What if Being an Activist Did Make a Difference?

Isn't it encouraging how one person's commitment can create such a positive impact on so many?
Don Harkin's shining example of unwavering commitment to activist truth made a difference in my life.
Don was my friend and I had the blessing to have known he and Ingri for 5 years. At one time, we were both neighbors and colleagues. Don was one of the few people I could always count on to be there if I needed him.
His was a rare voice which always rang true and pure and it was one of my main inspirations to start two monthly publications; The Panhandle Senior Gazette and Senior Gazette of Washington.
My wife, Susan, and I published these papers for almost 4 years. We eventually had a printed run of 30,000 monthly throughout North Idaho, Spokane and eastern Washington.
We touched on some hotbutton issues alright, but nothing like the Idaho Observer.
Don was one of the most prolific and intellectually pure writers I have ever known. A real journalistic gem he was.
Not a 'bull horn activist', Don's style was much deeper, much more intellectual, always placing truth in front of profit.
Along with other talented writers on his staff, the I/O became my favorite publication all the way back in 1997.
Don had been a beacon of hope for all of us who seek truth and justice in this world. And this world is just a little dimmer now with his untimely passing.
In the days, weeks and months to come many of you will think of Don and remember the times you had with he and Ingri, or some truth you garnered from within the pages of the Observer.
But I would encourage you to not merely think of the past - but to act boldly for the future.
What if you could become just one tenth, or even one twentieth, of a Don Harkins? What if?
What if you became the 'Activist American' that Don always encouraged within the pages of the Observer? What if?
Many of you undoubtedly think "I could never do that. I could never be a Don Harkins."
While you could never be Don you can, just like Don, Ingri and others, become a 'force multiplier' for good on this planet.
The torch has been passed and the calling has been made. What greater honor could you give his memory?
As to Don's seemingly untimely passing, we can never understand God's plan.
But here are the words of another who sought justice and social responsibility, only quite some time ago:
"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill" and;
"Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" Matthew 5: 6 &10
I think there's another really good writer on His staff now, don't you?
Does being an activist make any difference? Yes, it does!