For All Those That Can Be At Faneuil Hall On The 22nd

[sasha031]

http://www.johnkerry.com/events/042206_boston_form.html

I know I will be their, I am so terrified about all that is going on...

I need the support of our real President...

all those is Ma., we have got to attend!
:hi:

[Mass]

1. I will be in Western Mass. next week, unfortunately,

If I had been in Belmont, I would have gone.

[MH1]

2. Aw man...

At that time on the 22nd I'll be getting trained as "election inspector" on the new machines the repub county council picked this year to improve their take on vote burglaries in DelCo. Sigh.

I hope all you Mass folks can attend though!

[TayTay]

3. Will be there.

This sounds really interesting. I wonder what else is going on. That was an interesting e-mail.

Sasha: PM me for a contact info. We can sit together. (Along with any other Mass-souls from here, lurkers or not, who want to come. PM me if you don't want to post here.)

Owww. Should be fun. I will take pics, but don't get your hopes up. I don't take great indoor pics.

[karynnj]

5. Wow! I wonder what Kerry is up to

That has to be a perfect place to speak to enthusiastic Kerry supporters. It has to be the perfect setting for a really great speech. I am so jealous of you guys.

[TayTay]

6. I wonder too!

The mid-text says:

This is a chance for me to put into context some things I have been thinking about and which have been important to me all my years in public life. There is no better group of people to share them with than loyal friends who have been there with me and my family every step of the way for decades, every time we have needed your help and support.

Massachusetts has a proud tradition of gathering at Faneuil Hall to speak out about freedom and democracy - a tradition as old as our country.

Next Saturday, April 22nd, I hope to continue that tradition with you in a very personal discussion about the meaning and responsibility of freedom and the enormous challenges our country faces as our soldiers are fighting and dying in a war that has gone off course, with dissent and debate stifled here at home.

This is a critical moment -- a moment that requires each of us to speak out in order to put the country we love back on course.

I love Faneuil Hall. (Ahm, people who have been near the place with me know I get all misty-eyed and stuff when I walk around that lovely old building. I saw the good Senator speak there last year at an open, walk-in event for the LWV.) Can't wait. This should be good. (Lovely to have you at home Senator. It's always nice to see yuhz.)

[karynnj]

7. That really sounds curious

I only saw the form to request tickets.

What could this mean?

"Next Saturday, April 22nd, I hope to continue that tradition with you in a very personal discussion about the meaning and responsibility of freedom and the enormous challenges our country faces as our soldiers are fighting and dying in a war that has gone off course, with dissent and debate stifled here at home"


I really really want to go - but it's kind of hard to convince my husband I want to go see my college daughter, who is now home for Easter until Monday.

[TayTay]

11. The speech is a week from this Sat on the 22nd.

Ahm, if memory serves, I believe the Senator is due for an address of importance to the home folks. It could be an address to his constituents on why he has the Iraq position he does now that strongly favors a withdrawal plan.

There is another tone in there as well. That appeal to people who have been with him for decades is very poignant and that was what made me wonder. Still, it does have the trappings of a proper 'listening tour' that a US Senator would have with the home folks. That is my assumption until I hear otherwise.

Rox, sounds great. I usually drive to the T parking lot and then take the train in. Work for you or we can drive in and split all the fees. (No problem, ahm, if you drive. My Boston driving skills a wicked rusty.) You get gas, I get packing fees.

Looking forward to it. I did like the end of the e-mail. (Flattery will get me every time. This is very intriguing.)


I have seen what is possible when the power of the Massachusetts johnkerry.com community comes together. I hope next Saturday April 22nd at Faneuil Hall will be another one of those special moments when we all come together for an important discussion. Thank you for RSVPing today and I look forward to seeing you next Saturday.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

That really does sound like a special listening tour. However, this is very specific in a number of places about dissent and about patriotism and about how to respond to an autocratic and restrictive regime in a time of war. Boy, oh boy, does that ever sounds familiar. Hmmmmmmm. We shall see. Perhaps a very personal speech about what is at stake and a preparation of Mass constituents for more outspoken opposition. Don't know. Still, It's nice to hear from the Senator. I'm very, very glad it's on a weekend and that I am able to free up time to go. That's wicked nice.

