"A New Dimension In The Expansion Of Militarism"

Don't really have time to give this article the working over it deserves, but I would be completely derelict in my duties if I didn't share the piece I found (via The Sub Report) about the concerns of a Washington community that's about to be invaded by big bad submarines.

Port Townsend, Washington, is very close to Indian Island, the home of a Naval Magazine that will apparently be used to service (and load) the Tomahawk missiles that will be carried on the two SSGNs that will be homeported out of Bangor.

The local peace groups don't like this plan at all:

“The impending arrival of nuclear-powered submarines in our immediate neighborhood demonstrates a new dimension in the expansion of militarism here,” said Darlene Durfee, Port Townsend Peace Movement president. “Nuclear-powered vessels of unimaginable destructive capability will be right in our midst. With or without nuclear weapons onboard, Trident submarines escalate the risk by their presence. They will be traveling in a relatively narrow bay filled with recreational boaters, ferries and an expanded ferry dock.” (Durfee refers to Washington State Ferries’ plans to enlarge the terminal in Port Townsend, across the bay from Indian Island, and someday have larger ferries on the PT-Keystone route.)
"The group intends to have some members attend the chamber meeting to hear Capt. Kurtz speak, and hopefully get an opportunity for questions. The peace movement wants to make a statement outside the Fort Worden Commons for the noon meeting.
"Durfee would like to have “a large group of people dressed in black or wearing black arm bands standing outside in silence. A substantial number of people standing in silence will be the loudest and most effective form of protest we can offer,” she continued. “It will be a message to the Navy that this is a community that will speak up. We will also have leaflets to explain our position to the business community.”

Here's the website of the "Port Townsend Peace Movement". Aren't they cute? They even have an Earthball! I'm glad they were able to pull themselves away from their "Deepening Meetings" (A "Deeper" look at our Feelings) to engage in such timely dissent. Never mind the fact that Tridents which we can neither confirm nor deny were carrying nuclear weapons have been sailing back and forth within a few miles of Port Townsend for the last 25 years...

Going deep...