Inside Arnold's Camp - Where are the people of color?

On the way, I remembered how my Grandfather would take me to the Oakdale Rodeo every year.

Upon arriving, I saw a crowd of people about a block away from the entrance. I went ahead and parked and walked on over to find many teachers, nurses, and firemen protesting the event of Terminator's arrival.

I asked many people how I could get inside. "I want to ask him a question." I said, lifting my bull horn to let them know that I meant business.

"You might want to ask one of those guys up there in a cowboy hat - they seem to know what's goin' on.", said a hired renta-cop.

I walked over there with another gentlemen. and we were told that we would need to drive in. And, oh yes, we would need to be supporters. This is also what the Modesto Bee had quoted to let us know who would be preferred entry onto the premises.

"Well, I'm not a supporter.", said the Gentleman standing next to me. "Then you need to get out of here! This is private property." Said the Oakdale Cowboy.

"I'm a supporter!", I lied holding my hand up as though I were taking an oath.

"Your fine then, sir. You just go ahead and drive in. You are welcome to meet our Governer."

I quickly turned and started to walk back to my van. It was a bit longer of a walk then I remembered.

There was not very much traffic leading to the area in which the Governer was due to speak.

As I drove past the protestors, they chanted in unison - "Shame on you! Shame on you!". Little did they know, I was undercover.

Once I got to the gate, I was approached by yet another Cowboy. He did not even ask if I was a supporter. I said right away, "Nice hat!" and it did not take long to strike up a quick conversation about felting. It was obvious to these white bigots, that I was one of them. Easy as pie.

As I drove into the short lines of trucks and suvs I was glad that I was wearing my sunglasses because the it was immediately obvious that 99.9 percent of the people here were white white white. I was in the zone. It was easy to park, and everyone was smiling at me. It was probably the cowboy hat.

It was still early I suppose, but I was able to quickly determine that I was in good company. For every glance, I got a smile, almost like a nod of acknowledgement.

Wondering around, an older Cowboy bought me a hot dog. And I was able to so easily pick up a bottle of water.

I heard a band and felt right at home in Oakdale, CA. Listening to songs from Lynard Skynard to CCR.

I Decided to walk over and check out what this band looked like. They sounded pretty good. They sounded like they had a good set. They sounded like hicks.

After a couple more songs, a DJ from the local Country Music Station - Kat Country seemed to take it upon himself to be the MC of the event. "Are ya'll ready for Arnold?", "Well are ya?", "Let's hear a shout if ya are!" And then he would get everyone chanting Arnold, Arnold, Arnold.

Yeah, yeah whatever... so anyway....

They paraded a few people up, the first couple I can't quite remember the names. The first guy walked up on the stage with his trouser pockets hanging out and the first thing he said was that the picketers had picked his pockets when he arrived.

then he bad mouthed Beatty for the event the day before. He talked about how he was having a hard time paying his bills because his union dues were 60 to 70 dollars a month. He said that the Unions were nothing more than money farmers praying on the teachers. Most of whom, he went on to say were awful and should be fired (probably the bi-lingual ones).

Then after I forgot his name he talked some more and then was replaced with some guy that owned a trucking company.

Then the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Posse parading upon the stage - followed by the man that now works with our Governor, our former Sheriff Les Weidman though we were told that officially he was still our Sheriff. I don't think so.

OK....The Les Weidman spoke. I have to admit, this is really a nice guy. How did he get hooked up with a guy like Conan?

And then there were a couple more songs and then at last...here came Arnold.

Can you find a person of color in any of these photos?

There was no opportunity for questions or comments. It was all a matter of listen do not speak, the good people of California will be told what to do.

So if you did not have the good fortune to have a cowboy hat on and see Arnold in person, or maybe even get to shake his hand... don't despair, you didn't miss anything.

Robert W. Stanford (under cover Cowboy of Civil Rights)
http://www.localblack.com