[karynnj]

14. I love forward to your and Rox's summaries

It really does sound as you say. I hadn't thought of the fact that he would want to prepare Massachusetts that he intended to take stronger stands. (From the way it's written, it seems more likely than most that Teresa or his kids may be with him.

[ProSense]

8. Wow!

Kerry and suspense, that's too much excitement. You are so lucky.

[rox63]

9. I'm planning to go as well

And I'd love to sit with other DU Kerrycrats. Tay, since we live fairly close to each other, should we maybe carpool or something?

[kerrygoddess]

10. Hmm...

I know I just saw him... but I live on the wrong damn coast!

Needless to say the Dem Daily would love a full report from someone who will be there - or all of you!

[Vektor]

19. I would love that too.

Damn this distance problem, huh?

[kerrygoddess]

20. Damn the airfares too!

I checked last night... maybe it's a heavy travel week - spring break? They were ridiculously high!

I guess it's too far for us to car pool from CA. LOL!

[TayTay]

21. Don't sweat it.

I really believe that this is part of the Senator talking to his constituents in Mass about his recent remarks on Iraq and other things. (Perspective I guess.) It sounds dumb to say that he has to go be the Senator from Massachusetts from time to time, cuz everyone here knows that, but still. I think he is checking in with the home folks. I think he is using language that he ran on in years past in MA and that he is going to explain his views to his voters. (I don't know how to phrase some of this. I am afraid that there is no way to not make this sound proprietary, but it is proprietary, but then again, he's a national figure, but he still has to represent Massachusetts in the Senate and explain himself to the home crowd and yet....... Sigh! I don't do this part very well. I am always afraid it's going to come off as exclusionary which is dumb, but still, that feeling is there.)

Gawd this is going to be a damn confusing year for me. Which hat I am wearing will depend on what time of day it is and what town I am in. Sigh! Talking about Kerry as a US figure and possible Pres contender in one place. Turn around and talk about the Gov's race and, by the way, isn't it awesome that the Senator is going to give money to the local Dems in Sept in order to boost the chances of a Dem to get the Gov's chair. Oh, and what about Iraq, and what about that grant money for that work on such-and-such and oh, can the Senator talk about national voting rights and can he talk about local education issues and maybe how it all ties together, ahm, now. And by the way, we need grassroots help, here and now, and to plan for later and maybe for other places. And there are groups that are being trained locally in grassroots politics and then being 'loaned out' to other states. What the hell? It's going to be an interesting year.

There will be more times. (Oh Lord, that should include this fall when the Senator should be making multiple appearances all across the state to support the Dem nominee for Gov.)

Oh and there is the matter of another Birthday in Dec. That could possibly, maybe, perhaps be a very interesting date indeed.

[karynnj]

22. Nice post

We do know he's one of Massachusetts' Senators and understand that he needs to personally explain to the state when he, as your representative, makes a major change in position. Also, doing this will both help to further get the issue out there and will give him the personal support that has to make his fighting more rewarding. (He needs something to balance out the attacks from people not fit to shine his shoes, like Allard.)

I had the good fortune to see the Patrick rally at Faneil Hall, because you mentioned it here. In addition to being impressed by him, I think I was every bit as much impressed by the building. It looked and felt like "America", the myth - except it was very real. Part of it was that it was historic, had very nice murals, and red, white and blue bunting overhead in the balcony. Another part was the acoustics - when someone called down from the balcony, it was audible to all. Then when people clapped, or better yet, stamped their feet - it reverberated through the building. This is definitely my favorite public building ever.

The Patrick rally was for an inspiring candidate and the emotion was obvious and it was a wonderful experience. What I envy is that a Kerry rally, where he will be speaking to people who have supported him for decades, who know his history about a shift in position that at least in the virtual JK world has been well received and speaking out about dissent will likely be unbelievably incredible. Where could speaking out for dissent be more appropriate? A kids' video from Williamsburg explaining VA's move to join the revolution had the characters repeatedly referring to MA hot heads. Dissent is part of Massachusetts history. Who could be better defending the right and need for dissent than John Kerry? I have a feeling that the excitement and foot stumping I heard at the Patrick rally will be amplified at least ten fold at this rally.

