Close To You - After Action Report of Tucson Weekly Wednesday FReep 7/30/2008

AmericanProtest.net ^ | 08/01/2008 | Wayne Boettcher

[\/\/ayne]

Close To You

Summers in Tucson, Arizona can be pretty hot, and so can political passions. But sometimes the level of political rhetoric can go beyond passionate, beyond vitriolic and even beyond reason. Yet it was with a cheerful heart that I pulled up to 2302 E. Speedway on a bright Wednesday morning on July 30, 2008 at about 7:00 am. The weekly mission? Support the troops, counter anti-recruitment protesters and stand up for America.

The regular weekly troop supporters were mostly set up when I arrived at the Tucson Military Recruiting Center strip mall but I was able to help put up a few more signs along the row of American and military flags designed as a symbolic shield against the weekly left-wing propaganda assault. Coffee was available and good conversation among the patriotic people populating the parking lot. Yet soon it was time to hit the sidewalk for another few hours of troop support.

In Tucson there are no permits granted for protests. Protesting is generally allowed on public property, and sometimes the two sides of an issue will decide to stand near each other. In major protests of large groups, the police usually request the two sides separate, and they usually do. However, in smaller protests the two sides might mix together as some did on Wednesday's event.

I acquired one of my own signs and headed down the sidewalk. Local "anti-war" eccentric Gretchen Nielsen had just walked past as usual to take up her station a half block past the troop supporters. While I don't usually post anyone's name in a column, Nielsen writes many guest columns about her protests under her own name which are published in all the local newspapers; it is assumed that she is not concerned about her identity being known. On this day a man in a black US Army shirt with a pro-troops sign and a US Army flag followed her down the sidewalk, and I followed him.

He took up a stance only five feet before Neilson, practically but not quite blocking her sign to oncoming traffic. As I observed, a heated drama took place. Nielsen was yelling at the man as more left wing activists gathered about the scene. A blue shirted lady pulled up in a bumper sticker festooned mini-van and stepped between Black Shirt Man and Nielsen, but remained oddly close to the man. As the rhetoric continued, she often gave a weird forced laugh that was a little disturbing.

I spoke to Black Shirt Man and relayed my concern that I didn't believe blocking signs of the opposition or getting close was a good idea. My thought is to let them take those kinds of rude actions while we take the high road. Our superior message of supporting the troops and America is enough to carry the day. However, he explained to me that his purpose for being there was not mainly supporting the troops but to protest Gretchen Nielsen in particular. And apparently there was an agreement brokered last week by the police where he was to stay five feet away from Nielsen. Black Shirt Man was determined to stand the minimum distance away from her the entire morning.

The reason he was protesting Gretchen Nielsen was because of something she wrote that was published in a local newspaper, something so heinous and foul that it boggles the mind of any normal person. I must warn the reader now to brace him or herself; for here are the awful words written by Gretchen Nielson: My, you look nice in your uniform. You make your little mother proud. Now go and get your legs blown off so she can brag bravely to the neighbors about sacrifice and suffering.

Shocked, I stepped back and observed some more as the morning progressed. Asking a few questions of the "anti-war" protester crowd helped me understand things up a little. "Let's see, you all believe that he (Black Shirt Man) should not stand close to her (Nielsen,)" I stated. There was loud agreement. "Yet she (pointing to Blue Shirt Lady) is standing very close to him. Why is that?" The consensus seems to be that she was "protecting" Nielsen.

"So you all feel that she (Blue Shirt Lady) is justified in doing what you consider to be wrong (standing too close) if it is done in a noble cause (protecting someone.) Is that the deal?" Loud disagreement followed, but none that was coherent. "How do you reconcile that?" I asked Blue Shirt Lady directly. "You're just stupid," she replied and made a gesture indicating that I should "talk to the hand."

Several leftists did explain that the agreement was only for Black Shirt Man to stay five feet from Nielsen. They felt that any "standing close to another" done by anyone on the left, (including Nielson herself) was A-OK and not part of the agreement. "But you'd still be doing what you believe is wrong," I repeated. With all the interruptions and shouting from their side I don't know if they actually heard me say that. I certainly didn't get a real answer, however.

A man with a straw hat and large video camera first told me that all the pro-Americans blocked signs of the troop protesters, but when I told him I knew that wasn't true, he admitted exaggeration and that some people never block signs. He said he had much video footage of troop supporters blocking signs, however. It was interesting that Gretchen Nielsen, who was arrested once for deliberately and illegally blocking a defense plant driveway, objected to the idea of someone blocking her sign for political reasons.

Straw Hat Man is an admitted "9/11 Truther." "Truthers" believe that the buildings blown up on 9/11 were not destroyed by radical Islamic terrorists but by conspiratorial government employees led by President Bush. He got very intense when he brought up molten metal and threw out terms like Conservation of Energy because the "Truthers" believe the buildings fell too fast. However, while I am not an engineer, there are certainly plenty of them that don't believe the conspiracy theories.

