Democrats, who are beholden to groups like this. There would be a symbolic contrast that could be of real use to American voters.