From the words, Kerry definitely wants people to wake up before it's too late. It is hard being the one leading so often against Bush, especially when the base who should love him chases after every new Bush antagonist in sight - whether it be Murtha, Hackett or Webb. So, the great thing about this is that he will likely be in the middle of the people who have always been behind him and you will be enthusiastic ly validating his ideas. Your likely excitement will encourage him to fight the tough fight he has chosen to fight.

So in addition to him giving Massachusetts what he owes you. You have always given him a lot in return, including a Senate seat that he clearly respects. (The editorial he wrote near Christmas last year praising Massachusetts that at the end thanked you for honoring him by having him as your Senator was sweet coming from a 4 term Senator.) Not many states would have elected him after he courageously fought Nixon on Vietnam or stood by him when he fought against the Reagan administrations assistance to the Contras or to close down BCCI. You did and thus gave the country an honest leader who can be trusted. Massachusetts and its history are part of what makes him who he is and the rest of us owe Massachusetts a debt for creating and living many of the values we claim as a nation.

Kerry's deadly serious comment that he won't be a Senator who stays silent when the policy is wrong which he said while he was talking about the Vietnam Wall actually sounds like he is 100% committed to leading his fight- even if it hurts him politically. Since losing, he really has seemed to be freer to be who he really is - and that has to be wonderful to see.

[whometense]

24. What a lovely post!!

Thank you for that.

Tay is right about how confusing it can get to be a Kerry supporter from MA. I had this moment on election day 2004 that I still remember. It was in front of the Union Oyster House, and I was watching him shake hands with people in the enormous crowd that had gathered just waiting for him to exit the restaurant after eating his clam chowder.

I watched and felt an unexpected pang, and thought, "He's not just ours anymore." That was when I believed he was going to actually become president, but it remains true today. He has a national constituency now, and yet he is still ours as well. It's an odd dichotomy for him and for us. When he speaks to us, he has to be aware that a lot of other people beyond the MA border are listening as well.

[karynnj]

29. Thanks Whome,

He does have a national constituency, but even if he were President he would still belong to Massachusetts most. (even if he visits Pennsylvania)

[TayTay]

25. Karyn, you made me cry.

That rally for Deval Patrick was really something. There was so much that went into making that special. There was the long and extremely strange and contradictory history of race in this State. (Massachusetts sent scads of people down South during and after the Selma March during the Civil Rights Movement. A minister from Boston was killed in that Selma march. Yet, years later, we had the busing crisis in Boston that was like the city was having a mental breakdown and convulsion all at once. Strange, strange history on race.)

I adore Faneuil Hall. I loved seeing Deval Patrick standing there and talking about the famous figures in American history who have taken that stage and advocated for change. That stage was where Samuel Adams talked about how the English were not responsive to the pleas of Massachusetts so we must separate from them. That stage was where the first Governor of Mass, John Hancock assembled people to talk about whether or not to ratify the new Constitution. Abolitionists have preached from that stage, after the building was doubled in size in the early 1800s. Lucy Stone advocated for women's rights from that stage. I always think of that as the place where the hell-raisers go. I just do. I adore that thought. The hell-raisers, the people who can't take it anymore and stand up and raise powerful voices for change. It moves me in ways I can barely talk about. It is entirely possible that I will hear another barn-burner next week. That would be yet another illustrious moment in a building that has seen many. (The foot-stomping goes back to the very beginning of that place. Can you imagine, a tradition that goes back 2 1/2 centuries.)

It should be an awesome event. I want to hear my Senator tell me what's on his mind. I want to hear a stirring defense of political dissent in a building that exists to honor the right to dissent from your government's policies. I want to hear opposition to an autocratic government in a place that was instrumental in rallying the locals to throw off a tyrannical government, throw out slavery and that rallied people in a depression and both World Wars to keep faith in democracy. Yeah, I want to hear that. It's special. It does indeed feel like my home, my heritage as a Mass resident and my right to hear from the hell-raisers, as we always have.

