In the center of Orange — at the circle where Chapman and Glassell intersect — a cadre of protestors stood with signs denouncing the war and plaques calling on us to Beat Bush. At the weekly Two Idiots Peddling Poetry Reading, just down the street, there were long faces. Except those of me, my wife, and Little Bob. All of us Democrats. All of us Kerry supporters. All of us unashamed.

I believe I saw some Republicans. They walked or drove past the circle where the protestors stood. All frowned. They saw me outside of the Ugly Mug smiling. Why? I had no reason to feel ashamed. I did what I could to support John Kerry, as much as my sickness allowed. I felt no animosity towards those who gave less because they had to work or were unemployed or unmotivated. Most importantly of all, I had not been silenced.