This was a Direct Action undertaken spontaneously because I was dismayed that NOT ONE veterans' association or group was involved. This blew us away because SLO has a very fine Vet Building and museum, as well as an Am Legion Post (66) and decent enough service programs, such as the RV's for Vets program, and some good transition programs as well.
Today we went to the VSO to get some ID cards, and although Liberty was successful, I ran into a problem; the type of catch-22 situation in which you need to have photo ID in order to get a photo ID. So I must return tomorrow, and we despair, because this town almost seems to SCORN the homeless, and it is particularly hard on Liberty, who is not accustomed to having people flip us off, yell at us from cars and the like. Altogether we have raised barely enough money for cigarettes, which is sometimes all a guy needs to keep from completely flipping out.
On the bright side, however, we took some really cool photos at the Vet Memorial, and we only need to raise 6 dollars for the bus to our next stop, Santa Maria/Guadalupe, where we are scheduled for an interview on Omega Republic Radio.
Another positive note is that we are staying well fed (thanks, EBT at DENNY'S)
and it is not too cold. (except for the people; generally privileged white yuppie students and their tech/retired neo-lib parents).
And it is amazing how people with flags and Obama stickers on their Mercedes/Lexus/Beemer/Jag petro beasts LITERALLY give us looks of disgust.
Sometimes we break down in tears because of the sheer...I don't know what to call it, a kind of HATE for people with backpacks waving a peace flag.
Sometimes you can literally FEEL the shame/guilt/fear radiating off of them.
Well, at least we are less than 100 dollars from our Bike Fund goal.
Once we reach $400, we will hop on CraigsList and acquire wheels!
Stay tuned for another broadcast later on today!
And thanks again to all the online donors who are helping us get our bikes!
We still need financial support for batteries,socks and the like for ourselves....We are using our EBT cards to buy food for the homeless (usually bulk pizzas, water,etc) and always trying to ferret out the vets and get them to mobilize....