But I promise I will report back. Hey, maybe C-Span can carry it. (And I was slightly pissy today because of posts in a state forum. Your post restored my good mood, probably for the next week.)

Thanks Karyn. You rock!

EDIT: I forgot this part, cuz I took it for granted as background. (Cuz I'm a dumb chowdahhead sometimes. LOL!) This Monday is Patriot's Day! There are commemorations all across the Commonwealth that honor the start of the American Revolution in Lexington and Concord. There will be re-enactments of the battle scenes, the bells ring from the Old North Church to acknowledge the ride of William Dawes and Paul Revere to warn the countryside of the long ago march of Redcoats into the countryside. This is a holiday in Massachusetts and a reminder of our heritage as 'world class dissenters.' I think that's why I always look for a good speech around this time of year. We are celebrating Massachusetts' rebellious history. (The Boston Marathon is Monday and that always falls on Patriots Day, as a way of honoring our local history.) Sorry I forgot to put this in. You forget that this stuff is not known outside of MA. Again, damn chowdahhead.

[karynnj]

28. You're welcome

Glad I could help to get you back to a good mood - although you really have something special to look forward to.

It's funny, I read the segment you excerpted to my husband saying that it sounded so cool - Faneuil Hall, Kerry, and the semi-mysterious subject matter. We have something we had decided to go to here on Friday night, but his response was, we could drive there early in the morning. It actually wouldn't make sense though as we would likely not get there early enough to get in, but it was cool that he also got the feeling that it would be worth 10 hours of driving.

I'll definitely be looking forward to everyone's reports. I hope your very distinguished Senator lives up to his own reputation and that of the illustrious people who spoke there before him. (It's sad to think that that was where he gave his wonderful concession speech - it would have been a far better place for a jubilant acceptance speech.

[kerrygoddess]

23. Something tells me...

That this is about a bit more than "the Senator talking to his constituents in Mass about his recent remarks on Iraq and other things" and I would suggest that all of you who are considering attending, should make a point of doing so. The staging, Faneuil Hall -- MA is perfect, I can't think of a better place actually. And really, I'll stress again, all of you from MA should be sure to go.

On a more personal note, although I have lived in Los Angeles for 16 years, MA is and always will be my home. L.A. is not home to me, it's just a place I live. I have family there, I have lifelong friends there and my heart is there.

[_dynamicdems]

34. I know how you feel! I was born and raised in Mass but I'm living in NH

now because my daughter lives here. I consider Southern NH a suburb of Boston anyhow because it pretty much serves that function. There are times I want to go back to Mass, but I think my vote is needed more in NH.

[kerrygoddess]

39. I agree

the Southern NH area is like an exptension of MA/Boston. I grew up and lived a short walk to the banks of the Merrimac and 5 - 10 minute drive to the ocean or NH for 33 years.

I'm starting to seriously get an itch to move back East after 16 years out here. I miss being near the ocean, and the east coast in general. I'm trying to work out a trip back there in late June, but it's still up in the air.

[_dynamicdems]

40. Something about New England. It does get in the blood.

June is a nice time to visit Ma. Mud season has passed and it isn't too hot yet.

[kerrygoddess]

41. Mud season!

Heck we have that out on the west coast this year. Rainiest and coolest spring I've seen in my years here. I was there for the 4th in '02 and it was hot as hell, then there for primary it was friggin freezing! I'm ordering up good weather if I come.

[_dynamicdems]

15. This sounds like a Mass only event.

As someone who has been back and forth across the "border" (with me) to see our favorite senator, what do you think, TayTay? I'm curious as Hell about this event, but this is probably only for Mass folk. I used to be a Mass folk, but I'm not paying Mass taxes anymore so....

[Island Blue]

4. Wow, that sounds like a great event.

I hope a bunch of y'all get to go. I know the rest of us will look forward to your reports!

[WildEyedLiberal]

12. Well damn

This one I can't fly out for.

Why can't he wait two months?? :cry:

[TayTay]

13. Well, there are mid-term elections going on this year

And a governor's race in MA. There will be more speeches to be given, I'm sure.

