Bicyle Rage Boy spews hate-America whines to Patriot Guard Rider Ted, who patiently attempts to educate him.
photo by Mrs Trooprally
Posted on 03/09/2008 8:33:13 PM PDT by Albion Wilde
WASHINGTON, DC, February 8, 2008— This week's FReep featured a welcome visit by two Patriot Guard Riders who had been in the Walter Reed hospital delivering hand-fashioned eagle-head canes to recovering wounded troops. As well, a youngish leftie who claimed to be a former Marine shouted hate-America slogans as he cycled by the FReep, but was directly engaged by one of the Patriot Guard and several FReepers, who patiently took the time to listen to his rant and tried to comfort his rage by pointing out some of the fallacies in his thinking.
"I served in Baghdad," he insisted, while Ted of Patriot Guard quietly asked for his unit, information which was as readily forthcoming as John Kerry's Form 180. His extended complaints included the lack of national health care in the U.S.A. "I slave in a bicycle shop, getting my hands all greasy, making barely enough to take care of myself and my, er, wife, er, the woman I live with! And I can't afford health insurance in this country!"
FReeper BMWcyle at this point inquired why he didn't get a job with benefits? But more to the point is someone who claims to have been a Marine, which would presumably have required Marine Boot Camp and extensive rifle training ("This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life...."), complaining about a few greasy bike chains spoiling his day? Sorry, lacks credibility.
As Patriot Guard Ted explained the dangers of socialized medicine, Bicycle Rage Boy snorted, "I was a political science major! What's so bad about socialism? They have it in Sweden! Sweden is where I want to live! They have universal health care!" At this, I gave him a homework assignment, since this fellow has often zipped past the FReep on his bike and usually shouts something loony.
"Before you come back next time," I said, "Do some research on Malmö, Sweden."
"What's that?" he exclaimed, as Ted, BMWcyle and myself rolled our eyes.
"Just look it up before you come back here next time," I counseled.
The average FR lurker knows more about politics than the average product of liberal-arts undergrad university poly sci programs, but for those of you primarily on FR for the photos of Catherine Zeta-Jones, check out more about Malmö, Sweden here, here and here.
And now back to our regularly scheduled topic, Patriot Guard Riders:
Our guests, Ted and Ann of Patriot Guard Riders
photo by kburi
Patriot Guard Riders started in August, 2005. The American Legion Riders Chapter 136 (Kansas) heard that a fallen soldier's funeral was being protested by Fred Phelps of the infamous Westboro "Baptist Church." They organized groups across the nation to offer a non-violent, protective escort to bereaved mlitary families, in cooperation with local law enforcement. Their organizing brought forth riders from VFW, American Legion, Rolling Thunder, ABATE, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Intruder Alert, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, and hundreds of individual riders. They also do "send-offs" and "welcome homes" when troops are moved out or back home, and visits to the wounded.
Ted and Ann were at Walter Reed this night for just such a visit. They brought with them some Eagle Head Canes from the Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarver’s Association. The EOWA has carvers throughout the country. Each cane is individually hand carved and completely unique.
Patriot Guard also helped another soldier in his room at a recovery residence on the Walter Reed base. It was hard for him to maneuver his wheelchair around the bathroom door. Due to government red tape, the facility staff could not meet his request to remove the door; but they told him he could have it done for him, provided the door stayed in the room. A husband and wife from PGR not only took the door off the hinges for him; they also put up some curtains, made by another PGR member, to cover the door opening. The soldier and his wife were delighted to show off the newly accessible bathroom to friends and visitors.
It was an honor for our FReep to host visitors from Patriot Guard Riders!
Honor Roll and Photos from this FReep
FReepers present: Albion Wilde, BMWcyle; Daughter of BMWcyle, BufordP; Chief (USN Retired), Cindy-True-Supporter, Fraxinus, Jimmy Valentine's brother, kburi, Satin Patriot, Tom the Redhunter, Trooprally [Mr & Mrs], VAflagwaver. Lurker: Bill from MD. Guests: Ann and Ted from Patriot Guard.
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Links:
All of Mrs Trooprally's pix of this event.
BufordP's big archive of WRAMC FReeps.
Our 3-year anniversary at Walter Reed is coming soon! Join us March 28, 2008!
If you can't get to D.C. to join us but would like to do something for the wounded, you can find out how by FReepmailing Tom the Redhunter, Cindy-True-Supporter, VAFlagwaver, or PleaDeal.
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Ping
That ignorant leftie was NEVER in any branch of the service! Why doesn’t he just go to Sweden instead of staying here and whining about how great it is? Sheesh!
I would love to have one of those canes, and I don’t even need one. Thank God for the Patriot Guard who are providing them for our troops!
I’ll never foget the sight of that bus bringing our wounded warriors back from their well-deserved night out!
Taxman Bravo Zulu! for FReep and pics.
I’m working on a Road Trip to FReep with you Real Soon Now!
PS...thank you and all the DC FReepers and FRiends who do this every. single. Friday night!
Y’all are heroes to me just as the wounded warriors are!
I’ll never forget my evening with you!
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It was great to have you here in DC, LUV W!
You might write to the Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarver’s Association and see if they will sell you one....
That will be excellent, Taxman and Mrs Taxman.... travel safely!
Albi, am proud of you! Thanks for the thread!! Glad to see a write up on fellow PGRers!!!
LOL! Now why didn’t I think of that!
I look forward to trying to come again sometime. It was
inspiring!
Good night. Thanks for the ping.
(If you want on or off the list, please FReepmail me. Prayers covering all of you who are headed to DC for the 14-15th.)
Thanks for the PING
bm
Thanks, guys!! Absolutely wonderful!
Thank you Albion. I really enjoyed reading the write up tonight and the Eagle head canes are beautiful! Works of art!
If this lefty had served would he not have VA benefits?
Thank you & everyone else for all you do...Pandora
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Bump
This poor guy lied like a rug, PA Engineer. "Dumb" would be a kindness in describing his grasp of adult life skills. Unfortunately, he is typical of the many lefties that we encounter in DC. They want someone to take care of them, and they will say anything and think anything to rationalize it. It's why our Founders did NOT believe in popular democracy, but restricted the vote to landowners. (See my tagline.)
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