Health Insurance vs war!

I am told quietly that I am being too anti-war! I am shocked but I attempt to stifle my outrage and listen.

She tells me her number one commitment is to health issues. I respond that war IS the GREATEST threat to all health, especially those immediate victims of war.

Her eyes tear up and she stutters mournfully, "...but... but but I have seen so many in this country without, without... health insurance" she finishes defiantly.

I am speechless. Blown off legs vs health insurance? Raped, bullet-holed, tortured vs health insurance? White phosphorus, depleted uranium, intense burns and explosions vs health insurance???

We are discussing how unwelcome womyn's leadership in general, Medea & CodePINK in particular, seems to be at this protest occupation of Freedom Plaza. How womyn have been hushed, told not to talk too much, our voices cut off, stymied.

I do not want to change the subject, but I am afraid: if a co-organizer does not see war as a number one issue, what does this say about this occupation?

Later this same co-organizer criticizes one of the signs we are making: "Healthcare not Warfare" - she says make it "Healthcare for All". I remain silent and make my own sign, the previous one.