I will try and take pictures and report back, as will everyone else. (Nice to know that with such awesome coverage, nothing will be missed LOL!)

Hmmmmmmm.

[Mass]

16. There is a thread in the Massachusetts forum about this

Of course, somebody is saying Kerry does not do public events in Mass. If somebody remembers where the civil right event or the visits in Western Mass were last year, ould somebody drop there and answer.

[kerrygoddess]

17. Civil rights march

Retracing the Struggle - Hundreds Gather to Re-enact Martin Luther King’s March in Boston
October 30th, 2005 @ 5:16 pm
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=997

The western MA stuff is on my blog somewhere - not sure where. I'll check back tomorrow and see if anyone found them in the interim of my getting some much needed sleep! ;)

[Vektor]

18. I would KILL to be there.

GAH! This sounds so awesome that I'd be willing to fly out for it, but I have to save my money for

*THIS SUMMER!!*

When I will not miss a single Kerry appearance.

[wisteria]

26. I am assuming that this event is manly for Mass. residents only.

Am I wrong to conclude this?

[TayTay]

27. Apparently it is being held in Mass for Mass supporters on

the e-mail list and such. But if you can get a ticket and get here, you can attend.

[Blaukraut]

30. I'll be there

Hubby reserved spots.

[TayTay]

31. Then there are at least 7 of us going

Wow! That is a lot of folks on fairly short notice. Should be fun. Ahm, bring cameras. Just in I pull another NH/Boston Dec thing and don't get any pics.

Sigh!

Should be an interesting time. (And there are donuts and pastry nearby for the terminally sleepy. Well, sleepy until we get inside the old place.)

[_dynamicdems]

32. We have to make sure we PRACTICE with our cameras first.

TayTay and I each took photos of the other with JK last month in NH and neither of our photos came out. Sheesh neither of us could manage to push a button correctly around the Senator. That's kinda funny if you think about it.

[Island Blue]

33. Is Faneuil Hall old, wicked old, or WICKED old?

I forgot my Tay Tay history lesson. Sorry.

[_dynamicdems]

36. WICKED old!

I need another TayTay history lesson too. And I need to see that UGLY statue again. Not sure why that is. Must be associated with a good memory! :)

[WildEyedLiberal]

37. Hahaha the one of naked John Quincy Adams?

That statue freaks me out. Seriously. Why does he have no clothes??

[_dynamicdems]

38. Actually it was an even creepier sculpture....several skeletal horses &

riders. Very ugly and very disturbing artwork.

[TayTay]

43. Sigh! Children! You educate them and five minutes after class

is over, they forget everything you taught them. Sigh.

TayTay's guide to 'old stuff' in Boston. (Not including her.)

Before 1700: (In effect, Medieval Boston. Rare because so much early construction was wooden and never survived the periodic fires that swept the town.) Wicked, wicked old. This means the Paul Revere House, which was constructed in 1680. There are way more examples of wicked, wicked old stuff outside of the city, like in Salem and such.

Before 1800: Wicked old stuff. Faneuil Hall is wicked old. It was constructed in 1742 and substantially added on to in 1806. (Doubled in size.) Okay, I still think even the 1806 stuff is wicked old.

Before 1850: Merely old stuff. Sen. Kerry's house is in a old section of town that was not really built up until the 1820's. Heck, Boston was nearly 200 years old already when the three hills were (nearly) leveled and Beacon Hill as we know it today, took shape. The Senator's house is only about 180 - 190 or so years old. Well the facade is that old. The inside was gutted and completely rebuilt 10 years ago.)

After 1850: Eh, still hasn't stood the test of time. Merely kind of old.

This concludes this lesson on Tay-speak and history. Have a nice day.

[Island Blue]

46. Sorry I forgot my history lessons.

At some point (gee, I wonder which point that was) everything just sort of became a blur. Now that things a less blurry, I'll remember that Faneuil Hall is merely wicked old.

[TayTay]

44. The emaciated horse and rider statue was removed from

the Boston Common a few months ago. Apparently, it was too depressing even for liberals. It is in storage somewhere and will become part of the architecture at some MBTA (subway) station sometime in the near future. (Because the one thing you really, really want to see on a Monday morning as you walk into work is a depressing statue depicting the futility of existence. Sigh!)

