I'm 100 yards from 2 of the most powerful men in peace

[zls44]

The PM of Ireland and Tony Blair's second in command are actually HERE...at UConn. In the middle of nowhere. In America.

They're getting an award for thier efforts in the peace process in Northern Ireland (yes, even Tony Blair is getting a peace award, I know.)

So anyways, last week, Senator Dodd spoke to the UConn Democrats and invited us all to go to the ceremony. Turns out we can't get in. So I walked up to the R.O.T.C. boys they have doing security detail (BTW, the ceremony is next to the library...I'm suprised I haven't seen armed guards here in our library...woulda been quite the pitcure...it'd make Ashcroft wet himself).

Me: So who lied to me when I heard that I could go watch this ceremony.
ROTC guy #1: Probably the person who told you that.
Me: Senator Christopher Dodd?
ROTC guy #2: He probably was misinformed.
Me: Oh really? Senator Dodd, at a center for an award ceremony BOTH in the name of his father, an award he sat on the committiee of, was misinformed.
ROTC guy #1: (perplexed...CAUGHT) Um...yes.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Security for these things has to be quite extensive

After all, the anti-peace lot has been known to bomb hotels, or lob mortars at 10 Downing St. The easiest way to make it secure is to exclude 'the general public'.

At my university (several years ago), we were trying to work out why the poilce were suddenly opening up the manholes in the street outside, and going down into the drains. It turned out they were giving the UN Secretary General an honorary doctorate across the road that afternoon (which hadn't been publicised, just to make it safer).

Anyway, maybe it was for your own good - the highlight of the 2001 UK election campaign was when John Prescott hit a protestor who threw an egg at him. He's a big guy.

[zls44]

2. Apparantly, I "should have just known"

I just saw the prez of the UC Dems, and he thinks I should have just known that I needed a ticket.

me: But it's free.
him: You need a ticket.
me: How is that free?
him: Anyone can get a free ticket.
me: Yeah, but Senator Dodd never mentioned ANYTHING about a ticket.
him: You should have just known.
me: How? How should I have just known?
him: You should have.
me: No. You see, you're lying. It may be a free ticket, but that doesnt mean anyone can just get in. It's defeating your own argument. Nobody ever mentioned a ticket. That isn't free. Thats a control.

[Bushfire]

3. You'll need a ticket to see Howard Dean

at most of his rally's. The ticket is still free, but people need to register in advance while showing some form of ID. Sorry to hear about your inconvenience. It's very common for political events these days. Someone should have mentioned it to you though.