Today's Duncan Banner on the Halliburton protest and my quick comments

I do not have my physical copy of the Banner yet, but here is a link to today's story. Unfortunately, the paper is put to bed in the morning, too early for it to give details about the protests or about the shareholder meeting itself, for that matter.

Copies were circulating at the Stephens County courthouse while we awaited the bailing out of the sixteen prisoners. The mis-identification of the Mayflower Congregational Church as the Mayflower Congressional Church elicited some groans from some of the activists; they have gotten used to being misquoted and misidentified. I wish reporters would do a little fact-checking.

The article also mentions that this morning Duncan police officers removed some anti-Halliburton banners "placed around the city." The protesters at the courthouse weren't aware of anyone placing any anti-Halliburton banners around the city--except at the protest site. I would like to know where these anti-Halliburton banners were found. It sounds like the local police were extremely eager to show they are on Halliburton's side.

Shareholder/protesters who were able to attend the meeting said that there were about 300 people were in the theater where the meeting was held; most of them appeared to be Halliburton employees, not shareholders.

Shortly after the arrests of the 16, a speaker announced that there were about 160 protesters in the fenced-off protest area; I know that about half a dozen Duncan residents, including several pastors, showed up after that, so they weren't included in the total. I am sure the police on the roof of the Simmons Center had an accurate count.

I dismissed the AP article I read that claimed even pro-Halliburton Duncan residents were reluctant to speak to reporters, until I saw the ridiculous law enforcement presence at the protest, with cameras, a helicopter, and police in riot gear 'hiding' behind a firetruck. Many of the people driving by on Chisholm Trail Parkway waved and honked for peace, which was very encouraging. Thank you, fellow residents of Duncan, who understand that freedom of speech means nothing if people are not free to speak opinions that may not agree with yours.

I am disappointed that there was no way open to build bridges or dialogue with people of opposing opinions. The security people ushered a local pro-Halliburton-sign-carrying attorney away from us; apparently she had her own protest area to occupy.