[Blaukraut]

35. Seriously!

I am not an early riser by any stretch of the imagination, so I'll need those donuts and hopefully coffee, too. And I better not forget my camera this time, either. I forgot it both in Boston, and NH and I'm still mad about that.

[rox63]

42. Since I had no takers on that extra ticket

I've asked my best friend to come along. No, she's not a true Kerrycrat. But she is a native Massachusetts liberal, and she did vote for him in 2004. So maybe she's a future Kerrycrat. :)

[karynnj]

45. I signed up

They are apparently still issuing tickets. After days of thinking it's likely to be really fantastic, I realized I have no reason not to go. Either it will be me or my husband and me, depending on the Nets playoff schedule (he has tickets, but the dates haven't been announced) - so I definately want to meet up with the group.

I realized that as this could be a once in a lifetime occurance, it would be better to go even if it seems a bit excessive. Also, I would get to meet some of you.

[ProSense]

48. Wow!

You are so lucky. I wish I could go. :-(

[globalvillage]

49. Me, too.

:-(

[karynnj]

50. I realized I really really wanted to

and had no real conflict - so I signed up.

[wisteria]

53. I would like to go too! I am not sure I could arrange it though.

Then, I may not get in. It only seats 400?

[TayTay]

54. We should ask GlobalVillage to check with C-Span

If someone tips off C-Span to a major speech they might just tape it or show it live. I bet the Senator has sent notice to them about this.

This is a hard event to plan for. The Birthday party notice was sent out 6-7 weeks before the event last Dec. This one has 10 days notice, so it's hardly surprising that's it's much harder to plan travel around.

Ahm, I really, really bet that if this is a major speech that the Senator will bring this message to other appearances around the country this fall when he 'stumps' for other Dem candidates. (Which I believe he will do heavily.)

Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Don't feel bad if it doesn't work out, we had little notice. (And it's the Senator's home state where it's just easier to get a hall and get the home folks to come out.) I bet the Hall is full, but I wonder how many will show up outside. I wonder if they will use the outside monitors again to show the speech, like they have done before?

[wisteria]

55. I'll PM her on this. Thanks for making me feel better. n/t

[globalvillage]

56. I'll e-mail my friend

and let him know this is a major speech. I'd love to see it, too.

Best if I send him the e-mail that the Senator sent to the Mass folks. I think it's posted here somewhere.


edit, I'll just send him the details, the e-mail seems like it was intended for us, not for the media.

[kerrygoddess]

57. C-Span

It's my understanding that JK's staff is waiting to get a confirmation from C-Span. It would not hurt to also have people email C-Span and ask them to carry it.

[globalvillage]

58. I have a friend there who will check for me

and make sure my request gets to the right people.
Don't know if it will help, but he's come through for me in the past.
I'm dying to know what's up with this speech, KG, so if you know anything, spill!!!

[kerrygoddess]

59. Good!!!

I think C-Span will carry it, they did carry the NH dinner speech. if not I think they are looking into an alternative taping method. I'll have more info soon...

[_dynamicdems]

47. I got a ticket, but it says that even with tickets seating is on a

first come basis...so it is important to get there early.

I'm trying to figure out how the best way to get into Boston since I don't drive Boston. I'll take the train from Lowell if anyone else is going that route. Please let me know if you are because I've no idea where to go once I get into Boston.

I'd like to make this event, but I'm very nervous about going into the city alone. Are taxis expensive to go from the train station to Fanuel Hall?

[rox63]

51. We won't let you get lost

I don't know yet if I'm taking the train or driving into town. But from North Station, take the green line to either Haymarket or Government Center. Both are real close to Faneuil Hall. Call one of us on our cell phones if necessary.

[TayTay]

52. When I was there a month ago for the Patrick Rally

We got there early and got in line. Faneuil Hall seats about 400 or so, depending on how they do the floor seating. The Patrick Rally was slated to start at 11:00 and they opened the doors around 10:45 or so. 400 got in, around 1500-2000 had to stand outside. (This event will NOT be like that one. That one had a very different purpose.) However, the Hall itself should be 'dressed' and should have all the bunting and red, white and blue up that signifies a major speech. (Again, sigh, love that.)

