Posted on 08/24/2005 9:57:40 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
As a Vietnam veteran, Bakersfield resident Bob Blount said he will never oppose a sitting president during time of war.
"I'm not pro-war," he said. "I know what war looks like. I've been through it."
Blount was one of about a dozen locals who showed up to support the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" tour during the organization's appearance Tuesday morning in Bakersfield.
The caravan-style tour, which began in San Francisco on Monday, is a counter-protest of sorts, designed as a response to Cindy Sheehan, the military mom whose vigil near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas has energized critics of the war in Iraq. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed last year in Iraq.
Leading the tour through Bakersfield was Deborah Johns, the mother of U.S. Marine Cpl. William Johns, 21, who served 15 months in Iraq during two tours of duty. Cpl. Johns is back in the United States.
"I think of myself as the mom who supports the men and women doing the job in Iraq," Deborah Johns said Tuesday. "Cindy Sheehan has said the president is a murderer and a liar, and that nothing good is happening in Iraq. That's simply not true."
Johns said the news media has largely ignored progress made in Iraq, from new roads, bridges and schools to the drafting of a constitution that she said will bring democracy and freedom to the region.
"The Iraqi people want us there, and that's not being reported on," she said.
The tour is sponsored by Move America Forward, a conservative organization that, among other initiatives, has launched a petition drive to remove the United Nations headquarters from American soil.
The caravan made stops in Vacaville, Sacramento and Fresno before arriving in Bakersfield late Monday night. After the Tuesday morning news conference, Johns was interviewed on the Inga Barks radio program on KERN 1410.
Then they were on the road again.
After stops in Los Angeles and San Diego, the caravan is expected to arrive in Texas on Saturday. On the side of Johns' RV, a sign reads, "Unlike some poeple (sic), I do support our troops in Iraq."
Although pro- and anti-Sheehan activists reportedly shared verbal exchanges at the caravan's stop in Sacramento, there appeared to be no pro-Sheehan people at the event in Bakersfield Tuesday.
Bakersfield residents Al and Danielle Eggly were among those who came out to support Johns.
"We certainly appreciate Cindy Sheehan's loss and her grief, but we've concluded that it's sending the wrong message to our troops," Al Eggly said after the short news conference.
Eggly said he believes Americans should have the right to disagree with presidents and their policies, but he disapproves of Sheehan's protests.
"We think it's promoting discord among the American people," he said.
"We started this thing, whether the information was good, bad or indifferent," Eggly said of the war and the pre-war intelligence. "Cindy is wrong mostly because she's saying we can't stay the course."
Deborah Johns answers a couple of questions before speaking to the media during a stop in Bakersfield for the “You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy!” tour. Johns has a son who is a Marine and has served two tours in Iraq for a total of 15 months, and will probably be going back for a third. The vehicles in the background were part of the caravan.
Hey Norm! It's FREEZING over here. Send us some sunshine, please.
Only a dozen?
Thanks Norm!
I'm taking pictures and will post them when I have time along the route
I want to see one of our pictures of this before I believe the OLD MEDIA.
I will be fascinated when she is face to face with Melanie. Ms. Morgan will clean Cindy's clock.
How ya doin'??
THE LEFT'S RECKLESS TET-OFFENSIVE-GAMBIT REPLAY:
the left's jihad against America is killing our troops, aiding + abetting the terrorists and imperiling all Americans2
BILL CLINTON'S CINDY SHEEHANS (courtesy Sean Hannity)
FReezing, huh?
It's almost 70 and sunny here. :)
Well, then you've got plenty; send some over here!
~<|;o)
The photos are here ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1468649/posts
From what I can see, it does look like POEPLE.
oh man.
Updated itinerary for tomorrow through Saturday...if you want to click the directions/maps then go to http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/DailyFile/tentative_schedule_for_you_dont_speak_for_me_cindy_tour
8:30-9:00am Press Conference hosted by KKOB AM 770 Albuquerque - 500 Fourth Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Click Here for Directions)
9:00-10:00am Broadcasting live at KKOB AM 770 with Pat Frisch (Click Here for Directions)
12:00-4:00pm En Route to Amarillo
4:00-6:00pm Media Appearance in Amarillo
6:00-12:00am En Route to Fort Worth
Friday August 26, 2005
Morning Shows in Fort Worth
One hour drive to Dallas
Noon and afternoon and evening shows in Dallas
Saturday August 27, 2005
9:00am Caravan departs from Hyatt Regency Dallas - 300 Reunion Boulevard CLICK HERE to VIEW MAP
11:35am Meet supporters at WalMart parking lot at the intersection of I-35 and Lake Shore. [that’s on the west side of I-35]
Wal Mart #1521
Interstate 35 North
Waco, Texas
11:55/12:00noon Caravan then continues on to Crawford, Texas!
1:00-3:00 “We Support Our Troops AND Their Mission” Rally
Rally Location: “Crawford Community Center” near the Stadium - East 4th Street off of Lonestar Parkway
*Note: Later Saturday evening there will be a vigil in front of the “Freedoms Angel of Steadfast Love” - the vigil takes place at dusk. This loaction is a memorial dedicated to the victims of 9/11 created by Lei Hennessey-Owen. Move America Forward will be there too!
LOL - I can't make it out. That would probably not be so good. ;*)
Will try to come by
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.