The roar of hollow patriotism

You're going to take flack for this one, sir. But I liked it a lot. Thank you.

How dare this liberal (for the record i am not a Bush supporter or a Republican) little twit criticize anyone's MO for showing support. Is riding a cycle as dangerous as combat? Hell no. Neither is hiding behind ink and paper while strolling along the Mall or into museums. To each his own.

Is GW Bush prone to supporting these "man's man" type things? Hell yes. But who lisens to him anymore?

Ever stop to think how many of these Harley riders are actually veterans... or combat veterans? Garrison, have you ever served your country other than with the "mighty pen" criticizing others and supporing your own agenda? Reminds me of what Truman said about farming (paraphrasing), "Farming looks mighty easy when you're 1000 miles away and your plow is a pencil."

What an elitist knob!

I guess this moron is the sole person who defines patriotism in America. Those bikers have more patriotism and love for their country in their pinky than you have displayed in your entire life.

I guess you are another subscriber to the "Hate America First" campaign.

How sad.

lol, I didn't know m0r0n was a bad word!

Garrison ... I came late to your party. Over the years I kept promising to tune in to your show but somehow the pace of living and raising a family always seemed to push me elsewhere. Now retired ... I'm making up for lost time. As I review your body of work, I frequently kick myself for waiting so long. Your writing is a joy. Thank you.

Mark White (mark_white@bellsouth.net)

You nailed it Garrison. A bunch of old fatass wannabes.

I am ashamed to be a Minnesotan after reading this whiny liberal babble. The Rolling Thunder group reminds us to remember the fallen ...and the lost. There were vets on that ride who served in country. There were adults on that rider who lost parents they never met and are there to touch the name on the Wall.

How dare he mention the WWII Memorial. My neighbor is a D Day survivor and medal winner from WWII. He is a gentle soul and a genuine person. Maybe Mr "Wobegon" should have stood next to him on Memorial Day instead of staring at a painting.

Btw... the 50,000 names on the Wall that Rolling Thunder was there to honor fought and died to protect his freedom to have his opinion. To that he is due.. but I doubt earned.

What a jerk, guess he's never been there, or had any family members that were or are still there. Must be some reason all these men and women take time off from work, spend hundreds of dollars for a room, food and gas, it must mean something to them.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of every scoundrel."

"War Is A Racket"

"Oil For Blood"

"Haliburton Wants YOU !"

Patriotism, children, freedom, and democracy are excuses to limit freedom here, and wage war on Americans who hate their govt, crime, limited govt, and foreigners.

(6 years, USMC)
2nd AAV Batallion, 2nd Marine Division
1st Track Vehicle Battallion, 1st Marine Division

Good job Garrison - Now you're a real patriot !

Oh, I'm sorry. I should have written this. What aa arshole or perhaps a whole ars!

Nice going, insult those who pay tribute to the men and women who have fallen because you would rather visit some art gallery then spend some time remembering those who have given everything for your ability to write what you wish.(and get paid) What do you know about veterans or bikers? Not much I would gather. Have a great day! Thanks for the insult. This 40 year old skinny and bald electrician thinks you should get a layoff, the tribune needs to tighten up!

Many of the pony-tailed bikers of whom you speak are veterans of these many wars -- Korea, Viet Nam, Afganistan, and Iraq. Many have worn the uniforms of our armed forces in defense of this country and your right of free speech, which you use so thoughtlessly in your comments regarding these patriots.
I am one of those bikers, although my hair is not long enough to wear in a pony-tail, rather trimmed short as I now wear a new uniform in the service of the law enforcement community. My father is buried in Arlington National Cemetary and I pay respect to him and all of our veterans as often and as respectfully as I can, especially on Memorial Day.
The next time you want to share your opinions on this issue, maybe you should research the topic a little better before throwing your prose across the web airways.
Rather than saluting you, I'll salute those more deserving of that honor -- our brave men and women fighting for this country.

Nice way to knock veterans Mr Keillor. I'm surprised you weren't standing there shouting "baby killer" as the rode past you.

