Friday, February 24, 2006

Christopher Hitchens Wonders Why We Are Not Supporting Our Ally

Christopher Hitchens writes a piece asking for support of Denmark. At the bottom there is this:
Update, Feb. 22: Thank you all who've written. Please be outside the Embassy of Denmark, 3200 Whitehaven Street (off Massachusetts Avenue) between noon and 1 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 24. Quietness and calm are the necessities, plus cheerful conversation. Danish flags are good, or posters reading "Stand By Denmark" and any variation on this theme (such as "Buy Carlsberg/ Havarti/ Lego") The response has been astonishing and I know that the Danes are appreciative. But they are an embassy and thus do not of course endorse or comment on any demonstration. Let us hope, however, to set a precedent for other cities and countries. Please pass on this message to friends and colleagues.
Consider it passed.

(Cross-posted: Rantburg, Potbelly Stove)

(Hat tip: Michelle Malkin)


UPDATE 1607 EST: Back at home now. Christopher Hitchens was there, was was William Kristol. The only TV reporter I saw was Fox News Channel's Molly Henneberg. There were print reporters working the throng, too. The badges I noticed stated "Washington Times".

Altogether I'd say about 100 people were present, which isn't too bad for the middle of a work day. The mood was calm and good-natured which is fitting for a demonstration in support of the Danes. There was an interesting mix of people there. I saw the classical Stringy-Haired Protest Girl there, as well as a number of instances of Skinny, Bearded Protest Guy. There were men in suits, mothers with small kids, military men. Not everyone had a sign (I didn't), but there were several good ones.

Mr. Hitchens addressed the throng about 1240, saying that it was good we could make it out to express our disgust with the "invertebrateness of our State Department" a reference to the State Department's tutting about the cartoons and relative silence while the embassies of our allies were being burned in the capitals of dictatorships.


UPDATE II 1646: The Political Pitbull has photos here. I saw the pitbull, asked if today he was a Great Dane (lame? yeah, I guess) but I didn't put 2+2 together.

UPDATE III 1730: Sissy Willis is in the Buy Danish swing of things.

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