January 19th = Day of Service

For MLK day I am going to Dudley Square in Roxbury MA where there is a senior center of black and hispanic folks 70-98 years old. I will spend all day helping with food, listening to people's stories, and telling them about mine and my family's connection to MLK.

I do some service every MLK day, and this seemed the best place to go this year, the day before the inauguration of our first Black/White/Irish/honest president. For that day I will be celebrating with friends.

Many things take on a different life when it is keyboard, fingers and fonts.
Have we become so cynical that even a day of helping becomes something to scowl upon?
I find it so interesting that those who have never offered a moment of public service time seem to be so callous. Try it. Don't even tell anybody. Go to a local shelter. Go to a food bank. Go to a hospital or nursing home. Not for Dr. King or for President Elect Obama...go so that you can report with authority on an issue. It's the most selfish thing someone can do. Give to someone else for FREE. WHY? Because you get so much more back than the few hours that you invest. I did it because I thought if my fingers are strong enough to type then they can be of service to another human being. It's not about political power and elected officials who do nothing. It's not about already having given at the office.
One of the main reasons I became involved again was that I was preaching a whole lot and knew it was time to shut up or put myself out there. All it takes is to move one grain of sand. Virtual is great. Hands on is better.The combo of both is the best. One need not march to the sea with a staff in hand.
One exception: You think things are just pluperfect and all is exactly as it should be. Then do nothing.

If you are too busy or too tired then don't discourage others. It's never been a sin to help someone less fortunate.

Thanks for posting this.

Wow. I'm amazed how people can take "Help your community" and turn a big middle finger towards it. Let's address:
"Why is the MILK holiday any different?"- Any different than what?

"Quit wasting our time and money on all your altruistic government bull crap." Yeah, altruism sucks! What we need is more greedy, lazy people who only look out for themselves and don't give a fuck about their communities!

"Why are you so awestruck of people who do nothing more than decide how to spend your money that you earned with your labor. Get yourself to a psychiatrist so you can get deprogrammed. Al-Quada is looking for followers like you to be sleeper cells." Yep, that's what Al-Quada is looking for: Americans who are reinvigorated with interest for their government and trying to make America better! Terrorists are calling out for people who do community service and care about their fellow Americans. Your logic is flawless.

I know sarcasm can be hard to understand on Current, so I hope I laid it on thick enough that even the brainless neo-cons here can get it.

McCainiac writes,

"Don't bother using your own minds to advance yourself.."

Pity. Another burnout. Did you always seem to have basic problems with grammar, logic, human anatomy and arithmetic?

Are you a tad over-anxious these days? Did this onset begin with Senator McCain being thumped at the polls?

You say that government "got 40%" of your income! You mean - under President Bush?

Do you understand that “lazy assed officials” [under Bush's deregulation] gave away jobs, gave the rich perpetual tax holidays, screwed you, and tanked the economy? That this was clearly documented in Bush's (and Senator McCain's) own publicly stated doctrines?

Were you equally outraged? Did you complain? Were you as frantic then about being abused?

You weren't, were you? In fact just like John McCain, you were happy to vote for more of the same!

Poor McCain. An honorable man, who couldn't find enough ways to praise a guy who never once risked his life, not in combat or anything else; who got us into a two wars we didn't need, couldn't afford, and can't win. And will be paying for for generations.

But you 'Bold Patriot' have trouble coping with a relative pacifist who commands a vocabulary (and grasp of ideas) better than yours?

Tough break.

What you draw most attention to is that underlying your desperation - you just can't cope with being on the loser's side for 4 more years.

You imagine there's nothing racist about referring to our new President as a “ fricken ball-less bastard”? That's rich.

You close with the following ravings.

“Get yourself to a psychiatrist so you can get deprogrammed. Al-Quada is looking for followers like you to be sleeper cells. America has turned to crap.”

For electing Obama, America is shit to you? Priceless conditional patriotism, sport..

Buddy, forget pretending to have the competence of a psychiatrist, if you were a dog, your behavior would warrant being sent away for distemper shots.

If this is what FOX Noise still does to our still-trembling-with-apoplectic-rage McCainacs then FOX must stand accused of being a subversive anti-American sleeper cell.

That, and you are in serious need of less propaganda in your emotional diet..

The government gets 40% of my income. Let the lazy ass public officials go out and do some service instead of telling us, the people that already pay their way, to give even more. Quit wasting our time and money on all your altruistic government bull crap. You fricken ball-less bastard trying to lay your guilt trip on us. We pay for your ass. And what's this bullshit that any time you say something that isn't flowery about someone of color it's automatically racist? What kind of moron are you? Don't bother using your own minds to advance yourself, let the government tell you what to do. Why are you so awestruck of people who do nothing more than decide how to spend your money that you earned with your labor. Get yourself to a psychiatrist so you can get deprogrammed. Al-Quada is looking for followers like you to be sleeper cells. America has turned to crap.

Kylsport asks,

"Why is the MILK holiday any different..?"

Well, if you're an idiot, a bigot, a racist, an airhead - it isn't, and it mustn't be. Gotta fight that impulse to join in with the rest of humanity.

Does your Holy Father in Heaven direct your resentment?

Or is that no more than you?

This is an opportunity for everyone to get involved. If you don't like the current status of the country or your community, do something about it. People are masters of complaining, but instead of concentrating on negatives that same energy can be used to make positive changes. This effort is a step in the right direction.

I can't figure out why it is so difficult for mankind to understand that kindness and consideration are paramount in a society that wishes to progress. Just be nice to each other man! It's not that hard, and the rewards are endless!
Peace!
Patio Patty

Jesus was a liberal, for christ sakes grow up. Try to embrace each other with kindness and treat each other the way you would like to be treated. Any idea that brings people together is fine with me.

I love this idea. Sadly, not everyone is as smart, great, thoughtful or qualified as old Kylesport...

I am already involved with different community functions many days throughout the year. My Father in Heaven directs me with His Holy Spirit. I don't need any man to tell me to do so.

Why is the MILK holiday any different, only because the Messiah is attempting to align the stars and connect himself with MLK, Abe Lincoln, JFK and make this holiday a sacred holiday?