We’ll be attending the Rally to Restore Sanity on the 30th, and I’m hoping it will not be a problem. Nishi and I will be traveling down with Anne Marie, on our way to the Carolinas. According to the FAQ on the Rally’s website, a permit to get a bus in the city costs $50, while parking it costs another $40. I think I’ll be leaning on the fact that I’m driving an RV, and park it on the street somewhere several days beforehand. I’m sure we won’t attract any attention. Then again, maybe I should just get someone to shuttle us from a Walmart.
I’m pretty excited for the Rally, and I’m certain it will be fun, though I’m curious how they’re going to play it with the March to Keep Fear Alive occurring alongside it. A few weeks ago, Peter invited us to go out on the streets with him baring signs of acceptance and love. Nishi flew a “Free Hugs!” sign while I carried one that read “Have a nice day!” Peter made a sign that is shockingly similar to this one that appeared on the Daily Show a few days later. When he told me about this idea, I thought it would be funny to hold a counter-protest on an opposite street corner, with people holding signs supporting the abstract concept of hate. It would probably be pretty funny, but it would also undermine any legitimacy the initial event promoting love had.
I’m a little worried the March to Keep Fear Alive will do just that, and the entire event will just become a Daily Show / Colbert fan circlejerk. It will still be fun (I mean hey, circlejerk), but it won’t really register with anyone outside those circles. I’m also hoping I’m wrong, because I think the Rally for Americans in favor of a return to sanity, or something like that, has an extremely legitimate message to get across, and is addressing what is at least partially responsible for the lack of any real governance. I guess we’ll wait and see.