I'm getting to be a regular feature in downtown San Jose. I got to the tea party close to the end. My husband was all freaked out by the rhetoric on Fox News and online, so I did not wear any costume. But I needn't have worried... There were much more interesting people there to yell at. I belong to all the peacenik mailing lists, so I wasn't surprised to see a counter protest in full swing: I'd gotten invitations for it.

I didn't join it, because that wasn't why I came. I thought a lot about whether I really wanted to come and if I'd be able to talk to anybody productively or just piss people off. But upon reflecting on my own experience at these kinds of things, I remembered how I had always hoped that the other side would show up, ready to join my cause, or at least hear what I had to say.

I wanted to be that person, so I didn't bring any signs or anything. Just me and my camera. I arrived to see two groups held apart by police. As I watched though, the battle lines eroded, and the cops started to leave.

And eventually, it was just a few heated discussions. And though I was apprehensive about going, I'm glad I went. We could use these moments to rekindle something of the spirit this country was founded in. We could stop letting the parties play on our emotions, deploying us against each other, instead of rallying together to improve our government and our communities. Maybe we will someday. That really would be a new way forward, wouldn't it?

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite moment was watching this gentlemen explaining the origin of his flag to a young'n. For another perspective on the San Jose event, click here.

 

 And for an awesome depiction of your tax dollars at work, click here.