Rudy's daughter knows, as many of us do now, that there's something very refreshing and inspiring about the junior senator from Illinois. I'm especially impressed by how he offers a new rhetoric of, go figure, courage and democratic responsibility, as antidote to the Bush Administration's stoking of fear and quiescence.

In that spirit, I'm hoping that Senator Obama will get behind and encourage his supporters to participate in the mass marches now planned for Washington, D.C. in September, just as the Bush Admin is trying to dominate the Iraq debate with the release of the Petraeus Report. Obama makes a point of asking we the citizens to step up and exercise our democratic responsibility. This September, as Congress returns to work and considers war funding anew, is the perfect time, not just perfect but vital time, for Americans to directly demand of their elected representative that they immediately force an end to the war in Iraq.

Congress has the power but lacks the gumption. That's where we come in. I'm encouraging the Obama campaign to make participation in the September mass marches a matter of civic duty. I hope others will encourage him too.

For info on September actions in D.C., visit http://www.bigseptember.org.