Nashville Election Fraud Action Scuffle

(sorry this is so long, ya'll -- i'm rambly today.)

A scuffle broke out in front of Sen. Bill Frist's office on White Bridge Road in Nashville today when a car-full of young enlisted men harassed the 40 or so election fraud protesters as the event was wrapping up. Interestingly, it wasn't anything the anti-protesters did that caused the scuffle. It was a couple of young women who wanted to hear what they had to say. In the interest of full disclosure, it was me and this other girl who served in Desert Storm.

After the guys had been harassing the group from across the street, they drove up behind us in the parking lot and *LAID* on the horn. Then one of the guys in the back seat gets out, stands on the running board of the little tuned-up Honda and is addressing the crowd -- you know -- yelling. But it wasn't incoherent or obscene. He was responding to a woman who had replied to their taunting by quickly sketching a sign that said ENLIST. And he's saying he *has enlisted.* He's on his way over to kick some "Iraqi Butt." And one other guy was also going to kick some butt too. They had enlisted over the summer. The driver was a Bonaroo-looking college guy -- not enlisted.

Here's the funny part. When they stopped with the horn I went over there and tossed some stickers in the car that read "we are being lied to." And Bonaroo-looking guy gets out of the car, crafts a hocker (not a great one, but not too foamy either, I was impressed) and spits on the stickers and throws them back in our general direction. He looked like a crazed hobbit bent over spitting, his longish curly light brown hair poking out from under his cap. At the same time the enlisted soap box guy is saying, "I'm enlisted, its my ass going over there. Why are you all (blah blah blah) against Bush... " you know. "Blah blah blah." Me and the Desert Storm woman had a couple of retorts that interested them. They wanted to talk and to talk you have to get closer or else you are yelling. But about this time, some of the Election Fraud protesters physically tried to herd us away from them.

A lot of energy is in play at these events. And I have to tell you, it was shocking to be physically "moved" or "herded" by people on our side, but I know everyone meant well. People take different roles when unexpected things happen. Some become motherly, leaders step in, etc. It was a very odd moment. I was very interested in who was actually laying hands on me -- an older lady wearing a colorful handcrafted frock, a dread-locked guy with the cell phone and digital camera, and the well-dressed woman with the ENLIST sign (oh, and everyone else). The general idea I grokked was that the group didn't want us to give them any encouragement. They wanted us to turn and face the street, and that's why they were physically trying to make us turn around.

Then, the Desert Storm vet said something to the effect of "I think somebody needs to get their hands off of me," and everyone backed off. She was totally cool. Said it in a calm yet firm way. So we walked over to the car and she's talking to the red-headed new enlistee who was standing on the running board of the Honda. Once he gets the message that she's a vet, he's interested in hearing what she has to say. She's totally soft-spoken, but he's listening! Meanwhile I'm asking the guys in the car what their deal is. Running-board guy is 18, his friend in the backseat who is also going to the war is 19 (and taking classes). The preppie-Bonaroo guy is 20 and just taking classes.

Here's the thing. If I were their age, now, with the limitations on Pell Grants and the hype with the military -- that could very easily have me or my friends I grew up with. When you're that age, all it takes is drinking too much with the wrong crowd one night. Or finding out your boyfriend or girlfriend is cheating on you. They were going to war because they have to do SOMETHING to get "on" in life. Why not go kick some "Iraqi butt" as they mentioned? Not only is it a job, and a promise of an education and a journey into adulthood. The military is seductive, especially during wartime. Especially for kids doing technical school (Frist's office is right next to the technical college) who might be at the end of their resources. The kind of kid who would enlist *right now* is someone who is looking for initiation as much as all the rest. They are engaged with life, and that's why they took the time to come over and annoy us. How cool is that?

Anyway, we had a great conversation about Democracy and making it work here, so their lives aren't wasted over there. They were interested in our "military cred," she being a vet, and me being from a big military family in addition to marrying into a military family (like if we didn't have any cred we shouldn't have anything to say). We actually DO have military cred, but I would argue what we have more in common is socio-economic background. Like I said, these guys are totally the kind of kids I would have hung out with. I got lucky. They have not been so lucky. Deep down inside they are scared to death. The smart ones are scared and pissed.

It's not like we are back in the 60s with all that mythology about soldiers bearing the responsibility for the political leadership. I don't that was ever the situation, actually. I think it was hype about spitting on soldiers, although if someone can produce evidence, I won't argue. It's beside the point. Right now, we Support the Troops. The story they need to hear -- that we are on their side.

