Growing numbers against Iraq war; 87% support people's right to protest

This is an amazing number: Eighty-seven per cent of people surveyed in an AP-Ipsos poll (results) say they support the right of critics of the Iraq war to protect US policies.

The poll found that only 37% approve of the way Bush is handling the war, 53% think the war is a mistake, and 47% think it has increased the threat of terrorism. Sixty per cent say US troops should stay until the situation is "stablized, but 37% would bring them home right now.

So the American people really do understand that it's OK to criticize the government. That doesn't mean, of course, that they won't call you everything in the book and suggest that you are a disloyal, unpatriotic Communist dupe (see some of the comments on this blog, for example). That, of course, is their right, although it doesn't seem too productive.

Rep. Mark Green, meanwhile, continues to tout the fact that 118 members of Congress (out of 535) have joined his "Victory in Iraq" caucus as proof that Sen. Russ Feingold, who wants to set a target date to get out of Iraq, is in the minority.

That number has been at 118 and holding for a long time, and considering that Green's group presents itself as a "support our troops" caucus, it's surprising every member of Congress doesn't belong.

The tide is turning. As someone said, the times they are a-changing. And Mark Green will be one of the last to figure it out.