When I asked about Osama Bin Ladin admitting guilt and the phone calls from the jetliners, he wasn't willing to say those were definitely fake, only that they might be. I pointed out that since the whole conspiracy theory seemed to be based on possibilities so perhaps we should use Occam's Razor and choose the answer that makes the most sense. He felt the conspiracy theory made the most sense. However, he was not without a sense of humor and even posed for a photo with my sign; Conspiracy Nuts Are Not A Food Group.

A white-hatted Communist supporter (who stated he was not a Communist!) remembered my anti-Communist sign from past protests and we went through the usual litany where he said Communists were not involved in protests (I showed how they were leaders) Communists are peaceful (I explained they killed over 100 million people in the 20th Century while war killed only about 35 million) and that he thought I believed all protesters are Communists. (I explained that I don't.) I agreed with him that people should be allowed to protest the government and we shared a moment of unity, however.

Our groovy, harmonious thoughts were interrupted by a loud burst of female screaming, however. It seemed that Gretchen Nielson had left the spot she was standing on to talk to someone, and now Black Shirt Man was too close to that spot. She ran up to him until she was very close, screaming and waving her crudely lettered poster board a few inches from his face and head. Ironically, this was just the sort of harassing behavior she claimed he was engaging in. To his credit, Black Shirt Man calmly stood there without getting upset. "I'm not moving," he said. "She can't just walk up to me and make me move five feet away. It's a public street." A protester lady with a yellow shirt screamed over and over "She has (that spot!) She has (that spot!)

A police car was conveniently passing by so Nielsen cried out "Help! We need your heeeeeeeeeelp!" The car pulled in and two officers calmly approached the scene. Tucson's Police Department is known for bending over backwards to be fair in political situations, and this was no exception. It turned out that main TPD speaker was also the officer who brokered the agreement. The officer listened to both sides (Nielsen admitted she had left and came back) and in the end said that a person could indeed not just claim a certain spot on the sidewalk as their own.

The police officers maintained an amazingly cool attitude in the summer heat but firmly admonished the many left-wingers who tried to interrupt, including Straw Hat Man who seemed to have no zoom on his video camera. (He got way too close to the officers at times and again, irony reigned.) The officer was keenly familiar with the Constitution and gave concise definitions of the meaning of free speech, which surprised everyone.

No matter what he said, however, both Black Shirt Man and Gretchen refused to move. Eventually the "anti-war" protesters noticed their pre-appointed surrender time of 9:00 am was approaching and left about ten minutes early. After they left, however, a man dressed all in black was walking by and "flipped off" some pro-American ladies. When they challenged him to "try that on the men," he refused, electing instead to walk very fast until he was out of the area. Female cries of "coward!" followed him until he was out of earshot.

There were about fifteen patriotic citizens supporting the troops and their mission with about half that many protesting the troops this Wednesday. The protester's stated purpose is to discourage military recruiting during the War on Terror. I would recommend to patriotic people that they take a day off from work as I did that day and "give it to the troops" by standing up for them against those who lie and falsely accuse in the name of "peace." There's no need to engage in conversation with wacky protesters as some choose to do. Many patriots simply find a quiet spot and hold a sign or flag supporting the troops for a couple of hours. Pretty easy work compared to the hardships our military endures for our freedom. And our Armed Forces certainly appreciate those who stand up for them - and America.

Related Links:

Guest opinion: Pride, parenthood and an unjust war - by Gretchen Nielsen

Gretchen Nielsen: Losing one's mind good way to find soul - by Gretchen Nielsen

Discover The Network's Anti-War group list

Debunking the 9/11 Myths: Special Report - by Popular Mechanics

Debunk 9/11 Myths

Debunking 9/11 Conspiracy theories

(Above) A small table with coffee and snacks.		(Above) Patriotic troop supporters arrive to stand up for the troops. Most of the troop supporters stayed here, away from the closeness conflict.
(Above) Did I mention the mission?		(Above) Everyone knows that US Marine veteran Frank leans to the right.
(Above) Gretchen Nielsen and black-shirted man head for a nearby corner.		(Above) My "Say No To Communism" sign is popular and controversial.
(Above) Black Shirt Man stays five feet from Gretchen Nielsen but Blue Shirt Lady is very close to him. One video camera from each side monitors the situation.		(Above) Blue Shirt Lady gives a weird laugh and offers her hand for conversation. She apparently believes it's ok to stand close to opposition protesters in certain situations.
(Above) White-hatted Communism supporter (who states that he himself is NOT a Communist) demonstrates his knowledge of the "stand close to the opposition" technique. He also often yelled a particular curse word at various people, indicating he believed their statements were untruthful.		(Above) 9/11 Truther with good sense of humor did not mind having his photo taken with me and my sign.
(Above) A screaming Nielsen seems to feel that waving signs in someone's face and standing close to opposition protesters is ok in certain situations after all.		(Above) A police car conveniently drives past.
(Above) The officer explains the meaning of the First Amendment of the US Constitution; his brilliant delivery momentarily stuns everyone.		(Above) Later, after the protesters left before their appointed surrender time, this mysterious man in black "flipped a bird" at some ladies, then exited the area quickly.
(Above) This Vietnam Veteran and Blue Star Dad is ready to support the troops, anytime, anyplace, anywhere.		(Above) The mini-van bumper stickers of the blue shirted lady that stands close to others yet complains about others doing it.

[\/\/ayne]

Here are a few extra bits of information for the FReep report -

1. The police officer at one point exclaimed: "You all are just children pulling pigtails, and I am your babysitter."

2. The evidence I provided that Communists are protest leaders was that the email for protest planning is the same as the email for Communist Party USA in Arizona. They just said "So?" I didn't get a chance to challenge the "Truther" on World Can't Wait's Revolutionary Communist Party roots. Truthers and WCW often show up at protests together in Tucson.

3. White Hat Communist Supporter replied to my information about Communism in this manner: "You're too simplistic." I replied "I don't think so." He said "Yes, you are, too simplistic!" "No, I'm not," I replied. It just went on like that for a while.

4. That guy in all black sure could walk fast. He was like: zoooom!

5. Most of the cars honking were for the troops but I saw some definate old hippies flashing peace signs. I was passing by a shopping center last night and saw that the local "smoke shop" was in a big new facility. I guess they are doing a thriving business.

6. Protester Semper Fraud showed up but stayed in the background and left early.

7. Troop supporters at Olney, Walter Reed and Westminster, MD, West Chester, PA, Fresno and Orange County CA and other FReepers, along with groups like Gathering of Eagles, Protest Warriors and Move America Forward continue to inspire for troop supporting actions. In Tucson, the troop supporters also gather twice a week at the local Air Force Base Gate to cheer on and thank the troops.

[nralife]

Bump!

[\/\/ayne]

In Tucson, the troop supporters also gather twice a week at the local Air Force Base Gate to cheer on and thank the troops.

That's twice a month. Sorry.

[Mark]

Thank you for all that you guys do. Maybe if Sheriff Joe came out....

[ASOC]

LOL

I grew up in and around TUcson - glad to see not much has changed.

I’ll be down for a couple of days in the middle of(shudder) Aug - but have to leave on the next Weds. I wish I had the tinme to spend an extra day and ‘take in the sights’.

Thanks for the pics. (snerk, ponytails..who’s the adult?)

[HiJinx]

I like the way the license plate is doctored in that last pic - Moonbat1, indeed!

[AmericanMade1776]

Great show of support for our Troops and our Country! Thank you.

[trooprally]

D.C. chapter Master Ping List

Another great report by \/\/ayne

The moonbats are all for using our freedoms and laws against patriots, but can’t stand it when they have to obey the same laws.

[Mr] T

[BufordP]

Excellent report, Wayne!

[Bigg Red]

Great report. Thanks for the ping. And a big, big thanks for standing up for our troops.

Don’t know how you can keep from throwing up on these anti-American POCs (pieces of clinton).

[\/\/ayne]

Don’t know how you can keep from throwing up on these anti-American POCs (pieces of clinton).

Clean living, but you know, that would be funny in a sitcom...some moonbat ranting on, breathing pot fumes in his face...sitcom star looking sick, suddenly: bwaaaarrrrgh!

Now that I'm digressing, I noticed the TV show "The Unit" had protesters at the base, they should have FReeper's, too! Actually, any TV show would benefit by exploring the counter-protests and troop support actions occurring across the nation.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Ah summer in Arizona, nothing like it.
Thanks for being there.

[Doctor Raoul]

That commie puke was wearing a Veterans For Peace hat.

Veterans For PEace is the rock that the Vietnam Veterans Against the War cockroaches hide under because the other veterans despise them for being the traitors they are, having cooperated with Jane Fonda to smear the Vietnam generation of military as baby killing war criminals via the “Winter Soldier Investigation”.

[donna]

You write the best reports ever, LOL.

[buffyt]

Tucson is one of our favorite places to stay on our drives from Houston to L.A. We love to stay at Lodge on the Desert and we eat at Rosas. Mi Nidito is good, too, but I prefer Rosas!

http://www.lodgeonthedesert.com/
http://www.boorah.com/restaurants/AZ/tucson/rosas-mexican-food/0CF9551764.html
http://www.minidito.net/main.html

[\/\/ayne]

That commie puke was wearing a Veterans For Peace hat.

Are you trying to imply this man is a Communist? Actually, he only supports Communism whole-heartily and joins Communist supporting groups like Veterans for Peace that supported Communist Nicaragua and supports Cuba. He defends Communism as a great system and insists they are a peaceful type of government that didn't kill over 100 million people in the 20th Century. He used to carry a UN flag all the time. He hates McCarthy. But according to him, he himself, is NOT a Communist!

Now, if by "commie puke" you mean that which has been swallowed, half digested and regurgitated upon America by Communism, I see your point!

[Doctor Raoul]

Cigars Are The Answer