I spent the day in Akron.....

[JohnnyRingo]

"British Invasion Day" at Lock 3 on the old Erie Canal, right downtown.

"Lock 3" is an inner city amphitheater park in the midst of a merging entertainment zone, a trendy revitalization of the "Rubber City" from the manufacturing capital of Ohio, to the "Come downtown and have a $2 beer and a band" town.

Of course I showed up....If I had to go there to work, I probably would have called off.
There was a Mini Car show (and other brit cars) and music by British Invasion has beens like Herman's Hermits and Chad and Jeremy, and The Beatles....(I think it was a tribute band).

Of course, with the good weather we've been blessed with it was a great afternoon, and regardless the schmaltzy entertainment everyone seemed as friendly and polite as could be. Then I realized a common factor ......

This was the MOST Democratic area I've ever seen.
I have never seen such a public display of Kerry/Edwards Bumper Stickers, (On show cars!) buttons, and T-shirts anywhere in Ohio.

I spent the day making comments like "Nice button" or "cool sticker"..... Then I saw the Buxh button.
Mouth agape, I looked as he approached I finally saw the red "Impeach" text above the name.........."Nice button".
It netted me another 7 minute discussion of the evils of Buxh.
That was the only text of his name I saw today.


Throughout the evening I was among the best people civilization has to offer.
Whatta day.

Today I really felt the plight of those that make Akron their home, and found a renewed incentive to fight for the victory of John Kerry and John Edwards... to turn back the sellout of their job base to foreign investors that ultimately move livelihoods to third world markets.

Because they deserve it.... and I want to go back there next summer.

[Kolesar]

1. That's funny, I spent the afternoon on the towpath in the National Park

I was cycling near mile 11 and the "Locktender's House".

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

2. Read the book "Industrial Valley" by Ruth McKenney.

...about how the rubber industry was unionized in the 1930s.

Youll understand what a battle that was, and maybe thats why Akron is still pretty loyal to the Democrats, as it was the pro-union political party back in that day.