piece-it pete
07-06-2004, 09:14 AM
Well I've done some door-to-door and I'll talk about politics to anyone at any time, but this is the first time I've carried a sign at a political event.
It was an eye opener.
This particular event took place at St. Jehosaphats' Ukrainian Catholic church in Parma, OH, a firm Democrat union, blue collar, older inner ring suburb, not long ago the 4 largest city in Ohio. It is a great place to live, VERY ethnic, homemade perogies, though considered racist. This is changing, however.
Anyway, since it was within easy walking distance I whipped up a sign (Stay the course. Bush Cheney) (sorry Jim!!), and headed up there.
It was of course very well planned out by the ss, I was herded into a fenced off area across the (busy, main) street with the others. As it was a Republican event the GOP'ers were inside listening to the VP. I was the only GOPer in the "paddock".
As soon as I set foot inside the paddock I was approached by 3-4 guys and told: " What the hell are you doing in here, this is for Kerry supporters." " Yeah *******, get the hell out of here." I said I was told by the ss to be there, and I was staying unless they told me to leave, and that's the way it is. One guy, while they were trying to herd me back out, said something like "there's no place for you people here" I said "Don't we have freedom of speech in this country? he said no!! I said I don't care, I'm not going anywhere!!!
At this point it looked like is was going to get ugly. The Parma police spotted us (more likely heard us), came over, and told the Dems that the ss told us to put "ALL" demonstrators here, then told me I could do what I want. As I walked away (more like shoved myself past these people, still trying to intimidate me) an old Irish guy, I swear he looked like a stereotypical big-city machine Democrat, put his arm around my shoulder and said "Son, I don't care that you're in here (yeah right, he was one of the first to tell me to get the hell out), but if you stay there's bound to be trouble. You can do what you want, but there'll likely be trouble." I said thanks, but I'm going to stand right there (pointing), if there's any trouble it's on you guys."
Well a couple of minutes later, the ss comes up and tells me no sticks in the signs allowed, you can stay but you have to remove the stick. My sign was just thin paper attached to the sticks, I had to leave the paddock :( .
So I walked a little up the road and stood by the street. It's a busy street, and the traffic often had to stop. Lots of comments, like You're an *******!! or Bush sucks :) , with the civilized Dems (and there were a couple) (but only a couple) giving me a thumbs down. About 30 minutes later the concerned Irish guy drives by, giving me the finger (I assumed he was saying hello, it seems to be the standard Dem wave). An old guy riding a bicycle sceams: " What, the course to death!! " lol.
I was surprised by the Bush supporters driving by. There were of course the seniors, and veterans. The real surprise was the number of mostly guys that looked a lot like me. You know, swastikas, assult rifles, purple mohawks, bent on ruling the world, etc. :D
No I mean fairly clean cut, clean but not expensive cars, "younger middle aged", you know what I mean. Quite a few families, too.
One thing that stood out: A couple of Republicans gathered around me, and a Lib showed up, baiting, acting like he was undecided, I ignored him. He pulled in a senior guy. After he left (but not before he flipped off Cheneys' bus) a woman told me that he was TAPING the guy, and went straight back to the paddock. Hmmm.
Anyway that's my experience. All told it was enjoyable, if a bit shocking. I strongly encourage ANYONE, regardless of party affiliation, to check one of these out.
I plan on going to a Kerry event to see if the GOP representatives are as crude and boorish. I will post my impressions.
Pete
It was an eye opener.
This particular event took place at St. Jehosaphats' Ukrainian Catholic church in Parma, OH, a firm Democrat union, blue collar, older inner ring suburb, not long ago the 4 largest city in Ohio. It is a great place to live, VERY ethnic, homemade perogies, though considered racist. This is changing, however.
Anyway, since it was within easy walking distance I whipped up a sign (Stay the course. Bush Cheney) (sorry Jim!!), and headed up there.
It was of course very well planned out by the ss, I was herded into a fenced off area across the (busy, main) street with the others. As it was a Republican event the GOP'ers were inside listening to the VP. I was the only GOPer in the "paddock".
As soon as I set foot inside the paddock I was approached by 3-4 guys and told: " What the hell are you doing in here, this is for Kerry supporters." " Yeah *******, get the hell out of here." I said I was told by the ss to be there, and I was staying unless they told me to leave, and that's the way it is. One guy, while they were trying to herd me back out, said something like "there's no place for you people here" I said "Don't we have freedom of speech in this country? he said no!! I said I don't care, I'm not going anywhere!!!
At this point it looked like is was going to get ugly. The Parma police spotted us (more likely heard us), came over, and told the Dems that the ss told us to put "ALL" demonstrators here, then told me I could do what I want. As I walked away (more like shoved myself past these people, still trying to intimidate me) an old Irish guy, I swear he looked like a stereotypical big-city machine Democrat, put his arm around my shoulder and said "Son, I don't care that you're in here (yeah right, he was one of the first to tell me to get the hell out), but if you stay there's bound to be trouble. You can do what you want, but there'll likely be trouble." I said thanks, but I'm going to stand right there (pointing), if there's any trouble it's on you guys."
Well a couple of minutes later, the ss comes up and tells me no sticks in the signs allowed, you can stay but you have to remove the stick. My sign was just thin paper attached to the sticks, I had to leave the paddock :( .
So I walked a little up the road and stood by the street. It's a busy street, and the traffic often had to stop. Lots of comments, like You're an *******!! or Bush sucks :) , with the civilized Dems (and there were a couple) (but only a couple) giving me a thumbs down. About 30 minutes later the concerned Irish guy drives by, giving me the finger (I assumed he was saying hello, it seems to be the standard Dem wave). An old guy riding a bicycle sceams: " What, the course to death!! " lol.
I was surprised by the Bush supporters driving by. There were of course the seniors, and veterans. The real surprise was the number of mostly guys that looked a lot like me. You know, swastikas, assult rifles, purple mohawks, bent on ruling the world, etc. :D
No I mean fairly clean cut, clean but not expensive cars, "younger middle aged", you know what I mean. Quite a few families, too.
One thing that stood out: A couple of Republicans gathered around me, and a Lib showed up, baiting, acting like he was undecided, I ignored him. He pulled in a senior guy. After he left (but not before he flipped off Cheneys' bus) a woman told me that he was TAPING the guy, and went straight back to the paddock. Hmmm.
Anyway that's my experience. All told it was enjoyable, if a bit shocking. I strongly encourage ANYONE, regardless of party affiliation, to check one of these out.
I plan on going to a Kerry event to see if the GOP representatives are as crude and boorish. I will post my impressions.
Pete