A Thumbs-up and a Smack-down

And in the rear-view mirror I noticed they were so engrossed as to not notice that my back-up lights were on, or maybe they didn't care, either way, I don't mind. I always look for people's reaction. (It also amazes me I don't get pulled over every day, but rarely ever do, maybe they figure anyone crazy enough to drive a truck that is basically a billboard sign for 1st Amendment Rights on wheels must have six "get-out-of-jail- free cards" - or maybe it's my angels ... or both?)  Anyway, I digress.

One of the ladies pointed at a QUESTION 9/11 sticker and read it out loud to her friend. I sensed no hostility, but that to can be deceiving, and rolled down my window to say "Hi" and the lady on drivers side came over and introduced herself as Meg and her friend Sharon(?) I handed them copies of the rag I do cartoons and write for  - a moment for shameless promotion - The New Orleans Levee: "We don't hold anything back" nolevee.com, it's a monthly newspaper mostly focusing on satirizing politicians, society, celebrities or anyone or thing that gets in our cross-hairs. Anyone hip to New Orleans, Louisiana culture and what's going on down here will hopefully enough enjoy it as much as our readers have so far. (Maybe I just have a swelled head, as I was delivering our newest addition today two people asked for my autograph, I had to laugh, last person to ask for my autograph was wearing a uniform and had a gun.)

Anyway, I digress yet again. Meg and I talked as long as a parking-lot encounter would last as we parted in that kindred-spirit comrade way one does when they discover another Truther.

I got to thinking about how things have changed. Still a vast majority of people don’t seem to even be phased by my truck or don’t want to be bothered. But out of reactions I get I’d say an easy 10 thumbs-up to every “bird” I get flipped.

I like that name "Truther", beats "Liar" all to hell. But, really, how does one attack someone who identifies with just wanting to know essential truth? After all Truthers aren't out to say they have a handle on truth, it's more a seeking of it as opposed to our claiming we know what truth is. Not being absolute gives us freedom from ridicule.

As exampled yesterday I had an opposite reaction delivering The Levee to a local French Quarter bar. As I was talking to several people seated at the bar, one couple being from NYC and eye-witness to 9/11 – it was natural we’d wind-up discussing it.

As you may have noticed I am not a shy person, have little time for trivia, and at times get dangerously oblivious to my surroundings, and will dare anyone to challenge my assertions and couldn’t care less who you may think you are, if you profess to exhibit airs you will become a target of my scorn.

I notice a lady in her late 30’ early 40’s sitting at a table behind us staring at me as though she might be looking at some strange exotic bug that was being exhibited two-blocks away at the newly opened insectarium. I smiled said “Hi” as she was joined by a man closer to may age, maybe a few years shy of 60.

There was a young man seated next to them that had a smirk on his face, you know the kind, it was “I’m looking at an old fool” smirk. So the young guy asks whom I thought brought down those buildings and answered that I didn’t know “who” exactly, but I was more interested in “what” and if you could answer that question the “who” would follow.

Now the older gentleman chimes in with his challenge as does the lady with him. Truthers live for these moments, especially when you have your computer and briefcase full of evidence with you.

So I offered them to view a brief clip on the Jersey Girls and “puts”, which was drowned out by bar noise and Older-Guy talking over the evidence being presented and getting more and more belligerent until he said something so absurd that you just stop the conversation and ask to have them repeat themselves to the whole bar, “The Jersey Girls are sissies”.

I bellowed out, “Did you hear that folks? This man and his women, and apparently this young man think that women who lost families in 9/11 and are simply asking for closure and answers to how and why they lost loved ones, they think that those women are “sissies”.

I looked back at them as I packed-up my computer and said, ” I’ll leave you explain yourself to them, me I’m getting away from you people because you’re either too evil or too stupid to be around.”

It didn’t take them long after a few awkward attempts to discredit me to see they were gaining no fans and left.

Now granted not everyone is 6”1’ and 215lbs. and can get away with talking to a drunk in this manner. But when you know you’re buffered with knowledge and truth it can empower anyone. For as long as it remains simply words, we can beat them every time. After all, we’re Truthers.

It also helps that Jeremy the bartender is a Truther too. For obvious reasons he can’t use his position behind the bar as a platform, unless one of the patrons brings 9/11 up, so he loves it when I walk in.

Point being folks anyone that can must step it up and speak out, because it is getting easier and easier for us to do that as more and more become aware.  Not to mention it’s crunch time. We’re hearing less and less of trolls who with every new revelation no longer have any creditability. Confrontations are easier to handle because of the evidence accumulated.

And one has to always be aware that those who have no argument have only ridicule, and once they are stripped bare of that they have nothing.

The bar is The Chart Room. If you’re ever in New Orleans, stop in, we’ll shake it up. And take a few copies of The Levee home with you. Or you might even want to subscribe so this old man can remain free to practice our quest.