Tom Wolfe in White, Protestors in Pink

In DC this afternoon we had authors and protestors all over the place. The tourists didn't have a chance. The First Lady's National Book Festival covered the National Mall with tents featuring author speakers from Buzz Aldrin to Tom Wolfe. I listened to several but took the time to stand in line only to get my books autographed by Thomas Friedman and Buzz Aldrin. Both very friendly but Friedman actually seemed to enjoy signing hundreds of books. Tom Wolfe was in white of course, including white glasses. The Festival attendees were quite normal looking.

Normal is not how I'd describe most of the anti-war and pro-war protestors that also filled DC today. The anti-war protest swamped downtown DC and attracted quite a few counter protestors as well. There was no violence but a lot of shouting and plenty of bizarre fashions. I took a lot of photos because nothing I could write could convey the strange and extreme "styles" on both sides. Men painted head-to-toe in red, white and blue screaming at black-clad and metal-studded teenagers. Women dressed all in pink holding obscene signage. Not much love evident in the crowds - even among the pro-peace throngs. Neither side could have possibly been less persuasive if they'd tried.

I went back to the nice, quiet book fair and listened to more reasoned voices.