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This is today.
I wish I were there. But I am here at home, trying to restore my own sanity, in a very personal, trivial way.
Some dear friends that I have the honor of getting to know were there on the Mall in D.C. witnessing history: Nancy at Mature Landscaping. Renee at Life In the Boomer Lane who actually wrote an excellent post about WHY she was going to the rally. “Dufmanno” who was there with all her family who traveled from New York, New Jersey and Maryland. I cannot wait to read their recounting of this historical day!
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While we are waiting for our blogosphere personal news reporter to take a breather and share with us their stories, here is the most basic, yet important, piece of information about Rally for Sanity that got me all excited and scream BOOYAH! to the monitor:
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According to CBS, an estimated 215,000 people attended the rally today. This means:
Sanity, 215000. Crazy, 87000.
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Sanity won. Who knew?!
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Jon Stewart’s closing speech deserves to be quoted in full as Rolling Stone has honorably decided to do (Note: You can find a nearly comprehensive transcript of Stewart’s speech on Rolling Stone since they did not want to reduce the 10-minute speech to a mere sound bite. Or you can watch the 12-minute video here). I am however guilty as charged since by Ctrl+C & Ctrl+V I hope to be as close to awesomeness as I possibly could…
There are terrorists and racists and Stalinists and theocrats, but those are titles that must be earned. You must have the resume. Not being able to distinguish between real racists and tea partiers, or real bigots and Juan Williams and Rich Sanchez is an insult — not only to those people, but to the racists themselves, who have put forth the exhausting effort it takes to hate. Just as the inability to distinguish between terrorists and Muslims makes us less safe, not more.
The press is our immune system. If it overreacts to everything we eventually get sicker. And perhaps eczema. Yet, with that being said, I feel good. Strangely, calmly good, because the image of Americans that is reflected back to us by our political and media process is false. It is us through a funhouse mirror, and not the good kind that makes you slim and taller — but the kind where you have a giant forehead and an ass like a pumpkin and one eyeball.
[As a metaphor] These cars… Everyone of the cars that you see is filled with individuals of strong belief and principles they hold dear — often principles and beliefs in direct opposition to their fellow travelers.
And yet these millions of cars must somehow find a way to squeeze one by one into a mile-long, 30-foot wide tunnel carved underneath a mighty river…And they do it. Concession by concession. You go. Then I’ll go. You go, then I’ll go… Sure, at some point there will be a selfish jerk who zips up the shoulder and cuts in at the last minute. But that individual is rare and he is scorned, and he is not hired as an analyst.
Because we know instinctively as a people that if we are to get through the darkness and back into the light we have to work together and the truth is, there will always be darkness. And sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t the promised land. Sometimes it’s just New Jersey. But we do it anyway, together.
If you want to know why I’m here and what I want from you I can only assure you this: you have already given it to me. You’re presence was what I wanted. Sanity will always be and has always been in the eye of the beholder. To see you here today and the kind of people that you are has restored mine. Thank you.
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here are some of the signs that made me chuckle:
no images were found
(Sources: HuffPost, National Post, Chicago Press Release)
And, drum roll please, here’s my favorite one, hands down, or inside…
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I was able to watch Saturday Night Life on television (as opposed to on Hulu) tonight while I folded the laundry, as part of my “Restore My Sanity” one-woman rally the eve before Halloween… In the cold open, Joe “The Veep” Biden (as hilariously played by Jason Sudeikis) asked Americans to gain some perspectives by comparing themselves to the Chilean miners. They sang their national anthem every day while trapped underground. They prevailed. And when they were rescued they wrapped themselves in the Chilean flag as if Chile had just won the World Cup.
For people that complain, Biden/Sudeikis has a checklist for them:
Are you above ground?
(Long pause)
That’s it. That’s the only item on the checklist.
Don’t be the whiners. Think of the miners!
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Courtesy: www.maturelandscaping.com
Update: Here’s the post by Nancy at Mature Landscaping about her experience at the Rally. Here is the sign sported by her group. It is awesome.
I’ve been in hiding this month, so I have to say this in hindsight: my pleasure at all things Sane lasted only for two days. Clearly the sanity was shortlived. As all good things are.
Sigh.
We need more intelligent comedians. Seems the only thing keeping us from bloody revolution.
Naptimewriting recently posted…Good morning
Thank you for sharing this.
Robin recently posted…Funny Games
You are very welcome. I am pretty sure that people who visit my blog are those who would appreciate the signs as much as I do. 🙂
I’m hoping Renée will be reporting soon too! I told her I’d be with her in spirit!
Love Jon Stewart’s comments…
Wendy
writerwoman61 recently posted…Master Carvers- A Masquerade- and Some Minor Mishaps…
Just found this link for a list of more than 350 signs seen at the rally: http://bit.ly/aaHaiL
Wendy
writerwoman61 recently posted…Master Carvers- A Masquerade- and Some Minor Mishaps…
This is so cool! Thanks!!!!
No problem…that post is “Freshly Pressed” on WordPress today…
writerwoman61 recently posted…Master Carvers- A Masquerade- and Some Minor Mishaps…
You should have seen the “Sodomites for Sanity” they knew how to party.
I usually spend so much time complaining about lack of parking and road closures that I forget that there is occasionally something worthwhile taking place on the National Mall besides the filming of Transformers 3.
Lots of smiles, thousands of happy attendees walking the streets on a beautiful day afterwards, and good vibes all around.
We needed a good laugh down here to help us emerge from our fear bunkers:)
dufmanno recently posted…We’re Making Plans For Nigel
So happy you’re there, witnessing the whole thing! It really did make me feel like I was there too.
Those signs are awesome! I like the comedy/news channel one.
Unknown Mami recently posted…Sundays In My City
It is true sadly, isn’t it? Jon Stewart having to remind people over and over again that he’s a comedian.
I had the viewing pleasure of my home TV. I loved it! I was awed and inspired. The world is not really going crazy.
Velva recently posted…An Autumn Sunday Supper
It is so nice to know that indeed. I hope the news media got the message.
Boo. Still pissed I didn’t make it but at least my little brother went. I should check on him. Sure hope he didn’t get arrested.
Elly Lou recently posted…Uke Shook Me All Night Long
let me know if you need bail money.
The signs are oh so clever, I really like how they do not embody hate or misplaced anger. Love the Palin/Voldemort sign too!
Meg at the Members Lounge recently posted…I Can’t Help Myself Friday The Spooky Edition
Yes I am pleasantly surprised by how even-toned the signs are. And Jon Stewart’s message was neutral as well. Nicely done.
Okay, the Palin/Voldemort sign had me laughing so hard that I shed tears. That is SEVEN kinds of awesome!
I can already picture a SNL skit with this. Awesome indeed.
It really does feel like a new day when Jon Stewart’s sanity has been restored. I have to admit, I feel better myself. And I love that slogan about the miners and whiners. It’s already been added it to my repertoire.
It comes in handy for domestic situations too!
(I was referring to my husband…)