Lots of Pics From Last Week...

Protesting: Reflections After One Year...

It was a year ago today, May 19 2007, that we first first took to the street, all six or seven of us. We didn't know what kind of reaction we would get, or if people would be interested in joining us, but we figured there was only one way to find out. Saturday, noon to one - be there. Here we are (above right) that first week. The second week was when I painted the big sign with the number of American fatalities in Iraq, and printed off stickers with the number to pass out to everyone, and I've updated the number every week since. Sadly, not one single time did it remain the same from one week to the next.

Slowly we grew, and along the way we've met a lot of wonderful people. We've had military moms and dads stop by to thank us, and some who stand with us every week. One young man came to tell us that he had been in Iraq and expected to go back soon, and would we please keep standing up for him. We've received gifts of pizzas, donuts, and even cash donations from passersby just wanting to show their support. Been written up a few times in the local paper and gotten a few shout-outs from progressive radio talker Peter Werbe, who joined us once, and they tell me we were mentioned one time on the local news. One of the most well known and powerful members of Congress, John Conyers, is a regular, and we've had a presidential candidate, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, roll up in his campaign bus and address a crowd of 200 of us. We've had visitors from Texas, California, and from as far away as the UK. Other peace and justice groups have joined with us, and it's a great feeling to stand in solidarity with others who are as committed as we are to putting an end to our presence in Iraq.

We've watched all the seasons go by, from the sweltering heat of summer to blizzards and frostbite in the dead of winter. For most of us, life has gone on. When we started a year ago, we had just welcomed our grandson into the world, and now we have a brand new niece and a granddaughter. In fact, we have documented evidence that a girl can protest on Saturday and give birth on Sunday without missing a beat.

We lost two of our own members this past year, two men I was so honored to know, and who I will continue to stand for in their absence. Birth and death, and everything in between, the cycle of life continues. And we, the protesters, view it all through the prism of Iraq, where the death toll keeps mounting and the Iraq "problem" seems to be off the table along with impeachment. I can't believe we've been doing this for a year - it saddens and frustrates me that we are where we are, but it also gives me hope that we have sustained a presence every single Saturday for 52 weeks. I know deep in my heart that I am not alone in this, and that together we will continue the fight. Until every one comes home.

Sadly, We Have Lost One of Our Own...

William C. Bowden, Sr. September 3,1930 - April 30, 2008

Bill found us early on, and as one of our most regular protesters, he was committed to seeing our troops come home from Iraq. A soft spoken, gentle man, Bill always had a smile and a kind word as he quietly did his part. He had been ill of late and so hadn't been able to be with us as often as he would have liked, but I always knew he was there with us in spirit, and I know that he still is. Godspeed, dear friend ~ you will be missed by all.
(Click to view larger)
Thank you for touching our lives, BillRest In Peace

Saturday's Pics, a Little Late...

Sorry it took me so long...it's been a crazy week. Enjoy!
Click on any photo for a larger version

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

To all the wonderful women in our lives...

PS It will be a while before I can post this week's pictures ~ working on some other stuff on a deadline! Will get to it as soon as I can. Patience, friends. ~ : )

Will Clinton Exit Gracefully?

It's Time!

And So It Ends...

Congratulations Senator Barack Obama!

2008 Democratic Nominee

for President of the United StatesIt's over folks. Maybe not officially, but make no mistake, this is done. It's also just beginning. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and it's time to unite behind behind our candidate and do everything we can to keep Grandpa
McSame out of the White House for a 3rd Cheney/Bush term. I have no doubt that we can deliver Michigan and win in November...buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride!

If It's Tuesday, There's a Primary Somewhere...

This week Indiana and North Carolina are up. Come on Hoosiers and Tarheels...bring this thing home for Obama! I will post returns here as they come in. Feel free to follow along and post your predictions in the comments.

Update at 7:30pm: NBC and CNN call North Carolina for Obama - no numbers yet. Clinton is currently leading in Indiana 57% - 43% with 20% of precincts reporting. Stay tuned. PS MSNBC calling Obama's win in NC HUGE! WooHoo!

Update at 8:50pm: Indiana still too early to call. With 63% of the votes counted, Clinton is leading Obama 54% -46%. According to Chuck Todd, NBC numbers guru, the precincts still not reporting are strong Obama areas. Here's hoping for a very tight race or an outright win. At this point it's possible...either way, a great night for Barack!

Update at 10:00pm: Word is that the Indiana numbers won't be in til 11:00pm (maybe midnight) - I really think Obama's going to pull this off. If he does it's over.

Update at 11:45pm: Wow. Looks like Lake County is breaking 75/25 for Obama, with votes still not reported. If that trend continues, Obama wins. Just 9% left to come in, but that 9% could decide the nominee. This is great stuff!

Update at 1:00am: Hillary declared the winner in Indiana by a small margin, 51% - 49%. Whatever. Doesn't matter.

Indiana
Indiana SOS - Link to Election Results

North Carolina
South Carolina SOS - Link to Election Results

Unbelievable ~ 4,066 Yesterday ~ 4,071 Today...

April was the deadliest month for our troops since last September, not that you'd know it by following the headlines. That's why it is more important than ever that we keep doing what we're doing. We may not reach millions of people, but we are making sure that our neighbors don't forget. Thanks to all who showed up yesterday, especially the new folks who I am sure will be back. Here are this week's pics, with great thanks billyb and Nancy!

Click on any photo for a larger version.

(She was showing us pictures of her 19 year old Marine son - and she is understandably terrified for him.)

Finally, Someone Talking Sense About The Reverend Wright...

No surprise that the someone is Bill Moyers. So why isn't he moderating our candidate debates?

The Empire Strikes Barack...

Tell It To The Grieving Famlies...

5 Years Ago

All We Are Saying...

...is give peas a chance.
(that's what the girl is saying, right there on her bib!)

Welcome Newbies!

And if you're not over there, or willing to send your kids, then you should definitely be out here!

And So We Fight On...

FINALLY. Pennsylvania Weighs In...

Update at 10:00pm: 50% of Precincts Reporting
Clinton 54 Obama 46