Sandal whappers serenade Kerry [Should we FReep Kerry with REAL "flip flops" - across the USA?]

Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | April 7, 2004 | Gregory Korte and Cindi Andrews

[RonDog]

John Kerry had seen the tactic before - it emerged on the campaign trail last week - but few others seemed to understand what was going on.

Young Republicans wearing cheap sandals got in the front row and started clapping them together almost as soon as the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Sawyer Point on Tuesday...

That would be in Cincinnati (4/6), Kansas City (4/1) and now SAN DIEGO (3/31) - from The Associated Press:

Kerry targets high gas prices

RALLY: At a campaign stop in San Diego, he blasts Bush's energy policies. The president fires back.

06:52 AM PST on Wednesday, March 31, 2004

By MICHELLE DeARMOND / The Press-Enterprise

SAN DIEGO - Sen. John Kerry took his presidential campaign to the nation's hotspot of high gasoline prices Tuesday, again pledging to pressure oil-producing countries to provide more oil and to temporarily stop filling the nation's strategic oil reserves.

Kerry laid out his plan for fighting soaring gas prices during a rally before several thousand supporters - and a few dissidents - at UC San Diego. With banners made up to look like gas station price marquees displayed nearby, the Massachusetts Democrat lashed out at President Bush for not doing enough to control the cost at the pump. The city has the nation's highest average gas price of $2.12 a gallon.

Bush's highly criticized plan to drill for oil in an Alaska wildlife refuge would not do enough to increase the nation's supply and bring down the cost of gasoline, Kerry said.

AP photo

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, with his daughter, Vanessa, at a rally at UC San Diego, called for more work on developing renewable energy sources.

"The United States of America cannot drill its way out of this predicament. We have to invent our way out of it," said Kerry, the Democrats' presumptive nominee for president. "We need an energy policy that's real and honest."

Bush took to the airwaves and the podium Tuesday to attack Kerry, releasing a TV ad set to air in 18 states that contends Kerry supported a 50-cents per-gallon gasoline tax and voted 11 times for higher gasoline taxes. At a campaign stop in Wisconsin, Bush criticized "some in the other party in Washington" who support raising taxes.

In the ad, the speaker says Kerry likes taxing gasoline as a way to get people to drive less.

"If Kerry's tax increase were law, the average family would pay $657 more a year," the speaker says. "Maybe John Kerry just doesn't understand what his ideas mean to the rest of us."

Kerry responded to the ad during the rally, contending that the president should reveal more about his administration's ties to oil companies instead of releasing new attack ads.

Kerry once was quoted in a newspaper as supporting a 50-cent gasoline tax increase but has never offered legislation for such a tax and has since said he does not support such an increase. He voted for former President Bill Clinton's economic stimulus package that included a 4.3-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase that was meant to reduce the deficit.

Whenever Kerry spoke out against the Bush administration or presented a viewpoint his antagonists thought was inconsistent with his record, a small group of Bush supporters clapped flip-flop sandals together high in the air near the stage. A UC San Diego freshman from Sun City was among those Republicans.

"About a third of the things he said (he supports), he's voted against," said Michael Goltner, a mechanical engineering major. Goltner said the Bush supporters weren't allowed to bring in signs, so they symbolically clapped their flip-flops as a commentary on Kerry's record...

[RonDog]

Ping for a hilarious idea. Check this out - great idea. Fun way to FReep with a really serious message.

Ping for a hilarious idea. Check this out - great idea. Fun way to FReep with a really serious message. See also, from AFP:

TECH NEWS
Politics and the internet game
Posted Mon, 29 Mar 2004

Colourful US boxing promoter Don King has thrown himself into the political arena by lending his voice to a Republican internet "game" attacking Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, the Republican National Committee has announced.

The "game," found on the web at www.gop.com/kerryvskerry, shows King in a boxing ring announcing a fight between Kerry and Kerry.

"Ladies and Gentlemen — Welcome to Kerry versus Kerry, the battle for the Democratic Party," King announces with his trademark toothy smile and grey mane.

Two likenesses of Kerry — one in blue trunks, the other in red — appear on the screen for "30 rounds" with gloves that say "flip" and "flop". Each round represents a different issue, from the war in Iraq to Israel's security fence.

Republicans have accused Kerry of taking two sides on several major issues.

A person using a computer can make the lanky-looking "Kerrys" punch each other by clicking on the flip-flop gloves as King shouts comments like "That's below the belt!"

"Ladies and Gentleman, what you have just witnessed tonight is some of the greatest dancing, bobbing, weaving, sticking, moving and ducking by Kerry. It was certainly entertaining," King says at the end of the "fight".

But in the last image, it is the gloved hand of a grinning President George W. Bush that King holds in the air.

"So the decision is no surprise. Because of his commitment to the right decisions, his steady leadership round after round. In the blue trunks with the red top: President George Walker Bush!"

AFP

[JulieRNR21]

On March 4, 2004 I posted the first (that I am aware of) graphic on Free Republic using the flip-flop sandal as a symbol of protest against Kerry!

After a Freeper suggested that the flip-flops were too small for his big feet.....there were posted on 3/6/04

I emailed many groups & individuals in an attempt to promote the use of flip-flops to protest Kerry.

