Scary stuff!
Lots of paper mache, drummers, dancing girls in riske outfits, and always in front and flanking the sides of these huge protests, laughing, singing, a strange carnival. Where the curious, however, really need to be in somewhere in the middle of that parade. Why? That's where the real heavy arsenal is being toted.
People on the sidewalks, watch the parade in wonder, disgust, amusement, some even applauding this most curious collection and assortment of human entertainment. Not ever wondering what exactly is being moved from within that parade. There's always something -- and if you get too close -- there's always someone in a clown outfit to steer you away, or someone poking you playfully, away - from getting too close to the core inner middle of that parade.. I mean.. protest.
Well, that's how it all arrived in San Francisco so many years ago. "Look at that curious new-agey thing"? Wow, I never thought about that. What a curious and fun way to get your message across"... are the usual comments when something "strange" comes to town.
Meanwhile, while the people are being distracted, entertained, diverted, something wicked takes root.
That's what happened to my once beautiful City. That's how it happened along the coastline of my much beloved even yet, state of California. That's how it happened.
It took root. And grew like poison ivy.