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.

[Tax-chick]

Riding in the morning, then took the 5 kids not at camp out for pizza, and this evening Anoreth and I analyzed V.P. Cheney's recent speech.

I'm proud of all of you, and can't wait to see the pictures!

[rrrod]

we have tons of pics..will get em up as soon as the smart half wakes up

[Tax-chick]

I'll have to see them tomorrow ... on my way to bed with the baby (since his Dad's away).

This *&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&* is a big loud cheer for all our NC FReepers and out-of-state guests. You people are AMERICANS!

Xy

[dstarr]

You go girl! The Freeper turnout today was great and the Rolling Thunder turnout was super. I loved it when the guys reved their engines. I have been looking at one of the Peace March sites and saw that they had complained about the reving of the motorcycles. There were some really good signs. One of them was "Home of the Free Because of the Brave." Good sign. My husband met some other vets who were with us today, one of them was someone he had known years ago. Small world.

[exit82]

Great Report! Thank you for standing for truth and honor and for America's troops today.

Isn't it grand to be with fellow Freepers? No matter the size of the other side, you always feel that you are enough.

Ninety is a wonderful size for our crowd!

Congratulations again on your first Freep--may it be the first of many. Good job!

[TaxRelief]

Did you see me on the news? Didya?

They got me saying "Their antiwar protests will never go unanswered again. There will always be someone there who SUPPORTS the troops!"

Didya see it? Didya? :-)

[krunkygirl]

bump and save

[TaxRelief]

You missed a few freepers on your list:

SC Swamp Fox
Taxdeduction 2
Taxdeduction 3
DaughterofTGSLTakoma
TGSLTakoma
BillF
Hillary's Gate Cult
I am not an Animal
Bert
Mykdsmom (not mykidsmom)
Fred Mertz
DarthSidious
Mudboy Slim
Hockeyfreak
BufordP

I'll put up more as I remember them

[TaxRelief]

By the end of the freep, our numbers approached 200. We signed up some new Freepers, too, I'm sure!

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

Didn't see it, link to video? Seems like we made a few waves today. This was absolutely, positively, the best day of 2004 for me so far, thanks fellow FReepers (we never leave our own behind).

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

Thanks for the chair and respite. The reporter babe originally asked me if I lost my legs in combat. I said "no, I lost my legs in a car washing incident, but at least I saved my feet".. She was cute, but not big on humor. Rod, thanks for your hospitality, it really meant a lot to me, I look foward to our next FReep.

[Twinkie]

I guess they just wanted to be prepared in case of
rain.

[ladyinred]

Thanks for your support for our troops! Good report, and I am glad you now have your first freep under your belt!

[TaxRelief]

Welcome to Freerepublic! Great post! We look forward to hearing more first hand (ok, second hand) Iraqi reports from you and your hubby.

The next time you talk to him, would you please tell him "Thank you!" from all of us here at freerepublic? ('Thank you' is such an understatement--but how can one really find the words to say it?)

[TaxRelief]

It was news14.com, but I can't find a link to the video. I recorded it though :-)

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

How can I get the cleaned up version of what I originally typed in place of my original post. Also, is there a way to get this BTTT so other FReepers can see that it really does work...let me know, I'm still pretty new to this

[Flora McDonald]

Thanks for the great report!

Believe me, I was with you all in spirit and thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a stand for our Troops.

[TaxRelief]

You have been quoted here:

http://www.nbc17.com/news/2937982/detail.html

[BillF]

Thank you so much for a great day of FReeping after a great night of meeting other FReepers at the local bar!

You and the other NC FReepers did so well in setting this up. And perfect weather also!

CBS Radio News at 4 PM started with reports on antiwar protests around the world on the 1 year anniversary.

"Thousands protest the war in NY," they said, followed by a sentence or two about that protest.

Next, CBS said something like, "In Fayetteville, NC antiwar protestors were countered by others for a very public debate on the war." Background tape was crowd noise as we chanted "Saddam needs a hug, Saddam needs a hug."

CBS mentioned a few other protests, but, at that hour, no mention of other counterprotests. Kudos for your efforts that helped publicize opposition to those who wish for the return of Saddam!

(Later CBS radio reports mentioned that thousands of LA antiwar protestors were countered by several hundred who supported the war. I assume that was RonDog and the other valiant FReepers of So. Calif.)

[BillF]

Your signs were used to great effect and were admired by all FReepers and patriots who saw them!

Sorry that you couldn't be there to enjoy the FReep. Hope that your family member is on the road to recovery.