Propoganda Gone Bad

I have already written a very extensive opinion post about my views on the disengagement, but this has specifically to do with the slogans and methods being used to protest the disengagement. I believe that people (CIVILIANS) should protest the disengagement, if they believe that it is wrong. The people in Gaza and Northern Shomron need to know that they are not alone. However, b/c of how it is being protested, I now refuse to sport anything orange. I'll explain to you why. I was very open to wearing an orange bracelet or have a ribbon on my car. I wanted people to know that I am with and support the innocent people being effected by these most difficult times. However, that's not what the orange stands for anymore. Now, if you wear orange, you're associated with violence and stupidity, and I don't want to be associated with that.
I do not condone road-blocking. I think it is a dangerous and useless method of protest . Let's take a look a recent example. Some group of people who are against the Hitnatkut put nails and oil across the road during their road blocking protest. This was not half-assed or just coincidence. This was planned treachery. My husaband spoke to our mechanic. He's been an expert for over 25 years. So, as our car was being tuned up, the mechanic explained how dangerous this stunt was. Apparently, if a car starts braking when they go over a nail (in order to, obviously, avoid a potentially dangerous skid) and then run over oil, the oil combined with the braking and the nail stuck in the tire can cause a spark. This can cause a potentially deathly dangerous fire and/or explosion . It is only by the grace of G-d that this didn't actually happen and nobody got killed.
So, here's a group that is supposedly protesting against an event, b/c they believe they will save lives, and are actually very much exdangering lives with their antics. There is also the fact that road-blocking has already resulted in fire trucks and ambulances not being able to get through to emergencies. Last time I checked, playing with people's lives to prove a point doesn't really do anything. It doesn't bring anybody to your cause. It only causes people to be enraged and very much annoyed. Going against this argument by saying that road blocking may, potentially, theoretically save lives by not having the disengagement happen is very weak and very dangerous. When you put immediate lives in danger, and say that the potential to save lives takes precedent, you are playing a very dangerous and extremely morally questionable game. As is saying that the end justifies any means necessary.
Let's go on to the next method being used: propogandic slogans. Let's take a look at some of the more recent examples that have moved past "Yehudi Lo Migaresh Yehudi" (Translation: A Jew does not expel another Jew):
"Sharon is a dictator"
"Upcoming forecast-expect Kassam rockets to rain down in your neighborhood if we dont stop the gov't's plan."
"With no Israeli military presence in Gaza and northern Samaria, terrorists will have operational freedom, with nothing to stop the terrorists from planning and implementing attacks against Israeli population centers like Ashkelon, Beer Sheva and along the Coastal Plane. "
"The expulsion plan is being conducted unilaterally; there is no coordination with the PA. This is in stark contrast to the 1982 evacuation of the Sinai, which was conducted under the auspices of an internationally accepted peace treaty and with the full cooperation of the Egyptian government. "

These are just to name a few. Now, I've been in plenty of organizations in the past, so I know that simple slogans are necessary to get a point across to the masses. However, those slogans need to be based on some logical basis, so as to build a real basis for debate and argument. Unfortunately, this is not in the plans of anti-disengagement groups. They want to paint the worse possible picture for people, so that they won't question what you're saying, especially if it seems that what you're saying is making sense. Hmmm... where does that sound familiar? "Avoid Jewish department stores; buy at Christian ones. " Simple yet effective. Logical, not in the slightest, but you can't really stop to argue with it. Now, the fact that these slogans contradict all hints of reality does not seem apparrant to those of you who are anti-disengagement. Why would they? They seem to be pretty logical, rational, and realistic to me. Wait, you mean I should stop and question whether this has any validity? You mean, I should stop and see whether what I'm saying actually contradicts the previous statement that I just said?!? Now, if you started with slogan like "Disengagement is a reward for terrorism", I'd very much stop, listen, and debate with what you had to say. That is a logical start to a very serious topic. But, to use inflammatory and simple emotionally charging phrases only plays people into your corner for so long. It's only a matter of time before people stop and think about what you just said. Wait a minute, kassam rockets will fall down if the disengagement goes through? They can be falling in my neighborhood? Oh my G-d!! But, wait, they were falling there before. How was 20 people living in a Northern Shomron neighborhood actually strategically stopping kassams from falling? There's nothing stopping them NOW!!! I could go on like this for a while. But, that's for another time. I just wanted to make you aware that as you and all of us are being faced with this tough time, it's extremely important to stop and really think about the slogans, posters, tee-shirts, bracelets, etc that you're being fed. Does it represent truth and logic? Or, is just another 60 second ad. created for you to "Just do it"? THINK about it!
-OC