Posted on 07/05/2005 10:59:50 PM PDT by BillF
On Friday night, June 24, DC Chapter FReepers and friends had a fabulous fun FReep of Code Pinkos in complete disarray outside a gate of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It was great to have several additional local FReepers join us for the first time in this 12th FReep in the Walter Reed series in just over thirteen weeks. With at least one out-of-town FReeper braving heavy holiday traffic, we had an awesome turnout for a holiday weekend.
As we have done on a number of these FReeps, we ate pizza on site before the FReep was under way.
The honor roll of those in attendance: tgslTakoma, Albion Wilde, Jack Deth, Justanobody, daughter of tgsl, Coop, his lurker friend Ken, Jimmy Valentine's brother, trueblackman, kristinn, lurker Joan, and BillF.
Opposed to our twelve patriots, the leftists peaked at eight America-hating traitors for a short period, but most of the time they had four or less. In fact this was their most pathetically disorganized attempt yet. Perhaps their pathetic showing was because they were flummoxed from trying to counter our FReeps. Whether we caused their disorganization by dispiriting them, your attendance this coming Friday can help us. Let's demoralize the leftists and prevent them from demoralizing our brave, war-wounded troops in Walter Reed.
Before our signs were taken out, with just 3 or 4 FReepers standing on the corner with flags, cars pulling out of Walter Reed were honking support for us. Obviously, they're coming to expect us and understand why we are there.
Photos will be interspersed in the report. As it got progressively darker, the telephoto lens shots became less clear requiring software enhancement. You will notice that the leftists look more like cartoon characters in the later telephoto lens photos.
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO OPEN A LARGER VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW. Click on another photo and its larger version should open in the same window that the first enlarged photo did. Note that the few wide photos may open in a window wider than your screen and you can use a horizontal scroll bar to see parts.
(L-R) Albion Wilde (behind sign), kristinn, lurker Ken, Coop, daughter of tgsl, tgslTakoma, lurker Joan, Justanobody,
Jimmy Valentine's brother, Jack Deth, and young soldier who stopped to thank us for being there
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First to arrive Pinko clad-in-blue arrives at least 15 minutes |
Contrast the below photos taken about the same time at least 30 minutes after the designated leftist start time. At left photo, are three of the eleven FReepers, then on site, as per top photo above. At right, the leftists have one sign and only three people total (the woman on the right is not a Pinko, but is an independent photographer). The guy with the sign was some local hot head who had yelled at us a few times before when he happened by. Joining the Pinkos this time, his sign was the only leftists' sign until the Pinkos sign-filled truck arrived one hour and thirty-five minutes after the designated start time for their two hour event.
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lurker Joan, Justanobody, and Jack Deth |
Three leftists and one independent photographer. Rumor has it |
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Code Pink co-founder Gael Murphy (pink top, green shorts)
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Unclear if the blue Pinko is wiping away tears after Murphy |
A soldier wearing a wild shirt left Walter Reed, apparently with his wife or girlfriend. Walking away from the Pinkos, he shouted something like, "If you put that video camera in my face again, I'll take it away!" A short time later the soldier and friend came back with a twelve pack of beer. Possibly, the blue Pinko videotaped him again. At any rate, the soldier and friend walked up to the Pinkos and the below photos were taken. We could not hear what is being said, but it looked like the blue-clad Pinko was keeping his distance and the other Pinkos were blocking the soldier. No violence was seen and the soldier soon left.
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Soldier, partially behind street post, has a run-in with the |
It looks like the two Pinkos are blocking the soldier from the |
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kristinn, lurker Ken, Coop, and Albion Wilde
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trueblackman and kristinn |
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During most of the two hours scheduled for the Pinkos' protest
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The guy with the sign moved over to another corner leaving |
As has been happened consistently for weeks now, we were getting many times the number of honks from supportive motorists as the Pinkos get. We've had numerous signs of support from various police vehicles and ambulances. This night we had a passing fire engine with sirens blaring also honk in support as a fireman waved in support out the window.
