One Brick Short

The serpentine line snaked its way down the handicap access ramp, past the primary entrance point and back to College Drive as what appeared to be half of Albemarle County lined up to get the handful of tickets available for Friday’s big Fourth of July at the Mansion.

People were cool. Tempers were nonexistent. The pro-George W. Bush people and the anti-George W. Bush did not spontaneously combust when brought together in a matter/anti-matter reaction as many believed.

Those turned away when the tickets were quickly distributed did not grow horns and fangs and attempt to disembowel or in other way harm the Monticello messengers who brought the news. Sure, some weren’t happy and the rest were definitely disappointed, but instead of weeping and great gnashing of teeth or rending others’ garments, they continued to stand in line to put their names on a will-call list lest tickets later become available.

Many in line were supporters of President George W. Bush who will deliver the guest-speech at the party on the mount. The cited the bubbling well of anti-Bush sentiment and protest as one reason for making sure they were up and about at 3:30 a.m. to get their tickets.

“I think it’s wonderful that he’s going to speak,“ said Gay Powell, of Charlottesville, as she waited in line. “I don’t think he’s gotten the credit he deserves.“

Others for whom dislike of Bush is almost a religion, would agree. They don’t think he’s gotten the credit he deserves for starting a war, for restricting rights, for Guantanamo Bay prison, for phone taps and a variety of other offenses for which they’ve whacked him with nicknames such as King George and Unitary Executive.

And speaking of Bush Whackers, they deserve much credit. They could have flooded the gates Tuesday night to get all 1,000 tickets so they could boo or catcall or shout-down the president as he spoke. To do so would be a right under the Constitution and perfectly legal. Instead, they lined up like everyone else and gave the politically passive a chance to see The Man in person.

Think about it: When you feel oh, so strongly about something or someone as divisive as politics and politicians, it’s not easy to let slip through your fingers a venue to vent and make your opinions known. It’s hard to forego a chance to make others see your point and to do so en masse. That takes self-control and a sense of place in the world.

That self-control and respect for others should earn those who carry placards and chant on Friday the same respect and self-control from those who disagree with them.

So when you see the protesters Friday, honk and wave in a friendly manner. Let them know you support their right to exercise their Constitutional rights even if you don’t agree with them.

That’s the American Way, or at least it ought to be.

Maybe there aren’t enough anti-Bush people to grab all 1,000 tickets.

I’ll bet there are 1,000 anti-Bush media people.