Operation Infinite FReep - Fresno Support Our Troops/President Rally 9/12/03

9/12/03

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Tonight twelve Freepers attended a rally on the corner of Blackstone and Shaw in Fresno, California, to show support for our troops and President Bush. Those who were able to attend were

• Jim, Sheila, and Chris Robinson
  
• JustAmy and Leonard
  
• JKPhoto
  
• Mama_Bear
  
• notpoliticallycorewrecked
  
• Tame
  
• Truthseeker
  
• Chadsworth
  
• Mtngrl@vrwc

A very interesting thing happened tonight. As a few of us were starting to set up our signs, a woman from Channel 24 walked up to us with a really perplexed look on her face. She didn't know quite what to say but then finally she held out a letter that her television station had gotten from someone who works for the city warning them that there was a "hate" group affiliated with Freerepublic who was going to rally on this corner tonight. She asked if any of us were part of this group and we answered that yes, we were. She again looked really surprised and unsure what to say next. She asked us what we stood for and we answered that we were just there to show support for our troops and also for President Bush and that we loved our country. This was just not what she expected to hear! We pointed out that we were just normal people, most of us grandparent age.

She said that she wanted to get an interview to put on the news at 6:00 and asked who might want to answer a few questions. We all pointed to Jim. Lol! She and a man who was with her got out cameras and talked to Jim and a few others. I will let Jim post what they asked him and how he answered. He was just great!

Also, there were several police cars parked on our corner and also across the street, I guess because they expected us to be wild and crazy and stir up all kind of trouble, but if so they were severely disappointed. We did nothing except hold up flags and signs showing support for the troops and visit with each other.

After tonight's rally, most of us headed out to Baker's Square for scintillating conversation which is just a taste of what is to come tomorrow when we meet for our yearly picnic.

A big thanks to all who were able to be there tonight! To those who weren't able to make it, we missed you and hope to see you tomorrow!

[mtngrl@vrwc]

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Ping!

[Southack]

So when the opposition can't show up, they just send "hate" letters?!

[Agnes Heep]

I'm part of a hate group. I hate leftists. (And they smell bad, too!)

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Moutain girl,

I taped the 11 o'clock news. We were the lead story. They did the intro as "a Fresno group, are they a hate crime group or patriots?"

I'll bring the tape to the picnic. I'll try to bring my TV/ VCR so we show the tape. The three of you need to be ready to sign autographs.

[Mo1]

She didn't know quite what to say but then finally she held out a letter that her television station had gotten from someone who works for the city warning them that there was a "hate" group affiliated with Freerepublic who was going to rally on this corner tonight.

Someone who worked for the city huh??

Have fun at the picnic tomorrow ...

[ppaul]

You all are the best!

[jkphoto]

Here is the news release that I photographed.

See you at the "picnic" tomorrow!

FYI: Tri-Tip is marinating and sure smells good!

[Jim Robinson]

I recorded the FR segment of the channel 24 news show using my Matrox/PC-VCR cable connection. The file it produces is in .avi format. It's a big file, 132 mb for only a 3 minute segment. I uploaded it to FR, then downloaded (13 minute download on a high speed cable connection) and tried playing it. It worked fine after fooling around a bit with RealOne Player. Wouldn't work at all with Windows Media Player, I have no idea why. You can try downloading and playing it from here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/media/fraccused.avi

[jkphoto]

Thanks Jim! I taped it but wanted to get it to DVD. I can play with the file and see what happens. I'll let you know tomorrow.

[Jim Robinson]

Here are the scanned images (front and inside) of a card we received from one of our military units over in Iraq:

[John Robinson]

The video clip didn't work for me. After a crash course in AVI video, I did some searching and found that I needed to install a video codec to get this clip to run. Others will probably need to install the codec as well.

As for this "news release", it looks to be a forgery. The graphic is fairly rough, as if it were a second-generation facsimile, while the accompanying text is relatively smooth. I'd bet money somebody ripped off the graphic from an earlier fax and typed up new text, then anonymously faxed it to at least this TV station.

Who'd wanna pull a stunt like that, huh?

(And, if true, what would that say for credibility of this TV news station?)

[John Robinson]

One of the tip-offs is in the quote "Free Republic Hate Rally Picnic" and another in the blatant lie "information on this group's website clearly indicates threats of violence toward any minority groups that interfere with their rally or picnic." Clearly.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Guess you're getting under somebody's skin. But now you made it on TV! Can't be all bad.

I wondered if you all had ceased holding rallies as I had missed the weekly reports.

Look forward to the after picnic report.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You Patriots
Hope you have a great day today!
Have Fun!

[scubachick]

Is this what happens when I let you out of my sight?!?!? A "hate" group?? LOL You try to raise uncles the right way!! Have fun at the "picnic" and don't stir up any trouble! lol

[Amerigomag]

Regardless of the obvious (to you), I'd suggest you contact Autry or Duncan and refer the matter to their offices.

McClatchy woun't be of any help but Infinity Broadcasting might be. I'd contact Brosky or Appleton.

[Flora McDonald]

And just why do we continue to address the "left" some people might say? Just read this excerpt that was posted on Richmond, VA website yesterday:

QUOTE: "It means also that to kill an U.S. soldier will be a good humane act by saving human lives. These following U.S. mercenaries are now irrevocable and forever unable to kill more humans. It's a good outset." END QUOTE

They then listed the names, ages, ranks and hometowns of America's sons & daughters killed in our fight for freedom. It was like a knife through the heart.

I am leaving now to counter-protest a group of them and will read those names at the demo. Our Freedom Fighters will never be forgotten. Never.

[Mama_Bear]

Picture PING of the scary Fresno "hate" group.

Sorry I don't have time to caption these, I'm in a rush trying to get ready for the "hate group picnic", LOL.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

It will be quite easy to find out if this is a fogery or not. All we have to do is have a city council member obtain the agenda/minutes from their Thursday night meeting.
This infomation has to be made public if they are sanctioned by the city. If it is legit then there will be a firestrom headed for city hall.

If it isn't legit then FR, Channel 24 and this commision group have a legal case against the individual that sent this.

If this is deemed a forgery, then IQ of that person sending it is pretty low. They left their calling call when they faxed it. The fax will include the number from which it was sent.