Well, I drove to Pinckney, MI and joined in the anti-war rally that was staged by some high school students from Pinckney High School.  This rally was held in a heavily Republican area, and there were a grand total of perhaps 15 participants.  That would be me, another adult participant who seemed to know the students, the father of one of the protesters (and the family dog) and about 12 high school kids.  The kids used magic markers to make signs, which we held up for the traffic to see.  I was provided with a big peace sign, which I was happy to hold for about an hour.  After that, I had to leave, as my medical condition makes me exquisitly sensitive to cold, and it was pretty cold out there.  But, I went into a local diner and ran my hands under warm water in the rest room for about 15 minuets, and I seem to be just fine, or at least no worse than before.

A lot of aspects of the experience felt really good......

I'm posting this very short diary just to spread the news of a planned student anti-war protest in heavily Republican Livingston County, Michigan.  The protest will be from 10 AM to noon in downtown Pinckney, on the sidewalk along M36 at Putnam Township Square.

I just learned of the protest this morning from a local newspaper, the Daily Press and Argus.  According to the article, by Christopher Behnan, the students have held 5 protests already this year, in which 5-10 students show up and hold signs with various anti-war messages.  The article notes that the students get a mixed response of horns honking in support and one-finger salutes in opposition.  

The leader of the group is Chris Dzombak, a senior at Pinckney High.  He is quoted as stating that the general response to the protests has been gradually shifting away from the rude responses and towards the supportive responses.  About 15 students are expected to attend.  The general public is invited to join in.

Tired of all those state-wide ballot measures that motivate the GOP to turn out at the polls?  You know, all those "it should be legal to hate anybody different than me" proposals, such as "defense of marriage" or "anti-affirmative action" or "english is our language" proposals.  Well, maybe just maybe our ship is about to come in.  Love to hear what you guys think of this one.  

    Utterly sick and tired of the MSM meme that "the Democrats don't stand for anything"?  We are a diverse group, but all Democrats have a few core beliefs, that hold us together and form the basis of our party.  Its important that we bring these to the forefront and use them to smash the nasty little meme whenever we hear it.  Here, in my first diary, I've tried to briefly summarize some of these core beliefs, and provide a one sentance sound bite and some supporting ammunition to smash the meme.