Seeing as Not The Bee now has a Washington Correspondent, a title which I just now made up, I thought it might be useful to head across the river into DC and check out the multiple rallies that were being held to support President Trump.

Before we dive into it, a little red meat appetizer. I apologize I missed the name, but I believe she was one of the leaders of Trump's Latino outreach program (mild language warning).

A little background, first.

It is a rare weekend that there isn't a rally, protest, march, festival, or some combination, going on somewhere in DC. Residents know to check for road closures before venturing into or through DC on a Saturday or Sunday. Here are what the road closures looked like Saturday.

Okay, so driving was out.

I live across the river not all that far from the airport (seen at the bottom of the picture). That puts Freedom Plaza (more or less the center of the action that day and not far from the White House) within walking distance. Of course, San Diego is, technically speaking, within walking distance, but still, this was doable, if not a leisurely stroll down the block. My too-kind wife agreed to drive me part of the way, and dropped me off just north of the airport at Gravelly Point.

I need to remind myself from time to time how lucky I am to live here. It's got all the normal hassles of a large metro area, along with all the politics and the like, but it's also incredibly beautiful. I had a ways to go, about a half mile beyond the Washington Monument, that enduring symbol of patriarchal white supremacy and maybe freedom, that you can see off in the distance, but at least it would be scenic! (And you couldn't ask for a nicer November day.)

On to the fun stuff.

There were a lot of people. How many? It was hard to tell given there was more than one rally and people were really spread out, but many thousands to be sure. I believe this segment was part of the "Million MAGA March," heading towards the Capitol Building with the Supreme Court their ultimate destination. (Did I mention this place can be beautiful?)

I shot this as I approached Pennsylvania Avenue from the south on 12th Street. You'll note that not everyone was there for the rally given the woman who felt the need to express her opinion to me as she passed. That's one of the amusing things I think people forget when they come to a rally or some other event in DC. People live here, they are shopping, going out to eat, etc., and they are constantly making their way through these kinds of things.

Also, mild language warning, there was a preacher of some sort going on about how the people there weren't "real" conservatives. This is also a fixture of these kinds of events. Any large gathering will draw out people seeking an audience for their message, and this is America (still!) and so have at it crazy preacher man! (More of this kind of thing later.)

I started making my way left, towards Freedom Plaza and came across this guy.

The crowd loved it, and the guy singing was obviously having a blast. As I was walking away I realized he had customized the lyrics.

I couldn't catch it all, but it was something like,

"I said the Supreme Court is where you want to be.

I said, go man, to the Justice Department."

Okay, so the rhyming scheme needs some work. (Let me know what you can decipher.)

Commerce!

I shot this as I was approaching Freedom Plaza.

Some more red meat.

Heading back towards 12th Street, I came across what appeared to be a couple of Joe Biden's former black people.

And this guy. If your rally can't attract this guy, I'm sorry, your rally is lame.

Another common feature of DC rallies, but at least this one is more on message.

I had forgotten that the Trump International Hotel was on Pennsylvania Avenue but of course it is.

I had to head back after that, making my way to 14th Street which affords you some of the best views in DC.

Overall impressions?

I had not been to a MAGA rally, but they are pretty much how they come across on TV if you watched one unedited and absent anchor commentary and opinions. The energy was palpable, and while determined, very friendly, polite, and festive.

The local media of course had its own view.

"A lot of people are concerned Saturday's event could become another Charlottesville."

Yes, a lot of people in the newsroom, I'm sure. Keep in mind, they don't know any Trump supporters.

This is why it is so important to see these things yourself, or if possible, watch unedited video of events. They are never portrayed absent bias. I have been to a number of these things, and the coverage bears little to no resemblance to what I had witnessed with my own eyes.

And no, I felt oddly uncompelled to note the percentage of people wearing masks.

I can't speak to the awful violence that occurred after I had left, but this was not a "mostly" peaceful rally. It was, while I was there and absent agitators, "completely" peaceful. These people are angry, yes, but as Tucker Carlson likes to point out, they are also kind and decent.

Now, if you don't mind, I have a blister or two I need to attend to.