[lbo-talk] Race Fans & War

[Dennis Perrin]

Went to the Indy 500 on Sun, first time in 22 years (I'm an Indy native), and enjoyed the spectacle for the 20 laps I saw before the rain fell and tornado warnings were issued. (The race resumed about an hour after we left, and turned out to be the most competitive one in ages.) What I did not enjoy was the mass nativism and pro-war hollering that took place, egged on by some minister who gave a pro-war prayer before the green flag was waved. There were countless t-shirts that celebrated US firepower & chauvinism, eagles & missiles & fighter jets set against the Towers in flames. Ugly, busy designs (like black velvet paintings of Elvis), and they were everywhere. When a quartet of fighter jets flew over the track, animal-like screams filled the air and receded when Jessica Simpson began singing the Anthem, only to rise again once she reached, "Oh say does that Star Spangled . . .". It was nerve-shattering, a perfect horrorshow all 'round, and I trust indicative of how many "mainstream" Americans feel. Even the poverty-racked neighborhood we parked in near the track had pro-Bush bumperstickers and pro-war signs and flags in the yards. Mostly white poor, with some Mexican families mixed in. Run-down houses with cardboard in broken windows, countless children running around while heavily-tatooed shirtless men drank beer and smoked weed in the driveways. I don't know if any of these people plan to vote, but I didn't get the impression that if they do, it'll be Kerry. 

DP
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