Posted on 01/21/2005 9:13:23 PM PST by RepubMommy
Where the heck is everyone that went to the Ball? Anyway, let me give me account, and I am truly sorry that I don't have webspace to upload photos into, I will send mine to Bob Wood and he can do them soon hopefully. Anyway,my friend Fran and I arrived at about 12 noon. We were with a couple that I know from Il but they had bleacher seats, so we seperated getting off at different stops on the Metro.
We arrived at the Penn 7th and were all fine and dandy, some silly banter going back and forth between the hippy looking protesters (who seriously needed to bathe, anyone at the same site remember the dredlocks guy? He supplied us with a few laughs) and the Bush supporters then all of a sudden these Anarchists came out of nowhere and started throwing iceballs at us and were swinging clubs. Somebody in the crowd yelled that they had tear gas. They attacked a Protest Warrior and my friend that was with me heard they attacked a female officer as well. The crowd was getting nervous and started pushing away from them. Some poor lady had two small kids next to me and she was so scared she just kept saying, "Please God make this be over." I thought, "Great, I was going to die right there, not by the hands of extremist terrorists, but by my own fellow Americans". Anyway, cops in full riot gear showed up and seperated the crowd and we just so happened to be on the right side of the street, or else we were not going through the checkpoint anymore. I think the police just got fed up with those idiots. Some of the signs said some really intellectual statements such as "Buck Fush" since no profanity was going to be allowed in@@ Geez, must have took them all night to figure that one out. I also saw a little 20 something with a bunch of buttons on her saying, " I Love Pro Choice Boys". They were standing on this concert barriers when some Babs look alike joined her and started yelling, "Stay Outta My Womb." I didn't really recall seeing any men jumping at the chance anyway.
Once we finally finally made it through the gates, we come to find that there is only one female officer available to to pat downs on the women, while there were plenty of male officers to check the men. Brilliant. I was ever so thankful that Kristinn had that sectioned cordoned off to be rat free because by the time I actualy got in, I just about had it. Race, had to instruct some dirtball in orange with orange signs around his neck to leave the premises (why do they always identify themselves with the most obnoxious colros?) I had a verbal argument outside the gate with some little 12 year old with bright pink hair and black make up on, by the way outside the checkpoint area. so anyway, our section was free of any crowd, so I was basically leaning right on the metal railing, there was military guys right in front of us, then another row of metal railing and the policemen lined side by side in front of them. We knew the motorcade was coming because some time into the parade out of nowhere, the single line of cops was then joined by two more rows of cops in front of them. The military men were uniformly saluting as the car went by. I also saw Cheney's grandchildren jumping around in their limo, lol and Bush Sr actually rolled down his window and waved when he saw the Free Republic signs. Saw Trent Lott and Bill Frist also, they were in separate cars. Then the press was preceded the President on these big trailers thing and a few of us started chanting "Tell The Truth"! LOL! Anyway, it was just too cold so we only stayed for shortly after he past us, didn't see all of the bands and we had to leave to hop back on the train back to MD to get ready for the evening. We had a great time and I would definitely do it again in four years. Thanks to Kristinn, JimRob, JustAmy and everyone else that helped orgainze the day. It was great!
I kept referring to the "Bob Marley" guy as the creature from the movie Predator. He looked just like it when he put his shades on.
hahahaha
ping for later
I had 4 kids with me and I knew we were going to die. The 5 of us were stuck (being squished to death) on the corner of 7th and D (I believe). I just thank God we got out of there alive. We couldn't get down to the parade section. I was too afraid to continue on with the kids.
I don't blame you. If I had my kids with me, I would have left too. That women did end up leaving, it just wasn't worth it.
That's him, ROFLMAO! Now why didn't I think to take a photo of him?
At one point, I was being pushed into one of the concrete barriers, but I managed to wiggle around it. I thought I was going to be crushed or knocked down and trampled. It was frightening for a bit. We finally did get through the security checkpoint and made it to the parade area, and found the FReepers in the American Sector.
It was very scary and somewhat painful being squished to near death. What if the pepper spray had been used when we were still down there? I'll never get over it and it will take me a long time to let go of my anger towards those pigs who, not only want to ruin our country, but ruined MY DAY!! Sonsofbiscuiteaters....grrrrr
We gave up at the 7th Street gate and went down to 3rd and gained entrance to the parade route. We made our way past the unwashed masses at the Canadian Embassy. Mrs Knute & I were called "Fascist MF'ers" by those who noticed our Bush buttons. We came to a security gate between 6th & 7th across from the FTC Building. We were not allowed to go through. It was an EXIT, but not an entrance to the next section. We stayed there and stood in a clear section of sidewalk and watched the initial portion of the parade. To our left were bleachers, to our right were young "Hippy Wanna Be's" After the presidential motorcade went by, a security person on the bleacher side asked us if we wanted to come and sit. We told him that we had not paid for bleacher seating. He told us to come in anyhow. I think he felt sorry for two "fifty-somethings" standing in enemy territory. The point of this introduction is to say that we ended up sitting right next to the men with the Lincolnway HS hats that are in the picture you mention! As the school band went by, the one in the background was taking pictures. Lots of friendly Minneapolis Police officers were manning the security line. Even though WE are Green Bay Packer fans, we could co-mingle with those from Chicago Bear territory and even respect the men in blue from the land of the Vikings. What a great time to all be AMERICANS celebrating the second term of-
What a wonderful time you had. Don't you feel pity for the hippies? I do. They're so misguided.
I'm glad you were there - what a thrill! I had the chance to go but my husband couldn't and I did want to be there without him. I was there in spirit!
Our FINEST moment of the festivities was the National Prayer Service on Friday. Our daughter teaches at St Alban's School on the grounds of the National Cathedral and was able to get us staff tickets. We arrived early and secured balcony seats under the HUGE stained glass window above the front entrance. We were "front row center" for the entire event. Although we were quite a distance from the speakers, our vantage point allowed us a clear view, without being blocked by the heads of dozens of rows in front of us. We even had a chance to talk briefly with John Ashcroft as we exited the cathedral at the conclusion of the service. What an honor to hear Billy Graham open the service and what can I say about the singing... WOW! What an awesome God we serve!
Oh definitely. I'm regretting now not just walking up to FReepers and introdusing myself more.
In all fairness I don't think you guys should malign "Bob Marley" this way. We rather like his music :o) and from the looks of this guy, he not only needs a LIFE and from teh sounds of it a MIND, but a BATH! LOL
Warm FRegards, VH&W
PS. Glad you didn't get hurt RepubMommy. Anarchists fully intend to intimidate or even to harm those who get in the way of their agenda. We can't let them win. We just can't!
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