This
is without a doubt the closest I personally will ever get to George W. Bush. But I still feel like I need to sanitize myself after this encounter.
I'll tell you why after the fold.
Heir Chimperor was in Raleigh this morning to sell his social security "reform" to a packed house of hand picked and vetted Republicans.
I took my 17 year old son out of school, and together with his girlfriend and her mother, we attended a planned protest in downtown Raleigh. The rally was sponsored by the NC Association of Educators who are vehemently opposed to the vastly underfunded NCLB act. They own the land directly across the street from where GW was due to speak, so we were able to get really close and get a good look at the invitation only group lining up outside the auditorium.
Colin and Caroline
Picture this: one side of the street (ours) were elderly people in overcoats, young families, teenagers who should have been at school, and teachers and other administrators from the NEA building on whose grounds we were invited.
The other side of the street was filled with white (I'm shocked I tell you)wealthy, well-fed men and women, dressed in almost formal attire. They were looking at us as if they were on a photo safari in Africa or something.
We were chanting "This is what democracy looks like" and they were all sadly shaking their heads in disgust.
The most telling moment came early on, when a black member of the Educators Association began to speak on the public address system, and the Jesus-loving Republicans on the other side of the street, some with children in tow began to sing:
I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie Land I'll take my stand
to live and die in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie
As my name implies, I have not been very comfortable or accepting of my new southern home, but I was truly ashamed to hear this.
I know this little protest rally here in Raleigh doesn't mean much in the greater scheme of things, but this situation might tell you about what we are facing here in the South.
One good thing did come of it however. I met lots of terrific, progressive, open minded southerners who are ready to kick some ass.