The anti-war movement in Detroit is being enlivened by The Raging Grannies, a group of local women who have had enough of wars,  injustice, racism, sexism, environmental destruction,  violence against women and children etc. and are using humor to delegitimize Bush's rush to war. Dressed outrageously in silly hats, feather boas, shawls and aprons, they sing their own lyrics to familiar tunes. For example:

Battle Hymn of the People
(to the tune: "Battle Hymn of the Republic")
 
He says our country's been attacked and now's the time to act,
He gives us lots of rhetoric but can't supply the facts.
We build all the weapons, then we blame it on Iraq,
And Bush keeps pushing on.

    Georgie Bush is telling stories, Georgie Bush is telling stories,
    Georgie Bush is telling stories, and Congress goes along.

He told us that Bin Laden was the one we ought to get,
But suddenly Iraq, it seems, is where his sights are set.
It doesn't make a lot of sense, we fear that he's all wet,
Yet Bush keeps pushing on.

    Georgie Bush is telling stories...  and the media go along...

He says he wants Iraq to change and war's the only way,
But he won't let the people or the UN have their say.
War is not the answer and invasion's not our way,
Yet Bush keeps pushing on.

    Georgie Bush is telling stories...
    but we won't go along!!!
    No No No
    but we won't go along!!!

Detroiter Kathy Russell got the idea for a local  Raging Grannies after reading online about the Canadian group.  She has been joined by about a dozen long-time activists, including Charlotte Kish who participated with us from 1989-1992 in the  WE-PROS (We the People Reclaim our Streets) anti-crackhouse marches;   Patricia Lay-Dorsey  who reports her peace and justice activities and reflections on her website <www.windchimewalker.com> and feminist Magi Mooney.

So far the Michigan Raging Grannies have made two appearances. The first was at  a Peace Rally  in Windsor, Ontario, and the second at the CPR fundraiser on November 24.   In Windsor they were interviewed by radio and TV reporters and four Muslim women joined them in their last song. At the CPR fundraiser we brought them back for an encore.

Their theme song is to the tune of Camptown Races:

Raging Grannies
Sing our song.
Doo dah, doo dah.
Raging Grannies say
War is wrong.
All the doo dah day!
 
      Gonna rage and roar,
      Gonna stop all war.
      Raging Grannies
      Sing our song
      All the doo dah day!

Bush's policies are wrong,
Doo dah, doo dah,
Iraq is not where we belong
And killing's not the way.
 
      Gonna roar all night,
      Gonna rage all day.
      We're here to stop the war machine,
      Don't get in our way!

  We've got to stop it now,
  We've got to do it right,
  Children are the ones at risk,
  So get out there ALL RIGHT!

 Raging Grannies Without Borders are organizing around the country and in Canada.  If you1d like to form your own group or join the Michigan group, check  www.geocities.com/raginggranni or e-mail raginggranni@yahoo.com/