The hands that build America

I must say I see some of the U.S. foreign policies as quite jingoist, even though I know that this does not necessarily hold true for U.S. citizens. The better I get to know people here, the clearer it is to me how big of a gap can exist between U.S. policies and U.S. citizens' beliefs.\nOne hint is the fantastic structure for volunteering in this country. The first report of the newly created Freedom Corps says, "According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, more than one in four American adults volunteered their time to help others through a school, hospital, house of worship, or other community-serving organization between September 2001 and September 2002."\nI've met people here who have worked, or still work, for federal service programs such as Peace Corps, Service Corps or AmeriCorps and saw that this country provides exciting and interesting experiences to its citizens who are willing to take an active role in their society -- beyond just buying that new SUV.\nFor those who don't think that volunteering is such a good idea, think again. Check www.freedomcorps.gov to see the kinds of rewards that are offered to volunteers -- ranging from scholarships to presidential honors.\nAlso, more locally, if you would like to volunteer but still want some incentive, the SPEA-based group Students Taking Active Roles Today is organizing a competition where people must outdo their opponents through volunteering. Several groups of students will compete for a bag of prizes by volunteering for short periods of time in different locations in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 22. \nThe event, called Extreme Road Rally, will also award points for donations of food to socially-related institutions and for recyclables brought to recycling centers. The deadline for signing up is February 14 and can be done in the SPEA atrium.\nI find it comforting to realize that the power of the altruistic American is encouraged by the country's president. The Freedom Corps' Web site informs us, "President George W. Bush called upon every American to get involved in strengthening America's communities and sharing America's compassion around the world. He called on each of (you) to dedicate at least two years over the course of (your) lives to the service of others." The Web site also says, "If people want to fight terror, do something kind for a neighbor … love somebody ... Stand up to evil with acts of goodness and kindness." \nOf course, I can't help see a little contradiction when the words above are attributed to a man who is pushing with all his might -- and a matter of might it is -- toward starting an armed conflict. But I can see that Americans are more coherent than their president. Some students of the Bloomington community, disagreeing with the proposition of delivering American compassion through bombs, have formed the Coalition to Oppose War in Iraq.\nSo, besides volunteering, you can also join the rest of the world in protests that will happen all over the globe, from Brazil to Germany, from New York to Indianapolis, this Saturday, Feb. 15. Students from the Coalition to Oppose War in Iraq are carpooling to go to Indy on that day. If you are interested, contact Sarah (sfmcall@indiana.edu) to get more information.\nPresident Bush recently said, "The American flag stands for more than our power and our interests. Our founders dedicated this country to the cause of human dignity, the rights of every person, and the possibilities of every life." I have learned that people take this statement seriously. It would be even more noble if the same people would show their government that they care about the world they live in.