I intend to be at the Samuel Adams statue in front at around 9:30 - 945. (I got into the Patrick rally even though I only arrived 40 minutes or so before the event. This event will NOT be as crowded as that one was. Different event, different cause, different situation.) We should all make sure we have cell phones and stuff and can find each other that morning. Then we can get in line and let people go for coffee (which is on the first floor of the Hall anyway, it's not like it's hard to find or takes a lot of time) and go for any restroom breaks. (Ahm, those are in Quincy Market and that is a bit more difficult.)

It'll work out. I have stuff to do after the event in Boston (like look at housing for people in Boston for the summer, which is also a sweet thing to do) so I won't be heading back home right away. I will probably end up driving to the subway and then tooling around town on my errands after the speech. We should have a great day! It sounds like it's going to be a barn-burner of a speech.

Karynnj, PM. We need some contact info. Wow, 8 people going with only ten days of notice. Wow!

[_dynamicdems]

62. Since you have been to Fanuel Hall a LOT, you are the go to person for

info on what to wear.

Are people wearing jeans, for example? It is Boston, right?

[TayTay]

65. I pretty much only own jeans, so that's what I'm wearing

I'm not giving the speech, so I'm a little puzzled by this. Wear whatver the weather and your own casual tastes permit. (I will have jeans, a sweater if needed, my 'All Fear, All the time' T-Shirt and a jacket or something.)

T-Shirt says:

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
H. L. Mencken

Or I could be way cynical and wear the one with this last paragraph on it:

The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying even the mob with him by force of his personality. But when the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.

The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

Note to slef: Casual attire does not mean a repeat of the 'blueberry incident.' It might be on C-Span, so I will be my non-descript self.

[_dynamicdems]

68. Have you noticed that C-Span is following us following the Senator? LOL!

Actually, I like to go to these things because I feel a duty to show support for Senator Kerry and clap until my hands fall off. But I've also become addicted to the sense of optimism, solidarity and fighting spirit you get from a Kerry speech. It's like an exlier for the sagging spirit. Dr. Kerry's Elixer for Democrats and Liberal Thinkers! I'll take another bottle, please.

Remember what I said last time when I heard C-Span was going to be there...the curse of the T.... ::ducking:: :D

I'm so glad you said JEANS, but it is funny that you made the blueberry comment because that is the first thing I though of when I saw mention of the possibility of C-Span coverage. Notice how good we are becomming at avoiding the camera, however? ;)

[Vektor]

69. If I were going, I'd wear this:

;-)

[rox63]

60. I heard an announcement about this speech on the Boston AAR station tonite

They called it a 'major policy speech', and they were encouraging people to show up for an 11:00 AM start time. Which means we'd best get there good and early to get good seats.

[karynnj]

61. I agree

[TayTay]

63. Really? Wow! That is excellent.

I am very, very pleased to hear that. Nice way to get the word out.

The Patrick Rally had about 1500 people who could not make it into the Hall and had to watch the monitors outside. (Well, Deval came out and talked to the crowd outside after the speech, but still.) I will stick to my original time frame and be at the Sam Adams statue at around 9:30 - 9:45. I made it into Faneuil Hall at that ticketed event even though I was only 40 minutes early. (And that event has a massive 'push' to it. There were phone calls being made by the event coordinators for weeks before that Rally happened. Different event, different purpose, way different reason to 'assemble the troops.'

This is going to be fun! Maybe if we all bring cameras and such, we will have a bunch of good pics to put up. Sounds like a serious event. Love those.

[kerrygoddess]

64. Building up the suspense!

Good to hear that AA Boston mentioned it - You're all so lucky that you can be there!

[ProSense]

66. Wow!

Just, wow!


Thanks Rox.

