American things I saw yesterday

My favorite Republicans, Billionaires for Bush. Celebrating in Bryant Park, a chortling flurry of caviar and gold lame and petit fours and rhinestones, a precursor to their Weds. nite ball coronating King George. Having champagne over "Dick Cheney's innocence."

Anarcho-direct action shakedown on the steps of the NY Public Library... 4 paddy wags parked, doors swung wide and hungry, awaiting 100 protesters; two men in their 20s wearing all black and pink sweatbands were being arrested for hanging a sign from one of the lion statues. Flanked by beefy riot cops, bound by handcuffs, they mashed in to one another for a proud, sloppy kiss, like motherfuckers can put 'em in prison but cannot repress their gay American love. My arm hair was like, tingly from the energy.

Greatest American Heroes, the Hold Steady. Unlike Usher, they make me want to:

1. Join a union
2. Drink a six-pack
3. Get high and watch a movie
4. Feign interest in baseball
5. Feign interest in Minnesota
6. Wear a bandana like that chick from the E Street Band