Back in the anti-Vietnam War days, I would have taken to the streets by now, waving a placard, part of a protesting crowd of marchers (like those in the photo above). But at 76 years old, I would be embarrassed to do that kind of thing. It might not look “appropriate.” And where would I find a crowd of protesters to join? The only people who protest these days – or at least the only people the media show protesting – are the crazies who want to trigger a second American Revolution; and they’re the ones causing the problem I want to protest against.

So I was relieved to receive Truthout’s invitation this morning to sign a petition urging “Congressional action on political violence advocacy.”

Here’s what the petition says:

We, the undersigned, call for and demand that Congress initiate hearings into members and candidates who advocate violence toward political opponents.

We call upon the Justice Department to investigate and, if necessary, act upon information of any action taken by an elected official or candidate for national office that materially contributed to the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her supporters.

We call upon all elected officials and candidates to renounce violence advocacy. We, the undersigned, do categorically renounce and repudiate those who, through the power of suggestion, introduce lethality into our American political debate.

I immediately became one of the undersigned. And I invite you to join me by clicking this link.

It’s not the passionate kind of protest I would have preferred. Indeed, I find it extremely restrained, considering the circumstances. But it’s better than nothing.

Perhaps if enough people sign petitions like this, someone will do something to curb all that “lethality” out there.