D.C. residents Nell Schaffer and Joanna London in hippo costumes protest outside an office building Sen. John McCain visited, Oct. 31, 2007.
by Frank James
Because it's Halloween, you expect to see people dressed up in costumes.
But because it's Washington, a costume isn't necessarily a costume, but can be a political statement as well.
That was the case with the people who were dressed up as hippopotamuses outside the Kaiser Foundation offices several blocks from the White House today.
They were there with their signs protesting Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz.,) the Republican presidential candidate, who was visiting the Kaiser building.
Shouting "Hippos follow hypocrites," they were members of DC Vote who were protesting McCain's opposition to Senate legislation that would give residents in the nation's capital voting representaion in Congress. Their position is that McCain is a hypocrite since he supports bringing democracy to Iraq but has helped to stall the DC voting rights bill in the Senate.
The DC Vote people have protested against McCain at other of his appearances. But today the costumes met their moment, Halloween, so the protesters kind of blended with the crowd more than they usually do, like with the bicycle courier wearing the cow outfit.
D.C. resident Eli Zigas in hippo outfit explains protest to a cow-clad bike courier.
(photos provided by DC Vote.)
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Comments
Who cares about John McFinished, if you want to see something really funny check out this video of our troops training the Iraqi Army:
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=8970
Yep, it looks like "victory" in Iraq (whatever that means) is right around the corner...anyday now.
Posted by: John E | October 31, 2007 5:45 PM
"Why do people in hippo suits follow McCain?"
Because they know that sympathetic reporters will give their message free publicity if they do.
As an added bonus, any dummy can dress up in a hippo suit and carry a sign. Doesn't take brains, or even much effort, to put on a show.
The group is of course far Left, as a glance at their website (and the linked sister organizations) shows. If it wasn't, Frank James wouldn't give them the free publicity.
Posted by: Bruce | October 31, 2007 5:53 PM
Representation for all is now a "far left" position according to Bruce.
Huh, I guess all those colonists saying "taxation without representation is tyranny" back in the 1770s were on the "far left".
Good to know.
Posted by: AJF | October 31, 2007 6:03 PM
Well "Bruce" I guess you have answered your own dilemma. Dust off that Chicken suit in your closet and head to your nearest corner with a sign. A marginalized voice such as yourself could benefit from the exposure and finally get to tell "the other side of the story" to the masses.
Posted by: Iamsam | October 31, 2007 6:44 PM
"JOHN MCCAIN CAN'T BUY A VOTE LET ALONE APPRECIATE HIS OWN"
THERE GOES HIS PRESIDENTIAL CHANCES, UNLESS THE BOEHNER OR THE GOP BLUNT HAS THE WEST COAST VOTES ALREADY CAGED.
I KNOW ONE THING, GEORGE BUSH AND DICK CHENEY NEED A DISTRACTION AS HENRY WAXMANS IMPEACHMENT DOCUMENTS ARE FORTHCOMING, EVEN UNDER EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE. BECAUSE THE STAFFERS ARE SINGING AND JACK ABRAMHOFF ALREADY DID.
AS THE ELECTION GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER, BUSH CAN ONLY HOPE TO HAND OUT A HANDFULL OF PARDONS.
TOO MANY GOP REPUBLICANS ARE GETTING LOTTERY TICKETS FOR THOSE. SO SOMEONE IS GOING TO SPIT IT OUT TO SAVE THEIR BUTTS, LITERALLY.
Posted by: Roger Morris | October 31, 2007 7:11 PM
"Why do people in hippo suits follow McCain?"
Because they are unemployed liberals. John E., can you relate?
Posted by: Terry | October 31, 2007 8:02 PM
ROGER, AS HAS SO OFTEN BEEN STATED OVER MONTHS NOW, STOP THE ALL CAPS!!!!
In regard to DC, make it part of Maryland. That state is screwed up enough, so screw it up even more.
Posted by: John D | October 31, 2007 8:13 PM
roger
Posted by: Doug Zook | October 31, 2007 8:27 PM
Senator McCain will lose in the forthcoming national election for the presidency. It will be his own fault. Think Iraq.
Posted by: gac12 | October 31, 2007 9:14 PM
One cannot claim to support "democracy" while simultaneously denying the District of Columbia 1 vote in the House of Representatives. Here in the nation's capitol, you could bring democracy forth without even firing a gun. But what's the fun in that, right?
Since DC is not a "state," than it seems to me that the 2nd and 16th Amendments (among others do not apply) as each refers to the rights of the "several states," of which DC residents are not members.
End taxation with representation in the District. Hardly a "far left" position as World's Most Tedious Troll Bruce would have you believe.
Posted by: Distrust and Verify | November 1, 2007 12:07 PM