I'm sorry..I can't go to the September 24th protests..Katrina and Religion

[Cassius23]

Good morning,

Well, time is coming close for the big protest September 24th. I wanted very much to go and really, really want to go. But then two things happened. Katrina and the Dalai Lama. First, His Holiness. I am a Tibetian Buddhist and I have taken Tenzin Gyatso as my Root Guru, which is a very serious matter. My teacher has advised me very, very strongly that whenever he speaks that I not only do everything I can to be there but also bring a notepad and pen to take notes. However, he is speaking Sunday, so I'm sure some might be thinking that I could go to Friday and Saturday.

And then came Katrina. When I found out what happened, like many, it did and still does horrify me. I couldn't stand idly by and just hope for the best. I got authorization from my supervisor and am taking the last two classes this week for a two week deployment to the Gulf Coast with the Red Cross. Now I know that the Red Cross is huge bureaucracy and that it isn't doing as much good as it could. However, it is the best way for me to get there, get training and help as many people as I can. Most of the charities I've seen online that are squeaky clean don't need 40,000 and can't make it viable for me to travel from New Jersey. I have been spending and will spend my time preparing for deployment and trying to do work the best way I know how, by putting my boots on the ground and getting it done.

Again, I'm sorry I can't fight the good fight in DC next weekend.

Cassius23

[seemunkee]

1. Sounds like you are fighting the good fight

Good luck in the Gulf

[Cassius23]

3. Thanks...

I am kinda scared but it's what's gotta get done.

[LynneSin]

4. Agree

The good fight is in so many locations across the country!!

Good luck!

[Paradise]

2. Welcome, glad to know ya Cassius23, and

proud that a DU member is going to soldier in New Orleans! Thank you :thumbsup:

[Cassius23]

5. What's really ironic...

is that to look at me soldiering is the very last thing that I'd be doing. I sport the long hair and a goatee, if anything I look like a refugee from a Rainbow Festival. But I guess you could call it that. 'S kinda sad that duty calls there, though. I pounded ground at the RNC 2004 and was looking forward to telling Bush what I thought of him with a few thousand of my closest friends. However, there are a lot of people who will protest, but I can't count on other people taking my place among the 40,000 going to the Coast. I'll be bringing a camera and give you guys more info on what's happening.

[Paradise]

12. but for the preemptive strengthening of the levees... n/t

[OneBlueSky]

6. everyone enters the fight against injustice at the point most . . .

meaningful and appropriate for him/her . . . some will demonstrate in DC, others will do other things . . . they're all important . . .

[mcscajun]

7. The good fight must be fought on any number of fronts...

...don't feel bad because your path diverges from another's at this point in time.

No apologies are required. You're doing major good work.

:)

[lildreamer316]

8. Not a single apology needed.

You have my utmost respect for doing the good work in the Gulf. Go to it and be careful.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Good luck!

[Jersey Devil]

10. You can march on Sat and see the Dalai Lama Sunday at Rutgers

It's about a 3.5 hour drive from DC to New Brunswick, where the Dalai Lama will be speaking Sunday at Rutgers University.

[shadowknows69]

11. I think we can give you a pass on this one Cassius

We're adding voices to help our fellow man but you're going to get your hands dirty and do some hard work (not bush's version) Kudos to you Cassius and thanks. You're with us in spirit and I hope vice versa.