British Expatriate Network

which is now on my "done it" list! lol

Got the kids in to bed by 7.30 on Tuesday evening... my head hit the pillow around 11... only to be woken up at 1.15 .... "mum, I'm ready to go and see him now"

"no, you're not... go back to bed"

That happened again with number 2 kid at 2.15

And at 3 with number 1


Got up at 3.30 ... out of the house at 4.45

.
.
.

It was amazing to see all the people coming in to the Lancaster Airport... it was still dark, and it was like looking at that scene from "Field of Dreams" you know, where all the cars are coming to see that baseball field?

All of the people there to see the Pres were very friendly... lots of kids were there, most taken out of school for the day, but some homeschoolers like us, so got talking with them about things other than politics! wink

Heard Arlen Spectre, Rick Santorum and several other people who are running for state positions.. and then saw Airforce 1 landing... very impressive. Couldn't see very much of the President really... so many people, but heard him of course. He had Laura (B) and Zel Miller with him ... Miller didn't speak at this rally, but I think he did at the ones later in the day.

There was one Kerry supporter who started getting foul mouthed... have to say I was very impressed really with the way the police just suddenly appeared, and dragged (literally) the group out. It wasn't as though I felt their presence was oppressive, but when/if it was needed, they were there! It was one fella shouting, but he had about 3 others with him, so all 4 were 'removed'. And wouldn't you know my luck? This happened just to my right! Who was it that said you should stay quiet and keep your head down? !! lol lol

Oh, and I thought I was going to get myself arrested by a tall, blond good looker! P D I only set off all the alarms going in, didn't I! Nearly died laughing. He said... "Okay, give me your gun now, ma'am". To which I'm ... "Oh sod it... you're on to me, aren't you" lol Oh, I got wanded, and pockets patted etc (tried not to enjoy it)... bag thoroughly gone through... well, the only evidence they had to convict me was that I have everything AND the kitchen sink in that bag, so I'm officially nuts! oops 8) P

By the time Airforce 1 took off again, the crowds were starting to thin out a lot... so my kids were thrilled to see it go off down the runway, and that made them happy campers. They got banners, and wristbands, and some other little goodies... and I think they're glad to have been there.

Don't know where the kids get their energy though... they just kept going and going all day, right up to 9 pm ish... when they got home from club. Me... I was about DEAD by 5!!!!!! Kinda nice to be back to normal routine today! wink

Freedom of speech doesn't exist in southern PA then

Nope... course not! roll lol

The Prez is a bit of a pussy in this regard I think.

He was in Traverse City last month, and you needed to be 'screened' and buy tickets long before the event (like 3/4 days)

At least Kerry welcomes the hecklers from the '4 more years' brigade and tries to have the crack with them.

I don't know enough about that to comment really, manc.

The only 'screening' we went through was at the entrance... where, as I said, I set everything off roll Other than that, nothing that I was aware of.

The tickets were free... DH just went to the Party HQ in Reading and picked them up on Monday... they were available right up to Tuesday, if they didn't run out.

I wonder if it's easier for the challenger to umm... what's the word? ... banter with the hecklers, than it is for the incumbent? Because it's not such a respected position, than if you were actually the President...

Do you know what I mean? I've a feeling this is sounding like gobbledy-gook! 8)

I have very limited experience with the US President but not a good one

Trying to get back to Denver via Chicago from St. Louis last year and bcos he was intown all the planes were dealeyd an hour so the skies could be kept clear 20 mins b4 and after he took off (I'm not sure why...security issued were blamed naturally). Had to watch his 747 take off while I realised the time was drifting by.........

But as a result missed the last connecting flight of the night and neither I nor the airline were happy when they had to put me up for the night evil

Sounds like a completely crap day out to me.

Surprised that any Kerry supporters were allowed there. I assumed that any Kerry supporters weren't allowed anywhere near these political rallies as B can't handle it.

Saw Air Force 1 take off from Phoenix last November when the Prez was in town on a fund raiser. Like UUF says, the other air traffic came to a grinding halt before his take-off. Fortunately, I was in a hot tub with a glass of wine in my hand so it was just an interesting sight rather than something to annoy me.

Anyone else find the plane a million times more interesting than the man it carried?

Actually there are two planes, one for reserve and they're pretty much identical.

Sorry to be pedantic.

Also....interestingly, it is not the plane that is "air force 1" but ANY plane that the president happens to be travelling in. When Kennedy was shot and Johnson was sworn in on a plne, they had to change the planes call sign mid-flight so it became "air force 1"

Just thought I'd throw in some interesing factoids.

The back-up is kept at Richmond, Virginia )

Interesting!! wink

Suppose I should have known that, because the plane that was dragging Harrison Ford along suddenly became AF1 didn't it! lol

I went to an interesting impromptu debate between local Dems and Reps yesterday. It was hysterical. Most of the arguments consisted of saying the whole other party is full of idiots and people who hate America. But my two favorite comments were a woman who hilariously said "Democrats claim to support the mentally disabled yet they've spent the last 4 years trying to get George Bush out of office." Lots of boos for that, though I nearly died laughing.

Another woman, also a Democrat made the case FOR Bush in a very interesting way. She basically said that the rest of the world is very interested in the outcome of the election. She said that if Bush wins their opinion of America wont change - the European world already thinks Americans are obnoxious arrogant idiots. But if Kerry wins Europeans will become even more intolerable as they will claim moral and intellectual superiority over America in a "I told you so" fashion that will basically show how anti-American they reall are. Interesting point.

I think the world, not just Europe will breathe a collective sigh of relief if Kerry gets in. The pro americanism we saw after 9/11 and which Bush has since eradicated, may even come back.

President Bush does not want any non-republicans at his rallies cos he can't handle challenging questions. That is why he clearly hated the televised debates and that is why if he gets in, you won't see many press conferences, as in the first 4 years.

Just because Bush is not a big people person, or a quick thinker - it does not neccesarily make him a bad leader. That's a whole seperate incompetency altogether.