THE TENSION: Mainstream News Mulls Three Years in Iraq, Mon. 20 Mar.

GLOBAL ANTI-WAR PROTESTS MARK
THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF IRAQ INVASION

Anti-war protesters march towards the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday, March 20, 2006 to coincide with worldwide protests dubbed 'Global Day of Action' on the third anniversary of the war in Iraq. In a statement, the protesters 'grieve for the growing list of dead soldiers and civilians, as the war against the so-called terrorism rages.' (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Anti-war protesters display banners during a protest near the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday, March 20, 2006 to coincide with the worldwide condemnation of the third anniversary of the war in Iraq. In a statement, the protesters 'grieve for the growing list of dead soldiers and civilians, as the war against the so-called terrorism rages.' (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

An anti-war protester raises a placard outside the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong Monday, March 20, 2006 to mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq and calls for the withdrawal of troop. (AP Photo/Lo Sai Hung)

Anti-war protesters demonstrate Sunday, March 19, 2006, in Portland, Ore. The third anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq drew tens of thousands of protesters around the globe, from hurricane-ravaged Louisiana to Australia, with chants of 'Stop the War' and calls for the withdrawal of troops. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Anti-war protesters chant slogans outside the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong Monday, March 20, 2006 to mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq and calls for the withdrawal of troop. (AP Photo/Lo Sai Hung)

Maria Carrillo, a resident of Miami, prays over a mock coffin in front of makeshift tombs representing fallen US soldiers in Iraq as she participates in an anti-war rally in downtown Miami 19 March. More than two thirds of US citizens think US President George W. Bush is mishandling events in Iraq and almost a third believe civil war there is imminent, according to a Harris Poll published 17 March(AFP/Roberto Schmidt)

Pakistani Islamists burn a U.S. flag during a rally in Multan, Pakistan, March 18, 2006. The rally was held to mark the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. REUTERS/Asim Tanveer

COMMENTLINE
Today, the first day of spring, marks the third anniversary since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003.

In this edition of THE TENSION, the focus is on local and global protests against the war as reported in the U.S. this morning. (CORRECTED)

NEWSLINE
The protests drew crowds far short of the millions who protested the Iraq invasion in March 2003 and the anniversary in 2004.

NEWSBYTES
Thousands Around Globe Call for End of War
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Protesters marking the third anniversary of the Iraq war made their voices heard across the world over the weekend, with the largest marches in Seoul, London and Portland, though in numbers that were often lower than in previous years.

Fewer Protest Iraq War's 3rd Anniversary
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Protesters marking the third anniversary of the Iraq war made their voices heard around the world, with the largest marches in London, Portland and Chicago, though in numbers that were often lower than in previous years.

DC METRO AREA
Peace protesters to stage `die-in' at Pentagon today
SILVER SPRING, Md. (WTOL) -- Protests against the Iraq war will continue today with a planned demonstration outside the Pentagon.

War Protesters March From VP's Home To Dupont Circle
Crowd Swelled To About 500 People
(nbc4.com) -- WASHINGTON -- Hundreds of protesters marched from Vice President Dick Cheney's home at the Naval Observatory to Dupont Circle Saturday afternoon to demonstrate against the war in Iraq.

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