Posted on 06/29/2003 3:54:53 PM PDT by tallhappy
OK, Sunday, June 29, 2003
I heard about a freep of Hillary at Vroman’s in Pasadena, a book signing. That’s my home ground, so I figured I’d stop by and check it out. I parked a ways away, thinking maybe it’d be crowded (it wasn’t) and walked up on the opposite side of Colorado. I saw the long line extending down the sidewalk across the street, so I didn’t cross the street and walked to the corner on the far side. That is where the freepers were stationed.
I waited for the light and some fellow in line across the way was screaming at the freepers across the street. He was screaming something nonsensical about the freepers wearing O’Reilly kneepads. He was using the f-word as well. I figured when I went past him I’d tell him to keep his dirty mouth shut. Interestingly, the light turned green and as I walked across the street, this fellow, an overweight unkempt fellow with a few weeks growth of straggly beard – it wasn’t Michael Moore, but I now realize it’s a lefty phenotype – was crossing the street the other way. Was he going to confront the freepers? So, as I passed him I pointed at him with my index finger and said, “don’t cuss in public.” He didn’t respond and looked taken back a bit, if anything.
I snaked my way through the crowd of a line blocking the sidewalk. I went to the main entrence I usually go in and the door was closed and covered over with white paper. The store looked closed. A dude in a sharp suit and haircut stood there, must have been secret service. “Is the store closed?” I asked. He kind said yes, and I followed up with “I can’t buy a book?” He said this door is closed.
I went in another door and was in. There were the early birds waiting and as soon as I was in I heard, “there she is”. I turned to look as well and caught a glimpse. I didn’t look to long. The early birds did a little cheer. “Yay Hillary! Hillary for President.” This was just as she arrived and settled down in front of a blue curtain.
I winded around the store to go over to the sections I always browse, as much as like normal. They’d blocked off one edge of the aisles, and at a spot I always browse a trio of older men hung out, talking about it. One said he was just waiting for his wife to get her book signed, then he could go. They talked a bit about whether she was actually signing them, which she wasn’t. The books were pre-signed. I chimed in and said that seems like a rip-off. The fellow who said he was waiting for his wife said that once he waited for Schwarzkopff for hours at a book signing. One of them said he could see Hillary and it looked like she was actually signing them.
I wanted to move up and browse and in doing so I was moving closer to where she was. There were all sorts of people trying to get a glimpse of her. One fellow was holding up his daughter. He was saying he wanted Hillary to see the girl and her shirt. I didn’t see what the shirt was.
How it worked was the people were to buy vouchers for the book. They’d then take the voucher up and get the book when they saw Hillary. Later they had to go pay for them I guess, because I got stuck in a long line where I was the only one not buying multiple copies of her book. I asked a tall fellow by me if there was a register for non-Hillary purchases. He said there was a register in back but it’s just the same. He looked at the book I was holding and saw it wasn’t a Hillary book. Someone started talking to him saying they recognized him from TV or newspapers. I wondered who this guy was? He was with a tall and accompanied by a tall beautiful woman. The well-wisher said she’d heard he was retiring. “That’s not me, that’s my father,” he said. I realized then that he was Nate Holden’s son, I believe his name is Chris, who is a politician in Pasadena. He bought four of Hillary’s book and the new Harry Potter book.
There were people about with “Dean” buttons. And every once in a while the crowd got an organized chant going: “Hillary for President.”
The store personnel were overwhelmed, not letting anyone in – it’s too crowded in the store. People outside waiting to get in looked so sad, so expectant.
They’d run out of books, but were still selling them so people could go and see her. They’d get the book later, unsigned. I don’t know how much her book costs, but basically this was direct pay to see. One had to pay to be in line and be in her presence. So it was at least 25 – 30 bucks a pop. Many people were buying more than one.
I think one of the other reasons for these book signings are to scout big spenders. They are looking to see who buys, say, 10 books and tap them as a bigger contributor.
When I made it to the cashier and bought my book I asked for the nice bigger back with plastic handles they were giving those who bought multiple copies. I was ready for coffee and went to the café there and got a cup. I was going to sit around in the patio there, but all the spots were taken. I walked back the way I’d come and crossed the street to the corner where the freepers were. They had someone in stripes (Clinton), Monica in a blue dress, Clintonocchio. I walked past them with my Vroman’s bag. A casual observer would think I had some copies of Hillary’s book in it. As I went by them, no one said anything to me, like say, “why’d you buy that book” or something. The freepers were totally polite in that way. I sat down on a bench near them to drink my coffee and watch the proceedings. People did engage the freepers. A couple young ladies came walking down the street and saw the freepers. I heard them begin to discuss, “should we cheer, ‘Hillary!’? There were cars driving past that honked. A number were honking in support – thumbs up by the driver. Others showed thumbs down.
As a gaggle of Hillaryites crossed the street and passed bu the freeper corner, one 50ish lady began yelling, “at least we have a candidate who can get it up.” She said it a few times. What I notice is that there were other Hillarites right behind her with elementary school age kids. Is that how grandmas talk to ot in front of their kids.
And also, what candidate is she talking about? Is she saying Hillary can “get it up.”
There is a disconnect between support for liberal and leftists and how many people who support them live I think. Many people are naive and sheltered (and not all that well informed or intelligent).
These people were very sincere about wanting her to be president. It is something to be very concerned about.
You mean you STILL thought she couldn't? Smile...
Nice report.
I sure hope it's a pitiful minority.
Let's hope so. Seeing these people I almost feel sorry for them.
I know what you mean. I too have had the same thought. I will be honest though, I have sadly broadened the group I place in that category over the years.
At least our candidate's daughters don't look like Webster Hubbel.
Then "Get your Jim Jones coctails right here!"
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