And all of what's here is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Lou Van Dyk, a former teacher and colleague who was just about the lone Democrat in Sioux Center, Iowa, forty years, or so, ago. He used to say that Dems met for their caucuses in a phone booth. Lots of people don't even know what a phone booth is anymore. Be advised, it's tiny.
Yesterday on our way to the Sioux Center Library for a meeting of the Dems, I asked Barb to take a shot at how many protestors would be there for a march--RIGHT HERE IN SIOUX CENTER. She chose not to answer. I told her, honestly, I thought the march against Trump and Ice and Evil itself might be 25-people big.
Imagine our shock when we drove up and saw a crowd my son-in-law (and others) estimated at 375-400. That's not a figment of my imagination. And while it may not have been last week in Minnesota, it was bone-chilling cold out there. It warn't no picnic, is what I'm saying. But there were literally hundreds-strong.
What followed was the biggest, wildest Dem caucus I can remember.
So there, Lou. Thanks.
And just in case some can't identify the subjects in the photo above, they're seniors and have been seniors for a long, long time, even residents these days of senior housing.
Yup, we were there. What a joy.
6 comments:
You go! All the two of you need now is a pair of "Melt the Ice" red stocking caps!
As a student at Dordt, I attended the Democratic party caucus in Sioux Center in January of 1976. There were three Dordt professors at the caucus. And, of course, Dr. Van Dyke was one of them.
Jim, could you please email me? I haven't been able to get ahold of you. Thanks! Judy Stokesberry
There might have been more than 400 protesters if Soros did away with the requirement that they be eligible to work in the United States b4 they can be bused in.
thanks,
Jerry
I heard about this!!!! Were there any Dordt students there? I heard the response or lack of it from the Republican state senator.... crickets. Pretty sad. So glad you were there and even more glad for the number!
It is all about political network, the political atmosphere is about division, hate, control, tribalism... both Republican and Democrats. If one continues to see the "other-side" as only bad, not as those we can have commonality, then there will remain division. The country needs healing, so both Republicans and Democrats need to start to identify what they have in common, and abandon tribalism "hot buttons"- promoted by MEGA, Democrats, and the Media which are all attempted to control the narrative. There are those who thrive on divisiveness, both sides of the political spectrum...until we start working together, we will have violence. However, violence and protests garner attention, and attention is what is used to promote a political agenda. I think Lou Van Dyke would have agreed, after all he taught me and I believe he showed wisdom and compassion, not divisiveness and hate. I am a Republican who cut my teeth on Lou's wisdom, and I celebrate his teaching which reflected coming together, working together to solve problems, and also standing up when things are wrong- yet a the same time to seek healing.
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