Live from Camp Casey. Day 7. I saw Cindy arrive at the Waco airport.

[brainshrub]

I saw Cindy Sheehan in the Waco airport on her way back to Camp Casey. She was immediately surrounded by media like bees to a flower.

Cindy was the last person to get off the plane. The arrivals out of the gate were surprised at the all the cameras that greeted them in the airport. Jokingly, the press cheered these first travelers... it was a funny scene until an older conservative in the back of the crowd (And right behind me) started yelling:

"Booooo! Boooo! Go home!!!"

This guy didn't realize that Cindy hadn't disembarked yet. He looked like such as asshat that I almost felt sorry for him.

When the Bush supporter realized that he was heckling the wrong woman, he turned to his friends and tried to convince them to chant "God Bless W" when the real Cindy arrived.

I turned to him and his two friends and said, as politely as I could: "Yes, please do that. I would love to get a camera shot of a belligerent screamer among a group of happy people. Let me get out of your way so that the press pool can get a good shot of y'all."

The guy gave me the nastiest look I've ever gotten, but my comment deflated the willingness of his friends to join him in his chant.

When Cindy walked through the gate, there were a few people who booed and hissed, but I don't think Cindy was able to hear them over the cheers of supporters.

A few moments later in the lobby of the airport, Cindy was giving quick speech of thanks to her supporters when the airport intercom interrupted with the following message: (Paraphrasing)

"Welcome to Bush country. Passengers please prepare to embark on flight 2345 to Dallas."

This elicited a few cheers from the anti-peace supporters in the airport. I'm sure they thought they got a good zinger in, but all it did was make Cindy's presence even more dramatic for the media.

Once Cindy and the media frenzy had passed, I remined behind in the airport. I gave in to a sudden urge to yell "YAHOO!" and jump in the air.

###

I'm starting to get the hang of this place. I know where to get a shower, where to do the laundry, where to get coffee and how to deal with the flies.

Rebecca and I have been documenting a marine named Jeff Key for the day. Jeff is an incredible individual, and we captured some powerful footage of him on his way to the airport to greet Cindy.

I dare anyone to tell Jeff to his face that he doesn't love this country. He is the most patriotic man I've meet in my life. His love for the Marine Core, America and freedom was so profound, I found myself tearing up when he spoke.

Here is a man who has been in combat and faced the enemy in Iraq. He would lay down his life in a nanosecond to defend this country, and do it with a smile.

Oh, and by the way: He's gay.

So I guess if you're a religious conservative, he's a bad influence on the rest of the armed services and he's going to hell.

###

I've noticed that the conservatives on the other side of the ditch are losing the terminology they have used to justify their agenda.

They no longer use "We support our troops" without the caveat "and President Bush."

I've noticed that that the flag waving has subsided a bit, and they've started using the Presidential Seal a lot.

There are more crosses and Jesus references than ever, it's as if they have realized that patriotism is no longer their exclusive domain, so they are retreating to the fundamentalism where they know they are safe. (The religious Liberals are working at cracking that nut, soon they won't have crosses to hide behind either.)

The silence of the open prairie is driving the conservatives mad. They are constantly blaring RW radio from their car stereos, and they hooked up a loud generator across from the ditch to power a gaudy display of Christmas lights and loud ultra-conservative music.

I suspect that they are using obnoxious noise to pull a "Noreiega" on us. What they don't understand is that we are enjoying it. From our perspective, Camp Casey is a kind of sweat-lodge ceremony, where we are collectively being purified in order to take the fight to the rest of the world. These attempts at provoking us are excellent training on how to deal with rest of America.

###

[SeattleGirl]

1. Thanks for another great update!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Al-CIAda]

2. Thank you so much, what a delightful read. nt

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Amazing that there are groups of "lovely" Americans

gathered together under generator-lit Xmas lights, and spouting the bible, all so they can show their solidarity of hate.

Glad to hear from you, brainshrub! Love your updates! :hi:

[pnorman]

4. "... sweat-lodge ceremony, where we are collectively being purified"

I LOVE that metaphor (I think that's what it's termed), and will use it myself at a suitable occasion.

Keep up the good work!

pnorman

[ClassWarrior]

5. It's a blessing to have the benefit of your eyes and ears, brainshrub.

Thank you.

:patriot:

NGU.

[Roxy66]

6. Thank you so much for your dedication to this country..I wish I could

be there

[brainshrub]

16. You are here in spirit.

If it wasn't for the support, prayers and letters of people like you, nothing could have happen in Crawford.

[Generic Other]

7. Fantastic report Brainshrub. Thanks so much for sharing

I especially loved hearing about the counter-protesters and their antics.

[Why Syzygy]

8. Christmas Lights?

Presidential Seal? Conservative Radio?

Man, that's pitiful. I do feel sorry for them, but will quickly recover.

[spuddonna]

9. What an awesome report! kick!!

I love your quote: "What they don't understand is that we are enjoying it. From our perspective, Camp Casey is a kind of sweat-lodge ceremony, where we are collectively being purified in order to take the fight to the rest of the world. These attempts at provoking us are excellent training on how to deal with rest of America."

Thanks to everyone in Camp Casey who have been reporting for us!! :)

Edited for grammar...

[enigmatic]

10. Fantastic Piece

The blogs at Camp Casy is some of your best work, bro. Keep it up, and keep the faith.

[anarchy1999]

11. It is all about Peace. Thank you so much for your eloquent post.

Dead to right. It is Ghandi, it is Martin Luther King and every other peacemaker that has come before us.

Thank you again, 1000 times 10 and then some.

YOU all make make my heart be glad, plus you lift up so many more hearts. I'm in awe.

[ClayZ]

12. Blessed Be, Peacemaker!

Thank you!


:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

:kick:

[proud patriot]

13. Thanks for the report brainshrub

:hug:

[Richard Steele]

14. "flag waving has subsided...they've started using the Presidential Seal"

That really says it all right there.

They serve a MAN, not a nation.

[brainshrub]

19. Yup. And because Liberals have stuck to their values

Yup. And because Liberals have stuck to their values, they have freed the language that the RW has used to paint their supporters as anti-American.

Now let me be clear, they still wrap themselves in the flag. There is no shortage of American flags on the other side of Camp Casey, it's just that it isn't preventing people from asking tough questions like it used to.

[TexasLady]

15. Bravo! what a great post!

and bless you and so many others for withstanding this gawdawful heat!

[LynneSin]

17. Thanks for the update

I'm looking forward to seeing some of the video in DC

:loveya:

[frictionlessO]

18. I loved the last two paragraphs, you hit the nail on the head there.

It is a giant purification ceremony in many aspects.

I can't believe they are pulling a "noriega" now.

Does that mean we can counter? I wish like hell I was still there with my didge, hooboy howdy I do.

In the end they kill their own cause... they are after all "anti-peace".

Thanks for being there Brainshrub and yes Mr. Key is awesome.... you forgot to mention his incredible smile that he so willingly shares.

[brainshrub]

20. Mr. Key is a 6 and-a-half foot tall hulk of a man.

Mr. Key is a 6 and-a-half foot tall hulk of a man with a smile that could disarm a tank.

The women keep commenting on how attractive he is, and lament his sexual orintation.

[lasttrip]

21. Hey Brainshrub!

:applause: :yourock: :applause:

:woohoo: :woohoo:

we all with you bro!

been mailing your updates to every contact in my book-they love them.

you are a TRUE patriot.

peace and take care.

LT

:kick: