Posted on 08/27/2005 3:25:05 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
CRAWFORD, Texas - Several thousand people descended on President Bush's adopted hometown Saturday, most in a cross-country caravan for a pro-Bush rally and others to support an anti-war demonstration led by grieving mother Cindy Sheehan.
Bush supporters gathered for an event marking the culmination of the "You don't speak for me, Cindy!" tour, which started last week in California. The crowd of about 1,500 chanted, "Cindy, go home!"
"You are giving hope and encouragement to the enemies of America," said former California Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, a Republican who co-founded the group that coordinated the rally.
Meanwhile, busloads of war protesters gathered several miles away at "Camp Casey," named for Sheehan's 24-year-old son who died in Iraq last year.
A bell-ringing ceremony on Saturday honored soldiers serving in Iraq. Organizers estimated the crowd at more than 2,000 but it appeared smaller.
"I know that the Camp Casey movement is going to end the war in Iraq," Sheehan said, adding that no other families should have to suffer the loss of a relative. She led the crowd in chanting "Not one more!"
At the pro-Bush rally several miles away, there were some heated moments when two members of Protest Warrior, a group that frequently holds counter protests to anti-war rallies, walked in with a sign that read "Say No to War Unless a Democrat is President."
Many Bush supporters only saw the top of the sign and believed the men were war protesters, so they began shouting and chasing the pair out. One man tore up their signs. When Will Marean of Minneapolis kept repeating that he was on the Bush side and tried to explain Protest Warrior's mission, one Bush supporter shook his hand and apologized.
Sheehan, of Vacaville, Calif. started camping out off the road leading to Bush's ranch on Aug. 6, soon after the president's Texas vacation began. She vowed to remain unless he talked to her about the war with Iraq that claimed the life of her son Casey and more than 1,870 other U.S. soldiers.
Sheehan said that after the protest ends Wednesday, some of the group will spread its message on a tour, with the first stop probably in the Texas district of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Republican.
Bush has said he appreciates Sheehan's right to protest and understands her anguish but will not change his schedule to meet with her. His vacation is to end Sept. 2.
Sheehan and other grieving families met with Bush about two months after her son died last year, before she became a vocal opponent of the war.
Never claimed to speak for anyone else. Priorities seem to be misplaced for ALL involved in some of that mess. And, I'm entitled to my opinion just as all of you are. Later.
My opinion is that God provides for those that provide for themselves.
Prayer doesn't feed the bulldog and the bulldog is hungry.
You go sit in church and we will do your fighting for you. We will bear the price to keep you free while you cower behind a plastic cross.
Rough men and women will strive to keep you free.
I am through with you.
Where are you. This was Saturday, not Sunday. Why were you not supporting our troops? Are you at 10:00am Saturday getting ready for church Sunday?
Explain, please.
I assume you know that our rally began with two prayers.
Let's start from that point and have you explain these misplaced priorities.
Tom, this is as uncalled for as his original, rather stupid, statement.
Windell, I agree.
I am tired and dehydrated from actually doing something and MeneMeneTekelUpharsin has done nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I will be refreshed tomorrow and MeneMeneTekelUpharsin will have still done nothing.
Except criticize those that did something.
MeneMeneTekelUpharsin talks the talk, but we walk the walk.
MeneMeneTekelUpharsin can stand in the ditch with the bitch. That is what it is doing here. Supporting her.
Speaking for her. Carrying her water.
Y'all did the troops, the President, Texas, and yourselves well Tom. Stand tall and be proud of it and to heck with any who would say differently.
Means alot to me considering your service.
Thanks.
That said, from March 72 until December 73, not a single Viet Cong attacked Bavaria on my watch!
Sir, I'll thank you not to be taking my inventory. I am well able to handle that aspect of my life myself.
YOU were not in my shoes when I prayed for a safe journey, when our group prayed that we would honor God as we stood proudly for our country and our valiant troops who defend us. Neither do you know how much I spend on missionaries, church functions, tithe, or anything else about my PRIVATE Christian life.
You can worship God inside, outside, en route, and anywhere. You don't always have to be sitting in a church to honor God. If you think otherwise, kindly keep your opinions to yourself. Oh.... And you might try fishing that log out of your eye while you dither.
I do appreciate all that the conservative folks are doing. I really do. And, I can't stand what'sername. It's just sad we can't get her camp (especially) and everyone there to focus on the Word of God more and then we don't have to have this entire mess. Perhaps tell her that God loved her so much that He gave His only son to die for her even though she's apparently evil. And, then go home and go to church and worship God.
You have a valid question. I would like to have been there part of Saturday, but I could NOT go for a number of reasons...I just couldn't go. My sons had to mow a job they had contracted for (we're in school all week and it had to be mowed NOW). I've got some health problems I'd rather not post here that keep me from sweating in the sun. Gas is so expensive I can not afford to spend money to drive to Crawford and back right now. Can't go anywhere but work, church and the grocery store and then I have to coordinate the trips. As a matter of fact, I'd like to know who's funding what'sername's bunch...I know they can't afford it either.
In light of the circumstances, I apologize and will try to see that it doesn't happen again.
(sigh)
Great photos, I alas was at work. (bigger sigh)
That is just too neat.
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