SO LITTLE CLARITY - FAITH IS THE WAY

Friends,

I wish there were a bit more time to write. Maybe next week when I'll take 24hrs or so for court - when I have to hand in my certificate of Community Service completed today (as discussed in yesterday's post).

For now:

* This is a very difficult time for me and the few heroes I see in the self-proclaimed "Peace Movement." It is horrifying to see the Democrats cave at every turn and stand for nothing (voting in Mukasey for example / caving on Water Boarding). No one is fighting for the hearts and minds, for the Humanity of the American people except for a handful like Desiree, Laurie, Ann, Diane, 26 Year Peace Vigil, a few of the Code Pink folks and doubtless a few hundred others around the country.
* The Hunger Strike was an especially powerful aspect of the campaign and now that I am consuming calories I sense much less penetration of hearts among those witnessing the 24/7 vigil. I sense almost a let down and confusion among those witnessing.
* A heartwarming and sustaining level of support has materialized (see post below).
* But there is no evidence that I will not wind up in the hospital due to starvation or dehydration over the next few months. The level of support is not commensurate with the Vigil.
* It is getting very cold.
* The police are beginning to show signs that their "superiors" are getting a bit tired of this guy being on the Hill 24/7. Many times per night the police are stopping to "check" on (harass) me. A saving grace is that they seem embarrassed to do so. I feel quite willing to go to jail over this vigil for as long as they dictate if necessary. I do not see retreating or accomodating any further than I already have.

With all this I should feel discouraged. I do feel tired. I do feel slightly depressed. I do NOT feel discouraged. I feel clear that now more than ever I need to keep the tiny flame burning on the Hill - for the congresspeople, for the passers by, for the heroic activists, for the lip-service activists....

A friend of mine in DC is in fairly acute medical need. It may be that I will need to take time from the Hill to care for him. Yet it is extremely important that the Vigil on the Hill be maintained, unbroken, month after month....

This is an extremely dark time for the world. We must all walk out in faith, into the darkness, and generate and follow what little bits of flame we can muster. Everything depends on it.