23rd Aug 2004
Tin soldiers and Cheney’s comin’
At the moment, I’m sitting in quiet, misty morning Petaluma, light-years away from the Beltway. Next Sunday I fly to my other place in NYC (where I work), which will be a maelstrom of political activity leading into the RNC. Include me out. I’m a democrat, interested in hearing energetic speeches from the Left, but it doesn’t look like there’s much of a plan. It’s tempting to stay in California for another week, and avoid the whole Manhattan schlamozzle. I live two blocks from Central Park, and am guessing that 100,000 people are going to drop by, permit be damned.
I sure hope the convention week stays peaceful. Why couldn’t the Republicans pick a more suitable city, such as, oh… I don’t know… Houston! Putting Bush & Co. in the middle of Madison Square Garden is akin to tossing rocks at the New York City hornets nest. Some of the insects are bound to get upset and do stupid things. Seems like Bad Planning 101.
So I’m just hoping for restraint on all sides. I’d hate to see a replay of the WTO in Seattle, or 4 Dead in Ohio, or Chicago ‘68, or any number of scenarios involving idiots hiding behind a political banner versus nervous riot police and national guard.
Hurl only words. Break only the seals of your beers. Burn only calories. Shout your lungs out, but keep the teargas away from mine. Yeah, the Right has gotta be voted out, but don’t fuck up New York in the process.
