Earlier this week, John and Cindy McCain dropped into my little town for a visit.  Of course, they weren't there to visit anyone the likes of me.  It was a visit to the more than 100 supporters who felt compelled to pony up $33,100 for the privilege of attending the event. Their goal was to raise $500,000 in an hour and the word is they succeeded. The police were there as was the sheriff, the bomb squad, assorted emergency vehicles and, of course, the Secret Service.  The private fundraiser was held at one of the many gorgeous houses on Lakeshore Boulevard, aka Millionaire’s (and Billionaire’s) Row.  Those of my political ilk, not surprisingly, were not invited.

In order to demonstrate the stark contrast between political philosophies, a local Republican turned Obama supporter (who COULD have afforded to attend the McCain affair) decided to throw a picnic.  A free, catered, everybody's-welcome kind of picnic with a barbecue, drinks, and plenty of good company.

 And, lots of good campaign literature.

McCain had been speaking earlier down in the valley and was due to travel to Tahoe around noon via a long and winding road, the Mt. Rose Highway. We had spies posted outside the high school in Reno where he was speaking with the intention that they would be able to tell us when he left so we could time our appearance on the sides of the highway and also at the private fundraiser location.

We never got a call from anyone, but as soon as we saw motorcycle police zooming by our picnic location, we figured he must be near. Sign holders were dispatched to the Lakeshore Mansion and a friend and I scurried to position ourselves alongside the highway. After climbing over some rocks and tramping through the vegetation, we found the perfect spot – signs at the ready – right across from two motorcycle cops who were obviously waiting for the Straight Talk Express.  Suddenly, the cops zipped off down the road.  Thinking McCain was coming from another direction (there are only 3 ways to get into my town), we hopped back into the car and headed up the hill only to be passed by McCain’s entourage heading down the opposite direction. Alas, there was no Straight Talk bus.   Just a fairly nondescript group of cars – not even a limo. The road, on our part, was paved with good intentions, but we managed to miss the whole motorcade!

The highlight of the day for us was the fly-by.  One of the group had had the bright idea to send not only kayakers to float around with signs on the water side of the house, but to hire a boat to tow a parasailer with an Obama banner.

 You could say it was just another day in paradise.  But it occured to me: how many could we feed, how many textbooks could we buy, how many homeless could we shelter or how much medical care could we provide with $500,000.  Or even $33,100. 

I'm sure the McCain crowd was content in their secure, luxury compound at their little closed event.  But I bet we had more fun. 

I'm not sure they know how to have fun. 

Photos by Ciprian