Took off today to get arrested. It’s about time. I have been an arrestor rather than an arrestee since the ‘60s, thinking I was on the side of Right both ways. This time being arrested would be far more moral than being an arrestor.

My dog has a 12 by 30 run to which he has access from the garage, the cat can come and go, has a box with a blanket and heating pad. The dog and cat get a lot of their food from bins, they had water, so they were fine for a week or so. Told some friends, and told ‘em not to bail me out unless I beg. Planned on “sitting it out” for however long they would want to keep me. Off I went.

Left all ID at home, no sense making easy for ‘em to identify me. Took $20 in various denominations, rode a variety of transportation into a town with a planned protest. Didn’t want the responsibility of my bike or car in the area.

Found the march, joined, mingled, walked with them. Looked for someone, anyone, who could tell me about any peaceful sit-ins.

There were none. Even asked one of the Commanders I know. He checked on the radio. Nothing.

So, I wandered, waved, and that was about it. There was one clever “flying wedge” which raised a bit of hell, but was clearly just for the purpose of raising hell, and not an effective protest. Did tip over a motorcycle. Not my style. Didn't go near them. I’m a sitter, don’t want to hurt anyone, and then they brought in the horses.

Now those horses are very, very vulnerable. One long pin in the flank and there is a horse with a cop on it in a world of hurt. That would divert 25 or 30 cops from blocking a march while they tried to both get out of the way and calm the poor animal. I don't know if anyone figured that out, that wasn't my form of protest.

Came home after a couple of hours. The bus was running, and I walked until I got a ride. Feel better about myself. Watching on TV some of these people who are blocking a freeway, the commentators are bitching about it being counterproductive.

I don’t think so. I think it’s a viable message – your country is slaughtering innocent people and you won’t use your freeways as long as that’s going on. Seems like a small price to me, and while I respect those ugly, punk clowns, that’s not something I’ll do. Would feed a bunch of ‘em, though. Also think it’s reasonable to arrest ‘em.

Just heard a cop on TV say these people didn’t have a permit. A permit!!! As if GWB had a permit to kill people. Where’s the perspective, the morality, the sense of right and wrong? Is there a chance for America?

Wonder what the chickenhawks are doing. Probably talking, urging on everyone else, being punitive, hawkish, and chicken. Hard to respect that, to be honest. Got a lot more respect for the screwy-looking folks with what we used to call “Mohican” haircuts, only these are red and blue. It seems to me that many of the youth of America are putting their bodies on the line – those in the military, they deserve an enormous amount of respect, and those protesting. Can’t help but think that much of the efforts are misguided, that their leadership has betrayed each of them in many ways, but can’t fault the desire, willingness and energy they bring to their side of the process, whichever it is.

And then there’s the chickenhawks.

Arf