I am saddened by the passing of a good friend, Laird Monahan. Laid and his brother, Robin, have always been so supportive of our Duluth Move To Amend. Laid attended our August meeting and was inspirational to all who attended, just as he remains an inspiration to everyone who understands what is at stake in our country. This is from: Nancy Antenucci - St. Paul Move To Amend 2:04pm Sep 21:

It is a sad day for we in Move to Amend. One of our movement's most inspirational voices, Laird Monahan, has been silenced. Laird passed away on September 19. What an honor to have met Laird on several recent visits to Minnesota. In 2010, Laird and his self-described "politically inert" brother, Robin, walked across the U.S. educating people about SCOTUS's horrific Citizens United decision. We carry on our work to build a democratic movement in the U.S. with a government responsible to We the People--ALL the people. We do it for ourselves and future generations; we do it in memory of Laird. Here is a link to their inspiring cross-country walk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsfnKfufeNI

• This is one of Laird Monahan's best speeches. It was delivered, on Armistice Day after the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court Decision, November 11, 2012. Laird was a Viet Nam Veteran: Laird said:

  
  
  
  "I won’t be talking about honoring our war dead. There are many others who will do that with much greater eloquence than I can muster. The sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives mothers and fathers of those who didn’t come home, can speak to their sacrifice.
  
  I am here to talk about waging peace. Waging peace is not sitting around paying tribute to those who no longer can speak for themselves. Waging peace is acting out. Waging peace is talking truth to power. Waging peace is militant activism and being willing to risk getting pepper sprayed or spending time in jail for principles you believe in. We are waging a war against the engine of war; corporate profits. Corporations hear no voice that doesn’t affect their profits. Whether those profits are made from the manufacture of munitions and weapons or the resources of the invaded country, that is the driving force, in my opinion, of every engagement the U. S. has been in since WWII and Korea. Given that none of them have been initiated by an act of Congress, all have been illegal.
  
  Are you mad enough yet?
  
  The Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United v FEC case of January 2010, effectively handed our constitution over to those corporations. I was devastated. I waited a few days expecting the country to revolt and descend on Washington with pitchforks, torches, tar and feathers. It didn’t happen.
  
  Are you made enough yet?
  
  I told my wife that when Robin and I, and most of you, entered the military, we took an oath to defend the constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. My country was calling me back into service to stand by and uphold that oath. I joined Move To Amend and Veterans for Peace to do just that.
  
  Who will stand with me to honor that oath?
  
  Are you made enough yet?
  
  Who is willing to walk the extra mile to restore the Constitution to “We the People”?
  
  Are you mad enough yet?
  
  Who will join with me, Move to Amend, and Veterans for Peace against the Goliath of our corporate owned government and wage peace?
  
  Thank you all for being here and thanks to Veterans for Peace for this great Armistice Day event.

  

  
  

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