Fourth of July parade watchers in Norfolk, Nebraska, participated in a sociological drama—whether they liked that or not. Dale Remmich, who built a float displaying an outhouse beside which stood a gape-mouthed mannequin in bib overalls, eyes wide with shock, garnered more attention than he planned. One side of the wooden facility bore the message: OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY. Remmich told NBC affiliate KTIV that the walker-using dummy doesn’t portray President Obama: “It’s me. I’ve got on my bibs. Yes, I’ve got my walker. I’m [depicted as] turning green and some say I look like a zombie. But I am not a hate-monger and I’m not a racist.” Remmich, a rural resident and veteran, added that he meant no disrespect, but intended only to express disappointment with both the government’s slippery handling of the Bergdahl scandal, and the Veteran’s Affairs administration’s mistreating three of Remmich’s close friends.
Locals' reactions ranged from laughter to confusion to disgust. Norfolk Mayor Sue Fuchtman's statement—in part—reads: "...[W]e are disappointed that the occasion of this family-friendly celebration of America's birth was used in a way that disparaged the office of the president." I think Dale Remmich himself best summed up the incident and its (apparently) obscure subtext: "I tried to use political satire as best I could, but to be honest with you it's mostly political disgust, simply no more or no less."
