WAKING UP IN CRAWFORD, TEXAS

[Dylan Garcia]

By Buddy Spell
LOUISIANA ACTIVIST NETWORK
www.newdemocracyrising.com
Upbeatdefiance.com

August 22, 2005

The guy at Sears said the tent would sleep four comfortably. He was lying. But here we are; Alex, the beautiful five year old Ella, Annie and I all jammed together in a cloth box in a Texas ditch on a hot August morning.

I wake up sweating and hear the sound of whispering a few feet away from the tent. I ponder the last few hours: did I sleep? For how long? Why do I feel this way even though I didn’t drink last night? And so dirty...

My back aches. This is no place for a forty-eight year old man. I feel like I’ve been run over by a train. I smell like death and long for a shave. I wonder if there is coffee to be found.

I rise to my knees. The rocks from the road dig in.. I’m unsteady as I try to unzip the door quietly so as to not wake up the girls. Where are my cigarettes? Shit, look at the size of that spider! I herd it out of the tent and follow.

The heat of the sun bitch slaps me as I stick my head out of the tent. I crawl out on the road and try to realign my back. I’d kill for a shower. Did I eat last night? No matter. It’s already too hot to eat now.

I’m standing. I look to the west where hundreds of crosses line the country road. I see others emerging into the sweltering day. I light a cigarette, put on my sunglasses, and smile.

Oh yeah. The Crawford Uprising. It’s gonna be a great day.

I’ve never felt better.

God bless America.

[grannylib]

1. WHoohooo! Wish I were there to support the PATRIOTS who are

opposing this pResident's failed policy .
Except for the spider part.
But otherwise, Whoohoooo!

[KaryninMiami]

2. Thank you for being there for all of us.

We are all with you in spirit.

K

[Cha]

3. That's funny! Camping out for

Democracy..I want to thank all the Patriots who have gone down to Crawford in the Intense Heat to support the efforts of Cindy Sheehan.:patriot:

[Booster]

4. Ain't it the truth. Camping out in Crawford, Texas, in August just

must be the absolute worst thing I can think of. I, too, want to thank all the people who are doing it - you all are really something.

[napi21]

5. Boy do I understand ya! I lived in TX for 6 years.

It was the only time I experienced believing you could actually wring the water out of the air at 7AM! I'd drive to work, get out of my car, and have to wait for 3-4 minutes for my glasses to defog before I could walk across the parking lot!

Thank you so much for being there! I'm too damn old to say I wish I was with you, but I'm sure supporting you all the way!

[Pirate Smile]

6. Dylan, I hope they are prepared for when the nasty RW talk show

hacks and company arrive.

I don't know if you saw or heard about Hardball tonight but there was quite a display put on by Mark Williams who is supposed to be on that bus coming out to Crawford. He was despicable and vile. Personally attacked Colleen Rowley many times while she barely got a word in.

Be careful and be prepared.

Here are a few threads on the spectacle.

"Anyone watching this crazy WINGNUT on MSRNC right now?"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4427578

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4427524

[Dylan Garcia]

8. I'm home for now

Got back last night. Had to make payroll.

I miss Camp Casey.

But the shower was great.

ONWARD!

[cry baby]

9. that guy sounded unhinged on hardball tonight!

[Pirate Smile]

12. I'm honestly worried about when they start spewing their hate across

from Camp Casey, and the families and especially the Iraqi Vets have to listen to it all.

They are so vile and hateful - saying they are aiding the terrorists, hurting the troops, etc. but, of course, saying it in a much more offensive and insulting way.

[me b zola]

17. I am worried , too.

I can see that nasty man inciting violence. Is there anyway that a restraining order can be placed on these people? Based on this guys performance on hardball, I can't help but think that a judge may understand the threat that they pose.

[Maru Kitteh]

30. I think as long as people are reminded that violence is WHAT THEY WANT

As long as we remind ourselves of that over and over we should be able to expose them as athe hateful ugly thugs they are.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Awesome

Nominated

THis is just how I pictured myself being there if I could be there.

