I think I might quit Olyblog after dealing with comments today. Thanks everybody.

I actually submitted more, but "somebody" felt the need to censor me. That's what I get for being a little bit sorry over some unpleasantness in the recent past, apologizing in a roundabout way, and giving him some benefit of the doubt.

I left work yesterday with a 102.5 fever. Came home and shivered and shaked with the heat cranked up, under blankets, sweatshirt and sweatpants on, with a heating pad on my feet. My head hurt so bad that I was puking. You may have noticed a break in my posting yesterday. I'm feeling better today, but I'm still sick apparently because I still have a fever. Maybe this is making me overly cranky and critical, maybe I'm just being more honest because of it, I'm not sure.

With all that in mind I'm gonna step away from the port threads. You all know how I feel, I won't go into it again. Just please, please stay safe, don't hurt yourselves or anyone else...and for Christ's sake try not to end up in jail.

Norm out

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Listen to "No Talking Heads" this Sunday on KAOS 89.3 FM at 5pm.

Arrived at the gate today just as vehicles where heading out and to the sound of people shouting "you got what you deserved." The voices were on the side of the street with the most American flags. The heckling continued for quite some time and picked up when people were creating this in the intersection:

It was heart warming when the first few cars slowed and went around the peace sign. Then one determined driver made her feelings known by making certain she drove right over it. To my astonishment, the citizens with the flags cheered like they were at a football game, and cheered more loudly at the next car to do so. One woman remarked "now's that for blowing in the wind." "What extraordinary ugliness," I thought, but kept my mouth shut as did everyone on the anti-war side. There was discussion of taking turns walking over to hug the woman, but no one stepped up for that duty.

Suddenly the peace sign gave me an inspiration. Peace became pizza. So I went to Old School, purchased to giant pizzas and delivered them to the protest site. The left got the vegetarian Garden and the right got the meat laden One Ton. All the anger melted away like cheese and dissipated. I didn't bring any for the police because EG has that covered.

Here are some pictures of saturday's activities associated with the port protest. Go to my flickr account if you want some commentary.

It looks like the public in Olympia really holds a lot of respect for you. Good video, doesn't have the slant that all of you protesting folks try to push. It looks like you got some great results tonight and stopped the.....oh wait all you did was slow everything, and everyone, down. Way to go. I'm sure after today more folks in Olympia will be willing to step up to the plate for your cause.

Edited to add: The video is from the Olympian online. Thanks for taking video daily O!

Blocking equipment returning from Iraq seems so counterproductive, and yet so pure and simple a motive and action... let's see if I can sort this out with a list:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thirteen arrested while containing military convoys traveling through Olympia; community brutalized by Olympia Police Department

November 10th, 2007 - Thirteen anti-war demonstrators were arrested while attempting to contain Stryker vehicles from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from moving through the streets of Olympia, Washington. Three of the arrests took place at the intersection of 4th and Plum St. in downtown Olympia. Ten arrests took place at Union Street and Plum Street near the on ramp to I-5 North where anti-war demonstrators were in lock-down with PVC pipes locking their arms together.

With a commitment to non-violent actions, Olympia Port Militarization Resistance aims to end Olympia’s participation in the illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq by stopping the US military’s use of the Port of Olympia. As of 3:10pm all thirteen are being held at City of Olympia Police Department Municipal Jail.

Before arrests were made dozens of protesters and bystanders report being brutalized by the Olympia Police Department (OPD). At 8:30am OPD appeared at the port in full riot gear, just over an hour later police were using batons and pepper spray on demonstrators blocking the shipment and bystanders as well.

Jeremy Pawloski who is reporting for the Olympian Newspaper for demonstrations since Monday, November 5th was witnessed being assaulted by police officers. Caitlin Esworthy reported seeing Pawloski struck in the upper body and shoved him back six feet. Tony Overman, photographer for The Olympian newspaper, was pepper sprayed according to eyewitness accounts. He was previously embedded with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry division while they were deployed in Mosul, Iraq.

Here's a link to a set of photos from today.