All Quiet at the Western Ports

No ships were docked by the cranes today, no trucks roaming the neighborhood, no freight trains, so quiet it could have been a Saturday, except it's not. The reason for this holiday from the diesel fumes? West coast port workers staged a walkout today to protest the war in Iraq. I've always admired them but who would have thought the longshoreman would take such a stand? According to Bob McEllrath, the ILWU's international president "longshore workers are different. We're loyal to America, and we won't stand by while our country, our troops, and our economy are destroyed by a war." The walkout was planned in advance, so the shipping companies adjusted their schedules around the work stoppage. Still it's inspiring to see a group stand up for something, reminding us that in the end the power of the people rules.