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In Search of The Happy Medium

By Erik Lobo

One week ago today I was at the House Judiciary Committee hearing with several other members of Veterans For Peace to hear our national president Elliott Adams testify on the need for the impeachment of President Bush. He did us proud! I sat next to my dear friend and sister-in-the-struggle, Cindy Sheehan.

Four years ago today I watched my father take his last breath with enormous grace and dignity after 82 years of a life devoted to helping others. He was the skipper of USN LCT 127 in the Pacific 1942-45. Deciding at 9 years old that he "wanted to work with kids," he was a camp counselor and director, coach, teacher and principal. He preached the benefits of finding common ground with others, which he called, "the happy medium." This is where people with varying viewpoints could co-exist without animosity. He saw no happy medium to be reached with the neocon fascists in control today. I agreed.

I got my start in the struggle for justice protesting the Vietnam War in 1968, and was in Grant Park here in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention when the police went off on us. I joined the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1970. I was in John Conyers' Detroit district in 1972 with AIM, working with the Black Panthers on programs to help school kids and seniors. I was in the Navy Reserves 1976-82, and have been a cop for 25 years in urban combat zones. I went and sat in a ditch at Camp Casey in Crawford, Texas in August of '05. I then joined VFP, and then Vietnam Veterans Against War.

I have dealt with death and devastating violence personally. I lost friends from combat, both military and here on the streets. Many of the wonderful folks I've met under sad circumstances the last few years have much in common with each other. We all have our own personal stories and heartaches, and a quest for justice and peace. We all face some of the same obstacles and forces of resistance that we must overcome. Stress is a HUGE common factor, regardless of the specific causes of it for each of us. And stress often causes avoidable conflicts.

We may be anti-war or peace movement, long time vets or rookies; whatever the differences, we all have a COMMON adversary and COMMON goals. We are in the SAME boat. Drill a hole under my seat and you will get wet, too. We sail or sink TOGETHER. I would prefer we sail on to justice for ALL of us. As I said, I am Camp Casey, VFP and VVAW. I participate in events held by Iraq Veterans Against War, CodePINK, UFPJ, ANSWER, World Can't Wait, AFSC, and others. If they have similar goals, I can deal with them. Conflicts occur, usually with scheduling. These don't have to be insurmountable. If we can maintain our focus on mutual goals and not let egos and personalities block reason, we can reconcile and move forward together. I often refer back to Brother Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On", where he plaintively sings: "You know, we've got to find a way to bring some understanding here today."

We all have our roles in this struggle. I'm a "nobody." My role is to try to keep some of those who are a "somebody" safe and healthy, lend moral support and maybe a little comic relief. Col. Ann Wright is the ultimate role model for a veteran for peace, and the one whom many of us would love to see become the first female president. David Swanson has tirelessly become THE proponent for impeachment. I hate to start mentioning names because I don't want to leave out so many true peace warriors. Those "nobodies" like me in the background fulfill important roles, too. We ALL matter. I will always stand with Cindy Sheehan, a Gold Star mother. I will never disown nor abandon my fellow veterans. I continue to work with all those seeking justice and peace. We all NEED each other, and must respect each other. We have all suffered. We all need healing. There will be conflicts. Some of us are always willing to mediate and help resolve these. Please let us.

In memory of Bob Gilbert, I ask that we find a "happy medium".