Wes in LaCrosse WI, Ron Kind Corn Roast, Aug 30, 2005
Submitted by Ice on August 30, 2005 - 10:29pm.
Firsthand Accounts
From the diaries. Ice, thanks so much for doing this and especially the video! -- Larry
Well, just got home and I’m working on the video. We arrived around 5:45 pm. Folks were already lined up and eating. There was brats and kraut, hotdogs, cheetos, chips and freetos, and of course corn……roasted on a grill. We picked out a strategic spot for the camera and sat down and ate, all the while searching out and sending vibes to any and all Clarkies. We saw quite a few, but no one who blogs on a regular basis or blogs at all. A young college student had a Clark 04 bumper sticker in her back pocket. Her name was Lara and I made sure to plug Securingarmerica.com. Also met an entire family of Clarkies, again, not much on blogging, but they said that they would check it out. I heard Wes was at another event which was to end at 6 pm, so it was unlikely he’d be there much before 6:30.
After I finished eating, I had an ArkySue moment……..I realized I had corn stuck in my teeth! ArkySue will understand this comment. I also had orange fingers from eating cheetos (natural Clarkie choice) and let’s not forget the butter fingers from holding crispy burnt corn stalks while filling in the gaps of my teeth. Of course, being the Clarkie that I am, I was prepared. I quickly returned to our car, opened the trunk, took bottled water and towel and washed my hands. Then, I flossed, yes, I flossed. I wasn’t about to flash a smile at Wes with corn bits stuck in my teeth. I returned to the building and then who should appear but Wes and Ron. Ron was being kept pretty busy, but Wes seemed all alone! Whoah……..great opportunity here. I ran in to tell my spouse to grab the cams and get outside. I got my picture taken with Wes, and then Ron took a pic of the three of us. I neglected to get a pic of Wes and my spouse when we were in LR and I was not about the let this opportunity escape me. I reminded Wes that we had met in LR at NCCM and he said that we would all be gathering again there next year. He’s really counting on it folks. Anyway, we made some small talk, can’t totally remember what we said and then others there started to take interest in him. I of course generously backed off and allowed others to speak to him. He looked very beat and my spouse was worried that he wasn’t being taken care of. Wes asked me was there anything besides corn to eat. I proceeded to rattle off the menu and offered to get him something, but he declined; even tho I know he was starving. He was kept busy chatting up until the time he entered the stage. There were a couple of news crews there and I set the dvr to record 2 channels while we were gone in case we didn’t get back in time. I’ll have to check them tomorrow to see what coverage he got.
Wes gave a very good speech. Some new things that I’d not heard him speak about before. I think you’ll enjoy the video. I’m leaving it in one hunk. There really is no natural break and I don't want you all to lose the momentum. I’ll blog the link a bit later.
We hung around a bit after the speeches and took some more pics, some digital and some on film. The pics may have to wait until tomorrow. He mingled and worked the crowd and then finally a guy came and asked him what he wanted on his brat, so by the time we left he did finally get a chance to eat. He sat with a bunch of young people who were volunteers for Ron Kind……..lucky kids!
Many we spoke too while waiting for his arrival had come specifically to hear him, others knew of him and thought very highly of him and expressed their opinions on the last election and that he should have been on the ticket. They all whined and complained about W and wondered how we could possibly get out of this mess. I’d say there were 300 or more there. So, that’s about all I can think of at the moment. Now, back to finishing the video……oh, yeah, Ron gives him a few souvenirs at the end……you’re gonna love it………..
you're blogging in the bathroom aren't you?
You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
I've have not updated the webpage on my site, so the link above is the only place you're going to find it for now. Since the file is sort of large, I ask that you "right click", "save target as" and download to your PC to view rather than watch it streaming. I had considered splitting the file, but I could not bring myself to do it. There was no natural break so you'll just have to take a few extra moments for the download of a larger file. For those on dialup, email me and maybe I can figure out a smaller file for you.
This is my first attempt at video and the tripod was not very cooperative. This is an older camcorder and I think it turned out fairly well.
Now, go suck it down and enjoy my experience..........
