Thanks for including the editorial from the Dillers. Though I feel the "bloody baby lady" (who had a baby with red paint on it, not real-looking blood, mind you) pushed the envelope, the idea that:

"It would be sad to see the Aptos Parade evolve into political grandstanding instead of its original family- focused entertainment."

is ridiculous. I wonder how long she has been resident of Aptos. During the Vietnam War and in subsequent years, there has been plenty of political dissent expressed in the parade -- including masks of President Nixon and antiwar protesters.

Though I have compassion for the Diller's children and assert their right to protect their children from what they see, I also defend people's right to free expression in a community parade, especially when they are protesting the meanest, inhumane military-industrial-political complex I have ever seen in my lifetime.

Though it sounds like the Dillers want to try to get political messages removed from the parade for the sake of their children, I wonder how long they can shield their children from the ugly realities of this obscene war.