City of Brotherly Love

I spent the weekend in Philadelphia with my family following the Mets and eating Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches and water ice wherever we could.  I even managed to work in some walking.

It was also SundayOUT in Philadelphia, an annual gay rights event.   As we were coming out of Independence Hall, Michael Guest, the first openly gay US Ambassador (to Romania) approved by Senate,  was speaking to a spirited rain-soaked crowd while a small but vocal group of anti-gay protestors were excersising their rights to freedom of expression.   I was happy as always to point out to my kids our right to peaceful assembly.   (I have to say, though, if you’re going to use Leviticus as the basis of your argument are you not, therefore, obligated to keep kosher as well? )

So many of the poor and extremely poor people in this world do not have the means or individual freedoms to gather peacefully and have their voices heard.  Lifting people out of poverty through Micrcredit makes a tangible difference locally and globally and contributes to peace and political stability.  Please donate to our Village Banking campaign with FINCA!

Before I close I want to say a big thank you to the Phillies’ fans at Citizens Park.  They were gracious in victory and I was impressed how they embrace common civility in the City of Brotherly Love.   New Yorkers — we should take note.

–BBA