[Mpls] antiwar and homelessness

[m1r3201 at aol.com]

Thankyou Jim G. for your heartfelt words on how our City has not served those 
among us who have served us in the military.

I spent the morning at a forum on Veterans needs (focusing much on homeless 
veterans) that was organized by Guy Gambill...another man of heart and passion 
for justice.

So, I again mull over my frustration with those many (not all) who may march 
in the streets for peace and then come home to Mpls and do not address the 
needs of our veterans who are homeless.

Perhaps I am getting old...but I have grown tired of being against things 
unless I am willing to be for and part of active change to make things better.

If you claim to be against the war...it is not enough to be an armchair 
liberal or armchair radical. If you are for the war, that is not enough either.

It is not enough to "bring the troops home now." Our troops who have and are 
coming home have faced so much, stress, trauma and disruption of their 
lives,....yet are largely ignored upon their return.

Of the top three mayoral candidates (pre-primary) Commissioner McLaughlin was 
at the forum this morning. Quiet, unassuming, I would not have even known he 
was in the audience until the moderater of the forum pointed it out.

As far as I am concerned he walks the talk. 

So, don't talk to me about being against the war, against the capitalist 
system, against anything...unless you are working for something as well.

That forum had a huge impact on me. I am glad I was able to film most of it. 

To use a worn out phrase....we need to fight the war at home.... that 
continues whether or not there is a war overseas.

Margaret Hastings
Kingfield