Friday, August 11, 2000

Hey, L.A., how can I just stay home?
Los Angeles City leaders seem to be saying democracy's too darn dangerous.

LOCAL VIEW

by Terry Stone

Dear Mayor Riordan and Chief Parks, I need your advice. I have a political issue that I feel very strongly about. I have been concerned about this issue for many years and I need your help. Please tell me what to do. The issue I'm concerned about, is the fact that 35,000 children die every day from purely preventable causes. They die from such things assimple dehydration and normal childhood diseases. There are very simple, low-cost techniques -- such as immunizations, Vitamin A supplements and oral rehydration therapy -- that could be used to save these children, if, and this is a big if, our government had the political will to do so. The particular action that I am calling for is a redirection of a very small part of our foreign aid budget to fund these highly effective programs. There is no reason in a world of plenty that 35,000 children should be dying every day of the year. I have been working on this issue for several years. I have written letters to my congressman and senators. I have taken time from work to attend meetings with my elected officials to explain the issue. I have written newspaper articles and letters to the editors. I have written to the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. I have joined a group of like-minded citizens. I've gone to many, manymeetings and spoken to other groups on this issue. I have done fund-raisers, contributed to fund-raisers and I continue to bring this issue to attention of my friends, colleagues and to the general public. I even went to Washington, D.C., on my own nickel, a few years ago to lobby the halls of Congress. So, here's where I need your advice, Messrs. Riordan and Parks: Despite my best efforts, 35,000 children continue to die every single day from preventable causes. What else can I do? How can I bring this to the attention of the largest amount of people possible and perhaps shame the leaders of our political parties to actually do something about this tragic situation? What would you suggest I do next? I wanted to participate in the march on Monday from Pershing Square to the Staples Center during the Democratic National Convention. Ithought I would make a clever sign, take off a day from work, and walk with the group that is concerned about international and globalizationissues. This seemed the perfect venue to get some much-needed media attention. But what do you think? Should I participate in this democratic process? I've heard that there will be violence, that the police are in special training to handle the marchers (that's me), that the entire area around the Staples Center has been fenced off, that terrorists are coming in by the busload, and that anyone who marches could be hit with pepper spray or tear gas and wind up in jail. I don't want to go to jail. I don't want to be handcuffed. Frankly, I'm scared. What should I do? I get the feeling that you don't want me to come out and participate in the democratic process. I hear no joy in your words about how great it isthat concerned, average citizens are being active. I hear no encouragement that you will protect me from scared, pumped-up police officers whomight be looking for any little excuse to use all the riot gear they have been training with. In fact, I think you see me as some strange alien entity come to rain on your parade. But that can't be true. Surely that's not the message you want to convey to the citizens. Is it? I would think that your message would be that you want to invite me to come down to the streets of Los Angeles; to bring my gaily printed sign; and to march in the bright L.A. sun with other mothers, fathers, workers, kids, whites and browns, young and old, rich and poor and show what a greatcity this is. How well we get along, how active and involved a city we are. How well our police can welcome and manage large crowds. And you wouldn't even think of bringing up how the police are hastily preparing to handle the few malcontents that might, just might, act out,as can happen in any large group of people. No, because our Police Department is not scared; it's not holding it's breath, it's not panicked.Right? So Messrs. Riordan and Parks, please give me your advice. You are the leaders and spokesmen for my city. What is your message to me and the rest of the world? Do you want me to show up and participate in national governmental process? Should I risk it? What would you tell a member of your family to do if they were in my situation? Should I bother about politics? Should I care? Or should I join the couch potatoes, stay home, and not get involved? And, if I do stay home, who will speak for the 35,000 children? Will you?

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