Posted on 08/12/2005 8:25:07 PM PDT by kristinn
CRAWFORD, Texas - More than 100 supporters of President Bush held a rally Friday night across the road from the makeshift campsite of anti-war demonstrators, but authorities kept the groups separated and there was little confrontation.
Many of the Bush supporters rode on a bus from Dallas in a trip organized by nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host Mike Gallagher. They said they wanted to counter the war protest, started last weekend by a grieving mother who set up camp on the road leading to Bush's ranch.
At first, the 100 or so war protesters held a 40-foot banner that read "Support our troops; bring them home now!" Then they sang "God Bless America."
But as Gallagher rallied his spirited, flag-waving group over a bullhorn - and the Bush supporters chanted "USA!" and "Go George go!" - the protesters put down the banner and for the most part ignored the other side. Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., who started the peace vigil, was not present during the counter-rally. She was resting at the Crawford Peace House.
Robert Pinson, who served in Vietnam in the Army, said he took the three-hour bus ride to Crawford because he believes Bush is protecting the nation and that the troops are heroes.
"I just wanted to show support for my country, since I served and would serve again if I could," said Pinson, 67.
Before the Bush supporters boarded the bus about 30 minutes later, they placed their flags beside rows of white crosses with names of fallen U.S. soldiers. The war protesters erected the crosses, which stretch about two-tenths of a mile down the road.
Sue Niederer, whose son Seth Dvorin died in Iraq last year, said she and other war protesters were glad there were no major confrontations. She said she was touched by one Bush supporter who looked at her, then asked if he could hug her.
"It was a beautiful, beautiful thing," she said. "Even though he may have been a Republican, it didn't matter."
There were a few tense words between the opposing sides in the beginning, as sheriff's deputies steered the Bush supporters in a sunny ditch on - appropriately enough - the right side of the road. The protesters' camp was in the shade, but authorities said the pro-Bush group shouldn't mingle with the other side.
A few Bush supporters arrived on their own earlier Friday and stood at the edge of the site, initially enduring some ridicule by the war opponents.
"Over the last two or three days Cindy Sheehan has been talking about how our president is a murderer and how the war is for no good reason, and I disagree with her," said Thomas F. Zapp, 52, of Richmond, whose 20-year-old son T.J. was killed in Iraq last fall.
Before noon Friday, Bush's motorcade sped by the protesters en route to a fundraiser, but it didn't stop.
It's unclear if Bush, riding in a black Suburban with tinted windows, looked at the demonstrators. One woman said first lady Laura Bush looked out the window at them.
Sheehan held a sign that read: "Why do you make time for donors and not for me?"
Law enforcement agencies blocked two intersecting roads where the protesters have camped out and required them to stand behind yellow tape about 10-15 feet from the main road. No one was asked to leave.
Bush passed the group to and from his neighbor's ranch, where he met about 230 donors at a lunchtime barbecue that was expected to raise at least $2 million for the Republican National Committee.
In the last week, dozens have joined Sheehan, 48, whose 24-year-old son Casey died in Iraq last year. From their makeshift campsite of tents and anti-war banners, they vow to remain until Bush meets with grieving parents or until his monthlong ranch visit ends.
Bush has said that he sympathizes with Sheehan but did not say if he will talk to her. Bush has met with about 900 relatives of 272 U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But Sheehan said she wants to hold the president accountable for faulty prewar intelligence that she says led to an unnecessary war.
"I don't want comfort from him," Sheehan said. "I want answers. I want the truth."
On Friday, she released a 60-second television ad running on cable channels in the Crawford area the rest of the month. The $15,000 cost was paid for by Gold Star Families, a group Sheehan co-founded.
three women who know what's goin' on............
It's a little two-holer where the peace activists go sit to relieve themselves of that which they are so full of.
What was it Nicholson said?
(with names and gender references changed where necessary:)
"You can't handle the truth! (Cindy), we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, (Ms. Sheehan)?
"I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for (Casey) and you curse the Marines (President). You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that (Casey's) death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...
"You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
"We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline.
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a (woman) who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it!
"I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!"
(Although, T-M, somehow I think you might have just been referring to the "You can't handle the truth" part)...
