On a mission in search of peace, I head from the War Memorial to the Masonic Auditorium, home of the Freemasons, one of the oldest and largest fraternal bodies. "It is a body of knowledge and a system of ethics based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself and thereby affect a positive transformation in his daily life, his family and his society."
Positive Transformation. Yes, it's a good time for such things for all of us, old and new citizens.
Twice a month at the Masonic Auditorium across from Grace Cathedral just off the California cable car line, a naturalization ceremony is held and, at the end of the festivities, the doors swing open and out comes a whole new crop of Americans. It can bring tears to your eyes to witness the diverse and fresh group of people, beaming, alive, full of hope.
And, because of their readiness and hopefulness it makes for an ideal spot to register/capture new voters.
"Are you registered to vote?" To which many just looked at you blankly but with a warm smile mostly because of the massive language barriers between us and them. However, some—typically those who'd been here for many, many years and had never gotten around to getting their citizenship and, thus, had never voted—stopped to tell their story and then register. Several were eager to vote for Obama and registered as Democrats without hesitation. One middle-aged Filipino man, who'd lived here for 30 years, wanted to finally vote, and wished to register Republican, confessed that he actually didn't really care who won the election.
I asked, "Well, are you interested in things changing? Like the war, the economy, your kids' schools."
He paused and said, "I just want the troops to come home."
"Me too," I said.
"I think I'll vote for Obama," he responded.
Everyone wants peace. Everyone wants to end this war. Well, not everyone. Vote Obama.
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