The news on television can't possibly be avoided. Headlines screaming out about the possible chance of a second war with Iraq.

But while the secretary of state travels the world, and as the president makes his speeches condemning the Islamic nation, a Massapequa based group has begun a series of protests aimed at convincing Long Island's members of congress that a war with Iraq would put US soldiers in unnecessary danger and would not be beneficial to the world environment. They call themselves the Peacesmiths, a group dedicated to a number of activist causes. "We're a multi-issue peace and justice group dedicated to peace in the community and peace in the world," said Susan Blake, a contact person for the Peacesmiths.

Last week, the Peacesmiths protested in front of the Park Bloulevard, Massapequa Park office of Congressman Peter King. "It was the first in a series of five demonstrations," said Blake. The protest took place from 4:45 p.m to 6 p.m on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

King, a Republican in support of President Bill Clinton's policy in the Persian Gulf, commented on the group's protest. "So long as they demonstrate and protest peacefully, they have that right. That's what America is all about. In fact, I would encourage them to do so."

Blake said that the group has about 70 active members, while people who saw the protest said that there were only about 12 people in front of King's Park Boulevard office. "It's kind of a grass-roots, do what you can membership," said Blake.

For this group, protesting against the use of military force is nothing new. Seven years ago the Peacesmiths organized a protest in front of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station on Front Street, just next to the old office of the Massapequan Observer in Massapequa Park. King, first elected in 1992, was not a congressman at the time.

But for King, protests in front of his Park Boulevard office, while infrequent, are not uncommon. Two years ago a number of protesters were bused in from New York City to protest King's stand on making English the nation's official language. King said that he expects about two to three protests per year.

"Ultimately I have to use my best judgment based upon the information that I have," said King, in referring to whether or not to support the president's policy in Iraq. He added that residents in the area are generally supportive of the use of military force. "The response that I get is basically supportive of military action, especially in the Massapequa and Seaford area."

To her surprise, Blake said that people in the area were generally respectful of the Peacesmith's protest. "We expected people so say 'nuke 'em' or 'you commies' but many just took our literature. Some even seemed to take us seriously."

Blake argued that King was one of the most ardent supporters of military action against Iraq, a position that the Peacesmiths are vehemently against. "This military build-up is particularly frightening because the United States is threatening the use of nuclear weapons," said Blake.

"I would certainly support air attacks, sustained air attacks on locations where there are chemical weapons," said King. "We should weaken Saddam Hussein as much as we can."

King said that he is not yet willing to support the use of ground troops.

The Peacesmiths plan three more protests in the future at the offices of Congressman Mike Forbes, Rick Lazio, and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. On Tuesday, the group protested at the office of Congressman Gary Ackerman.