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Monday, July 03, 2006
Loving My Country, But Not Proud of its Actions
Tomorrow, the 4th of July, I will wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get to Civic Center Park by dawn. I haven't seen 4:30 a.m. in a very long time. We will be at the park from dawn until dusk, fasting together in alliance with Code Pink’s TROOPS HOME FAST in D.C. It will be good to share this experience with others. There should be some drumming going on, maybe some music, and lots of community. We will give the food that we aren't eating to less fortunate people who call the park, and its surrounding area, home.
"My religion teaches me that whenever there is distress which one cannot remove, one must fast and pray." - Mahatma Gandhi
I am distressed. Our country and our world are in distress. This is not a time for celebration, but for self-examination. The United States is causing undue pain and suffering to innocent people in the world through war and the destruction of our environment. I cannot be proud of our actions and behavior. I am distressed, and I am fasting to gain a deeper perspective.
I love this country, and I support it in examining what it can do to cause less harm in the world. I know that we have the brains and technology to do this. I question whether or not we have the will to do it at this time. I am fasting as a means to raise awareness of the harm that we are causing to others.
The United States needs to leave Iraq, keep no permanent bases there, and commit to funding Iraqi contractors for reconstruction of their country.
Instead of celebrating our country and its actions today by barbecuing with friends, I will fast for 36 hours and donate the food I would have eaten to the people in need in my community. While our leaders are spending billions on the war and enjoying themselves today, homeless people, many of whom are returned vets, are going without basic needs.
“My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all-embracing, and I should reject that patriotism which sought to mount the distress or exploitation of other nationalities.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Why I am fasting on this 4th of July
"My religion teaches me that whenever there is distress which one cannot remove, one must fast and pray." - Mahatma Gandhi
I am distressed. Our country and our world are in distress. This is not a time for celebration, but for self-examination. The United States is causing undue pain and suffering to innocent people in the world through war and the destruction of our environment. I cannot be proud of our actions and behavior. I am distressed, and I am fasting to gain a deeper perspective.
I love this country, and I support it in examining what it can do to cause less harm in the world. I know that we have the brains and technology to do this. I question whether or not we have the will to do it at this time. I am fasting as a means to raise awareness of the harm that we are causing to others.
The United States needs to leave Iraq, keep no permanent bases there, and commit to funding Iraqi contractors for reconstruction of their country.
Instead of celebrating our country and its actions today by barbecuing with friends, I will fast for 36 hours and donate the food I would have eaten to the people in need in my community. While our leaders are spending billions on the war and enjoying themselves today, homeless people, many of whom are returned vets, are going without basic needs.
“My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all-embracing, and I should reject that patriotism which sought to mount the distress or exploitation of other nationalities.” – Mahatma Gandhi
posted by Carol at 6:22 PM
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