Who says the peace movement has no sense of humor. I can assure you it does (especially if you count gallows humor).

This Saturday at the Saratoga Peace Alliance's (SPA) weekly peace vigil in downtown Saratoga Springs, Pete Looker showed up with a sign that read “War = A Bed Bet," paying obvious homage to the August racing season. You may not know Pete by name, but you know his handiwork with words. If you've driven down Broadway in Saratoga Springs and seen the van with the peace and justice slogans painted on the back windshield parked by the Holiday Inn, you've seen the essence of Pete. He knows how to play clever with words and squeeze out every drop of nuance, fun and irony. During Saratoga's Victorian Street Walk he dresses up like Santa and hold a sign that reads, “Bring the Troops Ho-Ho Home.”

His sign got us all fired up and we devised more clever slogans including:

Don't horse around with war.

Don't get saddled with war debt.

Horse races not arms races.

Rein in war spending.

Don't stall peace talks.

Don't jockey for position in the arms race.

Win, place or show – war is a losing bet.

Pony up for peace.

And from Brenton, who is no slouch with words either, “War is a Travers-ty” (we'll save that one for Travers week). And if you can think of any more peace slogans that use the racing jargon please pass those along, too.

We're still working on peace slogans using the words “daily double” and “triple." If you come up with any let me know.

By the way, if you're interested in witnessing with us, we are at the corner of Broadway and Lake, in front of the Post Office, from noon to 1 p.m. If you like, we'll provide you with a sign.

Look for SPA next week at the track with our signs. We'll be there at 11 to catch the crowds coming in because it's post time for peace!