"August 28--National Take a Stand Day--to remember the human cost of the war and urge our members of Congress to stand up in September and end this endless war."

Vigils are taking place in over 600 locations tonight. If you are interested in finding one near you there is a list at: www.moveon.org

If you have never been to a vigil, they tend to be very low key and focused- not like a protest. People usually arrive, get candles, and the host for the event will explain why they decided to host a vigil- this is usually related to a loved one who is currently serving in Iraq or who was already killed or wounded. Or sometimes it will be someone who is ex-military. People will be encouraged to share stories about loved ones, a general prayer for the troops or moment of silence is observed and candles are lit. Sometimes people sing or continue to tell stories or read a list of local soldiers who were KIA or MIA, etc.

Vigils are usually held in a public place- park, square, courthouse, etc. and last less than an hour, although some will stay later to catch up with friends, etc.

Obviously if you cannot or choose not to attend it is still nice to say a prayer or send out good thoughts for all those in war ravaged areas tonight.

Peace.

i do not agree with these wars but, if we do not fight them in their country, we will have to fight them here. and it will be a hell of a lot worse then 9/11. as sad as it is better there than here. God bless our troops.

(((( O )))))
Its a nice jesture But as long as there are Terrorists from West Africa, Indonesia, Iran, Syria and Pakistan among others, fighting in Iraq...I just assume get them while they are there instead of here or in their respective countries.

(((((((Searchin))))))

Don't worry, I will continue to try to wear you all down...

There have been many American terrorists as well. I do not find it justified for someone to come here and blow up my neighborhood because of the actions of these others.

I hope I will never believe in "getting them before they get me" but that I will always want to "get them to change their minds" before they get anyone...

Would that I were better at it!!!!

try reading the koran, that is just what they preach, kill us. sorry but i would rather it be them than we. you need to get better informed, before preaching turn the other cheek. and what american terrorists are you talking about???

Well My dear (((((( O ))))...if you can go there and convince a man or woman who has 50KG of explosives strapped to them, ready to kill hundreds of innocent women and children not to do it...then I'm all for it

Get real.

There are domestic terrorists
who are right here in this country,
right now, planning attacks.

So, the whole lie about
get them there before they
come here is stupid.

They are already here!

Hi all. I would also like to know what american terrorists is she talking about????????????? I think she may be a bit confused on the real deal about the war. I have a very dear friend stationed in Iraq. I have heard so much of all the killings of our american soldiers as well as others. Including women and children. I want my friend to come home safely, as well as the thousands of other troops over there. I don't agree with the war, but, I would rather see them getting it and not us americans. Peace and prayers for all involved.

Yes Hiker..I see the malls they blow up everyday....


Yes hiker..no doubt there are remenants of cells still here and coming here...but for the most part their money (yes it does take more money then you realize to transport, arm, train and execute terrorist activities) is tied up in Iraq, and Afghanistan right now...they are stretched very thin and don't have the command and control they use to have to maintain an organized structure.

Besides Al Quaida, there are other groups
who are willing to cause just as much damage
to further their twisted agendas.

Here's a good link about this:

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/15/ap4023270.html

Remember what happened in Oklahoma some years back?

Just because a major mall hasn't been blown up yet
doesn't mean it might not happen.

And they are not just targeting malls, anyway.

Yes Hiker..I KNOW what happened in Oklahoma...do you?? It was told as a "home Grown" plot but that is only what the press reported...They both had ties with Abu Sayyef organisations in the Philippines. They had both traveled there and is suspected they had plenty of help.

And I agree Hiker..they can and probably will strike us here from within...but it doesn't mean we should wait till the bigger and more heavily funded groups can organize and train in Iraq to really take it to the American public.

How about Afghanistan?

Or Saudi Arabia?

There are terrorists
in Germany.

Terrorists in Morocco.

Terrorists in probably
every country in the globe.

By taking our eyes
off of other places
where terrorists
can strike from
we make ourselves
more vulnerable
here at home.

And the longer we
are focused only
on Iraq, the more
vulnerable we will become.

Sweet and Sexy:

You wrote: "I would also like to know what american terrorists is she talking about????????????? I think she may be a bit confused on the real deal about the war. I have a very dear friend stationed in Iraq."

