(btw, that rhymes)
I live in Northern Idaho, near the Washington-Idaho Border. There are two colleges -- University of Idaho and Washington State University -- in two border towns, Moscow Idaho and Pullman Washington. Total population in the region is about 65,000.
Today Noam Chomsky spoke at Washington State University. The arena sat 3500 and it was packed. There were people of all ages, including many students, many buying chomsky's books at the tables outside.
The air was full of excitement. It felt like a rock concert.
Chomsky spoke for about an hour to a rapt crowd. Afterwards he took many questions. As I saw the lines of questioners approaching the mikes, I feared some winger would come ruin things. But all of the speakers were respectful and many of them -- young, heartland types, spoke about how important it was for them that Chomsky had come to speak.
Last night Chomsky spoke at Gonzaga University (a Catholic school) in Spokane. I have heard that the 3000 seat arena was standing room only, and many had to be turned away.
I am so so happy about what I saw and felt today. Putting this in perspective -- about 2% of the people who live in a 40 mile radius of this very red area came to see Chomsky. What a fucking wonderful thing.
Chomsky was wonderful. I might write about what he said in another diary this weekend. But I just had to pass on this happy news.