WPII

Monday, October 4, 2010

"Drain the Swamp Rally," I

Hartford, CT

Last Saturday several hundred people turned up for a rally on the grounds of Connecticut's state capital, in Hartford. The organizers were a number of groups associated with the "Tea Party Movement" and most of the speakers during the two hour event were running for political office. Each speaker was invariably introduced as a True Conservative and Real Patriot. They denounced generally all incumbents, but especially the "communists and socialists" they assert are running Washington, DC. A theme that every speaker seemed to stress was that to fix the dire condition of the state and nation, they wanted to cut government, and cut all non-defense spending. As though economic problems have nothing to do with funding the military industrial complex, or fighting two (going on three) foreign wars.

The audience seemed to have a broader range of concerns, though all expressed from an extremist right wing viewpoint. For the next few days I'll post pictures from the event and let the slogans on the signs and T-shirts speak for themselves.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Brazen Betties, V

Torrington, CT

The block party continued with an instrumental "surfer band," complete with go-go dancers. The band was called The Clams, because, "we don't sing."

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Brazen Betties IV

Torrington, CT

The local art association, Art Well, participated by making space available for "pinup inspired art" and here's some of it.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Brazen Betties Fashion Show, II

Torrington, CT

As always, you can view a larger version of the picture by clicking in the image. Use your browser's back button to return.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Tax Day Rallies, VIII

Hartford, CT

Tax Day Rallies, VII

Hartford, CT

Tax Day Rallies, VI

Hartford, CT

The Capital Police Force estimated the Hartford crowd at 1,200. That seems a bit generous to me. I pegged it at more like 900, but I can't claim any special training in crowd estimation. Most of the speakers for over two hours spent part of their time defending against anticipated criticism of, "the movement," as radical, racist, extremist, or stupid. They dislike all of these categorizations, except perhaps "radical" which some at least seem to be adopting as a badge of honor. But one strong-voiced middle-aged man, waving his hand broadly over the crowd, declared "look at this diversity!"

I was stunned. I'd been looking for non-white faces. I'd seen fewer than a dozen. Three black people including the young man above, twice that many of Asian heritage. The final speaker was a local businessman who told his story of coming from Puerto Rico with nothing, to make a success at the American dream. He emphatically identified himself as not an Hispanic-American, but as an American of Hispanic ancestry.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Paddy's Day 2010, XI

New Haven, CT

This year's St. Patrick's Day celebration in New Haven was low-key compared to last year. The weather certainly had something to do with the small crowds and subdued mood, but there was

another reason. The police had launched a high-profile publicity campaign promising to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding public drinking. Take a look at my pictures from last year's celebrations in several Connecticut cities, starting here, and you'll understand what a sea-change that represents. The rowdy celebration is such a tradition I wondered if there would be resistance or protest, but saw no sign of it. The bars were all open, but the coolers and cases were gone and almost nobody ventured onto the sidewalk with an alcoholic beverage in hand.