There's... wait - oh shit. The cops just took someone down. I stand up, look around the tent and fence, and there it is. A growling, tanned guy in ragged jeans, thrown face down onto his naked belly and chest, now held down by three officers. They pull his arms back and handcuff him. Raise him up, march him to a squad car. As they walk by, he tilts his head back, and from the crazy gleam in his eye, he glares at the buildings around us, and shouts out: "One good earthquake and it will all fall!"
Okay. The story? He was taunting them. Rushing at them and rushing back. Like playing Let's-Run-the-Bulls-through-the-Streets, or something. The officers were pretty much ignoring him, and he got frustrated. Charged again, and made his BIG mistake. Physically contacted one, slapping an arm (I think - didn't see, only heard). Anyhow, that was it. He had crossed their line. Scuffle. On the ground. Handcuff. The young woman officer - Bayla - was the one I saw actually cuff him. She's a very attractive woman, but ever since meeting her day-before-yesterday I've suspected a great deal of trained strength lives under her pleasant face and smart smile.
"Day-before-yesterday." Is it really the third day already? Are there only two more days after this one, and then... it will all be over? Yes. Really. Enjoy it while I can. Especially now that've had something to eat and don't feel like the undead host.
A very orderly, conservative looking crowd has assembled for this hour's speeches - not a big crowd, but a lot more than the Demos had when I left for breakfast. Filipino Republicans. They stand around the stage, waiting for their green light. There.
GOOD MORNING!
"Hello? We're a bit early, I'm afraid....""Oh, are you from the Farm Bureau?"
"Yes. I heard about the parking problems so I came really early. Managed to find a place in a lot only five blocks away. There are other people coming. Do they all need to sign in, too?"
"No. You are the official contact person?" "Yes. Here is our copy of the permit." "Ah, thank you."
WE ARE FILIPINO REPUBLICANS. THAT'S FILIPINO WITH AN "F" NOT A "P-H."
Magandang umaga, I think to myself. Liz and Tess taught me how to say that. And I remember that magnificent young man, David Tamayo. Well, forgive me David for putting you on the same page as these... Republicans. After all, it was you, after many years of working with councilmember and then mayor Maureen O'Connor (Democrat), it was you who said about the new mayor, Susan Golding (Republican, who kissed the Convention to come here this year), it was you, David, who said, "Mayor Sue just will not do." Oh, David, is it true that Filipino Republicans are Marcos supporters? Will you laugh in heaven, David, when I tell you I want to go up to the stage and ask them if they have any extra shoes for the homeless women of San Diego?
DO YOU HEAR US ACROSS THE WAY? WE WANT IN WITH YOU, TOO! WE ARE TIRED OF BEING AT THE END OF THE LINE - WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO BE HITTING THE STREETS, GETTING VOTES FOR YOU.
Oh, David, I laugh for you, and think they are going to wear out those shoes walking. Remember when we sang Nancy Sinatra "Keep On Walkin" in the office?
WE WANT IN, TOO! WE ARE REPUBLICANS! DOLE-KEMP! DOLE-KEMP! DOLE-KEMP! WE ARE THE ONLY PRO-REPUBLICANS AT THE PROTEST SITE!
Well. That's not quite true. At 11:40 today the "Environmental Republicans" will be here. And late afternoon of the last day, the "Log Cabin Club" has a time slot. But... well, I must admit this group is the first "Republican" group I have seen. Overtly Republican, at least. I'm not sure what is the political affiliation of yesterday's Confederate Lady.
Listening to the polite attempts to protest, I wonder: can you call it protest? Sounds more like polite cheering with a touch of grievance.
Or go browse the "Table" of Contents.