I just came in from a peace protest in Central Park sponsored by a group called Not in Our Name [please visit their site at www.notinourname.net]. As at Macworld New York, it was really quite inspiring to be in a crowd of people who actually agree with me, although it was disappointing to find such a complex point of view so easily and readily distilled into slogans and platitudes. "No Blood for Oil." "Not MY President." "Give Peace a Chance." My favorite was "Regime Change: America 2004." Petitions were signed; donations were collected; the usual sorts of characters were trotted out to speak to the cheering crowd of thousands. The best speakers were Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, who did not appear as movie stars but as thoughtful and responsible citizens with a message. I think Tim Robbins should run for some office, but he probably will not.

I took my video camera so Rob and Goblin could see what they missed. Rob is in the final stretch of finishing another musical and could not come out with me, although he wanted to. Goblin is no fan of George Bush but feels that if preemptive strikes are necessary, we should first practice on the squirrels that vex her so.

She is sitting on my lap right now, eating carrots and trying to drum up international support.