Posted on 08/29/2005 4:59:45 PM PDT by doug from upland
Under absolutely oppressive Southern California Inland Empire August heat, the good guys showed up in force to support the President and the troops.
There were a handful of FReepers there that I recognized including bittdrvr, Blurblogger, Joy Angela, Aloha Ronnie, and RonDog. Darn, come on, who am I forgetting?
There had to be perhaps 300 there on our side, and it was refreshing to outnumber the airheads on the other side.
The anti-war, anti-American protestors, not surprisingly had their share of foul mouths and those who smelled badly when they came to our side and walked through the crowd.
It was particularly amusing to see a kid about 16 years old with a sign that said - HANDS OFF MY SOCIAL SECURITY.
They did their typical hey hey ho ho inane chants from the '60s, but they've added a few really clever ones. Over and over a guy with a bullhorn was chanting MONEY FOR JOBS, MONEY FOR FOOD, MONEY FOR JOBS, MONEY FOR FOOD, MONEY FOR SCHOOL, MONEY FOR JOBS.
The war criminal signs and no blood for oil and Bush knew are getting old. Yes, Bush knew. Bush knew what to do.
I was disappointed that I didn't have a bullhorn because the women who controlled the bullhorn on our side didn't want to use some hit 'em in the face chants --- TOJO, HITLER, MUSSOLINI, THEY WOULD LOVE YOU LEFTIST WEENIES. WHINING WEASELS GET A CLUE, THEY WOULD CUT YOUR HEADS OFF TOO.
An AP reporter and a Claremont Courier reporter did an interview with me and took notes. A local cable tv station got some stuff on film. I explained that FreeRepublic was the premier conservative activist site on the Internet. The reason I was there was to support the President and the troops. You don't support the troops if you don't support the mission.
They were also told that, if Islamists were there, they would certainly cut off my head, but they would then march across the street and cut off the leftists heads. The nitwits are clueless. In addition, I told them that from deep in the bowels of hell, Tojo, Hitler, and Mussolini were wondering where these guys were 60 years ago when they could have done them some good.
One very good note. I had a short debate with an opposition member who agreed with going into Afghanistan but not Iraq. When I told him to watch for the proof of the Iraqi connection to the OKC bombing, he made a concession. If that could be proven, he would be on our side of the street next time. I had to call Jayna Davis and pass the word to her.
It was a good, noisy, supportive crowd for the President. Now, sir, please close the borders. If he had, the crowd across the street would have been half the size.
RonDog will post photos when he can.
Bah, I was going to go out there today, but assumed that the president was in the gulf area and the event was cancelled. I figured I was wrong when all the jets started flying around 5pm - dang they're loud.
Oh well.
- President Bush supporters, Tom Burke, right, and David Frisk, hold signs during a rally near the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. where Bush made a speech on Medicare on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005. (AP Photo/Francis Specker)
AP - Aug 29 5:52 PM
- Anit-war protestors, left, and President Bush supporters clash during a demonstration near the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. where Bush made a speech on Medicare on Monday Aug. 29, 2005. ( AP Photo/Francis Specker)
AP - Aug 29 5:38 PM
- Anit-war protestors, right, are splashed with water by President Bush supporters during a clash at a demonstration near the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. where Bush made a speech on Medicare on Monday Aug. 29, 2005. ( AP Photo/Francis Specker)
AP - Aug 29 5:39 PM
- Anit-war protestors, right, and President Bush supporters clash during a demonstration near the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. where Bush made a speech on Medicare on Monday Aug. 29, 2005. ( AP Photo/Francis Specker)
AP - Aug 29 5:34 PM
- War protester Lorraine Gerry, center, is surrounded by President Bush supporters during a demonstration near the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, where Bush was to participate in conversation on Medicare. Bush, focusing on a domestic issue amid rising criticism about the Iraq war, urged a skeptical public Monday to at least learn about the new prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP - Aug 29 4:32 PM
Give my plan a try, Bush saysOn Inland visit, president focuses on drug benefits and immigration
12:01 AM PDT on Tuesday, August 30, 2005
As his supporters clashed with protesters outside, President Bush on Monday encouraged an invited audience inside a Rancho Cucamonga senior center to learn about the new Medicare prescription-drug plan, even if they do not enroll in it.
