Hello, everyone,

There is so much going on these days, i.e. bad weather, the history-making Obama nomination and acceptance speech.  So many topics I'm concerned about--food shortages, human trafficing, New Orleans, my hometown, under siege by hurricanes and racists.  So many events that have touched me, especially the writer in me.  But last night, listening to the second woman American VP nominee and wonderful Republican speaker, Sarah Palin along with the so-called "America's mayor, Rudy Guiliani, poke fun at community organizing gave me chills.  Suggesting that organizing people to stand up for themselves against a government that isn't working for them is a task without responsibility, without sacrafice, sent a fearful chill through me. 

I'll admit, I'm not a whollier than thou type, but I remember from my Bible classes, that Jesus Christ was an organizer.  So was Martin Luther King, Jr. And look what they accomplished.  Also, note what happened to them and those who followed them.  Without responsibility, Ms. Palin claimed?  Without sacrafice, Mr. Guilani suggested?  I think not.  They were responsible for life and that's what they sacraficed.

Government of the people, by the people and for the people.  That's the foundation of community organizing in this country. 

I appeal to all of my fellow writers who beleive that the vote along with community organizing are our most precious fundamental rights as United States citizens, to remind American voters via articles, essays, op-ed pages, talk-show media, blogsphere, that community organizing is  honorable leadership and condemn the Republican notion that it is not.   

Because no matter who you choose to lead you, your country will not be yours if you belittle or take these rights for granted.