Jimmy Tingle, wonderful and generous political humorist, hosted a Benefit performance on June 29 of his comedic production, "The American Dream", for the new MA Campaign for a U.S. Dept of Peace. Sixty-six supporters of this new statewide effort were also given the gift of laughter. Jimmy wove episodes in American history with 21st century realities of U.S. politics and New England life (Pilgrims found rooms on Cape Cod hard to find in the summer), in one startling comic episode after another, until the peals of laughter shook the walls of his Off Broadway basement theater. A memory that still delights me is one of Jimmy, as he attempts to demonstrate for us, how to assume the various Yoga postures: In reading aloud a page of written instructions, he found himself locked, finally , in such a grotesque position that he gave up, untangled his body, and graciously extended his arm to us with his wish, nevertheless, for our own peace and joy in Yoga. He took occasional respite in quiet reflection with us on the tragedies of our time and of the importance of our work for a Dept of Peace, explaining that his own American Peace Party uses the healing power of humor to help people and organizations to fulfill their missions. He intends to party for peace!

We were able to use the occasion to get pledges and donations for The Peace Alliance, the national campaign with which we are aligned, in its work to support the Kucinich legislation for a U.S. Dept of Peace, which will be re-introduced in the House on Sept 13.
For our state campaign, new leaders emerged to coordinate petitioning for signatures to support Massachusetts congressmen to co-sponsor the bill, currently H.R.1673.

The community of laughter which Jimmy Tingle inspired on that evening, was so exhilarating, so cathartic, so welcome, that I am going to see "The American Dream" again, and will be taking friends. The production will be offered throughout July. (www.jtoffbroadway.com)

Thank-you Jimmy!