At the end of the year, I took part in a panel briefing of Dennis Kucinich, who is running for Democratic candidacy for this year's presidential election. I was vastly impressed with Kucinich's anti-corporate stance and his willingness to overtly state that many of America's social problems stem from the fact that the country's economics and politics are determined by big business. Some of Kucinich's ideas: legalizing medical marijuana, withdrawing the United States from the World Trade Organization, and creating nationwide government funded health care. Alongside his progressive platform, Kucinich is also notable for his vocal denunciation of the Iraq war, and his assertion that the war on Iraq is a farce which should not be draining the resources of our country. I received this email after the discussion, and thought I would post it, since it is relevant to the issue of homelessness and one politician's attitude towards the problem. For more informatin on Kucinich's platform, see www.kucinich.us.

To: Ms. Maya Pressnall

Hi Maya,

Sorry, this is late in coming but I wanted to thank you for representing all the
Roaddawgz out there at last Monday's news briefing with Dennis Kucinich. I
initiated the dialogue with Sandy Close about putting this event together and she
ran with it (bless her heart!).

I did want to get your feedback on the event and also pass along this little
anecdote I received from another volunteer about Dennis later that night.

Peace, Tom

Tom Watanabe
Albany, CA

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PS - here's a little anecdote to demonstrate the kind of person Dennis is - and why this opportunity we have before us to elect a special person would be such a tragedy if it does not come to pass - as a missed opportunity, perhaps as much as re-electing George Bush. This embodies the spirit and practical demonstration of why Dennis is the person to support.

As Dennis and the minivan with Judy Kimmel, Paul Costanzo, and others approached the church, I was in cell phone contact with both Judy and Lora to try to figure out where they should park, and when they should enter the church. Because Lora wanted them to wait outside a few minutes, I directed them to a little alleyway next to the ILWU headquarters, and right across Franklin from the church (between O'Farrell and Geary); I noticed that they could probably park there.

The minivan pulled over there, and I walked over to brief them about the general
plan. There was a homeless person who saw me directing the van and walking toward it. He got the impression that something important was happening, and asked me who was in the minivan. I happened to have some of those 10-point "Progressive Candidate" pamphlets in my pocket, so I pulled one out, handed it to him, and said that Dennis Kucinich, Presidential Candidate, was in the minivan, and that he was going to speak in the church in about an hour. I invited him to come hear him. His eyes became big and round, in the way that many of us do when we hear that we might have the opportunity to hear Dennis, and he said "Dennis Kucinich! I can't believe it!"

After I briefed Judy and others, I walked away from the minivan so I could call Lora and tell her where they were parked. The homeless person approached me, held out the pamphlet, and asked if it might be possible to get Dennis' autograph on it. I asked him his name, and said I'd check it out.

A few minutes later, as Dennis was getting out of the minivan, I asked Dennis if he would like to talk to the homeless person and give him his autograph. Dennis didn't hesitate at all, and said, "Are you kidding? Of course." We walked over to where the person was standing, and Dennis gave him a big hug, then asked him a bit about himself. They engaged in a very personal conversation for half a minute or so, and Dennis talked a bit about his upbringing and how he could relate to the other person's circumstances. I then I handed the pamphlet to Dennis, and he signed it, writing, "To (name). Good Luck, Dennis Kucinich." Dennis gave him another big hug, whispered some things in his ear, and then we walked across the street to the
church.

This was not a publicity stunt. It was not done for the cameras. It was a simple, heartfelt gesture of hope and friendship from one human being to another, to an audience of one. This was a real celebration of light, shining into the deep recesses of the human experience where the light of hope and possibility are too often obscured.