LEWISTON – Supporting the troops doesn’t mean it’s unpatriotic to criticize the war. Stopping a wrong is part of democracy, speakers said Thursday during a “Teach-in for Peace and Action in Iraq” at Lewiston-Auburn College.

“If you want to support firefighters, you don’t go out and set fires,” said panelist John Baugher, adviser for the Sociology Student Association at the University of Southern Maine. It’s important, he said, “to differentiate between makers of war and those who do the dying.”

The best way to support the troops is to get them out of Iraq, he and other speakers agreed.

They offered the audience of about 60 – most who showed up because they want the war to end – ideas for what they could do.

• Connect with peace making organizations “who do support the troops.”

• Join protests. There will be protests in August in Kennebunk, and Sept. 15-16 when the Blue Angles come to the Brunswick Naval Air Base, said Jack Bussell of Veterans for Peace.

• Write letters to the editor.

• Write, e-mail or call U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Reps. Michaud Michaud and Tom Allen. “Keep the pressure on Congress,” said state Sen. Mike Brennan, a member of Legislators for Ending the War.

• Take steps to reduce reliance on foreign oil that’s behind the bloodshed. “Put up a solar panel. Buy a hybrid. Tell all your friends why,” said Rep. John Brautigam, a member of Legislators Against the War.

• Pay attention. “Speak out,” urged Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston. “Don’t let them talk about the ‘war on terror.'” What’s going on in Iraq “is civil war.”

• “Build community,” advised Danny Muller of Peace Action of Maine. People are more effective when they join forces. “Don’t leave here without swapping e-mails with somebody.”

Panelists talked about why they’re opposed to war in Iraq.

“It’s just plain wrong,” Makas said. “We were led into it with erroneous information. … The administration scared people to death” using images of the Twin Towers smoldering.

By the end of the year, $456 billion will be spent “just on Iraq,” Brennan said. “That translates to $1.2 billion of Maine taxpayers money,” enough to give all Mainers universal health care “and every student could go to college with a scholarship.” The human costs are greater, he said.

The mood has changed, he said. Speaking of rallies he’s attended, Brennan said, “People are standing up and saying we need to end this war now.”

During the event when audience members spoke, Deborah Gordon of Topsham said she and others are involved in “Maineimpeach.org,” an effort to impeach George Bush. The group “is energetic,” she said.

Chuck Morrison of Scarborough said one reason the administration invaded Iraq was for control of oil, but the war halted Iraqi oil production. “Why hasn’t the left said we’re opposed, it’s going to ruin access to oil?”

Tim Pratt of Lewiston responded to calls for impeaching Bush saying most members of Congress voted for the war. He asked the panel if they favored impeaching every person in Congress who voted for the war.

Congress does hold some responsibility, but their actions are not parallel to the administration, Brautigam answered.

At that, mother and student Daphne Comeau of Lewiston said, “Let people stop dying, then start worrying about that.”

Human rights activist Reza Jalali, originally from Iran, ended the teach-in by saying many are heartbroken about the death of Marine Lance Cpl. Angel Rosa of South Portland, whose funeral was held Wednesday. Rosa, 21, was killed March 13 in Iraq.

Jalali asked for a moment of silence for Rosa. Eyes looked downward. The room became silent.