Jim,
I was in DC yesterday and you should have seen the place. It was like an armed camp as the city prepared for both the Nazi demonstrators as well as the counter-demonstrators. (Apparently, the Jewish Defense League was denied a permit)
But the reason they took such security measures, including arranging busing into DC for their rally, was that the last time they came to town back in the early '90s, there was an all-out brawl with dozens hurt. The DC chief didn't want to take any chances this time around.
But I do have to say that all of these "special" arrangements probably intimidated them and maybe that was part of the plan as well on the part of DC (it intimidated me as they wouldn't let me walk across their barricade to a pub two blocks away but on the other side of the marching route) . After all, they don't offer that kind of security for anyone else... :0)
It was kind of funny though... after finally making it to this pub by a circuitous route, myself and some friends were asking anyone who walked into the pub if they were Nazis, since obviously we hadn't seen any yet. They would respond, "No" and then one of my rowdier friends would jokingly call them "jew lovers" and EVERYONE, including the unwitting victims, all had a good laugh (btw, my rowdy friend is jewish so that made it all the funnier.. :0)
I think we were all just pretty happy that we didn't have to put up with that kind of racial hatred being spouted around here. But having the right to protest and rally, even for hate mongers, is what makes this country strong.
I may not like what they say, but I'll defend their right to say it peacefully.
Regards,
Ron |
