Friday, October 31, 2008
National Responsibility
While standing on the street corner today asking everyone who passed if they could spare a minute to support gay rights I got the impression that very few people were genuinely conscious of their responsibility as citizens of a democratic nation to participate in their government. Those of us who simply go to work and let everything else pass by without making an effort to get involved are enjoying rights and privileges that are the result of many tireless efforts. The History of our nation should be something we utilize to build a better Future. As individuals it is our responsibility to take action in our government. Whether we like it or not that is how a government for and by the people works. The many people who pass by and say that they support something then do nothing are simply giving up their rights to participate in government. If you are giving away your rights there will always be someone willing to take them, and never anyone to represent you.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Originally I started this blog simply to vent random thoughts, an angle I choose after sampling a few blogs , but now i think I will focus more on practical reality, the situations and day to day choices that represent my life.
Lately my life has been somewhat hectic. After moving to Baltimore with my Girlfriend K.C. I took a job as a canvasser for an organization that raises money and awareness for non-profit organizations, the Fund For the Public Interests. The Human Rights Campaign, Private Interests Research Groups, and Environment America seem to be the primary utilizers of the Fund For the Public Interest's organizing expertise. I benefit from a very direct involvement in some of the more compelling campaigns out there (i.e. Clean Energy, LGBT Rights, and curtailing the lobbying influence of major Private Interests such as Big oil and the Tobacco companies on our government, aka corruption).
Unfortunately I suffer from a very modest non-profit salary and often find myself worn down at the end of the day. In trying to raise support and funds for "noble" causes I have found some very rewarding interactions with people who truly care and are willing to put whatever they have behind them. Such people always make my day and they have too because the majority of the people I encounter are willing to put forth any excuse to avoid doing anything. No worries though it is the persistent people who will eventually carry the day. They are the ones willing to stop in the rain, heat, wind, on their way to work, class or etc. to make genuine efforts to contribute to positive goals or at least learn what is going on. I am confident that it is these people who will eventually be responsible for constructing our future while those who do nothing or very little will be left only to wonder how things came to be the way they are.
Perhaps those who passed by opportunities to do things were simply having hard days. I for instance did not go to work today opting instead to go to the junkyard and find a replacement drivers side window for my car. Yesterday someone broke into it, but luckily I don't have much of value to take. Had someone asked me to contribute to a perfectly good cause, even one I have passion for, I would have been hesitant. Losing a day at work and spending time and money in a junkyard soaked to the bone by freezing rain tempered my zeal for nearly everything. spending my last couple bucks on coffee and using my time to drink was all I was up for. Tomorrow, however, I will do more; raising money for HRC's work against discrimination and writing grants to help get health care to immigrants are on the agenda.
Lately my life has been somewhat hectic. After moving to Baltimore with my Girlfriend K.C. I took a job as a canvasser for an organization that raises money and awareness for non-profit organizations, the Fund For the Public Interests. The Human Rights Campaign, Private Interests Research Groups, and Environment America seem to be the primary utilizers of the Fund For the Public Interest's organizing expertise. I benefit from a very direct involvement in some of the more compelling campaigns out there (i.e. Clean Energy, LGBT Rights, and curtailing the lobbying influence of major Private Interests such as Big oil and the Tobacco companies on our government, aka corruption).
Unfortunately I suffer from a very modest non-profit salary and often find myself worn down at the end of the day. In trying to raise support and funds for "noble" causes I have found some very rewarding interactions with people who truly care and are willing to put whatever they have behind them. Such people always make my day and they have too because the majority of the people I encounter are willing to put forth any excuse to avoid doing anything. No worries though it is the persistent people who will eventually carry the day. They are the ones willing to stop in the rain, heat, wind, on their way to work, class or etc. to make genuine efforts to contribute to positive goals or at least learn what is going on. I am confident that it is these people who will eventually be responsible for constructing our future while those who do nothing or very little will be left only to wonder how things came to be the way they are.
Perhaps those who passed by opportunities to do things were simply having hard days. I for instance did not go to work today opting instead to go to the junkyard and find a replacement drivers side window for my car. Yesterday someone broke into it, but luckily I don't have much of value to take. Had someone asked me to contribute to a perfectly good cause, even one I have passion for, I would have been hesitant. Losing a day at work and spending time and money in a junkyard soaked to the bone by freezing rain tempered my zeal for nearly everything. spending my last couple bucks on coffee and using my time to drink was all I was up for. Tomorrow, however, I will do more; raising money for HRC's work against discrimination and writing grants to help get health care to immigrants are on the agenda.
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