LIVE Report From Crawford (3,000 folks now and STILL COMING!)

Basil in Crawford | 8-27-05 | TxBubba

[TXBubba]

Just talked to Basil on site in Crawford, Texas. Currently there are about 100 folks there helping to set up. They have not received word about the caravan arrival in Waco yet. JimRob is riding with the caravan. She thinks it might get to Crawford around 1:00 p.m.

Basil says the stage is set up, the sound system is excellent and they have hung the most beautiful banners overnighted by W04Man on the stage. A big thanks for the banners, they are much appreciated!

Someone arrived early and hung yellow ribbons everywhere.

They have an American flag that is about 50 feet by 40 feet. Children of military personnel serving in the Middle East have written notes to their parents on the stripes of this flag. A very touching thing to behold.

The HOT Chapter booth is being unloaded right now. The will sell buttons made by Angelwood to help off set costs.

Someone rented the Community Center for our use so there is access to AC. However, they also have 10 tents set up. And there is a Moonwalk for the kiddos.

To top everything else there is BBQ on the grill! Basil is the official taster and says it is great!

That is all the news I have at the moment. It is hard to get a cell phone connection to Crawford but when I hear more I will try to update everyone.

[bvw]

I understand your position and your son's joy at coming home and seeing them. Yet it seems to me that some folks hang yellow ribbons to mean only "Bring them home."

[AliVeritas]

Bookmark

[Chena]

BOGUS! Yellow ribbons = We support you and will wait for you as long as it takes until you come safely home!

Well said! Perfect! Now, bvw, why don't you hang a yellow ribbon for our troops. They really do appreciate it, I know that for a fact. :)

[McGavin999]

I really wish I could be there today, but Crawford is a bit far away from Phoenix. I tried to get a few days of vacation, but it was too late to get anything on short notice.

[Thumbellina]

Check this out http://buzz.nationalreview.com/

The Buzz
Eric Pfeiffer Reporting

Crawford: In Their Honor

[txrangerette]

I know of no such, where people hang yellow ribbons to mean, bring them home by cutting and running. I think you are confusing the color yellow (cowardice), as in someone with a yellow streak down their back, with what yellow ribbons have always stood for to my knowledge.

[deport]

A short blurb from "The Lonestar Iconoclast"

As an anti-war demonstration near President Bush's ranch entered its final week, opposition continued growing Thursday as landowners blanketed their barbed-wire fences with signs reading "This is Bush Country!"

More Bush supporters arrived and pitched tents at the newly dubbed "Camp Reality," located in a ditch across the street from the war protesters' site along the main road leading to the president's ranch.

---

Thousands: Crawford or Bust

'You Don't Speak For Me, Cindy'
Rally Coming To Crawford Saturday

By Deborah Mathews
ICONOCLAST REPORTER

CRAWFORD—Move America Forward is heading the movement themed “You Don’t Speak For Me Cindy” which has involved a trip from California to Crawford. The organization has been involved in organizing a rally to be held in Crawford at Pirate Field on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Members of the Free Republic are also helping to coordinate the “You Don’t Speak For Me Cindy” campaign. A caravan of supporters will leave the Wal-Mart parking lot in Waco at 12:30 p.m. and head toward Pirate Field in Crawford, where they will participate in the rally.

Parents and family members who have lost loved ones in Iraq will be present, along with anchorwoman Deborah Johns. Speakers will take the stage to talk about why Cindy Sheehan doesn’t speak for them. Free Republic spokesman and rally stage manager Kristinn Taylor said, “We are expecting several thousand supporters at the rally. Plans now are to hold the rally beginning about 1 p.m. and conclude it in mid-afternoon.”

Following the rally, supporters can visit Camp George — in the field just short of Camp Casey I; or Camp Reality — directly across from Camp Casey I; or Fort Qualls—a camp set up behind the Yellow Rose in downtown Crawford. Owner of the Yellow Rose, Bill Johnson, allowed Gary Qualls, the father of Lewis Qualls who was killed in Iraq, to establish the camp.

Fort Qualls will have a formal dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday. This site has been used as a central point where those who wish to have names of loved ones removed from the crosses at Camp Casey to go here to submit that request. Taylor said that a request has been extended to Cindy Sheehan to debate Gary Qualls, but a response is yet forthcoming.

Taylor said, “We’re a peaceful group. We’re here to support our troops, our President, and Operation Iraqi Freedom and to say, ‘You don’t speak for me Cindy.’”

A SIGN AT CAMP QUALLS lists the names of soldiers whose families have requested that crosses be removed at Camp Casey I.
— Iconoclast Photo By Gene Ellis

[NickatNite2003]

Actually, i read a news story earlier, that the
authorities are expecting approximately *7,000*
protesters, with both sides combined, and have
set up a a task center and moved in police/riot
control forces into the area to "look for
troublemakers in the crowds",and to keep the
opposing sides apart. (paraphrased)

[GRRRRR]

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[dandelion]

I am praying for them all. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am not going to be able to go, and I had truly hoped to be there. I am hoping my husband will make it there in time... he's driving in to try and get there, but he's coming from Dallas and he just left around noon, so we'll see.

My daughter in the Air Force (FL) called me last night and told me how much Cindy Sheehan has hurt morale for all troops; she asked me to go and represent her, so I'm sending my husband instead of me.

I'm really praying he gets there in time...

[Earthdweller]

"When our son returned, he was honored that we had hung the yellow ribbons."

Here's a yellow robbing I think everyone will like.

Tell your son that we appreciate his service.

[Earthdweller]

robbing=ribbon....silly optical scroll mouse ...behave!!

[Chena]

Well, maybe some folks have ulterior motives for their "yellow ribbons" (I hadn't heard that before), but I'd bet that most folks understand the true meaning. I won't take down my ribbons just because someone chooses to hang them for the wrong reasons. You have the right to hang, or not hang yellow ribbons, but if you choose to do so, I know you'll be hanging them for the RIGHT reason. :)

[TXBubba]

NEW REPORT FROM BASIL

Just talked to Basil again. THE CARAVAN HAS ARRIVED!

There were 26 cars in the caravan. There are close to 400 people there at the moment!

JimRob and his wife are sitting front and center under a tent.

There is someone selling a book about their time in Iraq. Basil is trying to get their name. He is signing autographs also so someone knows who he is!

BBQ is STILL good Basil says! LOL

[tomkat]

First 100 BTTT !

[Just A Nobody]

Pro-Bush, Pro-military rally! sigh

The blip on FNC had Greg Kelly calling it a Pro-War rally, with the emphasis as indicated. They showed all ditch-witch and one lowly pro-war protester that was arrested for not going back to a specific area. SO.............I thought no one was there for our side and immediately turned it off.

All those that think FNC are our friends, need to open your eyes.

[kendu]

go get em, shut em and show who is the real group of Patriots. thanks for doing what you are doing!

[bvw]

Well, you have my regrets for my bringing the subject up -- it was not the place or the time for these remarks of mine. Sorry.

We all support the rally and the caravan there today!

[Chena]

Excellent observation! Loved that last scene. It's about time! :)

[tgslTakoma]

MSNBC video report on "Dueling rallies" in Crawford today, titled "Crawford Showdown". Kristinn is wearing the Club G'itmo hat you gave him.

:-)