from social programs and taking it in the private sector,” he said.

“This is probably the hugest war profiteering that has ever gone on,” Tamler agreed.

War has become a lucrative business, the activists said, pointing to companies such as Blackwater and other firms that have received contracts during the ongoing conflict.

Another concern for local activists, however, is the absence of young people in the debate over the war. That was true again this week at the Bayview gathering.

Even though the average soldier killed in Iraq is in his 20s, the average age of the people that met at Wednesday’s meeting was much higher.

Tamler acknowledged that at the recent Island County Democrats convention in Langley many participants were under 25, but not many are actively protesting the war.

“They need to understand their future is at stake,” Phillips said.

“I have a nephew in Iraq. Before he left he said the morale was real low. He said, ‘Everyone knows we’re fighting a rich man’s war.’”

The activists said they would urge people to write and call their representatives to call for an end to the war. But one said that doesn’t go far enough.

“We need to write to our representatives that they prosecute Bush and Cheney,” Thompson said.

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