Bless Mike and the folks that traveled there to present to the MSM that this woman doesn't speak for all troops, parents of the fallen or Americans in general.
gee.....they have links where we can all send money to support their efforts and help maintain the 'lovely labyrinth walkway' - now don't all crash the site getting there first, friends....
Cindy Shaheen is currently in the news. She and her organization have no connection whatever with American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. We are a 501 C(3) organization and, as such, do not engage in political activities. We do support our troups. After all, they are our children.
Provide link, please. so we may get that message out. thanks.
http://www.goldstarmoms.com.
It's on the right side of the home page in a box.
Don't give this chick so much credit. I saw her on TV tonight. Wooden. Propped-up. Expressionless. Robotic. She's barely one step above catatonia. Probably been a borderline mental case for several years.
Bush passed the group to and from his neighbor's ranch, where he met about 230 donors at a lunchtime barbecue that was expected to raise at least $2 million for the Republican National Committee.
It would probly really put their panties in a wad if they knew they were most likely the brunt of many a joke at the BBQ. They look like loons, the lot of 'em. I imagine the "donors" had a pretty good time at their expense! Especially since some Pro Bush supporters showed up.
Statement from Gold Star Mothers:
Cindy Shaheen is currently in the news. She and her organization have no connection whatever with American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. We are a 501 C(3) organization and, as such, do not engage in political activities. We do support our troups. After all, they are our children.
I hear you, GV. I tell ya, there are days that I wish I never got involved in politics and current events.
As if I don't already have enough to make my waning hair stand on end, a steady dose of recounts, liberals, 9-11, Ted (hiccup) Kennedy, John Kerry (who served in Vietnam), the, uh, Rev'run Thacksuuuunnnnn, and the others, drive me to the cliff of crazy. Something like this, at times, threatens to push me off of the cliff.
Not so much that she seems to be lashing out to anyone who will listen, which as my leftist mother is lightning quick to point out, is her right...but the duplicitousness of it, saying that the leader of the free world, who already graciously met with you, didn't do so, spouting off a list of "grievances" that should have "This is MoveOn.org, and I approve this message", and the unwillingness of the sycophantic lamescream media to do their jobs in accurately reporting this...AAH!
I guess it gives me incentive to work as hard as I can, so I never have to wake up the day after a Democrat wins the WH ever again. I'm glad you're in the fight as well.
' Over the last two or three days Cindy Sheehan has been talking about how our president is a murderer and how the war is for no good reason, and I disagree with her," said Thomas F. Zapp, 52, of Richmond, whose 20-year-old son T.J. was killed in Iraq last fall. "
And I am sure the media will be interviewing Mr Zapp 24/ 7.
Tonight it was either ABC or NBC , but, one of them showed Cindy's PR person giving her explicit sign holding instructions.
Reminded me of Clinton's stone cross at Normandy.
BTW- How many care packages has Cindy sent to Iraq and Afghanistan ?
How much money has she raised to help the families of soldiers ?
How many calling cards has she sent ?
My guess is zero.
This Cindy Sheehan sounds like every moonbat I've ever heard.
I have been gone for a long time from the site so hello again! But i do not see why there are so many threads and so much disagreement between all of us on this Cindy issue. This photo of these few pro-Bush protest-protestors looks really silly and does not seem to help the cause.
"btw, this article is not accurate.. the organization is the gold star families for peace.. NOT gold star mothers, etc."
The libmedia is accustomed to saying "families" instead of "mothers" so that no gay men who are mothers will be offended.
Is she also defrauding the IRS?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1462244/posts
Thanks for the find. Here is their Motto:
Perpetuating the Noble Principles for which They Fought and Died
I bet they take exception to Cindy stealing their name and claiming that their sons and daughters are dying in vain.
Then what is she going on about him not having time for her but while he has time for donors? What's he supposed to do, make her an extended member of his family and have her over every weekend? She's simply lying to imply that he didn't make time to ever meet with her.
What was so silly about the pro-Bush protestors?
And I don't see that much disagreement, no more than there was over Terri Schiavo, with the great majority coming down on the RIGHT side. Those standing with Sheehan would rather we fight the terrorists in our own streets; only at that point, and not before, will they start to have a little respect and understanding for what our military, our President, and our nation are now engaged in.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.