There's a split going on within the left as to whether to hold organized protests at the DNC in Boston. Some groups say yes, others say no. The group that says no is ABB (anyone but Bush) all the way and doesn't want to give anything up to the Repubs. We share that view. Bush and Kerry may not be all that different on the war--but they will be very different when it comes to who they nominate for federal judgeships and our Supreme Court. The thought of Bush shaping our Supreme Court for the next 40 years is beyond unfathomable and unacceptable.

If you feel differently, you can attend the anti-war events being sponsored by United for Peace and Justice near the convention. The article reports that one such event is set for Thursday, when John Kerry speaks. We won't be there.

We'd rather go to some of the 'People's Conventions':

At People's Parties on Sunday night, organizers will pass around a "Fund the Dream" petition calling for the $100-billion defense budget to be reallocated for social projects. The "Campaign for America's Future" will host three days of "Take Back America" events concurrent with the convention, open to Democratic leaders, activists and "progressive" delegates. Headliners will include former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), "Nickel and Dimed" author Barbara Ehrenreich, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and former Vice President Al Gore....On Tuesday the "Revolutionary Women 2004" event will feature Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Anaheim).

"These are folks who want to help Kerry win, but they also want to make sure Kerry is accountable to progressive values," said Toby Chaudhuri, a spokesman for the group. "With the popularity of 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' there are indicators of the surge of progressive energy out there."

That's more where we're coming from. Elect Kerry. But let the progressive wing of the party flourish and grow so we can keep him accountable. Save the protests for the Republican convention in New York.