DC CHAPTER - HUMAN SHIELDS FREEP OF TIM ROBBINS AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB - 4/15/2003

DC Chapter of Free Republic ^ | April 15, 2003 | Angelwood

[Angelwood]

The DC Chapter of Free Republic learned through an anonymous source that Tim Robbins (actor, anti-war activist, significant other of Susan Sarandon) would be the guest speaker at a National Press Club luncheon on April 15, 2003. Accordingly, a few of us made plans to meet and greet Mr. Robbins when he arrived at the building to present his speech.

I stepped out of my taxi a few minutes before Noon. The sidewalk outside the Press Club building was full of activity. There were people out enjoying the Spring weather, many going into the building, several cameramen waiting patiently, delivery trucks unloading supplies and a black SUV and a black limousine parked out front with several security types (earpieces with wires disappearing into their collars) standing nearby.

I wondered if this security was for Tim Robbins' benefit, but one of the security people told me later that they had someone inside the Press Club from DOD.

I was soon joined by meowmeow and her husband. I brought lots of signs and let them pick what they wanted. The signs were as follows:

One with a picture of Susan Sarandon and another picture of Tim Robbins with the caption: CAREER QUAGMIRE!

IRAQ HAS BEEN LIBERATED - GET OVER IT ALREADY!

WINNERS NEVER APPEASE - APPEASERS NEVER WIN

A picture of that wonderful cartoon that came out after 9-11 with the ticked off eagle sitting on a stool while filing his claws: WIN - WITHOUT - WEASELS (each word on a different line)

IRAQI FREEDOM - 25,000,000 - NO THANKS TO NOT IN OUR NAME (Susan, Tim, etc.)

Kristinn's sign (I don't remember exactly): HUMAN SHIELDS FOR LLOYD GROVE

Kristinn arrived last and went inside the building to drop off some handouts and let the press know we were outside.

Some of the cameramen came by to film our signs; one of them was from MSNBC. A guy on a bicycle rode past on the sidewalk and said something to the effect that we looked like "donkeys" (he didn't use that word) and we received a few scowls; but most of the reaction from passersby was positive.

A reporter from the Washington Times stopped to interview us. She mentioned that she had been with us all day on January 18, 2003 -- that very cold 9 degree day when we held Patriots Rally for America III and then met the anti-war marchers as they walked past the Marine Barracks. She interviewed all three of us and then left to attend the speech as another reporter stopped to tape an interview.

One of the undercover security guys stopped to ask if we would move away from the door when the person they were protecting exited the building. We identified our group and assured him we'd be cooperative. He then told us that we missed seeing Tim Robbins as he snuck in a back entrance through the garage behind us. It was certainly no surprise to hear this since it is the MO of Bill, Hillary and Tommy Daschle (cowards all).

We spied none other than Mark Shields of CNN "Capital Gang" fame walking toward our position. We could see the frown on his face and his lips moving as he read our signs on his way inside to attend the luncheon and speech.

The security guy finally asked us to move and pointed out where we should stand. I asked him who he was protecting and he relented and told me it was Colin Powell, our Secretary of State. All of us were thrilled and we had a clear view of Secretary Powell as he left the building.

I held up my sign, waved and shouted to Mr. Powell. "We're the DC Chapter of Free Republic. You're our hero -- one of our heroes -- we support our troops!" Colin Powell turned toward us, put his hand on his chest, smiled and waved before he got into the waiting limousine.

Kristinn made it back outside after all the excitement was over. We talked to people passing by and one of the security guards for the building came out. By this time, meowmeow and her husband had to leave, so Kristinn and I were giving it ten more minutes.

The security guard joked with us. He said he could wrestle us to the ground if we wanted to get some media attention. We laughed, but passed on his suggestion.

As Tim Robbins' speech began, we went back to work.

[Angelwood]

It was a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. FReeping Tim Robbins and the bonus of seeing Colin Powell was a great way to spend my lunch break.

FReep On! FReepers are everywhere!

[Support Free Republic]

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[Angelwood]

DC Chapter Ping List!

[kcvl]

Way to go DC Freepers!

[COURAGE]

"They're coming to surrender or be burned in their tanks."

[solzhenitsyn]

Wow! Bless you!

[kcvl]

bttt

[Humidston]

What a great reputation you guys have developed in D.C. You all have so much class and you set the standard high for the rest of us in the country!

....And how in the world do you manage to schedule all those lunchtime speakers, weekend fundraisers, and nights too??

We are humbled!

[Nachum]

Great work!

[prairiebreeze]

I held up my sign, waved and shouted to Mr. Powell. "We're the DC Chapter of Free Republic. You're our hero -- one of our heroes -- we support our troops!" Colin Powell turned toward us, put his hand on his chest, smiled and waved before he got into the waiting limousine.

Way Cool!!

Prairie

[clintonh8r]

Thanks! Great FReep!

[DeepInEnemyTerritory]

You guys are AWESOME!

[Scothia]

I do so envy you! As if anyone would come to Salinas, CA.

Well, Bill Clinton did once...

[The G Man]

Wow, Colin Powell! You caught a big one!

Nice work, guys.

[deadhead]

"I held up my sign, waved and shouted to Mr. Powell. "We're the DC Chapter of Free Republic. You're our hero -- one of our heroes -- we support our troops!" Colin Powell turned toward us, put his hand on his chest, smiled and waved before he got into the waiting limousine."

DC Freepers are awesome! Loved how you went back to work when Robbins began his speech.

[blam]

Excellent.

[dixie sass]

Great report and great job as usual, Angelwood!

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Brilliant! You guys are a constant inspiration to us all.

[TheLion]

Great job and post!

[longtermmemmory]

If anyone wants to do a little BBS freeping his is a mere suggestions: There is a site called www.trekbbs.com

Http://www.trekbbs.com

WARNING: its a trekie fan site.

The place you can have a little freeper fun is in the Neutral Zone forum. There its a "open subject" discussion. There are more than a few non-us posters who are socialist or just anti-american. They really get into a fit when you counter their points. The most intollerant are the homosexuals who can't accept that there may be a cure or prevention for homosexuality in the future. I mention it because of the nice star trek humor that has been poping up on occasion around here.

There are conservatives there but I don't believe any of them know about FR.

Call it freep from your seat.