Yes voting really helped to put a swift end to the war in 2004... oh, and 2006 too when the democrats finally took control of Congress. Phew. Thank god for democrats.

While not every protest will have a direct impact on policy, protests are important and effective and have been an instrumental part of political change. See, for example, civil rights movement, labor movement (early 20th century), vietnam war.

It was the ANSWER Coalition and Iraq Veterans Against the War that led the march.
I was right there marching down Pennsylvania Ave with everyone else. While I don't necessarily think that protests impact policy more than voting, I do think that protests are good forums for expressing our frustration.
After all, we voted in a Democratic Congress and look how effective they've been at ending this war.

What would you protesters have Congress do? What would make you happy? Impeach the administration wholesale, take over the country for a while, because let's not forget that it'd be President Nancy, until we held elections in 2008. Then we'd have Governors across the country appoint replacements for the Reps that got appointed into the Administration. That's a win for democracy!

OH but wait, the Democrats don't have a veto proof majority in either Chamber so we couldn't impeach any body to begin with.

If you want Congress to change policy, then let's change the Constitution to allow them to more easily remove the President.

OR you could have gotten off you lazy protesting ass and walked a block or three for John Kerry in 2004 Gone to work polling stations, traveled to states, and counties where you were needed and done something productive with yourself.

UGH this is a rant not a comment, useless protesters clog up the Metro and piss me the fuck off, and yes I was in Ohio in 2004 doing what I suggest to you.