Sunday, March 20, 2005

The real winner is Dunkin Donuts

FARMINGTON- Demonstrators for and against the war in Iraq took to the streets Saturday with signs and American flags. The demonstration marked the second anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq.

One anti-war demonstrator held a sign that read "A country cannont simultaneously prepare for and prevent war." A thoughtful and inspiring quote from famous genuis Albert Einstein, the impact of the sign was lost on motorists speeding by on Main Street, who probably got to "simul---" before passing right by.

Those supportive of the war efforts had more success with their "Honk if you support our troops" sign. Passing motorists actually obeying the speed limit began honking and this started a trend among drivers who probably didn't know what they were honking for. One of the pro-war demonstrators said they had made the signs "last minute."

The demonstration was mostly peaceful, with anti-war protesters at one point walking over to the pro-war demonstrators and offering them donuts from the Dunkin Donuts across the street. The pro-war demonstrators politely declined saying they'd already eaten.

But half an hour later, more pro-war demonstrators showed up at the site with a dozen Dunkin Donuts and a keg of coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

The demonstrators did exchange a few words, mostly civil, but no in-depth conversation was sparked and neither side was moved to change, or even question, their position. After an hour of sign waving and flag waving, they all packed up and went home ever secure in their position.

This promted the newspaper photographer, who at the time was stationed in the middle of both sides of demonstrators, to look around and comment, "I'd say the real winner in all of this is Dunkin Donuts."

For the photographer's version of events and to see a totally unrepresentative but nonetheless snort-out-of-your-nose funny picture of a war supporter, visit The Displaced New Mexican.