[Dylan Garcia]

10. Alex and Annie in the heat with the Heat

[Crazy Guggenheim]

21. Is that Annie with the blue hat?

[Dylan Garcia]

26. Annie in the blue hat

Here's another from the Iconoclast:

[katinmn]

25. How'd you talk him into getting in the picture?

I asked a couple officers if I could take their picture and one said:

"No, I'm afraid it would end up on the Internet and someone would put my head on a woman's body."
:rofl:

The officers I spoke with all seemed polite and friendly, asked where I was from.

Good job, Dylan. Things seemed to be going smoothly.

All those people, so much love and hope.

I want to go back there.

[Dylan Garcia]

27. Here's one of Ella, our friend's little girl

[katinmn]

28. OMG - that is so cute!!!

I saw that little girl. She is so adorable. I saw her in the big tent with two other girls about the same age. They were having a great time. Could I use that photo in a summary report for an anti-war group I belong to?

Becky Lourey - who loves kids and fights for them every day in the state legislature (she adopted and raised about seven in addition to her own children) literally sprang out of her seat when she saw them and said: "Look at those little girls!" I think she was on her way to go up and hug them.

It's so healing to see happy kids.

I'm sorry I didn't meet you, Dylan. I remember you from Common Ground where I used to post and moderated for a while (as MN Norske) before I became a FT DUer. You've done so much to advance the cause of peace.:hug:

[Dylan Garcia]

38. Using the photo

I think that would be fine.

[lonestarnot]

11. Damn, I know how miserable those hot ass humid TX days can be.

Went to bootcamp in San Antonio.... Sweltering, thick air required straws up both nostrils for breathing. You should have saved that spider to ride home on, save gas! Thanks to you and your family and all of the others down there toughen it out! Peace baby! Peace!

[Dylan Garcia]

13. That's me on the left, with Chitto, waiting for the coffee

[Dylan Garcia]

14. Our tent

[Beam Me Up]

16. Expose the 9/11 Coverup!

:thumbsup:

Thanks for being there from someone who can't.

:hi:

[Hissyspit]

15. Thanks for posting this, Dylan. I won't be on the Peace Train, but

I hope to meet it at the station on Friday. I can't get out of all my classes. But I will definitely be in Washington Sep. 24, (the day before my birthday.)

[BrklynLiberal]

18. wow.....

:toast: :bounce: :hippie: :thumbsup: :hi: :headbang: :yourock: :applause: :patriot:

[Dylan Garcia]

19. Another view of the ditch

[Crazy Guggenheim]

20. I wish I could be there too .........

[BlueJac]

22. Yee Haw

A great experience and a time to remember. Stand tall and pround for what you are doing! Shit wish I was there with a bad back, skip the smoke, but I'll take a Starbucks! :dem:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

23. Welcome to DU.

[Mr_Spock]

24. I feel sticky just readign that :D

:D thanks for being there...

[dogday]

29. Protesting can be dirty business

and uncomfortable as well. The rewards are well worth it....

[DancingBear]

31. Dylan - Buddy is the guy we went to when we had "questionable" visitors

try and get into the camp. Annie tapped me and the shoulder and gently said "no" when I wanted to go after the guy who was holding the "Ted Kennedy Should Drive Cindy Sheehan Home" sign.

They are wonderful folks - I'm going back to Crawford in a couple of days, and I'll see them again. I hope.

[Lisa0825]

32. It was great seeing you and Annie again!

Too bad we didn't get to spend much time together, though!

Thanks for all your hard work for Cindy. I wish I could do more. I wish I could have stayed longer. But I am still there in spirit!

:yourock:

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. I've camped out in the summer months of Texas. It's a sweat box.

Solar camp showers work great for a sponge bath. Are there any of those at Camp Casey?

[katinmn]

39. "Walking Mary" mentioned that there were some solar showers

but I didn't see them or hear where they were kept.

[xxqqqzme]

34. my sympathies. U described

the oppressive heat slapping U @ first light perfectly. U might want 2 think about leaving the ditch and camping in Crawford @ the park. We camped there. There R showers and a laundry room and it is very close 2 the Peace House.

[Catherine Vincent]

35. Love those pictures, Dylan.

Thanks for being there!

[Cleita]

36. Was it a big furry spider?

When I lived in Texas they always tried to get into our bed too along with the fire ants.

You have a good heart braving Texas in August for a worthy cause.

[Generic Other]

37. kick

:kick:

[LSU_Subversive]

40. that was beautiful. you have the heart of a poet. n/t