The protest was a bust.
Only a couple hundred attended with no more than about 50 in attendance at any time. The weather was horrible and I'm sure contributed, but the main thing that quelled direct conflict was that the state preempted any confrontation by barring the doors to the state house gallery.
My brother and I drove down and milled about but I'm still nursing the aftereffects of two root canals and consequently really didn't want to be there. I think we stayed about 45 minutes.
Those who engineered the event were well-intended but need to learn a thing (or thirteen) about planning and promotions. I searched the web (which like it or not IS the communications media for our age) and could find only fleeting references to the event. I looked at all the usual local suspects - nothing. The page that offered the most comprehensive coverage - this thread at IAL. That's depressing.
My brother, who insists on believing that he can reconstitute the local pubbie party, said that he talked to a bunch of local "leaders" - to a person they distanced themselves from any hint of support or interest in the event.
So I'm left with this:
I thank God that I was fortunate to live on my country in a time when we had principles and honor. I count myself fortunate that I was born at a time to at least live a portion of the "Great American Dream" before we pissed it all away.
I'm thankful for the forethought I had to purchase the, er, equipment that I have. Let any man who would entertain the notion of separating me from it first make themselves good with God.