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As one person who was also there said, “It was like a big family picnic.” Well, without the food. Everyone was friendly to everyone else. No one in the groups I ended up walking with even asked your name, we just started talking like we’d known each other our whole lives. Mostly the signs or tee-shirts or State flags let you know where someone was from, but that didn’t really matter to the occasion.

It was . . . family. Calm, peaceful, fun, enjoyable . . . family gathering.

And the Capitol Police said “Thank YOU” to the group I was in as we returned to Union Station.

Next year will be better . . . but we’ll need to gather sooner and plan to leave Freedom Plaza at 8:30 or 9 AM, because I imagine there will be twice as many people. [Some of the people I rode on Amtrak back to BWI said that all the DC hotels were full and that they had to get rooms near BWI (Airport).] And I expect more Conservatives of color will join us next year, too. The ones that were there that I saw were having a great time, just chatting and talking and comparing notes. Everyone was so friendly and polite. It was a great experience. Bring the kids next year.

I expect more Conservatives of color will join us next year, too. The ones that were there that I saw were having a great time, just chatting and talking and comparing notes.

Yep, great faces without the trade mark of typical snarl that all liberals sport. They were comfortable in their skin, if I may say so.

Agree with nearly everything you said. It was better than being at some of the family gatherings I've been to. The people were much friendlier. ;*)

What amazed me was that all Americans were represented!
You would think only "white" redneck racists attended per the enemedia.

Yes, there were a lot of white folks, but they make up 74% of the population (as of 2006) so why wouldn't there be a lot there? Latinos make up 14.8%, blacks 13.4% and Asians 4.4%. I don't know that they were "equally" represented at the March, but they WERE represented! All of them!

The same goes for Mideastern heritage and former soviet block countries. They were there, and they were there as PROUD AMERICANS...not some ethnic group whining they are not being fairly represented...AMERICANS!

Couple of things I left off before.

And the Capitol Police said “Thank YOU” to the group I was in as we returned to Union Station.

I'm not surprised. They were probably happy to be on duty that day. I was joking with them and asking where the riot gear was. They were laughing and showing me how all they had to do was put a piece of plastic streamer up and ask that we go to the right. "And you all did it!", one officer said in amazement.

This is how I am used to seeing the police in DC when they are on duty for a march through the city.

This pic is from mid March 2008 in front of the Recruiter's Station on 14th St. in DC. 100 or so anti-war commies decided to march through the streets, without a permit, hurling rocks and paint bombs. Kristinn, Basil, trooprally, TrueBlackMan, Flora McDonald, me and a few others were standing between the officers and the Recruiter's station.

I'm not picking on you...but you had some good points I wanted to comment on. Well, this one isn't so good, IMHO.

Next year will be better . . . but we’ll need to gather sooner and plan to leave Freedom Plaza at 8:30 or 9 AM, because I imagine there will be twice as many people.

Gathering earlier will not aleviate the problem, and may hold down attendance for many that drive in. There were a number of folks I know, including the photographer for this thread, that made no attempt to get to Freedom Plaza prior to 11:30 for the beginning of the March. Others went directly to the Capitol, skipping the March altogether.

Also, families with young children or older family members have a lot to do to prepare to attend an event such as this. If they have to start at 6 or 7 AM they may decide it is not worth the effort.

No, simply make the congregating area a much larger venue, not some little speck of a park that most had never heard of! Gather at the Washington Monument or Constitution Gardens. It wasn't the time that was the problem, it was the place!