IAmNotAnAnimal: My thoughts on the Fayetteville, NC "pro-peace" March

me | 03-20-04 | me

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

My thoughts on my first Freep ever today in Fayetteville, NC. I arose early and set out on my two hour journey to Fayetteville. During the course of my trip, I kept going over different scenarios in my mind on responses to any sort of idealogical or factual argument I may have with the other side. I admit I was a little stressed.

arriving, the word was that we would have about 30 FReepers (if lucky), and that there were going to be about 1,500 "peace" people. As we gathered and waved our flags, spoke our mantras, the "enemy" slowly ascended the hill. My anxiety about being quick-witted in response to reasoned arguments rapidly vanished. The rag-tag crew that ascended the hill (about 600-700) people looked to be a mish mash of seasoned citizens wearing torn clothing and trash bags, and junior high school students waving such signs as "My dad is a Navy veteran, and he opposes the war".

Okay, so where's your dad? I can't help but mention the ecletic dancer with black and red hair who was "dancing" to the beat of homemade drums. It made me long for the sixties, even though I was born in 1968. I looked around at the 90, yes 90 Freepers and family assembled, all with flags and signs, reciting the pledge of allegiance, I looked at the Vietnam Vets against John Kerry, the veterans from various wars, the wives, and the babies, and then I had to laugh. Not at us, at them. I saw signs that were very germane from "Affordable Housing" to "Dennis Kuchinic" (who)?, and other such mind provoking drivel. I had to laugh, I just had to.

The reporter asked me if I had lost my legs in combat. I explained to the reporter that I had leg braces on, as exhibited by my very visible feet, that my legs were still there.

We marched behind this stately peaceful crowd where we joined up with our brothers and sisters in leather and on Harleys.

We would have loved to debate the other side, but no one seemed to want to come to "the line" to do that. So, I just watched one misguided veteran from the 101st, who upon weighing roughly 300 pounds shout to us that we didn't "get it". I would've shouted back, but he had already turned and gone down the hill, presumptively to get another hot dog.

The FReepers were great, it was like being amongst old friends, but I had just met them. We all shared in fellowship, and were quick to offer help to those who needed it. I would like to thank all the FReepers who were there for their kindness and patriotism. I am only left with one question - when we got to the park there were about a hundred open black umbrellas laying on the side of the "peace" people, and it wasn;t raining. What gives?

Looking forward to the next one. Ranger out.

[lowbridge]

There were actually about 90 freepers and about 20 bikers, so closer to 110

110 is pretty good for our side. But still I wish it was us with the hundreds or thousands of protestors outnumbering the left.

[SC Swamp Fox]

Most of their side could be divided into two groups...

Old hippies and college-age ideologues.

Very few "adults".

[lowbridge]

We don't pay our people. :^)

Darn it. And me needing a second job. :-)

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

And one Palestinian wananbe with the scarf over his face

[SC Swamp Fox]

We don't pay our people. :^)

And we have lives.

Jobs, children, spouses, homes....things we have to take care of.

[socratic_t65]

it is rather interesting that you would cite the use of chemical weapons by hussein some 14-16 years earlier as a justification ("who WMD'd his own people") for invading the country. funny, how the "hussein 'has' wmd" is vitually forgotten by bush supporters. why is that?

you have falsely asserted hussein being connected to 9/11. there is no peripheral connection, just one that has been imagined.

there is even conflicting reports as to the validity of the assasination attempt to kill the elder bush and hussein's involvement. makes one think of the incubator lies told about the first iraq war. in reviewing your post the only thing that is conclusive about your post is the bombing of israel which took place in 1991.

did you see the news yesterday? the reason i ask is because the iraqi's protesting the u.s. occuaption really challenges your statement "the Iraqi people are just starting to put their lives back together with our assistance."

have a nice day!

[Tax-chick]

My husband took our two oldest boys camping, and our oldest daughter has equestrian events all weekend, and we have four kids under 5 in addition to the above. That is, we have lives!

That said, I'm still annoyed that we scheduled all this stuff before we knew about the FReep, and we'll try to make the next one!

***

Great report, not-an-animal, and I hope we'll meet in the relatively near future!

[Mr. Mojo]

it is rather interesting that you would cite the use of chemical weapons by hussein some 14-16 years earlier as a justification ("who WMD'd his own people"

I cited Hussein's use of chemical weapons against the Kurds, but I never cited it as a justification for going to war. We went to war because we determined that Ba'athist Iraq was a threat to U.S. national security, and we made the corrrect decision.

did you see the news yesterday? the reason i ask is because the iraqi's protesting the u.s. occuaption really challenges your statement "the Iraqi people are just starting to put their lives back together with our assistance."

