For the past two days here and here I have been writing about my decision to join former Rep Tony Hall (D. Ohio) of the Alliance to end Hunger; Rev. David Beckmann, the president of Bread for the World; Jim Wallis, the president of Sojourners; Ritu Sharma of Women Thrive and Ruth Messinger of American Jewish World Service and at least 4,000 other people including Mark Bittman of the New York Times to protest proposed GOP Budget Cuts to domestic and international food programs. This is my last update on my progress and it will be short.
I didn't sleep well last night and woke up hungry. I'm thinking about food most of the time especially a bowl of Lentil soup or a plate of pasta. I had wondered if meat would seem more attractive to me if I was really hungry but it does not. I guess perhaps if there was no end in sight to this voluntary fast that I would be lusting after the ducks in my neighborhood. A word of caution! If you ever do something like this plan ahead to have transportation available and don't try to drive yourself anywhere or even ride a bike, especially in traffic. I'm sure my responses are a bit hindered at this point..though it's hard for me to tell exactly by how much. Another word of caution! Don't try to do this alone. I have the support of my family and friends and have been joined in this project by some co-workers.
My work brings me into contact with many very bright young people who seem to be at a crossroads politically. They are another of my motivations for this project. Cynicism is developing rapidly among this group who don't remember much before the time of GWB and see their future prospects slipping away. I think it helps them to see some commitment and hopefully some success in activism.