=v= Critical Masses all over the North Amreican continent are
dealing with ride participants visibily taking a position on
the war in Iraq. Additionally, many anti-war bike protests are
being called "Critical Mass" by the media.

=v= There is a concern that this means Critical Mass does not
welcome those who support the war. The way I see it, though is
that Critical Mass is traffic, and like traffic, there are going
to be people sporting bumper stickers with all sorts of opinions
printed on them.

=v= I'm personally and visibly anti-war, and I see a definite
connection between the everyday use of the bicycle and wars
fought primarily (or even partially) over oil. I found a thread
on Usenet taking an interesting different point of view, though:

http://groups.google.com/groups?threadm=fvkn7v09q5kdcirjqn08auqcqmhkes7cc9%404ax\
.com

If that line's too long, try this one:

http://tinyurl.com/84v7

=v= The gist is that one can show support for the war in Iraq
by riding bicycles, since this means not buying oil from Iraq.
While I wouldn't use the disgusting racist phrasing in that
Usenet message, I've certainly also made the connection between
everyday use of the bicycle and opposition to oil warlords such
as Saddam Hussein.
<_Jym_>