Robert Manning is at the AAN Convention for one purpose - to drum up awareness for his organization, RaiseHellForMollyIvins.org.

In her last column, Ivins wrote “Raise hell …. Hit the streets to protest Bush’s proposed surge … We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding STOP IT, NOW!”

Manning has taken her words as a battle cry, coordinating a full-fledged campaign. He’s encouraging folks to visit their congresspeople on the 19th of every month, drums, pots and/or pans in tow, to protest the continuation of our presence in Iraq. The organization is sponsoring a song contest, and producing an online video mocking the “surgettes” in Congress.

“The most powerful statement you can make is with your body,” Manning says, and demonstrates, by coming here.