By Mark David Blum, Esq.

Dwight D. Eisenhower; the epitome of all things Republican and ‘American’; former President and Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, famously observed that, “here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels -- men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, we may never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion."

This past weekend in Washington D.C., a dear friend of mine went back to his roots. In a move completely out of character, he packed up his hillbillymobile and drove off alone to join in with tens of thousands of others who marched on the Capitol in their demand to end the war in Iraq. Upon his return, the glow on his face reflects the patriotic fire that was lit in his heart. Impressed not only with the numbers of those who marched with him, but he was obviously deeply moved by the sheer realization that he was marching upon the same hallowed ground as did Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and every other great figure in American history.

I too once ventured to Washington D.C. and at the same time swore the same oath. “I’ll be back.” It was the weekend of my swearing in as a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court. Though I thought I knew much about the Nation and its history; as I learned later, I knew very little about the city itself. When the Mrs. and I had some time to go sightseeing, we stepped outside the hotel and started wandering around the City. After three or four hours of finding nothing but old marble buildings and very little else, we finally made a turn and almost walked right by the White House without even noticing. That was when we turned around and saw this ‘thing’ called the National Mall. Alas, if only we knew it was there when our legs were still healthy we might actually have seen some of our Nation’s historical sites. We swore we would be back; with the kids.

Such was the declaration I heard again after my friend returned from his adventure. As did I, he too felt the very essence of this nation’s heartbeat in every giant block of marble and granite. You could see the almost childlike “wowzers” in his eyes as he spoke of grand nature of having been at the very center of the political world.

To know my friend is to know the mind of paranoid libertarian. Convinced there are CIA and FBI infiltrating his world and trying to break into his computers, he is constantly on alert. More important to him however, is remaining off radar and privacy is a fundamental concern in all that he does. He even sent me once to investigate a trailer parked at the end of his street because he suspected police of setting up a listening post near him. (The trailer was for sale).

Politically, my friend and I are kindred spirits. Though soft-spoken, quiet, and reserved; behind the façade beats the heart of a true American. He cares about his friends and neighbors. Social and political issues are very important to him. Until recently, ‘Drugs’ were his concern. He shares my sadness at the devastation caused by the War on Americans. But despite his strong political and social opinions, for him to crawl out from under his hiding place and join the throngs in Washington D.C. speaks louder than any words he might share. That was a costly, time consuming, exhausting act. As my mentor, I sit here humbled by how far he went to make his point. Jane Fonda might get the camera’s attention, but my dear friend surely got mine. He gave up far more than did she. His risk was greater, his reward lesser, and his face invisible to the world. Yet, I know that he walked away from the experience having gained far more than even he imagined. For the first time in his life, my friend was out of the closet and in the game.

Not surprisingly, no matter how much I pummeled him with questions, he really made no mention of anything spectacular. There was no riot. The crowd was well mixed, well behaved, and quite quiet. He noted the only loudmouths were the 30 or so “anti protest” John Alvarezesque protesters quarantined off to a side by the Capitol police. Marchers surrounded the Capitol building and from what I can tell, went about 2/3 the way down the Mall before swinging back up and around again. The speeches were stirring and moving; though half the time, the identity of the speaker was unknown.

I did ask about police given the paranoia running amuk in the Federal government. Apparently the police not only were relatively invisible but even backed away and allowed the crazies in the crowd to deface the capitol’s steps. You may disagree, but I think that is the proper way to handle it. The mess can be cleaned up and there was no confrontation. Only one arrest was made. A squadron of dick swinging motorcycle cops did drive down through the group at one point, even turning on their sirens for show, but overall, the Park police were professional and knew their job and their place.

For my friend, he was so overwhelmed by the march that all he could do was run around taking pictures. He shot more crowd scenes than did the Department of Homeland Security. (Links to be posted soon). In fact, he couldn’t show me a single picture of a landmark nor could he identify where he was when the pictures were taken. The voice of the People had captured his attention. Like me, for him the landmark tour will be the next trip.

What stood out in his reporting was that the march took place at the Capitol. Protesters were not out to have their message heard by the White House. Nobody in the Executive Branch would listen anyway. The People were sending a message to their Congresspeople and Senators. We want out of Iraq NOW! The recent midterm elections were all about getting rid of Republicans and getting out of Iraq. A few diehard ‘party over country’ Republicans are still backing the President. Yet, the American People want out and the People’s House had better listen or the marches will get larger and louder. I lived through it during the divestment years at U.C. Berkeley and watched small protests and peaceful marches turn into full blown riots. The People are angry and our representatives had better be attentive.

We are a People born of fire, molded by courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and conceived on the principles that it is We, the People, whose voice shall govern. Going back to our roots is an experience every American should share. As Thomas Jefferson reminds us, “What country before ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”