"The purpose of coming here today ... was to inform as many folks as we can, obviously, in person and on TV, that Medicare has been strengthened and Medicare has been modernized," Bush told nearly 300 people packed into the James L. Brulte Senior Center. "If you're really interested in helping a senior, or a senior helping yourself, look into this plan, look into what's available."
During his 32-minute speech, the president also praised Iraqi officials for drafting a constitution, acknowledged California's struggles with illegal immigration and offered prayers for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise Myrtle Jones, 80, of Rancho Cucamonga, laughs as President Bush shares a moment with her during his talk about his Medicare plan. Bush, who has seen his approval rating dip to 40 percent nationally last week, a record low for his administration, spent Monday trying to drum up interest in the Medicare program during a morning appearance in El Mirage, Ariz., and, hours later, at the stop in Rancho Cucamonga.
Minutes after Bush left the center, the skirmishes escalated among some of the hundreds of flag-waving supporters and anti-Bush protesters who had lined Milliken Avenue across from the senior center. Placards on both sides were destroyed. One person was arrested and police cited several people for obstructing traffic as motorcycle officers set off their sirens in an effort to disperse the crowd....
Pro, con meet in streetHundreds shout, jeer at foes; some clashes erupt
11:11 PM PDT on Monday, August 29, 2005
Hundreds of protesters and supporters showed up for President Bush's appearance in Rancho Cucamonga on Monday in a loud demonstration marked by emotional clashes between the two groups.
An estimated 700 people were on hand as the presidential motorcade raced down Base Line Road toward the James L. Brulte Senior Center, where Bush spoke about his prescription-drug plan.
San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies tried to keep supporters and protesters separated on opposite corners of Milliken Avenue across from the senior center.
Greg Vojtko / The Press-Enterprise Protesters surge off the sidewalk, momentarily overwhelming an unidentified San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy as President Bush's motorcade passes. But they could not control the war of words streaming from bullhorns and chanting demonstrators throughout Bush's appearance. Occasional skirmishes broke out.
Bush supporters took placards out of the hands of protesters and tore them up. Some who wandered into the territory of the opposite side were greeted with loud jeers and taunts until deputies intervened.
No serious injuries were reported. Authorities made one arrest after a woman provided sheriff's deputies a false name, sheriff's spokeswoman Robin Haynal said. The woman was cited and released at the scene.
"We are a country divided," said protester Seana Estalilo, 30, of Ontario. "After 9/11, our country was supposed to be united but we are a very divided country because of this president."
William Wilson Lewis III / The Press Enterprise Diana Hayden, 36, of Rancho Cucamonga yells, "Support our president!" after tearing up an anti-Bush sign that was brought to Monday's demonstration by a critic of President Bush. As he stood among a sea of U.S. flags, Bush supporter Eiler Miraflor, 51, said the difference between the supporters and protesters was easily visible.
"There are no American flags over there," said Miraflor, pointing to dozens of signs criticizing the war in Iraq, the president's prescription drug plan and his environmental policies.
An American flag occasionally was lifted up among the placards and banners that denounced Bush as a liar.
Pat Mistretta, 73, of Upland called the protesters communists.
Greg Vojtko / The Press-Enterprise Breanna Araiza, 18, and Marion Yates, 54, both of Rancho Cucamonga, show their support for President Bush before his arrival. "I say I am the good person, and they are the bad people," said Mistretta, who donned a red, white and blue top hat for the president's visit. "They look different than we do. We have lots of flags and children over here."
The president's supporters, many from the Inland area, said they came to show their approval for Bush's domestic and foreign policies, especially the war in Iraq.
"I believe it's great we finally have a president who has some moral character," said Vietnam veteran Steve Hackett, 57, of Rancho Cucamonga.
Hackett said he believes the comparisons between Iraq and the Vietnam conflict are "not even close. We have leadership now that wants to win."
Greg Vojtko / The Press-Enterprise A woman is led to a waiting patrol car after she and others were rounded up while crossing a street on a red light before the appearance by President Bush. Officials issued several citations to people walking against the light. Brad Wise, 21, of Rancho Cucamonga, said he joined the Bush supporters to "denounce the ignorance of the anti-war people who think the war is for oil."
On the opposite side of the road, protesters said they support U.S. troops but not Bush's policy to send them to a war they contend has nothing to do with terrorism or weapons of mass destruction.