I finally got a chance to sit down and watch this video, Ice. It is terrific. Wes was on fire. Tomorrow is payday and I'm inspired all over again to send a donation, small though it might be, to WesPAC so that he has the means to take this same message throughout America. Thank you so much for providing us with this video!
Outstanding Speech! Great analogy too, ...
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"The difference between Democrats and Republicans can be compared with the movie, Wall Street! ...
They believe that Greed is Good; whereas, ...
We believe in the Common Good!!!
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We're the Party of the Future and ...
We're the Party of Leadership that this Country needs! - WKC
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:-))
What a speaker. Dead on his feet and still rises to the occasion! Anyway, he is just extraordinary. Love the remark by Ron Kind when he hands him his tee! Woohoo!
"I M A G I N E !"
I was over trying to compose a coherent post to a little tyrant at TPMCafe without antagonizing her and now I'm beat. I hope I can find this thread in the morning and watch your video... Maybe I will add it to my favorites as I don't know how to find things here yet if they're not showing on the front page...
Oh, now the tv is showing a flood warning alert... too tired to care and my house is a raised ranch so I'll be okay here.
Thanks again Ice. Can't wait for morning coffee and the video!! :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
now that you've posted on this thread the easiest way to find it again is to click on my account (top left hand corner box) when that page opens up, look for the tab that says track and click on that.
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You'd be taking them to the Better Business Bureau if you bought a washing machine the way we went into the war in Iraq. Wes Clark, CNN Aug 17 2003
Found my way here and am about to download and watch! :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest places if you look at it right.
--Hunter/Garcia
Thank You Ice, What a wonderful Day for you, and kudos for sharing it with us. Just what the Dr. ordered..after a depressing day in NOLA.
Wes was on, and really lifted me up as I am sure he did his audience. Wow, what a guy, and accepting the shirt from Kind to wear in the WH. Plus the Cheezehat....how great is that!!!
Thank-you, Ice. I really, really liked this video. I think his speech is just right.
Thank you for sharing this video with us! What a great speech! He gets better every time I see him.
Heck Yeah! I'm feeling better already!
I was sittin' watching and clapping! That man was on fire!
Made me feel like being a Democrat was the best thing there is!
I feel like dancing! 
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"decent wages, education and health care for every American is "not just an opportunity, but a right."--Wes Clark
What a wonderful report, Ice!! With all the little details, I had a sense of "being there" with you. And thank you so much for the video. What an asset you've been to the blog!
I was very disappointed during the primaries that we didn't do well enough in Tennesse to make it to Wisconsin. It was there for the taking. The lousy way the Dems organized the primaries, the media blackout, and the rush to Kerry by the sheeple were real downers. It was hard, but we regrouped and went on. But, Oh Wisconsin, it would have been nice.
Lived several years in Milwaukee where my dad was on the staff of the ROTC at Marquette university. Worked at Wagner Iron Works as a timekeeper and at Peerless Gear as a turret lathe and drill press operator. Hey, if you are in Milwaukee you have to blend with the crowd. Haha! We lived in West Allis and later my dad brought a house on a strip of Wes Milwaukee adjacent to West Allis. One of my sisters still lives there.
So I am fond of Wisconsin and feel this is a place that is a natural for Wes.
Noel
P.S. We have a typhoon (Pacific hurricane) hitting in the next couple of hours. It was aiming right at us, but now has veered northward a bit but still will be no fun.
...and with the great group of Clarkistas working so hard in the Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls-Menomonie triangle!! There was such enthusiasm for Wes here. And, unfortunately, that enthusiasm did not transfer to Kerry.
What can I say that I haven't said already? You're the best there is.....and so is Wes Clark. Many thanks for once again helping all of us to be in the moment with Wes.
I don't approve of political jokes.....I've seen too many of them get elected.
Ice, what a joy to wake up to, thanks so much for doing this.
Nothing is more American; nothing is more patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority and holding your leaders accountable. Wes Clark
Downloaded it over night lol. Faster computer helps, but dial-up still takes forever.
Thanks Ice...you are such a blessing.
Once again you rock Mr. and Mrs. Ice. The video is great and the sound is perfect. It makes a HUGE difference to see and hear Wes when he speaks. I wish WesPAC would include your video on their web site so more people could see it. Thanks for sharing.
thanks for blogging.