For one thing, there was an outfit there called the Bloomington Circus Collective. I think they were responsible for the bongo drums and face paint and giant puppets. For one thing, they sure helped to make the event colorful and entertaining. Looking for identifying hippie marks, such as dredlocks and pony tails and bongo drums and such, I'd estimate that there were a hundred odd people from different groups that might be likely grouped as the Bloomington hippy crowd.
They also managed to bring some delightful pre-voting age kids with them who really gave me great personal delight. I was standing along the curb with my Gividen sign with a couple of very charming teenage girls. Naturally, I started ranting about danged dirty hippies for their benefit.
One of the girls, probably 15 and wearing beaded hair, immediately picked up that I was doing a little Cartman routine. We started bonding over favorite episodes of South Park. I didn't quite get her name, but she gave her buddy Lilli her camera phone to get our picture. She promised to email me my pictures with her and Lilli.
Anyway, a couple of tv news crews were on the scene. If I were less philosophically inclined, I might have been annoyed that they weren't interested in the candidate for US Senate out protesting. They were much more interested in my new friends, and their friends with the face paint and drums. In fairness though, those girls weren't quite old enough to vote, but they're far cuter than me.
Also, we're standing along the road, hollering at the cars passing by. I'm not particularly expecting them to hear anything I might say, so I'm really just making noises to attract their attention to look at my sign.
In short, it didn't much matter what I said, which is asking for trouble. Following the South Park theme, I found myself literally yelling "rabble, rabble-rabble." I know that's not right, but I really couldn't help myself. I'm not sure if this made me the rabble rouser, or if I was actually the rabble being roused. I think that's one of those "chicken or the egg" deals.
Article comments
1 - Claire
It's always the 'hooks' that getcha'!
Al a wonderfully written and informative piece about the I-69 situation, the rally, and I felt as though I was there your description was so well done.
But it was the "story within the story" that made it superb! Tori sounds like quite an astute young lady, and the picture of you standing there helping her cause gave me the warm fuzzies, something one doesn't often get from politicians :) Thank you for the enjoyable read!
Claire
2 - Al Barger
Thank you so much for your kind words, Miss Claire.
There are all kinds of different reasons and motivations for being involved in politics, and we're not always aware of them ourselves. Certainly I'm concerned about government policies and budget deficits and such what.
A lot of it though certainly is social. A significant part of the reason for being involved in Libertarian politics is that I like hanging around with Libertarians.
Also, nothing makes me feel more like I'm part of the community than campaigning. Cracking jokes with constituents at county fairs really does it for me. Helping Miss Tori shave the animals may be the most fun I've had all season.
Indeed, I'll probably be out this weekend doing a little door to door, largely just for the personal gratification of it. We're probably looking at something close to 2 million votes to be cast in this race. No couple of hundred doors I can knock on is going to make a difference in that.
Still, I might well buzz up to Liberty or good ol' Muncie to spend a couple of hours meeting some voters.
Good times.
3 - RJ
Great story.
I'm expecting you to pull 5-7 percent, Al.
Don't disappoint a donor! ;)
4 - Al Barger
That would be in line with polling. We'll see.