Puppets for Peace

A view from yesterday's protest at Balboa Park, marking the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. The San Diego Puppet Insurgency created and manned the giant puppets (thanks to Mel for the photo):



Shown: Uncle Sam with "Big Business";
Iraqi mother carrying her dead child.

Despite the threat of rain, about one thousand people are estimated to have taken part in the rally. One group marched all the way from Oceanside to the event over the span of two days.

Meanwhile, supporters of the war manned a few small booths across the street, and a couple of groups of surly, leather-clad patriots wearing flags stuck in their sleeves and brandishing bibles strolled through the throng of protesters, glowering. Good thing they were there to uphold an important Christian value taken directly from biblical teachings: "Thou shalt menace the peacemakers." I'll bet Jesus had bouncers at the Sermon on the Mount, too.

But it was, appropriately enough, a peaceful event, and all went smoothly. The only way the day could have been any better would have been if there had been nothing to protest in the first place.