The Typical Fourth Of July

I suppose I shouldn't object so much to the militarism used to celebrate this most important civic holiday. After all, this nation was born when a bunch of insurgents decided to boot the occupying forces out of the area. Still, the founding of this country meant so much more than military success. An article in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune (which was accompanied by the above photo) is a good reminder of that fact.

When Peter Edmunds and some friends decided to build a float to protest the war in Iraq, they did so thinking it would be a better way of promoting their perspective than by standing on street corners in small Minnesota cities with a few homemade signs.

But the float Edmunds and his Veterans for Peace colleagues are taking to parades this summer across the Iron Range is doing more than delivering an antiwar message.

Two weeks ago parade directors in Virginia banned the float from the Land of the Loon Festival, saying its "NO MORE WAR" message and accompanying tally of U.S. fatalities was too political.

Similar concerns were raised in Biwabik, Gilbert and Aurora.

Although no other town has rejected the float, communities across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin are abuzz.

Several communities have accepted the float. Predictably, some members of the community were upset, but others conveyed their appreciation. Equally as important, however, is the fact that it got people talking about the war issue and the far broader issue the presence of the float raised.

"A lot of people have a sour taste about the group and the float, but at the same time they'll defend their right to get their message across," said Bill Hanna, executive editor of the Daily News.

Mr. Edmunds agrees.

"Democracy is a discussion and discussions are messy. But that's how we make decisions."

Blessed are the peace makers.