Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Peace Vigil #14, April 24, 2007


This is the soon-to-become-famous Peace Hydrant. A large box created by Pat. It covers the fire hydrant and looks like another protester standing for peace on the corner. Some said it could double as a latrine??!!


The weather was beautiful by any standard today. Around 60 degrees and sunny. The wind was breathless. We started Peace Vigil # 14 at 5:00 PM with just a few people. Actually, these few people were on the corner some time before the specified 5:00 PM starting time.

More folks filtered in and the grand total for the day was 22 adults, 2 kids and a small dog. Although I must admit to being a yellowdog Democrat myself. That is, I’d vote for a Yellow Dog before I’d vote for a republican.

I consider having over 20 people out for the Peace Vigil a great triumph, especially over 20 two weeks in a row. People are excited about the prospects in Washington with bush’s showdown and threat to veto. We clamor for Congress to stand fast and not back down from the job they were elected to do, and that is to get an end to this war and get our troops home.

The Mayor of Ashland, Ed Monroe, showed up again today. This is the second Vigil in a row and the third overall that he has attended. He carried a sign while he was there. In the past, he had hung around and talked with people, today he hoisted a sign. When he left, someone said to him something about running for Governor. Mr. Monroe said, “Don’t bet on it.” Maybe he knows something about the job.

I personally didn’t see any “half peace signs”, and no one reported any negative activity. Many many horn honks and waves. Maybe it was the large box that was cut to fit the fire hydrant. Made it look like a monolith for peace. People spotted it and started honking and waving.

Over all, a feeling of peace from at least one of the participants. A young man named Bill told me he felt a good feeling about the togetherness that the group has while we’re out there. I suggested that it was the forces of the universe working on us as we stood between the bright sun to the west and the little-more-than-half moon to the east. I pointed to these orbs and made the giant peace sign with my arms. He considered this as a reason. I believe it as one.

I added another site to the side bar. This one is called VoteVets. Vote Vets is a group of people who have served in Iraq and tell their stories. They support Senator Reid in his attempt to stop this war and they are adamant about noninvolvement in Iran. Please take a look as well as the other new link, The Department for Peace, also listed on the side bar.

Next Tuesday is May Day, May 1st. We decided that whoever wanted to, could bring musical instruments. Drums, Kazoos, whatever. We’ll make some noise in honor of May Day.

On May 5th, at 3:00 PM, a March for Peace will start at Northland College here in Ashland and march to the band shell downtown. This Peace March is said to meld the group of young people at the college and the Tuesday at 5 PM Peace Vigil group into a large force. Sounds like a good idea. Many of the Tuesday group will march on May 5th.

I’ll try an update later in the week. Feel free to comment or come to Ashland and join us some day. Tell us about your marches and vigils, we’d like to hear about them.

In the meantime, Peace to all. Thanks for all you do. Enjoy some pictures of Peace Vigil # 14 below.

Some of our signs. Many folks bring more than one for those lost souls that don't have a sign to carry.



Long shadows at 6:00 PM, but with May and June soon upon us, the sun will be high in the sky for a few months soon.




Some of the fine folks who Vigil for Peace on Tuesdays at 5 PM in Ashland, WI



More of the gathered froup standing for peace.



Peace to all. Peace, Please, Thank You.

4 comments:

Peacechick Mary said...

Well done. I've been thinking of making a sign the shape of a person - I don't know what to put on it, tho. Who knows what my mind manages to play with; I'm sure I don't.

Coffee Messiah said...

Great "hydrant" idea! ; )

Nice to see the numbers grow (we knew once the weather turned they would) and with the latest about the cover-ups and deceit about some military deaths, we should be getting closer to cowboy gw eating some crow, at least I'm hoping.

I hope it's over by then, if not we are shooting to meet up with you still in the heat of August. ; )

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Blue said...

You are really getting quite a following, mr. spadoman! I LOVE that peace hydrant!!!