I just got back and I don't have too much time but here is a partial list of American terrorist groups. I'm afraid many Americans are naive and somehow believe that "terrorists" are always "others"- this is far from a realistic view IMO.

*Some* American terrorist groups: Aryan Nations, The Covenant, The Sword and the Arm of the Lord, Creativity Movement, White Aryan Resistance, Ku Klux Klan, the Weather Underground, ELF, ALF, NeoNazis, Michigan Militia, Army of God, United Freedom Front and the Symbionese Liberation Army.

There are many more...

Hiker..just because the media is focused on Iraq...doesn't mean we as a country are, we have active campaigns all over the world, Afghanistan and Iraq are just a few, We have special forces in philippines, somolia (still) West Africa, Dafur, Sudan, etc.sometime with cooperation with other nations, sometimes not...but we (our government) is well aware of the "hot Spots" you can be sure of that.

Also, re Sweetand Sexy Wrote:

"I have a very dear friend stationed in Iraq. I have heard so much of all the killings of our american soldiers as well as others. Including women and children. I want my friend to come home safely, as well as the thousands of other troops over there"

My thoughts exactly. That is what a vigil is for... to try to get others to realize these things. I have close friends and friends who have children there, etc. I also have 2 friends who are working as civilians on rebuilding and humanitarian efforts. They are endangered as are the citizens of Iraq.

Anyway, this vigil was nice. Names of all those soldiers killed this year were read- there have been too many killed in the war overall to read. One thing I find interesting, it used to be mostly mothers at these but more and more I see fathers. It's a very unscientific observation I know but it just seems nice that more fathers seem to be involved now...

Peace and prayers for all indeed...

Bush says it, you believe it!!

BAGHDAD (AP) - Fighting erupted Tuesday between rival Shiite militias in Karbala during a religious festival, claiming 51 lives and forcing officials to abort the celebrations and order up to 1 million Shiite pilgrims to leave the southern city.

Security officials said Mahdi Army gunmen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr fired on guards around two shrines protected by the Badr Brigade, the armed wing of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council.

Residents of Karbala contacted by telephone said snipers were firing on Iraqi security forces from rooftops. Explosions and the rattle of automatic weapons fire could be heard during telephone calls to reporters in the city 50 miles south of Baghdad.

Looks to me like a civil war!!
I guess they must all be terrorist!!

(((((Fanta)))))

So in that case did we just "liberate" a country of terrorists?

Regardless I cannot see how what we have done has made anyone, anywhere "safer"...

War begats war... IMO...

And the other half, just so you dont claim all Shiites are terrorist!

Elsewhere, hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi forces backed by helicopters and jet fighters killed 33 Sunni insurgents who were holding back the water supply to the Shiite town of Khalis, about 50 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S. command said.

The assault began before dawn Monday when a joint force was landed by helicopter in the village of Gubbiya, 10 miles east of Khalis. The assault force killed 13 fighters and attack aircraft killed 20 others, the military said. The area is known to be controlled by al-Qaida in Iraq.

Also Tuesday, a roadside bomb exploded in northern Khalis, killing four Iraqi soldiers, the Iraqi army said.

In Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, mourners buried 11 victims of a mosque suicide bombing Monday. Ten people were wounded in the attack, which police said targeted an anti-al-Qaida Sunni sheik.

Once again arent the Sunni militias the ones we have been arming??? Friends, (allies we called them)

Get a grip and get your heads out of your asses! The one true leader in all of Iraq, the only one with the balls to be out in the thick of it away from the green Zone, the George Washington of Iraqi Politics, we call an enemy!

Pull our troops out, bring them home and let him lead and rebuild Iraq! Help him with aide, make friends with him, and quit trying to dictate the goverment of Iraq as we see fit.

Im for leaving anoasis! Never saw a reason for going in!

Your right, George Bush created a cluster-funk, and a killing ground for Americans!

What little terrorist are there dont even have to splurge for a plane ticket, or mess with customs to kill Americans!

Oh Fanta, we agree on something!!!!!


I'm writing it on my calendar....