A young soldier in medic training stopped by to thank us for being there. Later, two soldiers stopped their car to also thank us and disparage the Pinkos as they had been to the Code Pink website. (Fortunately, and at least partly through our efforts, the troops are realizing that Code Pinkos, who call our military "killers," do NOT really support them.) One of the soldiers in the car had lost a leg in combat in Iraq. We made the effort to use words to repay a debt that we owe him, a debt that can never be fully repaid.
If he or another military member who gave so much for our freedom comes to our FReep next Friday, do you think that you could be there to personally thank him or her?
We also had the pleasure of meeting Andi of http://andisworld.typepad.com/ . Andi is a young military wife who runs an outstanding blog with her great commentary and numerous resources for relatives and supporters of our military. We told her to express our thanks to her husband. We also thanked her because we know that wives and other relatives of military members make great sacrifices for the country. Check out her great site.
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The main force of FReepers were diagonal to the Pinkos at |
When tgslTakoma and I were directly across the street from |
The Pinko in above right photo (rumored to be in line to lead Howard Dean's outreach program to the Confederate-flag-on-their-pickup-truck crowd) told us that there was "no freedom of speech in this country," justifying that absurd statement by referring to some restrictions on protest sites for those protesting on behalf of Terri Schiavo. He then told us that we didn't really care about the troops or we would protest alleged VA cuts. I told him that Code Pink should have donated their $600 K plus to the VA, instead of giving the supplies to the terrorists. At that stage, he said "Halliburton, Halliburton gives money to the terrorists. " tgslTakoma and I laughed as he walked back across the street.
At about 9:35 PM, 1 hour and 35 minutes after the start of the leftists' event, the truck with the Pinkos' signs arrived as did some more
Pinkos. They did stay for about an extra 20 minutes or so after their designated stop time, but it was still a pathetic effort that lasted
less than half of the planned two hour Pinko blood dance.
| This was the fifth week in a row that we outnumbered the Pinkos for most of the two hour window that their protest is scheduled for, but we need to do more. The same FReepers are doing almost all of the these FReeps. We do so gladly as a labor of love for our brave troops fighting terrorists over there, instead of waiting for the terrorists to come here. We FReep especially for those wounded in combat. However, some FReepers' family vacations or other obligations may prevent some of them from coming this next Friday. Will this be the time that you get out from behind the keyboard and FReep in person? FReepers are winning the public relations battle with Code Pink at Walter Reed, a location that should not be used for war protests. We absolutely must keep the pressure on Code Pink and keep showing the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed that Code Pink doesn't speak for the nation. If you live in the DC area and haven't yet come out for one of these FReeps, please do so this next Friday. Injured Walter Reed patients, including amputees, have repeatedly told us how important it is for us to be there to counter Code Pink. If we can sufficiently outnumber the leftists often enough, embarrassment may cause the leftists to stop these outrageous morale-damaging ("Maimed for a lie" is one of their signs) demonstrations at the hospital. What about you? Can you spare a few hours on a Friday night? Can you give up next Friday night at the movies to support troops who've given up limbs for your freedoms? Will you? This FReep is rewarding, fun and important for our troops and our nation. |
Jimmy Valentine's brother used his cigar to light a few sparklers |
And YOU need to understand that we shouldn't wait UNTIL Code Pink shows up before doing anything.
Every military hospital should have someone holding a sign that says "Thank You", not only Walter Reed, and not only because Code Pink is there.
Anothering very annoying characteristic is for keyboard critics to mock the efforts of those out there trying to make a difference. And your little battle-damage mitigation didn't impress me. So your feigned disgust and criticism appears weak at best. Find another thread.
I'd say a few of us are quite aware of this statement and even try to do something about it. Unfortunately it doesn't come close to what you originally said, and you know it.
Quite honestly, the misguided, poorly educated example of our public school system, who appears in the photo, doesn't deserve our time and energy. We're not going to "convert" him, and all we do is swell their numbers by confronting them, and giving them much needed publicity. All they want to do is upset people and annoy us. When we show up, they have succeeded in their mission and goal. I say ignore them, and do nothing more than to send the photo to everyone on our mailing lists.
