Weren’t those people removed from setting up camp on DMV property or was that just wish fulfillment in my dreams?
Mr. Howler had to go to DMV the other day. He has put it off and put it off because going there is akin to refined torture for him. He prefers a root canal without anesthesia. He came home spitting mad. He had had a close encounter with Larouche-ites. And I had to listen to him, for hours, grousing.
They were by the front door of DMV so you could not get in without interacting with them. They approached him because he was wearing team attire, typical lead-in to establish conversation. They had their usual pictures of Obama with a Hitler mustache and other ant-Obama paraphernalia attacking the president of the United States. They were on a tear about ‘change,’ health care, and anything else they could associate Obama.
Mr. Howler told them to have a nice day to dismiss them and their response was that it would be when THEY got Obama out of office and gave him a knowing look.
People shouldn’t have to go through that in order to do business with the Division of Motor Vehicles, regardless of what state they live in. Who let these clowns back on DNV property? Weren’t they legally prevented from being there, sort of like the [Moonies] Hare Krishna were finally thrown out of airports?
When was the Larouche cult allowed back on DMV property? Were they banned or were they just on break? Is their leader still in jail or is he a free man? I would like to be able to conduct state business without dealing with thugs and cult members. Who knows the scoop on the Lyndon Larouchers?
And no, I won’t apologize for calling them thugs and clowns. They have blighted state property for too many years. They have become poster children for those descriptors.
Say what you might about the Moonies, they can make a gun! I loves my Kahrs!
Actually I am in error about the Moonies. Who were those people who hung out at airports, preying on old people and foreigners? They would hand foreigners a book about their kinky philosphy and then demand money from them.
I’m surprise the DMV allowed them to stand around the entrance. I’m not sure what the legal issues might be for tossing them from state property, but are they allowed to congregate there?
Hare Krishna. National Airport tried to ban them when I worked there but it became a first amendment issue. An airport can out them in a public location due to the government interest in free movement.
One time at the old Denver Airport, the krishnas kind of accosted a man and his friends with the flower bit and the donation request. Problem was that the man and friends were participants, and on their way back from, the Calgary Stampede. Let’s just say that rodeo riders did not have a sense of humor.
Still love the scene in the movie Airplane (I think).
I would have liked to have seen the Hare Krishnas get pounded.
I once saw one of them accost an older foreign NO English speaking couple. This toad then extracted $20 bucks off the old couple for a book. They abused the fact that the couple did not speak English. I was furious and said something to them but you know already how that went.
My worst was getting a flower, taking it, stomping on it and uttering international words of contempt at them…in my younger years.
I was sitting here thinking what could be done to the Larouche people that wouldn’t be seen as assault and battery. They impose on you. I don’t care what they think but I should be able to get into DMV without being accosted.
I got it! Put on a sheet, pointed hat, and go stand with the Larouches. Wear a sign with an arrow pointing to the table that says “I’m With Stupid.” Have a friend with a video camera to document when one of them clobbers you.
That’s correct, there is a funny scene in that movie involving a Hare Krishna. I once years ago had some girl (not sure if she was a Hare Krishna) who was wearing some hippy looking outfit keep trying to hand me some book to read in return for a donation – and she followed me all the way to the security line, where I was finally able to get rid of her. What a pain she was, and she talked in a spaced out way like she was on drugs or something. She had on some really flowery looking outfit and of course was carrying a flower. I’m not sure what the book was she was trying to give me – it was some really thick hardcover book – but who knows what it was. I was walking fast and she was keeping up with me, and I kept telling her I wasn’t interested and she wanted to keep handing it to me, etc. etc. That was really annoying – but fortunately it was at a time back in the early 90’s during the first Gulf War, where they were only allowing ticketed passengers (like they do now) past security. If not for that, I’m convinced she would have followed me all the way to the gate to board the plane!
No one should have to be subjected to any of that stuff – whether it be at the airport or the DMV or any public place. I don’t care what the group is or what their political views are – on the left side or the right side of the spectrum, or what their religious views are. When they get aggressive and get in your face like that – it just isn’t right.