"The war in Iraq is for oil," said Bush opponent Lila Higgins, 26, of Riverside.
Waymon Fitts, 22, of Moreno Valley, said he joined the protesters because he does not want any more blood shed for Bush's policies.
Greg Vojtko / The Press-Enterprise Pat Mistretta, 73, of Upland, shows her spirit as she waves at traffic from the pro-Bush side before President Bush's arrival. "We have lots of flags and children over here," she said. "The war on terrorism has lost its focus," Fitts said.
Retired teacher Wendy Bayer, 60, of Claremont, criticized Bush for saddling the nation's schools with higher standards without sufficient funding.
After the president left the senior center, more than a half-dozen motorcycle deputies attempted to disband the anti-Bush protesters by turning on their sirens.
San Bernardino County sheriff's Sgt. Frank Gonzales said the technique could have been used on either side.
Gonzales said two people were taken into custody and several citations were issued for obstructing traffic.
"There was a lot of animosity between both sides and we had to do something," Gonzales said.
Haynal said she was not aware of sirens used to disperse protesters.
But, "We had to keep them out of the street," she said.
Staff writer Duane W. Gang contributed to this report.
Reach Kimberly Trone at (951) 368-9456 or ktrone@pe.com
Online at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_protest30.8f9daa1.html
Several hundreds of pro- and anti-Bush demonstrators duel verbally near Bush speech
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. It's a familiar scene: several hundred protesters near the site of one of President Bush's speeches. Across the street, in equal numbers: a pro-Bush crowd showing their support for the president.The setting this time was Rancho Cucamonga, California, 45 miles east of Los Angeles, where Bush spoke at a senior center.
In baking heat, separated by a wide boulevard and some police officers, protesters denounced the war in Iraq, while their pro-Bush counterparts chanted "U-S-A, U-S-A."
Retired teacher Jack Monroe says the country lost its focus by going into Iraq rather than finding Osama bin Laden and his terrorist cells.
On the other side, Doug Cogan, who's son-in-law is in the Navy, said if you truly support the troops, you also must support their mission.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Darn, I didn't know about this; I don't live far away!
Article Last Updated: 8/29/2005 05:58 PM President leaves Inland Empire David Schwartz, Staff Writer
LA Daily NewsONTARIO - President Bush flew out of the airport here this afternoon, ending a 3 1/2 hour trip to the Inland Empire to pitch his prescription drug plan. He received a warm welcome from the invitation-only audience at the James L. Brulte Senior Center in Rancho Cucamonga, though anti-war protesters waved signs and shouted outside.
They were outmatched, though, by pro-Bush supporters also demonstrating outside...
I like Bitdrvr better :-) Welcome to FR.
I have taken the liberty of SHRINKING a few of my favorites slightly, so they fit on the page better:
GRAET photgraphs, Blurblogger!D'oh!
Make that:
GREAT photgraphs, Blurblogger!
Who WAS that masked man?
That car
by Fredric L. Rice Monday, Aug. 29, 2005 at 6:00 AM
frice@skeptictank.org
That car in red, white, and blue had a public address system built into it with a speaker mounded somewhere in the engine.
The guy inside was screaming into a microphone mounted inside the car things about hundreds of millions of infidels and who knows what all crazy shit in a bizarrely broken, fractured Christian Crazy kook spew.
It was entertaining!
The guy drove around and around the block so that he could pass the anti-war / anti-Bush / anti-fascism rally and each time the crowd seemed to _lean_ forward to try to pick out what the kook rant was going to be this time around. I listened and couldn't make it out verey well... something about millions of people being killed by something.
The car? <groan> A cherry Cobra, absolutely nothing wrong with it on the outside, and not smoking or shaking apart. The car deserves a lot better than to be driven around by someone who could conceivably benefit from some professional mental assistance...
Putting up with unwashed hippies three weeks old is not just FReeping. That's above and beyond the call! You should start carrying cans of Right Guard with you, just in case one happens to brush by ...
Great pictures, and once again, evidence that conservatives are higher on the food chain. But then again, judging from some of these folks, ferns are too ...
bump
Thanks for the ping!
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Gee, Seana, I wonder who is responsible for dividing us? By the way, where was the Border Patrol. Their crowd could have been cut in half.
Great photos. Great turn-out. Super crowd. Must do again. in January.
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