Well, after Vietnam we all told ourselves, “Never again, never, ever again…” would the American people allow our children to be sent into an unjust war – anywhere!  What happened?  How did we get into Iraq?  How did this happen again?  We Forget!  Just as the American people have forgotten the promise to their veterans to care for those who have borne the battle, they have forgotten the tough lessons of politics and now more children and grand-children have been sent into an unnecessary and horrible war!

Should we blame Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Rice and the radical, right-wing, neo-con nutcase zealots of the Republican Party?  Absolutely!  Our worse fears are being fully realized as we finally begin to learn about the facts about what happened – and I will not be surprised if the Libby scandal eventually takes out Cheney, and that leads to Bush being impeached – we already know in our guts that “Bush lied and thousands died!”

And we all know, the bottom line, is all about oil, money, profits and portfolios!  But, others are to blame as well – and I’m talking about all of us – in war, there’s plenty of blame and shame to go around!  Only those that have been speaking out get a pass!

“We”, that is to say, way too many of “us”, were complacent and are now we all share some guilt and shame – all because too many Americans set back, didn’t lay down the remote control, and get their butts out of the easy chair and call, write or even e-mail their elected representatives about their concerns.  Too many good people just hoped someone else would do that for them – and our democracy just doesn’t work that way does it?  Of course not, democracy requires advanced skills in citizenship – and the even good folks that are just tired or lazy…well, they do get the government they deserve don’t they!

There had been three previous attempts at protests and only a few people showed up.  But, for the first time, January 21^st there was an organized effort to protest the immoral, illegal, unethical, and unjust invasion of Iraq in Washington, D.C. with a local protest here in Las Vegas – it went very well for a first effort!  Many small groups, with varying interest, but united on getting out of Iraq, came together and we had a crowd of nearly two hundred people show up.  Bush’s buddies had one couple on the other side of the street – just as the poor will always be with us, so, it seems, will be the stupid!

So, here’s a second chance for everyone to swallow their guilt and shame and do something to make up for their laziness – but, you’ll have to mark your calendars, and plan on putting down your remote controls, getting out of the lazy chairs, and getting in your car and driving a short distance – IF that’s not too much to ask while we have our best and brightest suffering unnecessarily and dying prematurely?

Saturday, March 17^th is St. Patrick’s Day and the “Out of Iraq Coalition” of Las Vegas is having another protest, in conjunction again, with the “National March on the Pentagon” in Washington, D.C. and YOU and YOUR family can be a part of history – and we would love to see 500 people show up this time!

The fourth anniversary of this catastrophe is nearing and it’s not too late to fix this mess!

WHAT: “Patriotic Protest For Peace” “Support Out Troops – Bring Them Home!”

WHEN: 2 pm (until whenever), Saturday, March 17^th, 2007

WHERE: Las Vegas, NV, on the west side of the Foley Federal Building, 333 Las Vegas Boulevard (South).  PLEASE NOTE: the “Duece” Strip Bus passes right by our location and the CAT (Citizens Area Transit) bus routes #105 and #108 have stops easily within walking distance, so, you can get a little exercise too!

WHO: EVERYONE IS INVITED!  Las Vegas “Out of Iraq Coalition”; Democracy For America (DFA) members; Las Vegas Anti-War; Nevada Veterans Coalition – Joint Task Force (NVC-JTF) members; and members for various veterans groups, political and union groups, and the public at-large to include people like YOU!

Please do your civic duty and take a little time to show your support and patriotism by joining us in this patriotic protest for peace?  Hope to see you there at 2 pm sharp!

Go to www.lasvegasantiwar.org for more information please.  If you have questions e-mail them to lasvegasantiwar@cox.net please and someone will get back to you.

Also, on Monday evening, March 19^th (the actual anniversary of the war) there are a number of Candle Light Vigils being planned, where people can just gather and patriotically and politely pray for our troops to come home soon – hopefully alive?

Go to www.move.on.org for more information please.