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(Next Forum is in October, details coming soon)
A packed house filled the Reformed Church in Highland Park last night to hear from Congressional Candidate Carol Gay, former soldier Gregory Bumgardner, and military author Richard Moser talking about Iraq.
 The event was sponsored by New Jersey for Democracy, Middlesex County DFA, and two allies from the peace movement, Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War, and Rutgers Against the War. The Forum was featured in the Star Ledger, reminding readers throughout New Jersey concerned about Iraq that they are not alone. As Sharon Adarlo of the Ledger writes: "One of the most compelling discussions on the Iraq war involved the mind-numbing statistics Gay recited on the casualties and injuries in the civilian and military populations. 'We have gained nothing from this,' Gay said grimly. That dissatisfaction over the situation in Iraq exists in every town, in every part New Jersey - and people are demanding solutions.
This was the fourth in a series of Iraq War Forums sponsored by New Jersey for Democracy - together with local DFA groups and allies - aimed at engaging the community about the most important issue for voters this year: Iraq. The series is receiving a terrific response. Earlier, nearly 75 people attended a Forum on Iraq on a rainy Thursday evening in Clifton. Two days later, over 200 people turned out for a similar forum on a gorgeous Saturday morning in Morristown, and another 100 came out in Edgewater.
 The plan for these Iraq Forums was to assemble a panel of experts - drawn from the ranks of veterans, academics, politicians and military families - to debate the difficult questions facing our nation, and put Iraq squarely at the front of the national political agenda. Add input from the community, and the potential for results grows exponentially.
In Clifton (left), the panel consisted of Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-8), Rutgers University History Professor Lloyd Gardner, and NJ Veterans for Peace president Ken Dalton. The three addressed the audience on their perspectives on Iraq, before opening the floor to a question and answer session with the audience. Presented by Passaic County DFA, and co-sponsored by City Belt, the forum received great coverage in The Herald News. 
In Morristown (right), the panel was made up of Sen. Bob Menendez, 11th District Congressional Candidate Tom Wyka, Veterans Activist Joe Attamante, and Amanda Schroeder, sister of a fallen soldier. The Forum was co-sponsored by Morris DFA/PDA, NWNJ for Democracy and Seeds of Peace. You can read all about it in The Daily Record.
In Edgewater (below), Congressmen Rush Holt and Steve Rothman joined with 5th District Congressional Candidate Paul Aronsohn to engage in a spirited debate with nearly 100 attendees on the subject of Iraq. The event, presented by BergenGrassroots and Hudson DFA, drew a mostly anti-war audience, and was covered by the Record. 
Our forums have revealed broad support for changing course in Iraq, but a wide range of ideas on how best to achieve that goal.
But, the anti-war flavor to the crowd in Edgewater points up the difficult task that still remains: engaging every segment of the community to invest in seeking the best possible solutions. This isn't just an anti-war conversation - this is a subject for everyone to engage.
Additional events are planned in Clinton and Millburn, and in South Jersey. Find them all on DFA-Link!
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