Political Rallies End in Brawl (Bush supporters disrupt/scuffle with Joan Jett at Dean rally)

WOI-TV 5 ^ | 17 January 2004

[CounterCounterCulture]

Political Rallies End in Brawl

Two political rallies turned into a brawl Saturday night in Des Moines.

A Democratic rally at Drake's Olmstead Center, urged young Iowans to get out and vote. It was targeted toward high school and college students. A group known for not voting. The rally featured comedian Janene Garafalo and classic rock star Joan Jett, but it got a surprise visit from some unwanted guests.

A group of college republicans at their Midwest caucus leadership conference heard about the rally and stormed in.

"There are seven of us who worked really hard at putting this conference together, said Jason Cole of the college republicans. "so, we met, discussed and majority ruled. We went down there."

What they didn't discuss is what to do if things get out of hand. One of the Bush supporters shoved Jett and she pushed back in anger. Ole said that was the decision of one person, and not at all representative of what the conference was trying to do.

Campus security did show up break things up. The concert did resume as planned. In fact, Jett wrapped up her day with two more performances. One in Fort Dodge, the other in Marshalltown.

[11B3]

I swear you're a troll magnet - able to bring them out of hiding with the best of them. Wazzup?

[hmmmmm]

I didn't think so :) but sometimes it's tough to tell.

[MEG33]

Some have it...whatever "it" is,but I must confess I was one of three tweaked,so I must modestly decline to accept accolades.I am amused by the need to use FR as the "interest getter" in another forum.

[hmmmmm]

*L*

So the "tweakster" deserves to be (at the very least) tweaked?

[MEG33]

It is required,written,a rule.....isn't it..;)

[MEG33]

My tagline is Paul Bremer's announcement that Saddam had been captured.I waited over ten years for us to get him,so I'm still celebrating!

[hmmmmm]

As a matter of fact, it is! :)

[hmmmmm]

I recognize it, it's a fantastic celebratory message!

[APFel]

Quit pushing Joan Jett around.

Perhaps we should email these guys and tell them that if they want to form a goon squad, do it under a different flag.

APf

[hellinahandcart]

Saw a video of it on my local station

You're way ahead of us, then. This article SUCKS.

But there's a lesson here about "the company you keep". I am always wary of newbies who sign up here and immediately post a "Hey kids!! Let's put on a Counter-protest!!!" article. We had a small flood of those last year before the Iraq war, and some of them turned out to be high school students. It's a good thing they never got anything off the ground. For all we know, any of these strangers could have done something equally disgraceful, and there we'd have been with our "FreeRepublic.com" signs and egg on our faces.

I'd like to tell Jason Cole to get off our side...

[hellinahandcart]

I also would like to hear both sides of this story.

So would I, but only out of curiosity-- for instance, I'd like to know how many drinks these idiots had before they "took a vote and majority ruled". There's nothing they could say that would justify shoving Joan Jett or anyone else at the rally.

If someone's going to into a place to disrupt, the only force they're morally allowed to use is vocal. Even when they're in the process of being physically ejected from the premises, which should be an expected consequence of disrupting.

Get ready for Janeane Garofalo to finally come up with some new material. About College Republicans. And we'll just have to sit back and take it.

[RaceBannon]

You can only ask that if it was the Bush Supporters who got attacked first.

And I aint kidding! We ALWAYS get attacked first! Even the Cops know that! :)

[RaceBannon]

Did someone say transgendered socialists?

[sneakers]

My son - a freshman at our local university - just announced he is joining the College Republicans. I'm very pleased. We have a really nice bunch of young men and women in our local group. They have always done us proud. I would be very surprised if they carried on like this crowd.

[hellinahandcart]

That may be the lamest protest sign ever. LOL

[RaceBannon]

I just asked, Sir? What does that sign mean?

[hellinahandcart]

It means "It's all about ME, even when it's supposed to be about the friggin' war..."

[Lee'sGhost]

Does Jett still look like an extra from Michael Jackson's "Thriller?" Somebody post a pix. I would submit that the Pubbies in attendance were driven insane by her appearance and were simply trying to escape what they thought was certain death by an ascending demon from hell.

[buffyt]

Janene is ugly and untalented, but not a lesbian. She lives with her boyfriend.

[em2vn]

How do we know they were Republicans? The story may say so but what an obvious ploy to advance Dean's campaign.
Also, they may have simply been seven drunks who had no idea what a political party is. Can't be,that would have made them liberals