Well it is safe to say this jerk and a few that have commented have never served this country. I am one of those "fat old men, biker, no ponytail not enough hair left. I served my country as a United States Marine from 63-72. I sir have earned the right to ride in a patriotic parade on my motorcycle. I am really sorry it took you so long to cross the street, it took a lot of those guys on the bikes a long time to cross a rice paddy, it took some of them a long time to recover from their wounds, it took a REAL long time for those guys to gain acceptance and appreciation for what they have done. I have sat with my brother dying from the results of agent orange who never once complained about the pain, about his fate. He also was a Marine, a lifer, he gave it his all. I have been with dying people before and never once have I ever witnessed true courage that my brother displayed. He wasn't into bikes, he was into hot rods but that would probably fall into your same grouping. I have known two brotherhoods in my lifetime. The Marines and Bikers. Neither of which you would understand.
May I suggest you check schedule of events before you plan your next trip or let us know we should stay away. Better still why don't you take a trip to Sturgis SD this August. Many of us fat,skinny,old,young,will be attending a LITTLE function out there. That sure as hell would inconvience you.I bet you get a chuckle out of all these comments. Now I hope the VFW,American Legion, and every other service organization try to make you life a living hell.
Ride hard everybody and keep the shiny side up.

Garrison Keillor absolutely insulted every Veteran who had the misfortune of reading this trash. To those who have commented "you have opened a can of whoop-azz"...you have no idea.
This garbage is being sent all over the internet.
I have a feeling Mr Keillor is going to pay handsomely for his ill-regarded remarks.
As a combat veteran, most recently in Iraq...I want Mr Keillor to know he has offended me and my brother warriors--of all branches...of all era's.
Mr Keillor you Sir have stepped over the line and I would hope you would apologize.
PSC
VET

Yes, most of us enjoy some peace and quiet as a person would find in a museum or mall art exhibit; however, Garrison Keillor apparently does not realize that many of those fat men with ponytails on Harleys are Vietnam veterans who have served their country and seen the horrors of war. It is also important to note that not very many of them are getting drunk and falling off their bikes. So, I say ride on and enjoy yourselves!

Heres another numnut,who's still high from the sixty's,still growing daises that they put in the rifle barrels in the 60's. Most of those fat men with ponytails,look at picture's every night they lay their head down, and it's not know Picasso.If you don't agree with their misson...then get the hell out of the way,before you get ran over.

This about the most ignorant columnist I have ever read. Does he even know what being patriotic is. Probably not. He should have walked up to some of those guys on Harleys and thanked them for the sacrifices they made for he freedom to spew this crap on the interent. Did he even stop to think that probably most of them were veterans paying tribute to fallen comrads protecting his very freedom. probably not.

Mr. Garrison Keillor:

What conflict did you serve in? I did not see you at any location that I was in. You were not beside me during the 68 Tet. Nor were you ever there to help me load the wounded and dead on choppers for evacuation. Where were you when the mortar rounds were falling and cutting us to pieces? What makes you an authority on war and how the sacrifices made by soldiers should be recognized? After reading your diatribe on Rolling Thunder, it first sounds like the major reason that it was written was that you feel that a person such as yourself should not be inconvenienced by the likes of others. What you have really written is a piece of political propaganda trying to connect the current administration with people that you seem to feel are some how not worthy of honoring the sacrifices of the men and women in the military. A good many of the people that you refer to as "fat men with ponytails on Harleys" are military veterans with numerous citations for heroism and valor. What gives the liberal literati the license to twist the truth and sully others? Mr. Keillor you are an Ass, Sir.

To bad this gentleman forgets that everyone on those "fat men with ponytails on Harleys" fought for his freedom with their sweat and blood and that or thier brothers in arms so he could have the freedom to sightsee in Washington D.C. How pathetic. I'm ashamed of you. Many of thse riders had ridden DAYS, that's right, DAYS! To honor their fallen brothers, fathers, uncles, sons and friends in the name of this country and the freedom you use to belittle them in their honoring of the fallen heros of this county. What gives you the right to say the way they honor the war dead is wrong? Just because you don't like motorcycles? You belittle the gesture. Many of those riders were embraced by the motorcycle community no questions asked after they were spit on and called horrible names by this counties citizens. It just goes to show how small minded persons like yourself, spout poppycock in the name of "opinion". I for on salute them.......and thank my lucky stars that they were there when the time called for them to fight for my freedom to post this response.