Help send a blogger to Washington for Saturday's march

Last November, America let its voice be heard, sending a clear message to Congress and the Bush administration that a progressive change in course is needed. On Saturday, January 27, the people again have the chance to speak truth to power, this time with a massive march on Washington. Organized by United for Peace & Justice with help from MoveOn, the National Organization for Women and the nation's labor unions, the march boasts attendees traveling from across the country (with numerous solidarity events nationwide) to urge Congress to listen to the people, not the president, and to use its power to end this war and bring the troops home.

And, with your help, I'd like to join them.

I'd like to raise $300 to cover the costs related with making the trip. Meaning, the transportation, hotel and other associated costs related to joining hundreds of thousands of other motivated Americans in our nation's capital. Once there, thanks to your generosity, I would love to report on the day's events, covering the march from as many angles as possible. As has been the case before, I would also like to bring back some visuals from the event, thanks to my girlfriend Casey's brilliant photography. Your donation would support these goals, making our journey to participate in and document the march a success.

In the past, I have covered several important events, including a peace vigil in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan, the opening of our local Democratic Party office last fall, a visit by Bill Clinton to support Ohio Democrats and a rural event for then-candidate Sherrod Brown. In that vein, I'd like to report on this important march. For as little as $10, 30 of you could help us reach this goal with very little difficulty. (Of course, larger donations are very much appreciated.) If it is to succeed, the progressive movement must rely on people-powered politics. And that's where you come in.

The event itself provides Americans the wonderful opportunity to, in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr., spark a turning point in the nation's history. A massive turnout would send everyone the signal that the nation speaks with one voice and with a conscience about bringing about an end to the war in Iraq. Scheduled speakers at the pre-march rally include Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Rep. Maxine Waters and Bob Watada, father of the first military officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. Planners report active-duty servicepeople will also be present.

Again, I'm hoping to raise $300 to cover all of the costs associated with the trip. I would, of course, love to see each and every one of you in Washington. That said, however, I would love to be there for those of you unable to make it. And with your help, that will happen. We suffered a terrible fire in our apartment building late last week and are in the midst of putting our lives back together, but this march is too important to miss. Though we are temporarily without a permanent place to stay and were a bit shaken, nothing we have gone though this week compares to the daily struggle our brave men and women face every day in Iraq. This march isn't for us; it's for them. It's time they come home to their loving families and a grateful nation. As always, I thank you for your support. For a link by which you can show your generosity, click here and scroll to the bottom for the "Donate" button.

Required disclaimer: The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by EarlG on 01/19/2007, and the moderators have been notified.

I would be remiss, of course, if I didn't again thank each and every one of you for this great forum and for your great generosity!

You guys have been great!

How many of you are planning on going? I'm very curious ...