Grieving mom opens up the wounds

We're fighting them abroad so we don't have to fight them at home.

That's what Pres. George W. Bush says about the War on Terror, and its subsequent manifestation in Iraq. But the war over there has sparked another war over here, since before the Iraq invasion even began.

The newest battle in that war hit Cape Girardeau in September when Sue Niederer came to town.

On one side, the ultra-liberal (they like to be called "progressives") Southeast Missouri Coalition for Peace and Justice. Remember, the guys and gals who used to tote anti-Bush anti-war signs in Capaha Park back in the good-old days early in the war, when all seemed to be well for the United States?

On the other side, a huge population in unabashedly conservative Southeast Missouri, a population that supports the war as a way to defend America from jihadists.

On Sept. 15, the Coalition helped bring Niederer to town, to speak on "peace and accountability" in the hometown of Rush Limbaugh. Niederer is a co-founder of the Gold Star Families for Peace, an organization of anti-war families who have lost loved ones in Iraq made famous by Cindy Sheehan.

In response, the conservatives took to the streets, with signs mounted on sticks, saying such things as "Do Not Dishonor Your Son's Valor!" and "America: Freeing People Since 1776."

As always, insults were hurled. The liberals are "communists," the conservatives are "fascists," and each one thinks they're fighting a do-or-die battle for the heart of the country.

Once again, in the middle of it all, were the youth, those who have both the most to gain and to lose from the outcome of a divisive war.

Bobby Hunsaker, 20, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was on the front lines, a member of the group Protest Warrior, an ultra-right protest organization that seeks to disrupt events like the Niederer speech. Hunsaker stood at the door of the Osage Community Center, waiting for Niederer.

"We don't think our viewpoint is being presented in the liberal media," Hunsaker said as he scanned the horizon for lefties. "The best way to educate people is to do this."

Hunsaker believes whole-heartedly in the justification for war, believes America is safer for the war and believes anti-war ideas undermine the American effort.

And he backs up what he says -- he's thinking about joining the Navy, possibly ending up in the battle himself. He denies Bush lied to the country or even "sexed up" intelligence to justify the war. He cites reports of mustard gas shells and chemical labs found in the Iraqi desert and Iraqi support for Islamic terrorists.

Hunsaker believes strongly in what he says.

Southeast Missouri State University students Andy and Jon Dodson and Kristi Murray disagree. They were ideologically indoctrinated in a bastion of liberal thought, the university, say conservatives.

"I never supported the war in the first place," said Andy Dodson, opinion editor at the college newspaper. "It felt like a sham from the beginning."

And while events like the Sue Niederer visit preach to the choir, all three think they are important.

"Hopefully we can bring a more activist energy into town," said Murray.

The Dodsons and Murray already had their place inside the Osage as welcome guests, but not Hunsaker and co-protester Dru Reeves.

Niederer invited Reeves and Hunsaker in, where they were subject to anti-war, anti-Bush rants by a string of speakers, including Coalition chair Dr. Bob Polack and Emma Franklin, another Southeast student.

Reeves and Hunsaker sat in relative quiet, as long as you don't count the snickers and giggles. At the end of Niederer's speech both asked questions. The tension hung thick in the air -- neither was welcome, except by Niederer.

In the end Hunsaker and Reeves gave Niederer hugs and commented on her kindness. The anti-war mom made it clear she wanted to be heard by people with different viewpoints, and the protesters made it clear they wanted to be an infected pimple on the face of the local anti-war movement.

And the battle rages on.