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.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Saw a video of it on my local station. Frankly from what I saw, the Bush supporters came off as, pardon the expression, bush league. That's something I'd expect of the Deaniacs.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Yes. They don't help the cause.

[Tall_Texan]

OK, which FReepers were there?

[america-rules]

Is was at a Joan Jett concert 20 years ago at an Air Base in Japan. A bunch of Marines went wild and they kicked the asses of about 50 SP's !

The concert ended !

[NYTexan]

LOL! I'm still waiting for the after action reports!

[hmmmmm]

Either you've proof of your claim or you'll be poofed.

[Greenpees]

Joan Jett, albiet a "has been" will do USO shows in he nastiest places, Iraq, wherever. She may not be the classiest, but deserves some respect for her work w/ the troops.

I think the college Republicans ought to understand what party they represent, and act like true representatives, not reptiles.

This story is too bad.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

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

[CounterCounterCulture]

They had their oversized Bush sign, that's for sure.

Amateurs! Rank amateurs!

Indeed.

[MEG33]

I am touched that you are concerned about the bad form shown by Bush supporters,Out damned spot.

You are a marvel,posting on two sites,using different handles,gleefully reporting tweaking the morons at Free Republic.How do you manage?How brilliant!How original!How banal!Your discourse is as profound as your tagline,your concern as sincere.

[CounterCounterCulture]

A patriotic song at a Dean gathering? Somethin' ain't right.

Joan Jett singing that she "don't give a damn about (her) bad reputation" would make more sense.

BTW, get ready for the newbie hazing.

[hmmmmm]

Is post #6 included in your tagline?

[hmmmmm]

Is it a friend of your's?

[Soylent Democrats]

Dweanie is a stooge who's base consists of transgendered socialists. Most mainstream Dems will distance themselves from him and his clownish followers (spoiled college kids from the East Coat Establishment who have never worked a day in their lives because they've always been on mummy and daddy's trust fund.) President George W. Bush is going to crush this megalomaniacal imp-troll.

[CounterCounterCulture]

nope

[Soylent Democrats]

Coat=Coast

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

The rally featured comedian Janene Garafalo

I'm not really familiar with Iowa but are they so behind the times that they have to import angry unfunny lesbians?

[MEG33]

Don't know the newbie.I was referring to Eternal Warming's evenings' activities here and at TOS.I was given a heads up on another thread.On the other site,it goes by the name,out damned spot.I was honored to be tweaked.