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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels July 19, 2004 Parade great with a large exception Ashland's 4th of July parade was excellent in many respects this year. Several new exhibits, notably the Crazy Car decorating contest and several music offerings were particularly appealing. One incident, however, makes me question my future as an observer. The political statements promulgated by those in one parade entry were aggressive and in poor taste. This entry stalled in front of the section I was in and one man was loudly denouncing the current administration's involvement in Iraq. He used the word "murderous" twice. His eyes were scanning the crown in defiance of anyone who didn't share his pronouncements. Our eyes met and he began to stare me down. I motioned with my hand for him to move on. He threw back his head and yelled, "Look at this guy! He thinks it's okay." The personal irony of it is that I believe our efforts in Iraq are ill conceived and appear to be hopelessly futile. War has never been anything but tragic. I realize that judgment shouldn't be passed based on the actions of one person. But the action of others in this exhibit seemed to be of a flaunting nature, one of unbridled aggression and hostility. Isn't that what they are protesting? It strikes me as a little hypocritical. And, despite the criticisms against Mr. Bush, he is our president and to show him in a lifeless pose doesn't, I believe, convey anything except anger and contempt for the values our Independence Day observation is meant to celebrate. I doubt if Mr. Kerry, whom I will support this fall, or Caroline Kennedy will find a thread of humor in the portrayal of a dead president slumped in a seat. This parade is primarily for children. If we can't act like mature adults those little folks will never learn to behave responsibly. A dead man slumped in a chair? C'mon. Garey Larson Ashland DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams