"NOW what!" you may be asking in dismay.

Are there any Harry Potter fans out there? Do you remember the words of Professor Moody? "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

This is a good moment to call to your attention the fact that we still have some issues on the table right now that are critical to the propeace agenda. Please don't think just because some action is starting to be taken on the Iraq war that it's time to relax and celebrate. Remember that the broad vision of those who support the creation of a Department of Peace must look beyond one war in one country. Don't lose sight of the big picture and the greater goal of creating a safe future for all the inhabitants of this planet.

I would like to share with this readership the most informative, timely, well-documented, and user-friendly Action Alert system I've ever used. The Pen is a straight talker with a strong style that stops short of the sensationalism of some of the more radical writers. The style is hard-driving but proactive. Here is a sample of the way The Pen presented our need for an Ambassador to the United Nations who will advance the charter of that organization.

"Now that the Senate has rejected Bolton for yet a second time, and with the White House still perversely pushing for their loose cannon, there is a tremendous leadership opportunity for our side. Here's an idea . . . why don't WE hold a PRESS CONFERENCE and propose a list of acceptable candidates of our own, and say to the American people in a positive way, "These are the kind of nominees we would put forward IF YOU ELECTED US". We must demand that the White House immediately put forward a better candidate for this critical position and to let go of their two-time destructive loser nominee. And if they don't have the leadership to do so, we show that our side does."

Also in need of the attention of this readership is a reminder about watching out for the shadow side of our actions - or inactions. I am referring here to the fact that, while "forgive and forget" may sometimes be an acceptable non-confontational posture to take in one-on-one situations, it casts a dark shadow when applied to those who pretend to be our leaders. If we do not demand action against the perpetrators of this illegal war, we set a very bad precedent for others who want to take unilateral unprovoked self-serving pre-emptive actions in the future, and we make a clear statement to the rest of the world that the people of this country are not willing to make the effort to hold their leaders accountable for such actions when the machinery to do so is clearly within their grasp. Are we willing to take the short-term easy way out at that expense?

The Pen did not bother with another Action Alert on this issue, but it's still on his home page. However, also in the Alert that arrived in my email box this evening was a one-click action to preserve public broadcasting. While this issue is beyond the scope of this website, I know that some of you are profoundly concerned about it and will appreciate the timeliness and ease of The Pen.

And don't forget that we've been so distracted with this war that we haven't even begun to address non-violent conflict resolution at home, in our communities, on our city streets, in those hidden rural areas, and among our young people in our schools. We have a long way to go before our descendants start to see a world such as that envisioned by the Earth Charter.

We haven't even won the battle yet, much less the war. In fact, we have a long way to go before we can expect to have a Department of Peace in place, much less expect to see results from their peacebuilding efforts.

CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!