Operation New Orleans

Last night at our meeting we had a lengthy talk about the amount of National Guard, Police and Military enforcement here. Its actually quite frightening. Hummers drive by all the time and recently we have had many f16s and black hawks flying over head and we're just not sure at all what is going on. Its almost like we're in a war zone and they are patrolling around... Its erie. We're also being told how to deal with the Guard, which things to say and what we can't say. Its this whole big thing.

We also talked about the idea of common ground being a Shelter verses a Volunteer Housing Site. I guess prisons and homeless shelters who kick people out have been suggesting that they come straight here which isn't true. They need to come and be full time volunteers (about 40hours a week). It has created some frustration because some of the residents have been kicked out because they haven't been pulling their weight and there is no way to support moochers. Its a very hard situation for everyone.

Another girl spoke up at the meeting reminding all of us to continue questioning what we are doing here. Question the work we are doing, and who we are doing it for. Whats the energy we are putting in and why, where's our motivation? Yesterday at the site, Mike and the crew (which i was not with due to the hand injury) discussed why they were doing the things they were. It has gotten me thinking about my motivation and what I am doing here. Sometimes the service that is being done is for personal benefit. It makes you feel good about yourself. But here, its not a good thing, its not a self benefitting thing. I feel as though i am here 95% for others. I am not comfortable, i am hot and tired. The work is not easy and is not garunteed to be making a long term difference. Its possible that the houses will all be torn down, not matter what we do. Our work, in the end could be pointless. Which is very frustrating.

Also, i met a puppy today.