President Obama in Arnold, Missouri, photo by smalltowngirl
President Obama's 100th Day, Fox High School, photo by smalltowngirl
What I saw were angry, agressive pro-lifers and anti-socialism protestors lined the sidewalk outside of Fox Senior High School. One of the anti-abortion protesters held a sign reading, “Obama’s policies kill 30% black babies.” I’m not even sure what that means.
News vans were parked in a flower nursery parking lot across JeffCo Boulevard from the school. A man dressed in an Uncle Sam costume and standing on stilts held a sign reading, “Govt Pork: more dangerous to America than Swine Flu.” Others held signs saying “Pray for an end to abortion,” or more simply, the word “socialism” with a red “X” through it.
Worse for American than Swine Flu, photo by smalltowngirl
This blog is not a political blog, so I’m not going to speak out on my own political opinions. I think it’s great that President Obama chose a fairly small Missouri community in which to speak on his 100th day in office, and I value our right to gather and protest in public places.
Racism is never okay with me, though, so this woman’s sign struck me as inappropriate:
Don't Tax Me Bro, photo by smalltowngirl
While standing amidst the protesters I had my own “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto” moment, substituting “Kansas” for “Brooklyn” and “Toto” for…well…nevermind. You get my point. President Obama’s visit to Arnold today will undoubtedly be referenced later, so in a way, I felt like I was part, however briefly, of a piece of American history.
For more of my photos from today, visit my Flickr stream.
St. Louis is... photo by smalltowngirl
Well when Fox News sponsors a high school, that’s what you’re going to get.
The “Don’t Tax Me Bro” most likely has a double meaning, if they were smart [dumb] enough to think that. Maybe it’s not a racist statement, it’s probably making fun of that college protester from last year that got tased at a political rally. He kept yelling “don’t tase me bro!”
Then the pigs tased him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE
wow, what disturbing placard undertones.
p.s. what’s the new domain?
Wow. As a StL person, I’m a little embarrassed. One step out of the city and you’re a rabid Republican? The tax issues are a sore spot with a lot of folks, though. Was wondering why he chose Arnold anyway.
That sign about the 30% had it kinda wrong. I think what she was trying to say is that 37% of abortions are by black women, but they don’t make up anywhere near that percent of the population. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html