In the U.S. presently there are only a few places where citizens can act in this fashion and have a say in our nation.

We've been let down by our politicians, by the media, so we really have to take things into our own hands.

The war affects us here in Newfane. It affects us when our mothers and fathers and sons and daughters are sent off to war, and it affects us in our tax dollars to pay for that war.

We're used to being powerless in this country. Then a group of small towns stands up and says, 'We do not agree, and we'll do everything we can to stop you.

This is far bigger than a fringe movement on the left. Vermont has a long tradition of speaking out on issues beyond our borders.

The great thing about town meeting is you can have impassioned debate and then shake hands afterward.

This is just a red flag that says we in Newfane notice. All I can do at this moment is do something here in our town.