Yesterday on my campus, the Marines came a-recruitin', as they do because federal money allows them to. I suppose I don't get to object, because I go to a public university, and I'm not opposed to people voluntarily joining the military.

My campus's anti-war groups got together and began marching and protesting directly in front of the recruiter's table. It was certainly an effective move, no one wanted to be there long with this weirdo old guy screaming at them through a bullhorn. Not that I think the guy was a weirdo, he's quite nice, I've spoken with him once or twice.

I was conflicted. For all that I oppose this war (and most wars), I don't oppose national security. And for all that I don't oppose national security, I don't like the idea of the Marines being there to recruit because my campus would lose federal funding otherwise.

But most of all I am opposed to the propaganda both sides used. So I couldn't in good conscience pick up a sign and start protesting against the recruiters, and I couldn't in good conscience support the recruiters presence on my campus. All I wanted to do was stand in the middle with my "Peace On Earth" t-shirt and flash the peace sign at all who passed. "Make love, not war, unless you have to."