Received a call from Kristinn earlieer in the day indicating he planned to drop by the Grid Iron Dinner with a few signs. A week or two ago, I was able to compile the dates for the "DC Media Social Season". IT's starts off with the Grid Iron and ends with the White House Correspondents Dinner or as it'll forever be known, "Ozzie's Dinner".
At the time, I had commitments elsewhere in the region, so I wasn't sure if I could attend. Then the agenda for that had a gap that permitted me to join in till about 9:30 pm.
So I left the BWI area and arrived about 6:40 pm and found a free parking space on H Street between 16th and 15th. A quick walk of a half a block over and two up and I'm front row outside the Capitol Hilton. Proceeded to a spot on the sidewalk, parallel to the driveway and in front of the overhang where people arriving would have their best view of "Saddam".
I dressed as "Saddam Hussein - Deposed Prresident of Iraq". I even had a CPAC nametag that used that BBC approved title, "Deposed President of Irag" rather than "Former Dictator". Several times during the night, I got to explain the BBC's bias and people laughed at it's blatent stupidity.
Sign in hand, I wore the mask, a red beret, the camoflage BDU top (non-US pattern) with red shoulder boards with alternating stars and peace signs indicating rank, web belt (a bit snug, a reminder Saddam needs to loose a few), and gloves that have red palms and fingers which pass very well for UN, i.e., bloddy, hands. Think "Oil For Food" program by the UN.
It was a big hit with the working class guys at the dinner. Those standing outside parking cars, handling bags, waiting on their passangers and even the hotel security folks.
MOre than a few foreign born cabbies bantered with Saddam and asked, "How's it going Saddam?" "Not too well, GITMO is to humid for me" Saddam replied at least once.
The first compliment I received was from two foreign tourists, a couple of ladies who were already on the sidewalk watching the arrivals. They gave me the "thumbs up". Later when Cheney's motorcade (i'm assuming it was him) came down the side street, they watched my bag while I tried to get to the corner to see and be seen by the VP. I was more concerned that they be able to account for the bag to security than losing it.
Had at least a half dozen or so people take phoos with Saddam. Lots of compliments from passing folks. Only one negative which in typical hit and run liberal style was delivered at the last second with the intent to make a statement and not "dialouge". Funny how the liberals like the fascist rule that you only permit one opinion to be heard.
At around 9:30 pm, I was anxious to leave, knowiing I had to return to the BWI area and had a 10:30 pm deadline. I didn't leave till 10:00 pm, but we did get Carville. Made it to my rally point about 15 minutes late, but that was OK.
That's the basics. I'll add details if I think of them.
The band major (enlisted) with his Mace (Latin for big stick you hit people with) passed carrying his "Busbey" hat, that big bear skin thing. I said to Kristinn and tgsltakoma, "Now that's a hat." We were kidding with them light heartedly. You could tell more than a few though we made a funny statement.
I'll let Kristinn tell you folks about the lady in the car who stopped for a bit.
The boss asked tgsltakoma not to take photos of his folks in Saddam's company and she respectfully cmpilied, but she did get that cool shot with the bus.