Everyone loves bagpipes. DCist sure does. From the Highland Games to any sort of firefighting ceremony, they draw attention and respect. That’s why when DCist left the office yesterday, we were pleasantly surprised to hear bagpipes blaring from the corner of North Capitol Street and Massachusetts Avenue. But we were confused.

With the bagpiper were two men from a Philly-area union pacing in front of the Dubliner. They were carrying signs denouncing new Labor Department overtime regulations (there was a mass protest yesterday outside Labor Department headquarters). After they paced in front of the Dubliner (yelling “Vote for John Kerry”), they walked around the corner to the front of the Phoenix Park Hotel.

We aren’t sure why union protesters decided to march in front of the Dubliner. Perhaps they know that the Dubliner crew, which came out to the patio, are overworked. Maybe they wanted to get free pints. Regardless, we like bagpipers and wish more protesters from outside the Beltway would march with musical instruments. Sure marching is a great visual element, but coordinated music (besides “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho” chanting) gives an issue a fundamental soundtrack.