I attended the march with my two children. My wife was sick so she couldn't attend this march.

It was a great day to walk around DC whether a march was happening or not. The leaves were starting to change colors, the sunny sky was clear and the temperature was cool enough to keep you from sweating.

I went to express my feelings in a civil manner and teach my kids how to proactively participate in and to show them that there are lots of people of all different ages, paths and creeds who felt strongly about the war and the direction Bush has taken the country.

I was pleased with the turnout and the upbeat, confident mood of the crowd. They seemed to know that truth is on their side this time.

From what I saw of the police they were mostly ok. My 10 year old son was determined to get a policeman to acknowledge him waving his hand in a peice sign. He had to look a few dozen of them in they eye over a couple of blocks, smiling and waving his outstreched hand. Finallly, a police man silently smiled back and slightly nodded his head in an affirmation of my son's efforts to bridge the gap. My son was ecstatic, I explained that not all the policemen that were their were actually against what the marches were trying to communicate. They were doing their job maintaining stability and being ready to jump in if things got out of hand.

My daughter commented about half way through the march that it had suddenly dawned on her that the people doing the marching were generally creative, empathetically artistic and interesting individuals whereas the counter demonstrators and onlookers seemed to have less individuality and originality in their signs and statements and behavior. It seemed to click for her, in her own way and on her own terms what was actually going on.

II think this is a profound observation. I don't know that I articulated it very well. I don't blame people who can't quite grasp the point, or can't bring themselves to participate.

I think these marches, especially ones done peacefully with incluseiveness and dignity do not have to work instantaneously over night.

The policies that the marchers oppose are failing miserably. They will still be failing miserably six months from now. They will still be failing miserably two years from now. Rome wasn't built in a day. Truth will prevail. People will jump on board, one at a time.

People can't just be herded into the marches. The decision to participate must be a voluntary, collaborative choice made by the individual on their own terms and at their own pace. Truth and patience are the cornerstones to buildign a stable foundation for change.

That's my two cents.

-rob