My first presidential visit
and I never even saw him, I don't think at least. We were, of course, cordoned off about 200 yards from Kleinhans where the Prez delivered his thang. I saw a couple men debark from gigantic vans and sleek limos but who knows who they were, maybe one was him. It was a great turnout. I estimate around 500-700 protestors and 20-40 supporters. Signs and singing and chants, hoots, and hollers. Great fun. The police force was pretty massive, but very under control. We were stuck in some kinda freedom of speech zone behind orange mesh, and the only time the police intervened was when a bit of it came loose, perhaps enabling a stray protestor within 199 yards of his majesty. Meeting actual Bush supporteers kinda gives me the creeps, I just can't believe they're anywhere near the majority. Most today were of the Bible-thumpin' variety (a couple actually had Bibles in hand), plus a couple young republicans. It was almost sad how they were trying, starting chants only to be drowned out by the vast majority. The sneers-reminiscent of Dubya's own sneaky smirk-as they tried to save face at their very obvious minority-status. I hope it gave them a little idea of how the policies of their leader alienate and discriminate against minorities everywhere everyday.
So, my personal favorite: The apparenet ring-leader of the other side was this blonde very SS-looking guy, hair shaved at the bottom and all. He was handing out pamphlets to the others and actually trying to have discourse with the rest of us (and I have to say he was very civil about it, and seemed educated about the topics-he was one of the 'real' enemies who knows whats really going on and approves, as oppossed to the ignorant Bible-thumpers). I overheard another woman say he had written books and everything. So now that I had located the leader I thought I would have a little fun. Paul and I grabbed a sign and Stickboy wrote "Nazis for Bush" while Paul added a couple swastikas for good measure. I slowly eased closer until I was right next to him and then I raised my sign over our heads. There's a picture on the front page. It was mucho fun. I mean I could easily pass for a Nazi and so could he, so it made sense and all. People would start to stare at me, slowly read the sign, and burst out in laughter. Once the nuts found out about the prank they were a little distraught, but there was really nothing they could do, they were ringed in all sides by anti-Bushers and had nowhere to go. So for the rest of the protest me and my little Naziettes valinantly defended our Führer from his unworthy assailants. Oh fun.
So, my personal favorite: The apparenet ring-leader of the other side was this blonde very SS-looking guy, hair shaved at the bottom and all. He was handing out pamphlets to the others and actually trying to have discourse with the rest of us (and I have to say he was very civil about it, and seemed educated about the topics-he was one of the 'real' enemies who knows whats really going on and approves, as oppossed to the ignorant Bible-thumpers). I overheard another woman say he had written books and everything. So now that I had located the leader I thought I would have a little fun. Paul and I grabbed a sign and Stickboy wrote "Nazis for Bush" while Paul added a couple swastikas for good measure. I slowly eased closer until I was right next to him and then I raised my sign over our heads. There's a picture on the front page. It was mucho fun. I mean I could easily pass for a Nazi and so could he, so it made sense and all. People would start to stare at me, slowly read the sign, and burst out in laughter. Once the nuts found out about the prank they were a little distraught, but there was really nothing they could do, they were ringed in all sides by anti-Bushers and had nowhere to go. So for the rest of the protest me and my little Naziettes valinantly defended our Führer from his unworthy assailants. Oh fun.