[globalvillage]

67. I am dying to know what he's going to talk about.

This is great. Sure, the suspense is killing me, but I love it. Big speech on Saturday followed by Sunday talk show appearance.
What'll it be, do you think? Pissed off smackdown of the admin policies or impassioned plea for support for some burning issue or impassioned, pissed off kick-ass speech about hell, I don't know, there are so many possibilities. Whatever it is, I'm on the edge of my seat.
Damn. I hope I can make it to the weekend.

[ProSense]

70. So do the folks at the BoHerd

The Monday morning briefing
By Kevin Rothstein and Kimberly Atkins
Monday, April 17, 2006

John Kerry sets the table for more Bush bashing Saturday when he hosts a Faneuil Hall protest of what he calls an assault on the right to dissent.

What he means is, I’m getting ready to run for president again and don’t get mad at me for kicking the bejesus out of Bush.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=135421

Irony, dissent equals running from president.

[TayTay]

71. Thank Gawd for the Herald

Now that they have officially called it a Bush-bashing event, I am free to wear my pah-tay clothes. (Party on!)

Get mad at the good Senator from Mass for calling Bush out on his incompetence, his lying and his abject neglects of his responsibilities as President? Cheesus Herald, where have you guys bee? Kerry's been doing this all along. What are you people retarded or too busy reading junk from the moron patrol, like Howie Carr, to notice.

Note to Our Senator: Bash the shit out of the bastard. He deserves it.

[_dynamicdems]

74. Party attire for a bashing? Oh no, protest attire is the only way to go.

Lets get out those tie dies and love beads, HUGE peace signs, jeans with patches and beat up army jackets.

[TayTay]

75. I like Pah-Tay attire for a beat-down

It's a quirk. Course, my idea of pah-tay attire is, ahm, jeans, a T-Shirt and my Red Sox jacket. Maybe a matching tiara to go with it.

What do you think?

[_dynamicdems]

76. Tiara? I think you really want to be on television. Hehe. n/t

[beachmom]

72. Come on, you gotta admire their ability to churn out this stuff!

For some reason, that just made me laugh! I mean, everything is falling apart, and they're worried about presidential ambitions? That's assuming we're still all here in '08, and * doesn't try to start WWIII . . .

[TayTay]

73. The Herald comments on Kerry have always made me laugh

They hate him so much and have for so long that it's sometimes just funny. The pretend that they speak for this vast army of pissed off Massholes who have just had enough with this states liberal-leaning ways. Then, come election time, the forces marshalled by the Herald get their heads beat in byt the Dems. They have nothing left. So they snipe and snipe and snipe with the true abandon of those who know they are doomed. (It's quite funny actually, as long as you are not the one being sniped at.)

[_dynamicdems]

77. They so will never be the Boston Globe so they try to be the Globe...you

know the tabloid they sell at grocery checkouts.They aren't even funny anymore...just tiresome. If they really want to increase readership they might want to spice things up with an Alien Babies story or even better a John Kerry Alien Baby story.:crazy:

[karynnj]

78. They really can't read opinion polls, can they?

"hat he means is, I’m getting ready to run for president again and don’t get mad at me for kicking the bejesus out of Bush."

Seeing that Kerry's Massachusetts approval rating is likely at least twice Bush's, how many people will get "mad at him". (In fact, are there some people who might switch from disappove to approve because they wanted Kerry to hit Bush harder?)

It does seem that this is getting enormous attention.

[MH1]

79. Holy smokes - I just flippin' realized

the significance of April 22. :smackshead:

I don't see where anyone has mentioned this upthread (I only had time to skim quickly, I am buried at work)...is it just too obvious to mention?

I've been bypassing this thread cuz I can't go. Now seeing Tay's thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x82091

I just realized...oh, THAT April 22nd!!!

35 years later...

http://www.c-span.org/2004vote/jkerrytestimony.asp

...April 22nd, I hope to continue that tradition with you in a very personal discussion about the meaning and responsibility of freedom and the enormous challenges our country faces as our soldiers are fighting and dying in a war that has gone off course, with dissent and debate stifled here at home.

Damn I wish I could be there.

[karynnj]

80. OMG

I knew Kerry spoke in April - I didn't know the date.

[ProSense]

81. Awesome catch! Thanks. n/t