@Gainesville Resident I agree. I’m all about the First Amendment, but I don’t want to have to walk through a phalanx of anyone when I’m just trying to go about my daily affairs. I get irritated when I go to vote and the candidates and their workers are in my face on the way in. If I haven’t made up my mind by the time I’ve parked my car, I don’t think I really deserve to be voting anyway.
Totally agree GR and Emma. If I see you there with literature and I want some, I will ask. I believe I have wanted to see a sample ballot once or twice when there was some amendment on there.
Airports, DMV, voting…get out of my face.
I am not sure people do have the right to just set up a table and camp out there at DMV. I think they should have to stand in the street. They really are political predators or something. I don’t know the right word. First amendment just isn’t without some limits.
Mr. Howler is pretty subdued today. the ACC tournie didn’t turn out as the Howler Household wanted things to go. He is keeping a stiff upper lip but it is quiet. No ranting and raving, SP.
He is probably too tired from ‘helping’ his teams get beaten to have much rant and rave left in him.
I once went to DMV in uniform to get my State ID and was stopped by someone who wanted to discuss politics. I think he was looking to stop the war in Iraq – not sure. But, he wanted to engage me in a conversation and sign his petition.
I’m all for him and anyone else excercising his 1st Amendment rights in a public forum (though I too get irritated when they won’t take no as an answer). In this case I simply said I can’t talk politics while in uniform and he didn’t say another word to me. Any other time I might stop to chat to see how much of a crackpot the person is (those conversations can be fun!!) or I’ll simply sign the petition and continue on with whatever I’m doing.
Yah, it’s irritating at times but it’s just like anything else….cold calling salespeople. Just hang up. No one is ‘stopping’ you from doing so except social convention. Thats why I live a life without much guilt – makes it easier to say no to things. 🙂
Yes, the 1st ammendment is fine – and I don’t mind people expressing their opinions, but just don’t invade my personal space and do it. It is true – at the polling places they tend to come right up to you and shove those sample ballots at you. Although, that isn’t quite as bad in my opinion as the folks at airports, and as noted above – apparently out in front of the DMV. Still, I would agree – at the polling places they should be there and just let you come to them if you want to see one of their sample ballots.
I don’t know either – that’s a good question. The DMV is state-owned property I guess – and I don’t know if that gives people the right to set up a table on the property or not. Certainly on normal private property – you don’t have the right to do that. Maybe state-owned property is considered a kind of public property? I guess I am pretty much ignorant in this area but I’m sure someone out there knows the answer to that.
I would be perfectly happy if the law was those kind of people had to be out in the street (that is off the property limits). You go to DMV to get driver’s license, car registrations and stuff – not to have political opinions shoved in your face.
“Mr. Howler” – aptly named while watching his favorite team? Join the club.
Alas, my Heels were so bad all year, there were no hopes to dash at
tournament time.
@Emma
Ditto, Emma.
This Hare Krishna lady in the Boston Public Gardens invited me to a vegetarian feast. Then she handed me a book. I thought it was nice of her until she asked me for money.
Then there was the time I got asked out by a clown in Quincy Market. I mean a real clown, a street performer. Not the same thing, but just as weird.
By the way, the first amendment issue for the Hare Krishnas was not free speech but religion and the right of assembly which is why airports could regulate where they stand but could not deny access to the public place for either assembly or religious reasons. Obviously, local governments can establish a reasonable requirement for permits including restrictions against impeding transit in order to meet a public need.
Rez, speak to me like I am 5 years old. I am not getting what you are saying.
Tell me how DMV can get those Larouchies out of everyone’s face.
Are the Hare kristnas out there but out in the lot at Dulles? I haven’t seen them for years. Where did they go? (I do not miss them)
I have not seen Hare Krishnas at airports in years. That one encounter with the weird girl was way back in the early 90’s. I travel a lot and I just haven’t seen any at airports in recent times. So don’t know what happened to them, but I’m very happy they no longer are there.