I think it's about time that the people who have made a home -- and mess -- of the Allen Street gates, re-evaluate their purposes for doing so. Their initial cause was obviously to protest the war.

However, as was reported in newspapers, the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom is virtually complete. That being the case, it would seem that the hip fellows that inhabit our fine sidewalk would be content. Their time was wasted for a good cause, and they can beat their tie-dyed breasts with fervor, and then leave.

I'm quite sure they can't disagree with our plans of giving humanitarian aid to the Iraqis, nor could they dispute the fact that Iraq needs a stable government in place to avoid anarchy. Why then, are they still there? It would appear that they've gotten so used to being an eyesore and general pain that they haven't even realized that the war that they're protesting is for the most part over!

I don't have much patience for people who complain just for the sake of complaining; they make it their purpose to annoy others.