August 29, 2004 DOES NOT EQUAL August 29, 1968

[No Mandate Here.]

After an amazing, emotional afternoon watching the march on CSPAN (thanks to them for being the only network that has the nerve to talk about or show the positives of the day), I began to think about how much different this was than the demonstrations and war that went on in Chicago in 1968. As one who is past 50, I remember those days pretty well, especially considering that Chicago got its start at that time. In fact, their first album (Chicago Transit Authority) has a song that begins with the start of the march to the park, and then the chant of the whole world is watching...

Today's march caused me to get real emotional (wish I had been there), and I decided to play the album. It was by reading the album notes that I realized that this is the anniversary of that disatrous march, and the contrasts were quite amazing. There were far more people, far more TV and far less out of control dissent.

Thank you to all who were there. This was one hell of a focus group. You will assuredly be heard.

[enough]

1. From what I've been reading around the net, one HUGE difference

is the attitude of the COPS.

I've seen a number of anecdotes of cops helping protesters today, laughing with them, even chanting with them.

Hope this is true. Any reports from marchers?

[Chili]

2. another big difference...

...the police weren't determined to bash anybody's head in, either (like in 1968). Instead of forcing confrontations by being hostile, the police and NYFD calmly put out that fire, cleared and cleaned the street for the protesters, then let them continue. And the protesters calmly let them do their job. I was very impressed, by both sides, and was very happy to see it. It was a great day today, all the way around. I hope it ends on a good note.