Tacoma SDS

I agree with the argument that a lot of soldiers at the Ft. don't want socialist or peace groups there including SDS. I think it was a poor choice by some of the organizers to gather all these activist sponsors and to have a march and bannering demonstration. I really wanted this to be in support of the soldiers and allow them to participate in something fun with their families and friends. I know a lot of soldiers don't get all the benefits they need or aren't making so much financially and this was to be a free event where they could listen to some music, have a good time, let their kids play and if they wanted some info on some of the GI rights hotlines and organizations in the area working for GI rights and benefits, they could pick some up. The purpose for me, was to create that sort of space and help the peace community come to the realization that soldiers are not the enemy and that they need real support, not just a yellow magnet. I didn't really want to invite much of the peace community because they don't need to know about GI rights and this event was supposed to be for the military and their families.

Regarding my job: I have a great job with kids which I feel is making a substantial difference in some of those kids lives. I feel good about my work and I'm glad that I do work, I'm proud of it as I'm assuming you are proud of your work. However, I don't think that is really enough or is really making the changes I would like to see. I believe in participatory democracy, where individuals have control of the decisions which directly affect them, and if all I'm doing is working, the representatives, which I believe only represent themselves, will never give us control of those kinds of decisions. Wouldn't it be great if the rank and file military had a say in weather the nation (them) went to war or not?