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| DC: Glad to sit down at last |
Thank you for your patience, Dear Readers! Our journey to the Stewart/Colbert Rally For Sanity was a six-day trek to the most happening (some say, irrelevant) event of
last week, via the distant past. The day after this weary shot, our hostess led a tour for us of Fredericksburg, VA--a charming little town that has more Revolutionary and Civil War history per square foot than any other I've ever visited.
I'm watching MSNBC moments before the polls close on the East Coast, wondering if sanity even has a shot tonight. The Rally was fun, both relaxed and energizing. There were either 215,000 (CBS) or 6 Billion (Stephen Colbert); whichever, there were more people than we'd been led to expect. Well-behaved, nice people with great senses of humor. Okay, there were some kids who didn't hear the cop say to get down from the wall (see first picture), but that was the only misbehavior I saw.
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| More sane humans than I'd expected |
This was not my first Washington rally, so I knew the drill: you focus on the people you came with, try not to lose them, try not to trip, say "excuse me" a lot, be satisfied to add your presence to the whole, and don't drink much before or during. I couldn't see the stage. Frankly, my hearing is going and it was hard to differentiate the amplified program from the ambient noise, so I can't say I heard a lot. But I was deeply gratified by the turnout. And the reliability of my bladder. Let's face it, when it comes to marching on the Capitol, I've still got it.
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| Captain America loved our sign! |
I met a nice man about my own age who carried a sign that read, "Bob" with a big arrow that pointed down. He really needed to sit down, so he borrowed some time in one of our lawn chairs and seemed reluctant to give it up. The sign was to help his wife find him if they got separated; apparently she was prone to leave him behind. We were both amazed to find someone else from South Carolina. In fact, our sign drew Southerners to us: Texans, Carolinians, Floridians, and one woman from Kentucky. Dozens of people wanted pictures of The Sign. Some wanted
their picture made with our sign...without us. Would the kind of people who'd gone to the trouble of attending The Rally To Restore Sanity actually claim our sign for their own on Facebook? I don't think I want an answer to that question.
We left early for a lovely late lunch...four old people who felt lucky to be in D.C. on such a beautiful day and lucky to avoid the exit crush. We caught a cab back to our car and learned more about being American from our Sudanese driver than from the Rally. And we didn't feel the least bit shortchanged.
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| Very clever, but bad for American voters |
We found this sign the cleverest...clever being the order of the day...but I fervently hope that Democratic voters overcame their apathy today. Right now, I'm signing out to devote myself to the tube and the returns, so I'll post the pictures of Historic Fredericksburg tomorrow or the next day. Depending on the mood. If you're reading this, I know you voted and good for you, good for us. As of 8:05 p.m., Alvin Greene has gotten 40% of votes counted against Jim DeMint's 54% here in SC. I call that a statement of some sort, but I have no idea what the hell it means.
The Rally Take-Away: A marvelous example of Americans enjoying First Amendment rights.
P.S. Can't wait to catch up on your posts tomorrow!
I love it - you still have your March on Washington, Mobilization Against the War chops. And you did it with such style... lawn chairs and all. Your photos are perfect.... and you found Waldo, didn't you.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to make a sign with my name on it for the next time TBG and I go out in public.
a/b
The rally looks totally cool. I was in Southern California attending to my step-son's wedding so I'm playing catch-up with all my blog following today.
ReplyDeleteTurned on the TV during dinner and saw all the Red" states on the map and promptly turned the TV back off again. It's like watching a car wreck in slow motion and, frankly, I can't do that over dinner. I'm leaving the TV off, will deal with the depressing aftermath in the morning.
Thanks for going to the rally!! I wish I could have gone as well. And the sign - great!!!
I, as well, am up this eve, waiting for the rest of the country to close, on the edge of my seat I may add. Why do I always believe that the network predictions have an effect on the outcome.....
ReplyDeleteI always get a kick out of the secret words I have to type to post a comment, your tonight was toe brat, what does this mean... :}
I am so excited for you! But tonight even in this blue state of Illinois I am afraid it is turning red. I am afraid of turning on the TV to watch the results. You are right though: it is indeed encouraging to see the great turnout at the rally. So proud to know you, my friend! Your sign rocks. I am going to update my post with it and a link to this post.
ReplyDeleteI wanted soooooooooooo badly to go!!!!! I envy you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to know that you enjoyed the rally even though hearing was difficult and you couldn't see the stage. It's like voting; you may just be one in a crowd, but 1 + 10 + 100 soon add up to a lot of people making a statement.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to be with like minded people.
I am just catching up on reading my blogs. Maybe someday I will be able to stay current.
A/B,
ReplyDeleteTGB is guilty of wandering off on his own, too? A sign is a gentle, humorous poke to his self-absorption and I think you should DO IT! Now, which name will you use?
Robert The S.,
Thank you again for the sign recommendation! It even drew a radio reporter from somewhere (where WAS she from?!) to interview me. Man, it is so hard to think when you've got a microphone shoved at your face. I should have titled this, "My Sign Went To D.C."
Entre Nous,
Actually, I think there have been some studies that show that network early predictions DO have an effect on late voters. Specifically, they can cause some voters to believe their vote no longer counts, so why bother. Bad practice, I think, just to sell car insurance (those damn wood chuckers again!).
Absence,
Thanks, honey, for the update at your stellar blog! We didn't lose the Senate. Or the veto. So the muscle is still with us.
Kay,
It was fun to be there, but it lacked the gravity, both real and perceived, of a Moratorium March. Maybe I need one more March For Gravitas before I entirely retire from the field. Old protesters never die; they just have to sit down on that nice bench over there for a while and...(snore).
Darlene,
ReplyDeleteGreat new icon photo! I'm going to spend my day doing trip laundry, reading the pundits, trying to predict the future, and catching up with my blog friends. A blogger's work is NEVER DONE!
We were in Myrtle Beach, but watched most of the Rally on T.V...very entertaining...loved John Legend's performance...Jason and I looked for you guys in the audience :)
ReplyDeleteIt must have been energizing being in that crowd; even though you couldn't hear everything I bet it was worth it just to see all the great signa and meet people! I especially love your sign, it should almost say "Humans for Sanity". I am nauseous about Rep. Beta Carotene becoming Speaker of the House. He is beyond creepy.
ReplyDeleteHow cool, we were there for the dedication of the WWII memorial, and the crowds were crazy, but definitely an experience.
ReplyDeleteNance, I'm glad you had a wonderful time. It's nice to get re-energized and have a little fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little envious of those who could attend. DC is one of my favorite places to visit and it would have been nice to be there while so many progressives were in town.