It is wonderful to see them catching on!

On 4/2/04 After being alerted by kristinn, I posted this photo of the first report (I am aware of) of the use of flip-flops by anti-Kerry protesters.

[guitfiddlist]

On March 4, 2004 I posted the first (that I am aware of) graphic on Free Republic using the flip-flop sandal as a symbol of protest against Kerry!

Looks like you have the record so far - Congrats! This should be another historic "Sore-Loserman" Free Republic trophy indeed!

[RonDog]

The "game," found on the web at www.gop.com/kerryvskerry, shows King in a boxing ring announcing a fight between Kerry and Kerry.

That would be:

www.gop.com/kerryvskerry

[JulieRNR21]

I just want to make other Freepers aware that the first Kerry Flip-Flop sandal was posted on Free Republic!

I just wanted to set the record straight that (as far as I am aware) I originated the use of the flip-flop as a protest tool against Kerry.

I believe that members of the DC Chapter and FRN can confirm that for other Freepers!

[RonDog]

THAT is the image that I was looking for!

THANK YOU, JulieRNR21!

I **knew** that I had seen it posted here - SOMEWHERE!

May we use that image to make LARGE POSTERS to bring to the anti-Kerry rallies?

Perhaps three foot by four foot posters with that image woucld NICELY complement our use of "flip flop" sandals...

...and help to communicate our message more effectively.

[JulieRNR21]

Absolutely......that what I was hoping would happen!!!

I wanted people to associate that sandal with Kerry's ridiculous for/against record!

I want flip-flops to become the symbol that defines Kerry's campaign!

You may use it for posters, buttons, billboards, etc.

Let's make Amricans think FLIP-FLOP when they see Kerry!

[American Sovereignty Defender]

On Fox News (radio) I heard the news about Kerry being protested with Flip-Flops...and loved the idea. I'll take Kerry to task in the same "manner" the next time he shows up here in the Seattle area.

Also, here is a sign I wish to share, and the words resemble Kerry's about voting for before voting against. BTW - I just sent this to O cents:

I'm voting For BUSH
Before voting Against KERRY


I designed that sign on word document. PMail me for one and include an email address to send it to. I also have similar signs that might be of interest, just ask.

[guitfiddlist]

I'm voting For BUSH
(Before voting Against KERRY)

Great Sign! This, coupled with everybody waving flip-flops at Kerry, could be the defining protest theme about the Waffler, for this campaign season.

[FreeTheHostages]

As soon as I can get done with my work, work, I'm gonna mid-month want to interview you on that for a feature, like se said.

[Mr. Silverback]

Should we FReep John "Flip Flop" Kerry with REAL "flip flops" - all across the USA?

Heck yeah!

[Polyxene]

Julie, could you or some other gifted Freeper make up some "confetti" flip-flops. You know, those tiny little bits of paper you can buy in bags for various occasions. We could then stuff envelopes with them and send them off to Kerry headquarters with our compliments!!

[JimRed]

Is there a way to do this WITHOUT engaging the "union thugs?"

Probably not; but aren't there a few large, union FReepers who could help "educate" them? Also, the FReeper video cam has to be in a secure enough location to record the assaults without being targeted.

[American Sovereignty Defender]

I didn't realize Kerry was a "knuckle-dragger". I guess that would appeal to young voters. Hmmm.

Is that photo authentic? Specifically, does Kerry actually brandish THE hammer & sickle? (From Love With Russia)

Hey, sickle rhymes with fickle. Therein is the connection, Kerry by definition is fickle (tricky; to decieve; betrayal; deceit; disloyal; and unstable) proven by his policy and voting record. And Kerry seems to be Fond-a communism. At least he sided with the communists regarding Vietnam when he protested the war. And we all know that communists, foreign and abroad, backed anti-war protests.

[guitfiddlist]

Also, the FReeper video cam has to be in a secure enough location to record the assaults without being targeted.

A crucial and excellent point. We cannot and will not respond in kind, so our only protection has to be our ability to publicize the kinds of thuggish behavior these sanctimonious hypocrites demonstrate at their "peace" rallies. And who knows? - We could capture the defining moment of the Kerry campaign...

[guitfiddlist]

Also, the FReeper video cam has to be in a secure enough location to record the assaults without being targeted.

And rather than having just a single video camera at a single location, Freepers should have multiple concealed cameras in bags, purses, hats (in big Flip-Flops?) ready at a moments notice, to start rolling. There are several small and inexpensive digital cameras available on the market with video capability, which can be very easily concealed.

[American Sovereignty Defender]

also - JOHN "FICKLE" KERRY...sounds appropriate.

[JulieRNR21]

I don't know how to make confetti....I suggest you print out this graphic and make smaller copies on xerox machine if you like:

http://d21c.com/t-flynn/GIFS/flipflops.jpg

[American Sovereignty Defender]

I'm voting For BUSH
(Before voting Agains Kerry)

also - I will note that the slogan (above) consists of two concepts. One concept is Kerry "flip-flopping" on supporting our troops and the war. And the other pokes fun at the liberal masses who are primarily voting AGAINST Bush before voting FOR Kerry.