As Web master of Shadow Protest I am urging people to volunteer for the Republican National Convention, attend all the volunteer orientation sessions but not show up for their assigned volunteer shift. Dishonest? Absolutely. Please consider, however:

We are asked to believe that the war in Iraq was not preordained but was planned carefully by men and women whose true intent was the search for weapons of mass destruction. We are asked to believe the invasion was launched only after all other measures failed.

The Iraqi invasion has netted no such weapons, but it has resulted in an extraordinary loss of American lives.

We are asked to believe that Attorney General John Ashcroft will respect our constitutional rights while he uses his new powers to examine our E-mail messages, online E-mail address books and online purchase information without cause, without a judge's order and without our consent or knowledge.

If people believe these things, I would encourage them to volunteer for the Republican convention and show up.

With less than four months until it's held, organizers have fewer than half the 8,000 volunteers they need to make it a success.

I, for one, do not believe them. And I feel compelled to speak up.

I have been told that another form of protest would be more productive. I have been asked to shut down my Web site and take part in a more traditional public protest instead. But I note that a few days ago United for Peace and Justice was denied a demonstration permit for Central Park on the grounds that too many people might show up.

Am I nervous? Very. But I am more frightened of what will happen to this country if I do not do something to send a message to those in power and create a public display of dissatisfaction with their policies.

It is for this reason that I created the Shadow Protest. And as scary as my invitation may sound, I am asking people to join me and to stand up for what they believe.

Lynn is a computer consultant in Philadelphia.

All contents © 2004 Daily News, L.P.

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