I protest.

Why we must not be silent.

Chris at Interesting Times points out this gem in The Oregonian: The thoughtful debate on the war continues.

This is precisely why we cannot remain silent. We must speak loudly and at every opportunity, so that those who have been intimidated into silence may find the courage themselves to speak up.

"This whole country is paralyzed right now," Julie said, "unable to talk in any kind of civilized or objective way. Because anyone who questions or doubts our purpose in Iraq is branded, so many people are afraid to say anything. The silence that surrounds everyone right now is cancerous." — Julie Larson, mother of Zeb, the subject of the article.