kd7eir:
So bottom line simple low power leds do need series current limiting resistors to protect the led and the output pin, but anything from 200 to 1K ohms will do the job safely and effectively.
Lefty
That sounds like the best "keep it simple" advice that I have ever heard in regards to LED's
Yea, but so many of us 'experts' like to snow the newcomers (and impress our peers) to make any subject or question from a beginner to be as confusing and irrelevant as possible. It's what we do as a hobby and our hobbies make us happier in life. 
Lefty