Contacting My Congresspeople

Yesterday, I did two things about the war, my two small drops in the bucket. I'm aware that there are several bills (some binding, some nonbinding, some even bipartisan) working their way through the Senate and the House.

This statement from Sen. Ted Kennedy is a start: "Our bill will say that no additional troops can be sent and no additional dollars can be spent on such an escalation, unless and until Congress approves the President’s plan." Read more about Kennedy's bill here.

Read about several other bills and resolutions about the war here.

So here's what I did:

First, I called Senator Patty Murray's office in Washington, D.C. My previous conversations have been very quick. I say: "I'd like to register my support for SB Number -- whatever --" They say: "Thank you." and that's it. I always have the sense that the aides who answer the phone are sitting there with some sort of tally sheet. (I'm old enough to visualize a handwritten tally on a legal pad, but it's probably electronic, now that I think of it).

Yesterday, I wanted more details. I asked what Senator Murray was going to do regarding Senator Kennedy's bill, among others. The aide said that Senator Murray was not going to issue any statements until the language of those bills (and others) was finalized. I suppose that's wise, politically. I guess I'll have to watch the news, and call back as things progress.

Next, I took my own picture with a clear message to Congressman Jim McDermott. On the day before the "war" began, my family met Congressman McDermott following a giant protest at Green Lake. We walked together and told him we opposed any military action in Iraq. It's time to send him a message again. MoveOn.org is collecting photos like this for a photo petition they'll be delivering soon. (You might want to check that out, too, and participate!)

Gratitude today? I suppose I'm grateful for our political process. But I really, really want it to work. "Checks and balances" will be my mantra as I walk the Very Large Dog.

Sad. Mad. Doing something about it.

Last night my husband looked up from the newspaper and said, "What would our country do if 65 university students were killed? Why is this on page 10?"

The San Francisco Chronicle, as well as many other newspapers (including our own Seattle Times - on page 10), reported that twin car bombs killed at least 65 students at Iraq's Al-Mustansirya University on Tuesday. Most of the students were women. I'm so sad. I'm so angry.

There are at least three stunning things about this news.

First, that universities in Iraq are even open during the fighting and chaos that we've created. Classes are being cancelled, and many students are giving up, but there are still students who brave actual, physical danger to go to class and pursue a college education. Picture that on a college campus here at home. Go ahead, try to picture it. I'll wait.

Second, that most of the people killed were women. Because that means that in a place many of my countrymen mistakenly think of as "backward," women are actively participating in university education.

Third, that 65 -- SIXTY FIVE!! -- students died that day as a result of car bombings, which are a result of un-rest, which is a result of de-stabilization caused by something that my government is doing -- without my permission -- in my name.

So I'm sad and angry, and I've been thinking about what one small person can do about this.

I considered flying to Washington for the march on January 27th. Family issues dictate my staying home, but if you can go, GO! (Check it out at United for Peace

So today I'm committing to call my Congresspeople to ask them what they are going to do about the war. I'm going to call daily. I'll be polite. I'm an inquiring constituent. I donated money to their campaigns, made phone calls, and voted for them so that we could do more than just "send a message." I voted for them so that we could end the war.

I'll keep you posted.

I'm grateful today for free long distance. And I'm grateful for each and every one of the lives that has been lost in the violence in Iraq.

Three Cheers for Swim Fins!

I had a little NPR-moment today. During Writer's Almanac Garrison Keillor informed me that Benjamin Franklin invented, among other things, the swim fin!

Now, I don't know about you, but I think of Ol' Ben Franklin as a serious guy. I use his bifocals every day (much to my dismay), and am very grateful to him for his part in bringing electricity into my home and my computer. But picturing Ben swimming had me chuckling all the way to the grocery store.

I did look this up, (Inquiring Mind) and found out that Franklin's swim fins were shaped like lily pads, and were worn on the hands. I wonder why not feet? Who thought up the frog feet kind?

So: happy birthday Ben! And thanks for the fins.

Today's gratitude list:
1. Bifocals (hate that I need 'em, glad to have 'em)
2. Garrison Keillor's "Writer's Almanac," which I almost always catch by accident. I don't read nearly enough poetry, but Garrison reads to me while I drive, and I love the poems he picks.
3. NPR. Oh yes, indeed. Where would we be without it?