I apologized for tossing the stickers in the car, but explained that we're doing theater just like they were and Bonaroo-guy agreed and apologized for spitting on them. Then we laughed. He was embarrassed. Then the red-head enlistee said he thought is was funny the only people who had the guts to come talk to them was a couple of chicks. I said, "well, it's not their fault -- they're old school. They expect something bad to happen. I think it's cool we got to talk." The guys seemed a little let down that no one got to "break red." As I was leaving the police showed up to see the "disturbance" was just some people standing around talking to each other. I noticed the young men were circulating with the rest of the group.

I apologize if anyone takes offense to me telling them I thought the scuffle was because "old school" stuff, I don't mean that as an insult. I just really believe that we are in a different place right now. Going back to the piece I wrote, " we've got the power -- we are a MOVEMENT -- here's why (and how)," all this negative shit (election, war, theocons) we are dealing with sucks -- BUT it makes our rhetorical position nearly unassailable. Even some of the most seemingly adamant Bush supporters CAN be talked to, even under highly-charged conditions.

Let me be clear about this -- our political climate is so bad that it's bringing people together. Our ability to reach out is a measure of how pervasive our problems are. It's not a pollyanna world. It's a dark, scary world. It's up to us to shine the light.

here's that other thing if anyone wants to read it -- brook

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x232406

It played out in my mind like a movie scene. Very vivid. And: good job!

I wish I could hear one like that every day! Way to de-fuse an ugly situation and make a difference.

THANKS!!!

seen what happened! I'm a mile away off Charlotte. School starts again tomorrow so will there be another demonstration in front of Frist's office then? My son won't let me take the kids to any political demonstration in case there's trouble.

they've been having speakers and brainstorming at Vanderbilt. I didn't get to meet Bernie, the guy who organized it. Great group.

there's a lot of good things to do with kids that aren't demostrations...
back when i was in college -- during the cold war -- we did an art exchange with our sister city in the old soviet union. a school in russia and a school in east tenneessee exchanged pictures of what they thought 'peace" was. it was a really great show! the kids loved it.

I have a friend at who teaches at Abintra and they are always doing great political activites with kids. i'll see if she doesn't have any good ideas.

You are absolutely right, and you displayed the skills, leadership and presence of a true Liberal Democrat. Your ability in that situation to cast off traditional 'dualistic' politics to listen, and learn, defused that situation - and those three may approach every political moment of their lives a little differently, as a result.

I wonder if we, the grassroots Liberal Democrats, did just that re: Jan 6. The good news is, just like the 'Kerry Won' issue, it doesn't have to be black and white. We don't have to 'win' to win - It's about intelligent progress by using your enemy's momentum against him, and conserving and channeling your own rage.

Extraordinary work, Binky!

That was a natural bringer-together. And god bless you for having the instinct to want to talk to the guys! The climate we live in today sure isn't one of reaching-out, is it?

In defense of your old school companions: they probably fully expected confrontation and wanted to shield you from it. (The "older lady" probably was a teenager during Kent State, LOL!) I guess you realize that, and I'm glad you didn't take offense at them.

Keep up the good work! And thanks again for the story.

it was very 'protective' -- i wish i had thought to use that word in the post.

If so, what time? I'm in Franklin and would love to be there.

planned. i will post if i get anything.

I used to live there. I graduated from Franklin High. Used to hang out at the Shoney's. (Also the old confederate cemetary). Is the Big Boy still there?

we should all strive to become. How did the red head feel about his recent enlistment after he talked to your friend?

I know a few Gulf War vets myself. Calling them vets seems silly to me because I still think of all of us as being young kids and when I think of a vet, I think of some old guy, like me Grandfather who was a WWII vet (most of my friends went over there when we were 18-19.) Reality is, we all have kids that could become draftees. I think vets need to come forward and talk to kids like this, just like you and your friend did. I listened to a Vietnam vet talk a 17 year old kid out of joining the marines when the war first broke out. He had a great way of hitting on all the points that make a kid consider going to war. He told the kid that it was an honorable thing to join up, but that it should be reserved for an honorable war.

the average bear. i get that because he was a listener. he seemed to be hungry for a sense of "what it's going to be like." mine and my husband's roots are such that people went in the military to either get out of the mountains or get out the swamp.

it was a long time before i knew my future father-in-law was ex-military. i was shocked to find that out b/c he was always talking politics with me and he would say charming things in his thick hillbilly accent, "i''m not gunna live long enough, but you guys are see them take the bastards out and shoot them." he was speaking metaphorically. but to see this huge white-haired man in overalls talk about revolution, i couldn't square that with military service. that's because i was young. i totally understand now.

if the red-head makes his tour of duty and lives to be white-haired, he will probably have something like that to say.

