What, exactly, motivates a political activist?

[Squatch]

Is it "the cause" or is it "because there's money to be made"?

My wife and I stopped in to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival (though neither of us are vegetarians, those types of events usally have a pretty cool vibe).

One of the tables was a one-stop-shop for a number of political issues including impeaching Bush/Cheney, stopping global warming, and, my favorite, bringing the troops home and stopping the war in Iraq. I signed the petition with my real name and address, and since it's a damned good cause then asked for a "Support the Troops: Bring them all back alive" sticker.

The woman handed me the sticker, and I was opening my wallet to remove the requisite legal tender, I remarked "As an active duty soldier, I completely support this cause." Her response, which kinda shattered my feeling of good will, was "Well, don't you think you can support us by giving us a dollar for that sticker?"

My fingers floated past the sawbuck I was pulling out to stuff into their jar and, instead, pulled out a single dollar.

I gladly gave her the dollar and gave the tenspot to an animal rescue group the next tent over.

So, that little exchange has been bugging me since we got back home. Anyways, I know I'm an asshole for not going through with my intended $10 donation, but her comment chapped my ass at the moment. In any case, I still have the sticker, and it's going right below my "Airborne" and "Infantry" stickers.

[Dr.Phool]

1. It would have chafed my ass too.

You did right. Some people make a living off activism. I'm not one of them.

I have my own bumperstickers printed up and give them away.

[Squatch]

2. From the look of it, this sticker is a home-jobbie, too.

But, I'm still happy to plaster it on my car.