The Workday Liberal

The judge in the N.Y. trial of 18 grannies has acquitted each and every one of them of charges of obstructing a military recruitment centers entrance.

I just LOVE the reaction of these grannies as described in the N.Y. Times when they heard the verdict:

The women, sitting in the jury box at the invitation of the judge, to make it easier for them to see and hear, let out a collective "Oh!" and burst into applause, rushing forward, as quickly as elderly women could rush, to hug and kiss their lawyers, Norman Siegel, the former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and Earl Ward.

"Listen to your granny, she knows best!" crowed Joan Wile, a retired cabaret singer and jingle writer who was one of the defendants.

I suppose the prosecution ought to consider themselves very lucky that they did not win, because the thought of being rushed by a pack of military recruiters intent on hugging and kissing you can not be very appealing.

The details in the N.Y. Times about the trial are just hilarious. For instance each grandmother was called to testify in her own defense, and only one chose to plead the fifth. And that was in response to being asked her age!

Then there was this exchange:

Isn't it true they were blocking traffic? Ms. Miller asked, cross-examining Ms. Lear. Ms. Lear replied that if someone had wanted to go through, she would have moved over. "I'm a very polite person," she said.

"I'm sure you are," Ms. Miller agreed.

Wasn't their real objective to get publicity by being arrested? "Did you personally believe you were going to be allowed to enlist?" Mr. McConnell asked Ms. Dreyfus.

"I wasn't sure," she replied. "I do have a skill set." She is a facilities manager and "could be used to deploy equipment," she said.

But, the prosecutor insisted, was she prepared to go to war?

"Yes," Ms. Dreyfus replied. "I was totally prepared. I had just recently gotten divorced. I was ready."

The grannies burst out laughing, and a red blush spread, once more, over Judge Ross's face.

HAH! Just gotten divorced and ready to enlist by gum! I suppose with the drive lately by the military to fill the ranks that she is lucky she wasn't enlisted during this protest.

Can you imagine being a prosecutor on this case and having to cross examine these obviously intelligent, feisty, humorous, grandmothers? What a nightmare!

I hereby would like to propose that April 27 be declared national Grannie day, because these women really are national treasures.

People across America who are alarmed at the direction this country is being led by the Washington Republican machine ought to love the Peace Grannies theme song.

GOD HELP AMERICA, WE NEED YOU BAD!
'CAUSE OUR LEADERS ARE CHEATERS
AND THEY'RE MAKING THE WORLD REALLY MAD.
CLIMBING MOUNTAINS, CROSSING OCEANS
AND INVADING FOREIGN SOIL...
GOD HELP AMERICA, NO BLOOD FOR OIL!
GOD FORGIVE AMERICA, NO BLOOD FOR OIL!

Amen patriot Grannies... if only our leaders showed 1/10th the wisdom you have gained in your years on this planet.