Health care reform demonstrations come off rather peaceably for the most part

An equal number, as best as any one could county, came out in support and in opposition to President Barack Obama's attempt at Health Care Reform today at Oconee Veterans Park. The crowd estimates were at 150 give or take a dozen, with lots of colorful signs on both sides. State Representative Bob Smith was the only elected official speaking I saw in attendance, and he was gracious in greeting me and my son following Lowell's soccer practice an hour earlier.

Former Bogart city council member Woody Bruce did his best karaoke rendition of Lee Greenwood's hit "I'm Proud to be an American" and Bishop city council member Nedra Johnson was spotted in the audience. Many former military members dotted the audience, such as former UGA athletic department employee Tony Cushenberry who somehow came to the conclusion that our President in a Marxist, at least on his sign.

Many speeches were delivered, most under four minutes, with raucous applause for those tailoring their remarks for the side they believed in. One thing was certain: everyone concurred that some form of health care reform is needed. Personal stories of wife's speedy gall bladder surgery were offered as supposed proof that long lines and rationing await us after our President's plans are enacted. It was not certain if that supposed newspaper editor has offered health insurance to his employees on his father's dime.

During a speech by one of U.S. Congressman Paul Broun's aides, former congressional candidate Barry Gordon Irwin got in a shouting match with some elderly Veterans, whose health care comes from the government. Irwin and the Veteran started to come at each other in a confrontational manner and I decided to step between them. My son asked me if that was going to be the only fight of the day, and I replied that I certainly hope so. We left soon thereafter not wanting to foster any violence amongst the demonstrators. There were no blows exchange, but a few chests were bumped and peace signs put in people's faces.

Rev. Larry Davidson gave the invocation and others led the throng in the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. The former chair of the Oconee County Republican party did get in a few heated exchanges with a woman in the audience, but they went their own way. The crowd on the right was overwhelmingly white, elderly and reactionary, posting signs about socialism and making reference to President Obama not being proud to be an American. Somehow in the numerous news shows I watched daily I missed that declaration by our Commander in Chief. The crowd on the left featured lots of signs supporting the President and stating facts, not rhetoric, about how many people in Georgia lose health care benefits every day. The Democratic opposition did bring in people from Athens-Clarke, Madison and a few other counties, but both sides of the crowd were predominantly from Oconee County.

The speeches were not actually delivered in front of the Oconee Veterans Monument as some objected to the politicalization of this monument to all Veterans, be them Republican, Democrats or otherwise. The speeches were conducted on a trailer next to the building where the new gym is in the rear of Oconee Veterans Park. In general, at least before we left, both sides were respectful and did not interrupt the other side. To the Republican's credit, they offered the stage to any one wanting to speak, and perhaps some did, but we went to eat lunch at the Taco Stand instead.