Demonstrations, both political and otherwise

Today, the world spoke out against the US government's plans to go to war in Iraq. Large crowds were reported around the world. I've seen estimates of a million marchers in Rome, three-quarters of a million in London, half a million or more in Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin, a hundred thousand in Paris, seventy thousand in Amsterdam, even fifteen thousand in Prague and two thousand in Kiev (no reports on St. Petersburg or Moscow). In the States, estimates vary wildly- i've seen ranges from a low of 100,000 to a high of 500,000 for the New York demonstration. Reported numbers for the Seattle demonstration range from a low of 8,000 to a high of 50,000 on an overcast day in the Emerald City, occasionally spotted with rain showers.

Alexander and i had the opportunity to participate in the march, along with greenshadows and his neighbours A. and M. I felt the need to dress for the protest, and made the march in Red Army parade uniform (pictured below after the march, courtesy of greenshadows):
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I'm amazed at the comprehension alexander has of the event and its purpose- he and i talked after we got home and he told me that "the people didn't think that there should be war in Iraq," that "President Bush should listen to people who don't want people to go to war and get killed, because no one has to die," and that "we shouldn't need to go to other countries to hurt even bad people for oil." A little simplistic, perhaps, but all in all, a pretty phenomenal grasp of the general opinion coming from a little kid who isn't even five years old.

Then the other sort of demonstration- a little more personal and affectionate. We spent several hours on the phone with hottoastermama this evening (and into the wee hours of the morning there). She's a sweetie, and deserves a much more peaceful domestic situation than she has presently. We may just not let her go home after she comes to visit.