Re: [Paddlewise] Portland Peace Paddle (addendum)

----- Original Message -----
From: "William Jennings" <will_at_bigwoodenradio.com>

> that appear far less contentious.  Fund-raising events to fight breast
> cancer or other illnesses are
> political when governments ignore the demographics of disease, or drug
> companies
> choose to research and develop certain classes of drugs instead of
> others.
> AIDS/HIV paddles, cycle tours, etc.  Raise money for the Homeless, food
> banks,
> Habitat for Humanity, Jerry's Kids, etc. etc. etc. all have their
> political elements
> and all connect to controversy.  Just because I or you don't recognize
> or validate
> the controversial aspects, or if we subject them to differing measuring
> sticks,
> doesn't mean they don't exist.    My point is, who gets to decide what
> qualifies as 'political'?

I am not sure I agree.  Perhaps it is the list of examples you give.  Who
would want to pro breast cancer or against seeking a cure or prevention of
it.  Who would want to ignore the plight of the homeless?  Or closer to
home, paddles for environmental issues or paddling to secure or save launch
sites.  Or memorial paddles such as the memorial day ones a few years ago.
These are not political because there are not sides to take regarding the
underlying purpose of the paddle except as a stretch.  A paddling trip calls
attention to such just causes or events.

One crosses the line into _political_ issues when people of good conscious
may differ and differ strongly and when the paddle is to promote one side or
the other.  Abortion vs. right to life is one to come to mind.  Protest to
stop government action such as waging war vs. supporting such action is one
currently on the table.  Feelings run real strongly on both sides of such
issues.  I could be wrong but I don't recall any events in other venues of
this nature, i.e. are there roadrunner races to promote right to life or
bike rides for supporting working only through the UN.

I guess another test is would your calling for a paddle trip be for
something that would offend or upset others on the list.  Believe me, an
anti-war protest paddle is upsetting to a sufficient number of us on the
list that it should give one pause to announce or organize it.

Obviously this are all unchartered waters in a sense.

ralph diaz
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