Oh eeuuww! LOL
Our troops are bold enough to face bullets, mortars, IEDs, and suicide bombers. Are you bold enough to get out from behind the keyboard, FReep in person, and stand up for the wounded troops at Walter Reed? You betcha I am. Looking forward to FReeping the He11 out of the Pinkos this Fri night. See y'all there.
Wish I could be there with you guys, outstanding work. In NYC. If I ever get a ride, I will be there with bells on.
Are you coming up from my birth state just for this or already here for something else and taking advantage to squeeze in a FReep? Either way, good on ya!
God Bless the DC Freepers for standing up to these idiot scumbags who are harassing our troops. Our troops and families at Walter Reed are going through enough without having to deal with the lower crust of our society.
It will be an honor to FReep with you again.
If last week was any indication, the Pinkos will be a lot less organized and numerous than their contingent in Fayetteville.
By setting up just outside the gate, they get to talk with soldiers and their families as they pass through on foot or by car. They are preying on people who are emotionally vulnerable.
It makes no sense to allow that to go unanswered. Just taking a picture and passing it around would have no affect on those they meet in person at the gate.
Gen. Abizaid, in his recent testimony in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said soldiers are wondering whether Americans support them. By only letting soldiers see people who oppose them, it causes a false impression to be created. Our presence is a great morale boost for those in the service who see us in person.
During Vietnam, patriotic Americans did as you do. They sent letters and care packages, but they let the protesters take to the streets unanswered. Those protests gave great encouragement to the enemy--as they do today. But their effect is muted by our being out there.
And yes, we do convert people. We've spent alot of time over the years educating people who march at 'antiwar' protests. Sometimes we convert them on the spot. Most of the time it takes awhile for the truth to sink in. But it does work. The numbers of people who protest against the war in D.C. are dramatically down from several years ago to the point that the antiwar groups are struggling to get people to turn out at their events.
But those groups aren't going away. So we'll be out there standing up for America. We can't afford to do otherwise.
Way to go gang! Please keep it up.
I would really like to be on the DC chapter ping list.
Thanks!
Looks like Bill & I will be there baring BAD weather. I want to have him see the WW2 memorial (as he is a vet) in afternoon. He has not been to DC in decades, but I usually get there a few times a year.
Are you all just meeting there at 7 or elsewhere earlier? sorry for questions, as this is our first time we don't know the details. I have never been to walter Reed & will try to find some maps etc.
I will be freepmailing you three my cell phone #. I think I still have Kristinn's in my "old" phone directory.
Will FReepmail you if plans change & we wont be there. I trust you will have signs for us etc..
Looking forward to this. I agree with the spirit of physically showing support for our troops as much as countering the Code Pink FReaks..
Sorry, but I disagree with you that we should ignore them. My parents' generation tried that during VietNam, and we see how well that worked.
Let me share with everyone what happened last Friday...
We had just started unloading our supplies from our vehicles, stacking our bags of signs against a light post, setting up a couple of chairs along the sidewalk, and leaning our several rolled-up flags on a nearby fence, when the horn honks and the HOOAHs from folks leaving WRAMC began.
For anyone else driving by that intersection for the first time, it was not at all evident what we were doing. Our signs were not visible to the people honking their horns, and the only visible part of the flags was the red and white stripes (they were still rolled up).
But the people leaving Walter Reed knew who we were; they had seen us there for three months now (Oh my! Has it been that long already?), and they knew what we were doing. And judging from the enthusiastic response we were getting, before we had even set up our signs and flags and MOAB, they appreciate us being outside those gates to oppose the very negative message that the Code Pink protesters hawk. I saw and heard firsthand that our presence is a great morale booster for those who work, and visit, and live inside WRAMC.
When Code Pink took their war to our wounded soldiers, the doctors and nurses who care for them and their families they crossed a very important line, IMO.
To anyone considering coming, you can park on Georgia Avenue right where we protest. If you're heading out of the District, we'll be on the right side. Elder Street is opposite the Walter Reed's second gate on the left. It's where Georgia Ave starts up hill. It's the one with bright lights and plenty of security. We are also underneath a street light.
Will you be in town for long? Should I plan on setting up the grill for a test run for September?
See you on Friday!
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