Yesterday, a 9/12 type group the NW Patriots (Indiana) planned a demonstration in front of Congressman Joe Donnelly's office in South Bend. But local pro-health reform groups got wind of it and showed up in greater numbers (easily 3 to 1) for a counter-demonstration, staying strong in the rain until the NW Patriots disbanded their demonstration.
Now some slide shows. [Note: The embedded ones are not great, there are links at the bottom of the diary to high resolution, infinitely better versions.]
First, a slideshow of the pro-health-reform group. There were people from Organizing for America, MoveOn, as well as other local groups. It's great to see both young and old maintaining a good level of political activity after the high of helping to turn Indiana blue last November.
Now, a slideshow of some of the anti-health reform group.
Red-bandana-lady appeared to the leader of the group, NW Patriots (Indiana). She had a bullhorn and led the chants. A few confusing signs were spotted:
"Don't turn our healthcare into another clunker program!! Butt out!!"
Well, considering Cash for Clunkers has been wildly successful in this district according to Donnelly's discussions with auto dealers, I'm not sure that his sign means what he wants it to mean.
"Listen up (picture of Obama with enlarged ears.) No national health care!!"
Carried by a little old lady who is no doubt on Medicare.
"Listen to the people or get a new job! You'll never get a second term."
This was apparently addressed at Joe Donnelly. But which people should Donnelly listen to? This guy's crowd was outnumbered about 3 to 1 by the group in favor of reform including the public option. Moreover, Donnelly is already in his second term!
Now, look carefully at this sign. Clearly, the guy has plenty of issues. But do you see something ambiguous that the Secret Service or the FBI might be interested in?
Next, a slideshow of some attempts at interaction between the two groups. Here is what the slideshow includes:
- A battle of the bullhorns in the middle of Main Street.
- Someone from the pro side trying to reason with the yellow sign guy. I hear that the pro guy is a college composition teacher, so he is used to people trying his patience. He must have kept it up for at least 30 minutes.
- The gentleman in the brown suit was arguing for health care as a right, and not getting a very warm reception. The weirdest thing was that the anti group started chanting "ACORN, ACORN, ACORN..." Care to interpret that?
- The man in the tan shirt and beret went into the belly of the beast and yelled "I have a job and I have no health insurance!" This was response to a chant from the antis at all the counter-demonstrators to "get a job!"
For me, the moment with the richest irony was when the antis chanted the Pledge of Allegiance, and red-bandana-lady yells "We love America!" When someone from our side yelled back "We love America too!", she retorted "Where's your damn flag then!" Quite a flag-loving patriot, eh?
Better versions of the slide shows at these links:
Our side
Their side
Trying to talk