Sat. Oct. 27

Today, Saturday Oct. 27 is being called "The National Day of Action," and how it's manifesting itself in our burg is via "The New England Mobilization to End War in Iraq." (Let's hope George Bush hasn't started another in Iran by that point, although, certainly, if the draft were re-instated and the fighting age lowered to 16, we'd have enough troops!) The rally starts at noon on Boston Common and one of our pals, longtime anti-war activist and BU professor emeritus Howard Zinn will be among the speakers. Zinn (at right) emails us: "That same day there will be anti-war rallies in ten other cities around the country. They're trying to recall 'Moratorium Day,' Oct. 30, 1969, when over a million people around the country rallied against the Vietname War." Zinn will join about a dozen speakers, and then a march will commence at 2 p.m. around Copley Square - Saturday shoppers beware! - and return to the Common. The costs of this war, human and financial, continue to add up, generals in the know say there is, Satre-like, "no exit" (strategy) and the Vietnam era word no one dared speak pre-invasion - quagmire - is on a lot of minds now. One thought: Does an anti-war rally devalue the lives of the soliders killed or maimed over there? Not one bit. There lives were devalued already by the powers that be; bringing the boys back home is not some quaint '60s hippie plaint. It rings just as true, now. We're in the midst of a culture we don't understand trying to bring captitalism and democracy to a people not exactly used to how those two things bring about the joy and happiness found, say, in America. A piece in a recent New Yorker had the despairing report that while most Iraqis wanted us out of their country they expected bloodshed and strife to worsen. Which they grimly accept. So, if you feel that people have the power - as Patti Smith sings - head to the Common. I've been at rallies like this - one in London before the invasion - and if nothing else you get to feel the illusion that you have a voice, and believe it for a while. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Maybe everyone feeling that illusion can magically turn it into being not an illusion, and being a Collective and Meanigful Voice that Cannot Be Denied. Check out the www.newenglandunited.org site for info on who's sponsoring the rally, who's speaking and other bits and pieces.