Yeah, I saw the news yesterday. And the polls. 7 out of 10 Iraqis want us to stay, and nearly everyone in the nation admits that things are much better now that Saddam is gone. You wouldn't be watching Al Jazeeera by any chance, would you?

As far as Saddam's complicity in 9/11 and his attempted assassination of the Elder, there is strong evidence to support it, albeit circumstantial. .....strong enough to go to war. And it appears we're going to stay until the job is done whether or you and the millions of protesting leftists today like it or not.

[funnynurse]

I also attended the rally in F'ville today. My first one. I had never met a "freeper" before, had barely heard of them. I became one, I suppose, when I was offered and accepted a button from my neighbor to my left. In an earlier post, someone mentioned a crowd of 110. There were A LOT more folks there than that when I got there. Overall, the counter folks were very civil. We stood where we could actually hear the speakers in the park. I was totally shocked that a lot of them did not hardly touch on the message at hand "BRING OUR TROOPS HOME". Almost every speaker seemed to have a private agenda. Is this normal at these "peace" rallies??

I expected there to be varied opinions, but not the overt politicizing I heard.

To the person that mentioned the "incubator lies"; of course Uncle Saddam's henchmen would never dream of that. Nor would they rape, pillage, torture, etc. It is all a vast right-wing conspiracy!!

I did not really agree with invading Iraq. In January, my spouse was sent over to Baghdad. My entire perspective has changed since then. I know the info I get from him is accuarate. Like he says, "I don't have to THINK anything, I am here on the front experiencing it." The vast majority of Iraqis in his sector are supportive of his mission there, and this has made his life (and mine back here) a lot easier.

He offered up a suggestion to the peace crowd, I hope it is OK to post it here.

Simply this:

Please come here and help out, these innocent people need you.

He is not holding his breath, and neither am I, but the invitation is out there. If you want results, use action not words!

[Vinnie]

I posted this on another thread, copied to this one.

My wife and I just got home from a rally in Fayetteville, NC. We left a little early.( posted earlier on another thread0

We had 50-75 at our first location, ( I'm a poor judge of attendance, may have been more). We taunted the marchers with "Gave peace a chance, got 9/11" as the walked by.

The 'festivities' moved to a park the anti-war protesters had set up.

We met with Rolling Thunder, a biker group whose main concern is MIAs and POWs. With both groups I would estimate 200.

The 'Thunder' revved their bikes up in unison, completely drowning out the anti-war speakers. Of course the police put a stop to that.

What little of the anti-war speeches I heard started as We support the troops by insisting they come home but soon changed to Bush Bashing. Yawn.

I'm sure ther will be pics coming later. I have some but no website.

I'm going to leave many out, but some in attendance that I met..

Anglewood..DC
Kristinn..DC
Huber
Dixie Sass
Dr. Rauol..DC
Congressman BillyBob
Upchuck
Darth Sidious
Helms
Mykidsmom
Constitution Day
Fred Mertz
TaxRelief
Taxman
CAL (I think)
Several people were 'walk ons' that is read about the counter protest in the newspaper and joined us.

One other note.
I was surprised at the number of protesters. Estimate our larger group X 3.
There were 3-4 buses for them. Guess if you aren't working, have a free ride, probably getting paid..... did look like a freak show (G)

[Mr. Mojo]

Great post, and welcome to Free Republic!

[dstarr]

The so-called Peace Marchers always have varied topics and seem to run through all of them. It's as if they like hearing their own voices.

The Peace Marcher that stuck out in my mind was the one in the black belly dancer costume. She probably got kind of chilly after the clouds came up and that wind started blowing.

[funnynurse]

I did not see the belly dancer, but can imagine.

Their speakers were mostly so far outside the mainstream, I have to wonder is that the best they can do??

[Abogado]

Because its all Americans pretesting on our side. The socialists/anti-Americans receive support, organization and people from foreign countries. Think of the foreign (aka hostile) support behind Move-on and other communist front organizations.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[CounterCounterCulture]

Bumpus Maximus

[rrrod]

ok all i was there and can vouch for IANAA talking to the reporter babe!...well he deserved a little break!!..all the best

[AnAmericanMother]

'Army Lance Corporal'

That's funny. Usually the posers make themselves a commissioned officer and a graduate of one of the service academies.

It didn't just start recently. My great great grandfather met so many Colonels and Captains and what not in the South after the War, that he said he concluded he was the only private who had survived. He always referred to himself as "Plain Private N.W.E. Long."

He got quoted in Prof. McPherson's new book, BTW. (Not that quote, another one.)

[Tax-chick]

Can I dance at the next FReep? I'm not professional quality, but I look good :-).

(Otherwise known as Hazima Masih)

[rrrod]

attagirl ....ya missed a great day today, was alot of fun