Update from Crawford

[jaysunb]

Original Message -------- Subject: why I'm here
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 08:44:16 -0700
From:
To: <[email protected]>, "NorCal DfA" <[email protected]>



My friends,


I had promised a few people that I would write about why I was going to Crawford before I left. I thought that I would be able to do that on the first day I got here --- I was wrong. I have been incredibly busy as the person drafted to be the Crawford Peace House volunteer coordinator that I don’t think I’ve gotten to post anything in about 3 days. I apologize for the void in communication, and I realize people are wanting to know about what’s going on!



First, Cindy and Dede’s Mom is okay, considering she had a stroke ---- it was not life threatening. Dede (Cindy’s sister) will stay with her from here on out, and Cindy should be back by tomorrow. There’s no such thing as good timing when it comes to something like that, but this weekend is particularly trying because they are trying to move the encampment at the site to the plot of land that a lone sympathetic rancher has so kindly allowed the vigil keepers to stay on. In addition, Amy Goodman just got here last night, in addition to an AirAmerica affiliate from San Diego. There are celebrities scheduled to arrive here this weekend besides Lance Armstrong; unfortunately, I am not at liberty to say who they are. Because Crawford is so small, it has been a real struggle to be able to handle the influx of people coming to the Peace House and Camp Casey from a logistical point of view, so advertising who may show up is not being pushed right now. Just handling the parking situation is an ongoing challenge because the House is actually located on the main road going in to Crawford, and they are without a parking lot. Many of the neighbors are not exactly thrilled by our presence, so coming up with space can often be a headache. Add that to food, porta potties, water, ice……. Well, you get the idea.



But that’s not why I’m writing this. Let me just tell you a quick story illustrating a part of the why.



A few days ago, one of the two mail carriers that deliver mail in town whispered to our Parking Queen, Barbara (from San Diego), that any mail that only had “Crawford Peace House” without the actual numbered address, was being ‘returned to sender.’ Apparently, the Crawford Post Office was in the habit of holding on to the mail and then every now and then, sending them back to the people who had written either Cindy or CPH. Barbara, a retired postal worker, informed me that while that was technically possible, to do so was a real indication of their attitude towards what was happening here. After a few well placed phone calls to various Congressional reps, Postal Inspectors from Dallas and regional offices paid a visit to the post office here in town. It’s true many pieces of mail were returned to people, but we found out that a large amount had also just gone back to the main Dallas-Ft Worth Post Office. It was just sitting there.



Johnny Wolfe, one of the co-founders of the Peace House went to the DFW office to pick the lot that had been sent back. When he walked into the place, he noticed that AirAmerica was cranked up in the front receiving area of the office. After he introduced himself at the counter and informed them that he was there to pick up the mail, the entire facility, including the processing center in the back, stopped and came to the front. They cheered and roared their approval in the loudest Texas fashion for everyone in Crawford who was there to take it to Bush. News of this brought tears to a few of us back at the House. I can’t begin to adequately describe what it’s meant to get that kind of support. When I think of how difficult it’s been, I just think of those moments that I couldn’t even begin to imagine reading in a story.



Experiences like that have shown me that people everywhere, not just those that have gone out of their way to come here, are with us (and by that I mean all of you reading this, as well). Most of America truly understands that there is no light at the end of this dark, foul tunnel --- they want it to stop ----- and stop before it goes elsewhere…..



I am asking everyone who is reading this to please, please --- bring this subject up now and at the conferences. Talk about this! I know we have the special election to deal with (I’ve already walked precincts), and the issue of electoral integrity is major, but we can’t let the issue of the war and occupation get away from us. It is bankrupting us in blood and treasure. As DFAers, we have an obligation to continue to raise difficult questions ---- and demand they be answered for the sake of making us and the Party better than it is now. To continue this silence for strategy’s sake is morally impoverished as a part of a vision for ‘taking our country back’. Choosing to not decide IS a choice.



Get this rolling! TALK! I’m going to really try to steal some moments where I can type today, but I’m already off to the first event of the day: the National Council of Churches will have an Interfaith Service at noon. 300 clergy bused in from everywhere will be at the site to lend solidarity to the efforts of the brave souls who have stuck in out in the unbearable heat.



Talk to you all soon,



karen