Americans Do Not Get the Real News

We entered Texas this afternoon at Texarkana and drove a little apprehensively to Wichita Falls - after all, this is bush country, or so they say! The last time I was in Texas, only zooming thru the top of the panhandle, folks were very hostile and I got almost as many 'fuck you's' as I did 'yeahs!' so this time, I was very ready for hostility and big old white truck drivers in 10 gallon cowboy hats!

What really happened was Texans were SOOOOOO glad to see us - by the time we hit Wichita Falls, we had 8 yeahs! and not one little f.u. or thumbs down or anything! Were we happy! Then we pulled into starbucks parking lot to see a large group of white Texans hanging outside, sipping drinks at their tables. As we approached, a thirty’s African American male, Bryan, sitting by himself and grinning broadly, loudly welcomed us and raved about our truck and our message. As Bryan spoke, one of the white males in the group of ten or so white people sitting together on his right, stated he liked the truck too but he was voting for bush.

I expressed my amazement, saying most of the time bush supporters are not so polite and friendly. He seemed astonished by that, so I told him about getting my tires slashed, my truck graffitied, getting run off the road, and other male behaviors like grabbing crotches and baring asses. Another white male from that group turned around and asked "Well, do you really think bush orchestrated the terrorist attack?"

Before I could respond, another young man spoke up, identifying himself as from Lebanon, and declared “americans do not get the real news. Fair and accurate news reporting happens in my country and other countries, but not in this one.”

He went on in a firm voice, loud enough for all to hear, “I cannot understand why this is.” Then he identified himself as military, in the army! The other man of color let out a whoop and said so was he - army also!

I addressed my answer to the question to the whole group: "I think bush used the attack on the trade towers as an excuse to bomb Iraq. I think the president took advantage this tragedy and our fears and sorrows to garner support for his 'pre-emptive' war. I think he lied deliberately to further his own agenda - and I think he'll do it again."

One of the inside workers came out smiling and kindly let us know he was waiting for us to order so he could close! Saying we'll be right back and to hold that thought, we got our drinks – on the manager! – and returned to find all the white folks had fled - only our 2 soldiers were left to discuss the president and what will happen.

The older man told us he was a career army guy, formerly stationed in Germany and he had not been sent to the middle east. For this he was so grateful. His wife was as against bush as he was! The younger fellow told us how torn he felt, being raised here and then living for a few years in Lebanon and coming back to live, attend school, and enlist in the military. He was in officer's school and had severe doubts about what we are doing around the world, especially in the Middle East.

It was very moving talking with both of these sincere men, listening to their inner conflicts and values. I’m so glad they were both there and connected with each other, as well as us. We gave them codePINK info, shook hands, and expressed our profound pleasure in meeting and hearing what they had to say.

We drove to a Texas rest stop and spent the rest of the night sleeping in the truck under the vast Texan sky!