In fairness to the media some of their auguries did come true.
- There was in fact loss of life. Three deer were killed by the train I was taking to DC, resulting in significant delays getting to the rally and almost certain legal action against Beck by PETA.
- There were “counter-protests”–notwithstanding the fact that no one possessing minimal cognitive function would have considered 8/28 a “protest” in the first place—but they were marginal and what my late father would have called “mousefart.”
Among these, the prize for the most creative argument (or at least use of apostrophes) has to go to this small, but pithy, display for the benefit of 8/28 attendees leaving the rally.
The response of the passing throngs, at least those who broke stride, could best be described as underwhelming (violent, hate-filled eye-rolling for the most part). One passer-by did break ranks and scream (okay, he didn’t scream but I’m sure I saw his nostrils flair), “you guys are really sharp.” But for the quick intervention of the light changing who knows how that would have turned out.
Alternatively, it could be that people with lives to live and trains to catch, inspired by an actual message of hope, realized that the actions and utterances of such people are the small things we aren’t supposed to sweat, and acted accordingly. The cat’s out of the bag guys, and it’s after much bigger game.
