Report from Cheney’s visit
So the Cheney protest is over. This post is certainly not the definitive post on the subject but I have pictures! Just a couple of things before I figure out how to post the pictures. Remember this is the person who has a hard time with adding bulleted lists in posts. Be kind.
The event was well covered. The press was out, I saw, Fox, 10, 13, conducting interviews. I’m sure the newspapers were there. There was an excellent turn out. There was enough to ultimately tightly line the street in front of the Convention center 4 deep.
Cheney, Kuhl, Condi and Bush were there, well, in mask only. Excellent touch and hats off to the guys who dressed the part. The leash from Cheney around Randy’s neck was a great touch. Note to Randy Kuhl and his trolls. When you vote with the administration over 90% of the time you are not Amo Houghton - not even close. The campaign commercials where you claim you are independent are wrong. You are just another lock step Republican who is benefiting at others expense. You are just another rubberstamp Republican who continues to enable the Bush Administration to fail. You continue to enable the culture of corruption and you are doing a heck of a job at it.
There was a counter protest., Yes, the Nazareth College Republicans were present and out in force all 17 of them showed up to protest across the street. I’ll post some pictures. These Naz Republicans remind me of the fund raising car washes I drive by on Saturday Morning. Screaming kids that don’t understand why they are there other than blind support for a cause.
I spoke with some NAZ kid. I asked why are you here and he said something like he wanted a job when he got of out school. He said he was studying biology (one of the hardest majors he said) maybe he would be a Doctor or something. His tone simply set me off as he came across as a stereotypical arrogant person talking down to me. Not good for him. So being the forceful ex-military person I am I asked if he was planning on serving his country. I said rather forcefully that his party was destroying the country and he would be lucky to have a job when he was done. I lost my temper at this young kid’s ignorance. Not my finest moment to be sure but as I was walking away I actually felt sorry for him. Go be a Doctor. Have fun make a living serving those who can afford health care if the Republicans remain in charge. Maybe he can service the Chinese or the other workers where we outsource our jobs.
The well dressed Republicans that came out where promptly greeted with shouts of “Shame on you”. There were awkward looks as well as defiant looks. They certainly have a right to donate money to a candidate. After all they are probably getting a good return on their investment.
What struck me over all was the fact that the protest consisted of people of all ages and races. High School Seniors looking to start their lives to real seniors winding down theirs. I’ve been to these things before but didn’t really have any to compare it to until today when the Kuhl supporters came out. What I noticed of the people who exited the convention center nearest me was the blatant lack of diversity. No this isn’t a accusation of racism or anything but look at the NAZ Republicans. Racial diversity? I don’t have pictures of the fund raising attendees but I don’t recall any diversity.
Anyway, watch for the pictures.
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I lost my temper at this young kid’s ignorance.
Is that “Talking to Conservatives Part 4, stlo7? I talked to ‘em, too, introduced myself to all of them and shook hands first and asked them some questions. One young man said he had one Democratic and on Republican parent. I asked him (curiously, not confrontationally) why he chose to be a Republican. He replied he feels the Repubs’ fiscal platform is better for the economy. I said, “oh, so you like the way Bush ran up that deficit into the trillions?” The kid said he doesn’t view Bush as a true conservative. Innnterrrresting. I asked them who they liked for Repub pres candidate in 2008. Another young man answered immediately and enthusiastically, “Santorum!” To which I replied, “looks like he’ll have plenty of time to spend on the campaign,” and we all shared a good laugh. I think this is a very good model for these counter-protest situations. It’s pretty hard to pick a fight with some smiling lady who just shook your hand, and showed genuine interest in what you thought.
I’m the first to admit I’m not perfect. His attitude definitely got under my skin. There was a comment about becoming a Doctor and then possibly serving that set me off. I heard fighting wars with other people’s kids. I looked at the kid and saw infantryman. I started with a non-confrontational approach but the snobish attitude was too much for me so I ended up locking his heels. I remember the kid was calling me sir when I was finished.
I did talk to one of the Elk people in for Elk convention. She seemed pretty apolitical as she watched the event from the side. All the ELK people were watching out of curiousity. I ended up charming my way into a conversation. We really didn’t talk about much substance but I tried to leave the impression that “regular” people were the ones protesting.
No - Part 4 seems to be coming back and enjoying the banter.
Yeah, that was pretty out of character for stlo7. I gotta respect your gentle outreach, op99, for someone so outspoken. Very NonViolent Communication-y.
There’s not enough listening going on in this country. You can still listen and represent your values. Sometimes you can represent even better that way.
Actually, stlo7, I’ll be the first to admit you’re not perfect. Just kidding. He must’ve really got under your skin, you’re normally as unflappable with conservatives as a Jedi.
It’s not really outreach, BTP, I’m just mindf*cking them.
[...] So,ÂÂ myÂÂ dailyÂÂ Google News Alert for Randy Kuhl comes in email today.ÂÂ A few articles, mostly about Cheney coming to fundraise for Kuhl.ÂÂ Yawn, we’ve been there. Literally. The snippet in one of them, from News 10ÂÂ caught my eye: Cheney visits Rochester, endorses Kuhl for Congress [...]
[...] Whether you areÂÂ holding aÂÂ individual protest in front of Randy Kuhl’s office,ÂÂ are among a large collection of protesters welcoming Dick Cheney to your home townÂÂ or travel to theÂÂ Washington D.C toÂÂ join thousands in expressingÂÂ their opinion on the war in Iraq.ÂÂ ÂÂ At these protests I’m constantly struck by the connection of strangers united for a common cause. I’m sure even the pics look the same (for pics from Cheney’s Rochester visit here).ÂÂ Lots of focused smiles and general feeling of doing something. [...]
[...] Yep, status quo Randy raised a lot of money that night. Well, we wrote about the protest here and pictures [...]