What is it good for?

I saw another photographer shooting a similar shot to this in the daffodils along the GW Parkway. It kind of hearkened back to the flower children days. But I shot it anyway.

During the demonstration I talked to a woman from Iran who was part of the protest. She has lived in the United States for 27 years and works for the U.S. government. But she was against the war. She said that murder was wrong regardless of who was doing it. I don't think that's what our troops are doing over there; perhaps it is the so-called "insurgents" that blow people up in buses or on their way to the market or to worship that she's talking about. I don't know.

I asked her if she didn't think it ironic that someone from Iran would be against a war in Iraq? She said that Iran did not start that war and that she hopes there will not be a U.S. war in Iran.

I asked her about Ahmedinajad and his government. She said that he doesn't have the support of most Iranians. She said that her own mother, who still lives in Iran, didn't even vote because she did not think it would make any difference.

Ironic isn't it. A lot of Americans feel the same way.

I also walked across the Memorial bridge to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I talked to some Vietnam Vets who were near the Memorial and the bronze statue of the three soldiers. These particular guys (and their wives) were from southern New Jersey. The guy I talked to said his group was there to make sure nothing happened to the Wall.

One of the demonstrators with a sign walked up and some of these guys were telling her to get lost. I was amazed that the women seemed like the ones ready to throw down. The white-haired guys with the handle bar moustaches were mostly just telling this woman off. But one of their wives was ready to kick some ass, no question asked.

But neither one of them seemed to be able to talk to one another; they seemed to be ready to talk at one another, but not to one another. Passion I see is catching.