This generated an amusing moment as one of the hippies tried to gently suggest that hollering "rabble-rabble" in the middle of our protest rally might not really be cool. I'm standing there in the suit and tie, hearing from the hippy about trying to act normal so as not to put off average voters. He really was trying to be nice, and he did at least halfway have a reasonable point. Still.
All this seemed funny to me. In my own past, I'd probably have mostly been more likely taken for a hippy than any kind of Chamber of Commerce guy. Still, I've always much preferred Merle Haggard to the Grateful Dead. On the other hand, the Dead did cover a Merle Haggard song on their first album.
Anyway, I eventually worked my way down the crowd, handing out my own cards. Hey, I'm there supporting their cause, and hippies get to vote like anyone else.
This left me down toward the north end of the lineup on the curb, meeting my very bestest new friend at this event. Miss Tori is 10 years old, and full of the most charming earnest childish enthusiasm for the environmental issues that brought her hippy daddy and her out. Besides the money and the eminent domain, this I-69 project would tear up and pave over a lot of nice, clean land. It would certainly tear up a lot of natural wildlife habitat.
Nonetheless, I was shocked and appalled at what she was yelling at the passing traffic. Child, what's wrong with you? Why in the world would you want to "shave the animals?"
Sure, it's a perfect sunny 70 degree day now. A month from now, though, it's really going to be cold out here, and the animals are definitely going to need their fur. What in the world are you thinking?
No, Tori explained. SAVE, save the animals.
Ah, I see. That's alright then. So then, naturally I was standing there with my buddy hollering "Save the animals!" This was probably better than hollering "rabble, rabble." Plus, I was making friends with Tori.
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.