This is my first diary entry, and it follows on the heals of the Yearly KOS. After attending the convention - and taking a extra day in Las Vegas - my sister and I decided to have a meal at the Riviera's World Buffet before leaving town. What followed was a strange encounter.
As I surveyed the desserts, a tall man behind me was also mulling over the choices. After a weekend of random but rewarding conversation with like-minded convention goers, I was open to responding to his comments on the dessert fare. We also exchanged pleasantries about why we were each at the Riviera, he to film a documentary about the billiards tourney and I to attend the convention. He said I was very nice "for a liberal."
The conversation seemed good natured, and he began to ask me questions about what radio programs I listened to and whom on Air America I liked. For his part, he made observations about Al F. (should have stuck to comedy) and Randi R. (had met her, didn't like her). He also mentioned that he had had an unpleasent experience with a few other convention attendees, so, not only did he seem genuinely interested in my viewpoints, but I also felt obligated to counter his negative impression of YKOS supporters. He asked if I listened to Michael Savage or Rush Limbaugh and I, innocent child that I was, answered truthfully but politely.
He then moved to his views on Bush (too liberal-big government). This was getting a little strange and, at that point I should have walked away. Too late. He then said, "I guess you're against the war." I said, "Yes," and attempted to explain my problems with the war's various justifications. I didn't get very far.
He asked if I believed Sadam should still be in power. I began, "Well . . . " He interrupted, "I guess you would have been okay with Hitler," and told me I supported mass- murder. He selected a piece of chocolate cake and walked away, turning back only to comment that I was a "Jew hater."
Stunned, I walked away. My sister, seeing the look on my face, asked me what was wrong. The waitress also expressed concern. I took a deep breath and walked back to the man's table. He was eating his cake. I said, "I didn't make any personal remarks to you, I don't know why you made those remarks to me." He answered, "yes, you did [make remarks], you approve of mass murder and you are a Jew-hater." I repeated that I didn't make any personal remarks and he said,"You're just like all the liberal elites."
I walked away and, after a few deep breaths, got myself a piece of sugar-free apple pie - and tried to make sense of things.
So, upon reflection, two conclusions:
First, those who continue to believe in our administration's lies are operating on a hair-trigger and will take any opportunity, public or not, to blast any opposition.
Second, those who were formerly in the middle are no longer in the middle. They have joined our side leaving only the nut-cases, defensive, angry, and exposed. These will be the people we will have to deal with.
The YKOS was an experience from start to finish. I feel there is a movement and I am part of it. I met a lot of ordinary people who believe as I do, need encouragement, and got encouragement. I gathered ideas I could bring back to my local campaign. I also received my first political drive-by and fully realize now that I will be a target. I need to choose my battles, choose them with care, and be prepared.