THANK YOU DU!!! Let me tell you how I got here. Post 1K too.

[obxhead]

My dad told me about this site for quite some time, but I had to become completely outraged at our Government to join you.

On Jan 20, 2005 I drove to DC to join the "Turn your back on Bush" group. I had to take a day off with no pay to attend the protest. I was devastated by the entire gathering.

I traveled to the closest Metro station and caught my ride into town. I was completely amazed that my friend Carl walked through the entire Metro station with beer and cigarette in hand (both illegal) without being stopped. I was further amazed that when arriving 4 blocks away from the Presidential parade that there was NO (and I stress NO) security in the area. The three of us were then herded into a massive group of (estimated) 15,000 people to wait in line to get to Pennsylvania Ave. As I stood in line (mass of people with no direction) I said to myself, this is the stupidest thing I have ever been a part of. Every single person was wearing a large jacket that could easily conceal a "suicide bomber". They were herding people 1 at a time though 6 metal detectors to make sure you didn't have finger nail clippers, then they would pat you down to make sure you had no fruit or eggs (remember the 2000 inauguration?). It broke my heart.

I never supported Bush, but I realized that day that "national security" was complete BS that day. Any one of those people could have waited until they got to the gate and said "FU America" and blown themselves up killing hundreds of people (some of which are protesting what America is doing). It truly broke my heart to see so many people having faith in their government to protect them.

After 2 hours of waiting in line (that's what they called it anyway) I said screw it, I'm not staying here in this mass of lemmings to be a target. I left and went to the Air & Space Museum to see the Wright Bothers plane that was just recently brought to DC.

My friends stayed and made it to Penn Ave, but when I look back on it....

We were all lucky. So many could have been killed and the ONLY reason it didn't happen is because no terrorists were present. Security was only there to stop bananas from being thrown at Bush's limo, which he rode in safely with the bullet proof windows rolled up.

I took me a while to join you DU, but I've been glad for the company now that I've found you.

Thanks again DU and I'm glad to have finally joined you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a GREAT story, my dear obxhead......

Thank you for taking the time to tell us all of it....

It is quite compelling......

And we are glad you're here too.......and that you've finally joined us.....CONGRATS ON MAKING 1000 POSTS!

This is an amazing little village, IMHO......

Keep on contributing......you have worthwhile things to say to us!



:party: :toast: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :toast: :party:

[obxhead]

2. I've been here long enough to know you're a "regular"

Thanks for the reply and I hope to give as much as I get from DU.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

4. HOLY SHIT! THAT'S GREAT! Look the yak is even happy!

[obxhead]

3. Thanks CG.

I've seen many of your posts here too. Glad to be a part of it all.

[fishwax]

5. glad you made it! (And congrats on 1000!)

I agree with you that national security is a joke, as your experience and the experience of others makes clear. It's pretty obvious that "they" are more concerned about bush's political security than any such concept as national security.

And at the same time, the patriot act has included genuine erosions of our rights and protections as citizens. So doesn't it make you wonder what the purpose of those restrictions might be?

But anyway, glad you're at DU!

:hi:

[obxhead]

11. thanks.

:toast:

[hickman1937]

6. So who's your Dad?

If he told you about DU I bet he's been here for awhile.

[obxhead]

7. He has, but he doesn't post often.

as a hint he loves poker.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

9. Will Pitt?

[obxhead]

10. way off.

[NMMNG]

8. It's good to have you here

Many of us are here because we have finally had enough with this pathetic excuse for a government. It is our fervent hope that we can bring about a change before everything devolves into complete chaos.

Congrats on reaching 1k posts!

[Rhiannon12866]

12. What a great story, obxhead! Thanks for sharing it with us!

And congrats on 1000 posts! We're so glad to have you with us!!!:D:

Rhiannon:hi:

:toast::party::woohoo::wow::bounce::applause::toast::party::woohoo::wow::bounce::applause::toast::party::woohoo::wow::bounce::applause::kick::kick::kick:

[newyawker99]

13. Congrats obxhead!

:toast:

[obxhead]

14. Thanks

:toast:

[bigwillq]

15. Congrats on 1000!

Great story! :hi:

[obxhead]

16. Thanks

:hi: