Saturday, Sophistry and Saints...

I woke up early Saturday morning to feed my nieces, mom, and dog zeus too, a good quick meal of Oatmeal, bacon and fried apples, with cinnamon and brown sugar...
A warm, tasty meal to energize me in my quest to get out by 9 in order to get to Busboys and Poets by 10 o'clock to attend a regional Green Party Presidential Candidates forum.
The ride was pleasant: brisk 40's, with a light wind constantly kept at bay by a cloud dancing sun.
Nice morning for a ride even consideriing a car I cleverly missed while it made a legal right hand turn unto Massachusetts Avenue at Lincoln Park on Capitol hill Se.
I continued along gingerly across the city, glad to be out of the house and occupied this fine Saturday morning. I got to the corner of 12th and U st. NW. and proceeded to walk the next two blocks because I was tired of riding that damn bike. I knew I had some time because I make that trip in 46 minutes giving me at least 15 minutes if I use "standard time"...
Though since it is lefty politico time, I knew I had at LEAST, 13 more, cuz they never get off on time; thus giving me time to pass out US Constitutions. Got rid of 22 in 7 minutes or so... the last one, moved after dropping off bike at 14th and V st. nw.
B&P was lively inside; the morning brunch was popular: plates coming and going. I walked through the front dining area and headed to the back room, which contains the stage. There, manning the gate am are 2 campaing workers handling out fliers.
Start chatting, and discover they are Nadar people; I ask: Why was Nader getting a surrogate--Howie Hawkins, to be on the ballot for the District of Columbia's Presidential Primary, February 12th 2008? She gave me the know it all liberal look and pause and then begins to explain there "strategy": Hawkins was being used to collect delegates in case Nader STRATEGICALLY JUMPS INTO THE RACE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. "
"I know, I know" I said, adding " it just makes him look like a political opportunist", than I sat down on a cushioned seat- which sat just off the rooms entrance- and drank my coffee.
After 10 mintes or so of watching black pants waiters shuffle between tables, customers, and staff... I look up from my empty cup and see a entourage of 3 with pre-candidate Nader in tow. They make a turn at the door heading to the nearest table which sat nearest the door; seat themselves and begin to puruse the menu, while people continue to enter and exit the already packed green gathering.
It was roughly 10:20, and we were given the word that the forum was to start in 5 minutes, so I grabbed my stuff, and took my seat just inside the door on a padded stool; though excellently placed it was only occupied with vaious civic tools: voter registration forms and a of sundry papers of that nature. Great spot(I leave after 5 minutes so a late arriving woman can sit, while I stand) if I could say so myself...
The 6 members on stage consisted of 4 candiates and a stand-in: no, not Hawkins but Head-Roc, dc hip-hop and a voice for the McKinney campaign; McKinney has registered as a Green and is on the ballot for their nomination. She was in NY for a "more important" engagement but was excellently represented by Citizen Roc.
Kat Swift, Jesse johnson, and Kent Mesplay were running for the Presidential nomination; with Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowaisfzo-Curry and her "epiphany" of a "new America", championing her bid for Vice Presidentcy, of this once great nation. It was her voice and the passion of Mr. Roc connected with me as an independent voter: passion and inndividual vision in action, building a better world through of social and green economics.
A beleif in the Unity of red, white, brown and black people.
Traditional, lefty soundbites that still satisfy my soul after all these years.

Good...


Of the 4 who spoke as Presidential "candidates" (including Nader) it was Mr. Johnson whom was closer to my independent beliefs; his mix of mountain ethics with green politics, can sell in post America. He was one of the peopple who took a copy of a Constitution. I provided unknowingly to him outside earlierbut he did not need a copy cuz he had a nicely, old style fit leather edition he kept in his pocket...

Hour one was spent with meet and greet; very little of any debate over the differences between the "rival" candidates. Though to be fair if they stuck to a Green party script making them and their party appear bland and passive. To believe that the future is dire does not make for an successful party or future society: sustainabity, global warming, downer, downer, downer. The only saving grace is there support for impeachment. Its a negative issue but it at least got the crowd in an mild uproar.

(Zero population growth: come on... who you gonna kill?)

Then, pre arranged questions from the audience for maybe 20 minutes.

Still no fireworks, more cheeerleading, and a growing sense of boredom. But that was about to change, as the candidates were asked to leave, the stage is cleared, adding only a large stand alone micraphone, alone at center stage. "Will everyone please stand out of the walkways, firehazard," we were demanded, so I move to the back a to watch "star" about to be born.

