Ft. Worth Straw Poll

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This event was scheduled to coincide with the Texas Republican Party's Straw Poll (see: Hunter Wins Texas' First GOP Straw Poll)
which was won by Duncan Hunter (R. CA) over his only competition, Ron Paul (R. TX) despite Paul's 'homestate advantage'.

True to form, even this minor political event - bypassed by the major GOP presidential candidates - revealed the GOP's underlying disdain for the political process and equal representation (the old 'one person, one vote' meme) as revealed by these interesting comparisons...

Poll taxes? Voter's tests? I thought the Supreme Court ruled those items unconstitutional years ago... maybe Texas' GOP just hasn't gotten the word or - more likely - wants to get back to 'them good ole days'. You remember, when only rich, White, Christian, men (like Bill O'Reilly) got to run things.

But, what I and nearly 1000 others came for was to join together in voicing our protest over the Bush administration's destructive domestic policies and it's avaricious immoral war in Iraq.

We gathered in the General Worth Square, adjacent to the Convention Center (where the GOP was meeting), a lovely park with many shade trees divided in two by a cobblestone road. The Ft. Worth police blocked traffic at each end (but were otherwise little in evidence and, toward the end of the day's events decided we weren't going to set fire to the city and left).

I must say, this was probably the best organized rally I've ever attended. I was impressed with a registration desk, first aid station ("manned" by Code Pink volunteers), and a surprisingly well stocked snack tent serving its specialty BBQ pork sandwiches. I can especially vouch for the Polish sausage and strawberry lemonade. There were too many other tents and organizations present to be able to list them all. Iraq Veterans Against the War were especially present as were Veterans for Peace, 9/11 conspiracy theorists, many anti-war and impeachment organizations... even the IWW (I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night...) was there. A truly eclectic gathering.

The Scene In General Worth Park, Saturday, Sept. 1st.

Activities began around 1 PM with local independent Empowerment Radio personality Tunde Obazee (who later sang a dynamite version of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up") introducing the people who had come to talk, inspire, and entertain us speaking in his native African lilt that helped emphasize the international imperative of the anti-war movement.

Many in the crowd were also supporters of Texas Representative Ron Paul who is also known for his strong stance against the Iraq war and his consistent voting record against it (I'm not endorsing him here, I support Dennis Kucinich). They engaged in friendly discussions with the anti-war demonstrators over other issues.

As people began to gather many clever, amusing, and pointed signs were around:

Tina Richards

Diane Wilson

Rev. Lennox Yearwood

Tunde Introduces GSFP

DeDe Sheehan

Col. Ann Wright (USA, Ret.)

Adam Kokesh & IVAW Vets.

Rick Burnley reads.

The rally then began in earnest... After religious invocations from Christian and Muslim community leaders Tunde introduced Tina Richards (mother of Cloy Richards) who took her fight to prevent his 3rd redeployment (despite severe service-related disabilities) to Congress and won. Several representatives of the local Muslim community addressed the crowd stressing their shared interest in peace in Iraq and their commitment to restoring a representative democracy. Shrimp boat captain, turned environmental & peace activist, Diane Wilson, author of "An Unreasonable Woman" (and others) spoke.

After a brief musical break supplied by local musicians,

C&W Music Break

"War Criminals" were rounded up and paraded by the Code Pink Police...

Tunde then introduced Rev. Lennox Yearwood, leader of the Hip Hop Caucus who made a rousing speech and announced the good news that his battle with the U.S. Air Force (that was going to give him a dishonorable discharge) has ended. He announced that he'd learned, just that day, that he was going to be given an honorable discharge. That earned him resounding cheer of approval from the crowd.

The mood rapidly became more somber when Tunde introduced Carlos Arrendondo (whose distress upon learning of his son's death in Iraq was widely reported), and other Gold Star Families for Peace members including Carlos' family, Cindy & Dede Sheehan, and others whose names I (sorrowfully) failed to get.

Lest we ever forget the true cost of this illegal war!

All was not without controversy. There was a small contingent of war supporters who maintained a quiet presence in the center of the activities.

The sequestered nature of the location probably avoided confrontations with those who might have been less restrained. Interestingly, it was Dede Sheehan who, during her talk, confronted the pro-war demonstrators and pointed out that their statements were empty if they, themselves, were unwilling to enlist and fight in the cause they're so eager to see others fight, kill, and die for. Cindy may be the 'Peace Mom' but, a word to the wise... don't cross Dede.

The mike then went to the "Poet Laureate of Camp Casey", Rick Burnley. He read a moving poem. You can appreciate his style in this video:

After the Gold Star Families, U.S. Army Col (Ret.) Ann Wright reminded the rally of her personal history and why she resigned from the government's Diplomatic Service (following a life-time career)over the lies the government was asking her to support and how she became a dedicated anti-war activist.

After Col. Wright, Tumbe introduced Iraq Veterans Against the War activists Adam Kokesh, Leonard Shelton (with whom I shared a brief, but enjoyable, conversation), and Hart Viges. They all spoke but, Adam was on fire!

After they'd spoken the mike passed to Cindy Sheehan (who shouldn't need an introduction or link for those likely to be reading this). Cindy was also on fire and inspirational. She showed, again, why she's become the touchstone of this sadly necessary anti-war movement.

Who'd 'a ever thought we'd have to be doing this shit all over again 40 year later?

Moving the crowd to a different emotional plane was a great blues singer, Carolyn Wonderland, who whipped that poor Telecaster 'till I thought it was gonna cry! Iceman's got nuthin' on her... Give her a listen.

The last item on the day's agenda was the [I] Miss America Beauty Pageant staring the Code Pink ladies posing as [I] Miss Liberty, Miss Take, Miss Guided, [I] Miss Habeas Corpus, and (unfortunately) a whole lot of other things we expect from our government that are also... missing.

And, with that, the day slowly wound down as people left.

I was left with a good feeling and empowered for the trip to Washington, D.C. for the ANSWER Coalition's September 15th mass march & rally at the White House and National Capital.

In peace...

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