He is awfully brave to go over there right now.

I almost wet myself LOL!

We all need to remember this when we talk to our fellow americans!

"The power of gentleness is great" C. Hering

I am also comforted by the fact that we are a blue county in a red state! Do any of you belong to Music Row Democrats? I have e-mailed them a couple of times but never got any response.

hopefully they put you on their list. i think their major thing was getting those ads on the air. i would love it if they'd do a progressive internet stream (could have alt.country and commentary). i'd listen for sure.

of a three hour long interaction with the staffs of two Republican Senators, and colorful and communal rallying with young and old; Black, White and Asian; Green, Democrat, Republican and Libertarian; oldsters and newbies. In addition, we accomplished some good communication with the Nashville public on two of the major streets in the city and were part of the efforts of several hundred (thousand?) other folks around the state who showed up at our Senators' offices at the same time everywhere to deliver our signed petitions. We'll also have a story posted on the 'net about now (with pictures) on the Tennessee Independent Media Center. (I'll provide a link later.)

Fortunately, the late-day distractions with the youngsters didn't detract from the three hours. We did have good interactions with the kids and left them with some election fraud handouts that they didn't spit on. We also got them to agree that free and fair elections are something we all agree on. The scuffle even brought out six Metro cop cars briefly which added to the street theater (and we got to educate some cops on the rules of public protest at the same time).

If anyone is interested, I will post a description of our day in the Orange State capital later this evening (when I finally get home). I still have emails to send and calls to make and faxes to send -- all aimed at DC. We have six pages of signatures we turned in with our petitions in Nashville and similar petitions were submitted in Jackson, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Blountville. Plus we have individuals collecting signatures and faxing them in themselves from across the state. While I haven't heard from everyone, Jackson probably did the best job -- several hundred signatures from four rural counties, and meetings with their U.S. Representative's office as well as with the Senators' staffs. (Way to go, Diane.)

Perhaps the best moment for me was when one of us who were meeting with the Senators' staff people asked directly: "Tomorrow, will our Senator be standing with the Republican Party or will he be standing on principle?". And the (honest) answer was: "I don't know."

More later, if anyone is interested. Now for the long drive back to Fly Holler. Brook, we need to start meeting face-to-face. And the Franklin poster should PM me to make sure we let you know of the next meeting of the Gathering To Save Our Democracy. We will not go away -- we've already collected 2,000+ email addresses in three weeks in the Orange State in support of free, fair and verifiable elections.

Now to go call/write/fax. Repeat. Call/write/fax. Repeat.

Peace out. Bernie

in East Tennessee. she'd like to do a story. send me an email or p-mail and i'll forward it on to her. she didn't seem to need a local angle, but that always helps. the Blountville sigs should provide that. she can also go and get quotes from the politcians. great writer, ex-AP.

i've been talking to people who saw the protest and wondered what it was about. the visibility is GREAT during lunch at both those sites. lots of folks are interested in on-going stuff. it was short notice for everyone i emailed last nite.

GREAT WORK! thank you so much for such a great action!

i hope i didn't make it sound like the only thing going on was with the kids -- i just had to "report" and i felt like there was a kernal of truth in that little bruhaha.

I have always been saddened by the Kerry team's refusal to campaign in Tennessee - we can be reasoned with and we DO have a Dem governor.

This is a fantastic story, Nashville. You are my hero! :loveya: And, I hope that those boys always remember you (I'm sure they will).

I only wish we'd had more time to organize in Knoxville. :( I did get in touch with the woman at the vet school (being vague on names here since this is a public forum), but she never did call me and never gave me her number. However, from last word, she was getting the petition signed over at UT, which is probably the most liberal place in the city. I, however, work with a bunch of Freepers, so I only was able to get my family's John Hancock's. Will fax over in a momento.

Great post. With you guys in my state, I am proud to be a Tennessean.

and logging, there's a history of activism.

i compare tennessee to florida because that's what i'm familiar with. i find tennessee much more progressive. every city in florida (it seems) has a military base and while there's a lot of progressive people, there's less visibility.

So often, people only think of protesting, but don't take time to listen. If you want to engage people, you have to be willing to listen to their point of view - and shouting discourages that.

I loved your post, and nominated it for the home page.
Rev. Cheese