This was a great weekend in DC for me

[deutsey]

First, I got to stay with a very close friend Friday and Saturday night. We had dinner at a Greek restaurant where Dennis Kucinich and his wife were sitting across from us (he sure is a little dude). Then my friend and I went to the DU party at Hawk and Dove...I saw an old DU pal of mine (Tokenlib) and finally met a few others (Meganmonkey, Progmom, Bertha Vanation (sp?) and Skinner among them...sorry, my alcohol-addled brain can't remember you all).

I spent Saturday at the rally and march, though I couldn't find the DU contingent (I bumped into some other friends so it was cool). I met Cornel West, who was marching in the streets with us (google him if you don't know who he is), and I could have sworn I saw Wallace Shawn at the march as well (either that, or he has a twin we don't know about). The demonstration was one of the largest events I've participated in, and I've been to quite a few of these things in DC and New York since Bush stole the 2000 election. No, I'm not crazy about ANSWER, but this rally was the most focused and far-left-ideology-free thing I've attended. AND Operation Ceasefire had a great party/concert afterward that was a blast (I was only there for a short time--I had other plans with my friend--but it was already packed in the late afternoon, with thousands more still pouring in from the march when I left).

I felt that a genuine movement is emerging at this demonstration, which is what these things are supposed to help, well, demonstrate. It wasn't just a herd of people tromping around DC this time. As I said, I've been to many of these protests, large and small, and this is the first one that had the feeling a real movement.

Keep the momentum going, now that we're all returning to our lives.

[jonnyblitz]

1. so the spectre of ANSWER running things didn't ruin it for you?

:sarcasm:

anyways sorry I missed you. I never saw so many people at a DC event before. :hi:

[deutsey]

3. You...you mean...ANSWER had something to do with Saturday?

O, woe is me, for I have surely been duped and mayhaps, dare I say?, even brainwashed by these ee-vile rapscallions and ne'er-do-wells.

:sarcasm:

People need to get over it. What happened on Saturday was the result of an enormous coalition uniting against one common enemy. Don't like ANSWER, hang with UFPJ. Don't like them? Organize a local grassroots group on your own or join up with a church group or whatever is to your liking...the thing is: DO SOMETHING. Don't wait around for some idealized perfect movement to emerge, because it ain't going to happen.

Anyway, Johnny, sorry to rant in this response to you...preaching to choir, I know. I wish I had seen you in DC. :hi:

[latebloomer]

2. Glad it was great for you!

I'm sorry I missed Friday nite-- I was travelling with my husband, mom and kids and we all flaked out after dinner Fri nite.

The spirit at the rally was wonderful and I was glad the whole family got to experience it-- unfortunately Mom and kids had no stamina-- so we had to leave the march at 2:30.

Did manage to catch up with some DUers Sat. nite which was great fun.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. deutsey!

It was great to meet you. :hi: Hope to see you again sometime in the next several months at the Waldorf Cat Haven...

[deutsey]

7. Just say when and I'm there!

:hi:

It was a real pleasure talking with you and other DU'ers. I felt a real sense of community Friday night and during the demonstration on Saturday.

Maybe something really is happening here...

Take care and please let me know of any plans for the Waldorf shindig!

[progmom]

5. Hey!

Thanks for coming up and introducing yourself! It was really great to meet you on Friday! :hi:

[deutsey]

6. All too brief, but it was really nice to meet you too

I recognized you from DU post-a-pic-o'-yerself threads, and I like your sense of humor, so I had to come over and say hi.

It was a great weekend, wasn't it? :hi: