Regarding the 'peace now' mentality: I suspect a great deal of these sorts are more interested in being morally correct than pragmatically focused. Now with the war on, it's of little use to the people suffering, to be staging protests and burning effigies.

You've made your point; you're the enlightened, wise, and loving members of the human race - so much better than those who disagree with you - Got it!

Now about those poor bastards living in Iraq:

The best way to end this war is to win it; the sooner the better.

Instead of encouraging Saddam and his ilk with the ongoing protests, and hence prolonging the deprivations and terror being suffered by his captive population, it seems more humane and caring to now be demonstrating for his removal or surrender. Demonstrations should be clamoring for other Arab governments to stop supporting a ruler that has subjected their brothers to so many years of darkness, cruelty, and slaughter.

At some point, certainly after the onset of actual combat, I don't think one can "Support the troops and be against the war" if they continue to demonstrate against it. The demonstrations become de facto support of the other side.

The other side is trying to kill our soldiers.