Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards has been urging supporters to demonstrate against the war at Memorial Day parades. The Hill reported a week ago that Edward's anti-war Web site, supporthetroopsendthewar.com, suggested that people make signs that say: "SUPPORT THE TROOPS -- END THE WAR." The paper quoted the Edwards site as saying:

Bring them to your local Memorial Day parade. Then take a digital photo of yourself and your family or friends holding up the poster and tell us about it. We'll include it in a 'Democracy Photo Album' on our site."

But the Web site is a little different now. After much criticism of the call for Memorial Day protests, Edwards' site now says Monday should be off limits for such demonstrations.

Buy a bunch of poster-board and markers. At a picnic or with family and friends, make signs that say "SUPPORT THE TROOPS - END THE WAR." Bring them to your local Memorial Day parade. Many parades are held on Saturday or Sunday. If your parade is on Monday, however, we ask that you choose another action to honor the fallen. Then take a digital photo of yourself and your family or friends holding up the poster and tell us about it. We'll include it in a "Democracy Photo Album" on our site.

I am assuming that The Hill did not just edit out the lines about the Monday parades. (The same thing was quoted elsewhere as well.) I've asked the Edwards campaign about the change and I'm waiting for an answer.

I originally went to the Edwards site to read what he was urging people to do. I'd like to know what all of you think about anti-war protests at local Memorial Day parades. Is it better to do it on Saturday or Sunday than Monday? Is it inappropriate to mix honoring the military dead with a protest against the Iraq war?

There are plenty of people who didn't like the idea, including some Democrats and anti-war activists. There also are plenty of more conservative critics. The Hill story includes comments from veterans who don't like it. At Salon, Joe Conason didn't like it either. And it's not because he likes the war or dislikes Edwards. He said it would be "an act certain to infuriate many veterans, embarrass others and delight the Republican right."

His call to protest risks offending the sensibilities of everyone who believes the holiday should be solemnly commemorative rather than politically noisy. Even many vets who have come to despise the Bush administration believe that antiwar displays on that day are at best insensitive, reviving bad memories of the Vietnam era.

So while most of what Edwards proposes on his Web site is laudable, it is neither kind nor smart to wave protest signs on Memorial Day.

Protesting at parades was just one of 10 things that Edwards is suggesting people do this weekend to protest the war. He also urges people to pray, write letters and circulate petitions.

So what made Edwards change his mind about Monday? I'll let you know if I hear back.

And enjoy the weekend, however you choose to spend your time. I'll be back Tuesday morning.

UPDATE: There were changes made since Edwards' site first went live, including a clearer statement about the call for Memorial Day weekend protests. Edwards campaign spokesman Mark Kornblaue told me this morning:

"From the beginning of this effort John and Elizabeth Edwards wanted to make it clear while Americans should support the troops while speaking out against the war in the days leading up to Memorial Day, on Memorial Day we all find out own ways to respect the fallen and treat the holiday with respect."