He steps on stage and heads easily to the micraphone; and delivers his tested and true rap about "corporate control" of the electoral system.
I was amazed how much more "press" the Party was giving an unannoucned candidate, the "real green" candidates were not treated this well. Nor were they permitted to personally fundraise; they just passed "hats" through the crowd not delineating its ultimate breakdown once it is in the hands of the "Party". Nader's act was different in style and substance providing a clear baramoter of his character and ability to lead this once great nation.

How does he view your money ?

His fundraising took the form of an "auction"; he had a pen, yes a pen-- he was to auction that had some significance, which I have already forgotten.
The bidding began at $50, then jumped to 100; I thought we had a ceilling but a man from behind me, offers 150. "Once, twice", no, $200 from across the room; I was surprised that this gathering would kick down that type of cash but then a new bid of $ 250 topped the previous high. "No way", I muttered aloud as the room grows quiet with the customary hush that follows when an unexpectd bid enters the market of competitive bidding. Nader begins to work the room, cajolling a higher offer by naming some of the qualities of this aformentioned pen: it was a signer of this... a marker of that documment.
Let's make a deal!!
A voice, stage right left gallery mentions $275; the man, named "John", seemingly an acquaintance of Nader's due to the jovial exchange they have after Nader mentions him by name. A acquantance which does not spare him the Nader funding net as Ralph then unbelieveably holds the whismy comment at face value, an uses it to inflate the tally: can we now get 300?

"A used car salesman, has better taste" I thought, but there is more...

How about $300, said the Green Gantry, preaching for public goods and saved as before by the voice emanating from behind me: "300 dollars". I was amazed at this display, and "he did not even offer them a book", I said aloud, as the crowd stood and offered this good samaritan a public round of applause.

Nader then asks Mr. 300: would he mind taking another pen just like the one offered, so he can give the auction pen to his acquaintance, his "John 275"?
To my surprise, he said :""Yes".
As I watched the on stage switcharoo of pens, from his hand to his "john"...I thought: "hmh...I bet he gets that pen back before the day is out...

Unprecedented in my nearly 20 years of direct political operations and indirectly being in this shit and in this town for most of my 40 years, I had witnessed nothing like "that".

Now for the cherry: he then "suggests" that all those whom bid be held to them as donations to his campaign!
WHAT!!!
Can you imagine if Bush or Clinton had been so brazen with other peoples money at a similar event?
"That is called a shakedown on the street..." I said aloud, laughingly recognizing this classic hustle being unfortunately perpetrated against such innocent, sympathetic sheople.
"He at least could have given these people a copy of his lame ass book"(up front), I added aloud, though to no avail as he smiled, having pocketed over 1100 dollars, as the crowd moved on to Q&A.

I tried really hard to be one of the first to ask a question, taken directly from the raised hands in the audience. Then a party member began collecting names of people she knew; adding another 4 to a list being compiled by Vice President Curry; this resulted from a surprise question from a Dem. party mole who brought up the spoiler angle to the disgust of party members throughout the room...
The questioned ranged from his lack of Party identification to corruption in ballot access. NO hard hitting issues like the economic crisis and the institutions which have caused it. So as they tried to end the proceedings I yell out: what about the Federal Reserve...do you support the Federal Reserve System? He looks to the back of the room says"wait a minute", then begins to yap about some "green" issue. After he finshes, he 'thanks the crowd', and tries to walk off stage; I yell it again, but the mic closes, the lights dim, he turns and the crowd begins to make its exit...
"Damn", I thought as I head to the front of his table, where I congratulate Mr. Johnson; then I briefly wait for the great, fake, shake(r)to arrive.
So Mr. Nader the federal Reserve?
"Well it is a private bank" to which I said "of course."
He then gives the old brush off: you should read a book by some liberal jewish writer whose name I had never heard of and did not see how it related to his opinion. Seeing his uncomfort and his focus on signing his "book", I leave him and his fans to themselves...
So I left, and on my way out, I meet DC homegirl and Statehood stalwart Anise Jenkins; we exhannged hugs and kisses and chat about the gathering I just had experienced. She was late, but fortunately still had time to confront Nader about his lack of support for a party he quadrannually wants to use to further his own name. " Girl he wants that press" I say as, we chuckle, hug and part as Ms. Anise goes to find out more for herself; while I get outside and into the real world...
After unlocking my bike, I turn to walk down 14th st. towards U st., where I am stopped and engaged in conversation by 2 Greens, John and his female(sorry about name) friend. The conversation was aboout what we had just witnessed.
We agreed that they as a party should promote themselves and not a man who seems to have a personal agenda first and the Green Party somewhere below.
I told them "I loved them" and "good luck" as we parted because they will need much support in consolidating a party with many well intentioned voices but few microphones available to hear them...

happy birthday adam