Interesting day at the Rumsfeld rally (nothing huge, around 600 I'd guess) particularly to watch the level of covert security.

Came into town by train at 4 o'clock... a couple of police on the platform, fifty people with backpacks heading in different directions.

Up to the main street. Immediately to the right is the Halliburton-constructed barrier blockading the Hyatt from the world, a few constabulary behind it- nothing major.

Strolling up past the Casino, you see a few more parked at the outdoor cafe, a couple across the street, three or four at the front of Parliament House.

Then the proudest moment of my life- helping duct-tape the NO WAR banner between the pillars of Parliament House, from where it was banned a day before!

(Note- duct-tape doesn't work very well on stone)

Standing around in the crowd, listening to a conversation a couple down ("barmaid's ears" it used to be called) in which this bloke in slacks and white shirt is saying " XXX is up there... where's everybody else?" a phrase repeated later when there was obviously still not more than one of the constabulary on the steps, and a couple hundred of (seated) protesters.

At the mike, the S.A. Democrats Upper House Leader, Sandra Kanck MLC is telling us how, upon walking near the Hyatt to inspect the blockade, she was asked for her name, address and date of birth. Earlier in the day, a man was asked to remove his shoes and socks for a police inspection while his bag, containing a change of clothes, was also searched.

Awaiting  the 6.15. In the meantime it seemed a good idea to return to the point of arrival. Another man in white shirt and slacks is talking to officers and men in orange Transadelaide jackets. As they disperse I'm watching the boys in blue behind the blockade practicing removing one section to let the motorcad in and out when I notice the bloke watching me. Again in a Transadelaide "waistcoat" he's perched at the boundary between the train station and the Hyatt, and he's describing me into his phone "He's just standing there watching...dark shoulder length hair, a bit of a beard... Stu's probably got a picture of him" and I'm thinking it's time to leave.  (A big "hello" to "Stu"  and by the way, who do you work for

Back down on the platform I'm looking for more corporate logos on the orange train jackets. So many of them only read "security contractor". I found this interesting in its anonymity.

 Apparently, during the rally (which the Advertiser says had five hundred protesters compared to Channel Nine's one thousand.) a single protester was removed and arrested on a charge of disorderly behaviour after confronting a lone U.S. protester.

 Mr Rumsfeld, I know the numbers weren't huge, but as the pictures of our protest were broadcast around the country, many, many people were, you can be sure, quietly cheering us on.  They, like the protesters today, do not like what you represent, and hope you take it with you when you leave.

 I've been looking along the tracks at the Hyatt and wondering which room you're in.  This is probably as close as I'll ever get to you, unless I catch a bus to town to stand in the street and bathe in your aura.

 I wonder if the Hyatt tonight is going to be like the end of each episode of "The Waltons"  You remember..."Goodnight John-Boy, goodnight Mom, goodnight Bobby-JO" etc etc.

 As the lights go out I wish you could hear my voice in your head saying "Good night Donald- now piss off back to Washington, and take colonels Hill and Downer with you.   YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE !

 Orstrayyan Defence Minister Hill has said tonight that the Australian and US views on Iraq were "identical"

Q.E.D.

Do you sleep at the foot of the bed, Robert, or on a rug on the floor?