Forth with the Fourth
Ashland, Oregon has a parade on this holiday, like many small towns. Theirs, according to a young woman I spoke with at a bakery yesterday, reflects their political feistiness. I took a peek at their parade this morning while on my way to the Ashland Co-op, a wondeful source of great food...and they also stock maple butter. All at lower prices than the co-op in Seattle. I happened to stop between grandstands set up for senior citizens, and stood next to a seated woman who told me she was in her 90's, and had lived in Ashland for about 50 years. "Every kid who ever lived here has been in this parade," she said. Her last participation was marching with a group representing the local library; she said they marched along, clapping books together.
There were a couple of fighter jets swooping over to signal the start, and a little squad of motorcycle cops from Medford, making tight circles and running their sirens and lights. Then came some town dignitaries, including the president of their chamber of commerce, who literally had a pom pom in one hand which he brandished as he exhorted the crowds to cheer. Perfect embodiment of booster mentality. Not too far behind him was the governor of Oregon, on foot. Ted Kulongowski, I think is his name. I wondered why he chose Ashland for his photo op. The Ashland city band marched by, playing Sousa, and some kids' groups. It was so hot, the mood palled, so I left without seeing any political statements.
On our way up behind Lithia Park for a hike, we saw the city band playing again, nice wholesome family fare. On our way back from the hike, we heard very different strains coming from the park bandshell. A metal band from Medford called Hind End was working hard and really rather well. We stopped again, and appreciated their energy. Unexpected in that setting, definitely.
Tonight's play was King John, and it was excellent. Every character had good lines, and there was bitch slapping and weaselry galore. King John had some fine death scene lines.
Ah, to bed, perchance to dream.
There were a couple of fighter jets swooping over to signal the start, and a little squad of motorcycle cops from Medford, making tight circles and running their sirens and lights. Then came some town dignitaries, including the president of their chamber of commerce, who literally had a pom pom in one hand which he brandished as he exhorted the crowds to cheer. Perfect embodiment of booster mentality. Not too far behind him was the governor of Oregon, on foot. Ted Kulongowski, I think is his name. I wondered why he chose Ashland for his photo op. The Ashland city band marched by, playing Sousa, and some kids' groups. It was so hot, the mood palled, so I left without seeing any political statements.
On our way up behind Lithia Park for a hike, we saw the city band playing again, nice wholesome family fare. On our way back from the hike, we heard very different strains coming from the park bandshell. A metal band from Medford called Hind End was working hard and really rather well. We stopped again, and appreciated their energy. Unexpected in that setting, definitely.
Tonight's play was King John, and it was excellent. Every character had good lines, and there was bitch slapping and weaselry galore. King John had some fine death scene lines.
Ah, to bed, perchance to dream.
posted by isabelita at 11:37 PM
2 Comments:
You know what I noticed over the fourth? A serious lack of protest from the disenfranchised...aside from the folks who did the Kommando thing over at http://kommandos.blogspot.com/, there wasn't much of an uproar about anything wrong with our government - the apathy resonated with the deafening silence
Hey, Kathy, I volunteer for bitch slapping duty. I am fully qualified...
'spike, the young girl who played Arthur in King John pulled out little toy soldiers from her pocket while in captivity by the uncle... I couldn't help but think she might have been doing a stealth Kommando protest on July 4th...
I think "the people" are benumbed. There is wave after wave of propoganda from Bush&Co. which the short attention-spanned public doesn't bother to sort out. Even if one is trying to stay alert, it can be overwhelming.
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