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Walter Reed, Week 25: FREEPIN' JUST FREEPIN' IN THE RAIN... (Join Us Oct. 14!)
DC Chapter, Free Republic | October 13, 2005 | by Albion Wilde, with photos by TgslTakoma

Posted on 10/13/2005 5:32:17 PM PDT by Albion Wilde

Edited on 10/26/2005 9:50:47 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

WASHINGTON, DC 10/7/05— Neither rain nor dark of night nor suffocating humidity nor high winds nor slippery mud beneath their feet shall stay these FReepers from their appointed rounds. Not the umbrella of the FReeper next to you ducking under your umbrella to dump a heavy stream on your shoulders, nor your FoamCore signboards turning to mush and curling over, nor your fingers turning red and blue from the sign paint wetly streaking.

As long as Code Pink and their "hate-America" hangers-on hold their anti-war blood dance at the gates of at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Friday nights, the DC Chapter of FreeRepublic.com will be there, on the other side of Georgia Avenue, to support the troops – and their mission.

A handful of Pinkos show up on the southwest corner in pouring rain. Pinko total for the evening: 10.


Freepers AllRightAlltheTime, BMWcyle and Gadsdenman in the downpour, letting passing cars know who's who on Georgia Avenue. FreeRepublic total for the evening: 20, plus two visiting enlisted personnel.


A variety of leftist antagonists have no shame in supporting Code Pink's phony "vigils" at Walter Reed – aimed at trying to demoralize the wounded and their families.

Kevin McCarron (striped shirt), who used to hold the "Maimed for a Lie" sign, is still "infiltrating" Code Pink. Here, he believes that aborting the mission will "protect military families." What about Iraqi families? We thought socialists were all about global solidarity. Squeegee Guy on right. Crazy Backpack Guy (second from left) carping about Tom DeLay. Yeah, their "vigil" isn't political!




Code Pink Is All Wet

Even in these semi-tropical, driving winds dumping barrels of rain on the Northeastern states (storms so severe that ten people died from Maine to North Carolina), FReepers outnumbered the Pinko die-hards two to one. As usual, some our most dedicated counterprotesters, like Gadsdenman, Justanobody and ConcreteBob, struggled four hours or more through the downpour on wet roads and crazed traffic from to get there from great distances.

Who's that FReeper? It's Just A. Nobody.

The rain, driven sideways into our faces by high-velocity winds, clattered relentlessly on car hoods and drainpipes. Standing there with our signs while a mini-typhoon whooshed and splashed from the fenders of passing trucks was like standing in an automatic car wash, only without the soap.

Veteran JackDeth knows this gale-force rain is piddling – compared to boot camp.

Our Man in Washington observes that the Pinkos' wet "vigil" evening is going by in a blur.

Hoodlum91 gives Pinkos the cold, wet shoulder.


It rained so loud, you could hardly hear yourself think. A three-hour FReep is typically lively with sarcasm-spirited chants aimed at the Pinkos and chat about current events on our side of the street; but this evening, the atmosphere was louder than a rock concert. Cars and trucks peeling through sheets of water inches deep on Georgia Avenue meant we had to shout even to bicker among ourselves about the Harriet Miers nomination.

Any way you slice it, we got soaked.

BufordP, in weather that was bad to the bone, directs attention to bone-deep issues.

On the other hand, the Pinkos' cloying Sunday school songbook (Kum-ba-ya; This Little Light of Mine; and yes, that white yuppie standard, We Shall Overcome) was also mercifully silenced. It was so wet, an acoustic guitar would have warped to match their warped, hypocritical "bring the troops home now" philosophy – which when tried in Vietnam resulted in the deaths of millions whom the U.S. abandoned due to John Kerry and Jane Fonda's PR war on the homefront.

Pinko logic: Squeegee Guy (left) still ran out into the street tonight, wanting to wash passing cars' windshields even in the rain – and give the vintage 60s Vee-sign. Pinko (right) advertises a list of the socialist antagonists behind this shameful demonstration exploiting the wounded.


No. This time, veterans and loyal citizens will not be silent. The president said the War on Terror would take a long time, well before Congress approved the funding, and we have not forgotten that, nor the former administration's benign neglect of Al Qaeda's outrageous strikes in the decade leading up to 9/11.

"Bill from Maryland" didn't let a little rain dampen his steady presence.

If you need any further proof that Code Pink is mired in old-60s secular worship of communist dictatorships, this week they announced their gala holiday tour of Castro's Cuba, gleefully flauting the State Department order for Americans not to visit communist Cuba that was instituted under President John F. Kennedy. To the leftists, lacking an eternal God, every day is the first day of the rest of your life, and it's the first day of history, too; so they blame the tourism embargo on – you guessed it – George W. Bush. Deconstructionist (i.e. "Democrat") philosophy is part and parcel of why leftist universities give credence – and funding – to 60s radical terrorists and bombers. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Will you join us this week from 6:30 to 9:30 at Georgian Avenue and Elder Sts NW?


PleaDeal, Hoodlum91 and Landry Fan demonstrate superior FReeper womanpower."

We want the United States to stay the course, finish the mission, and continue to uphold our word in Iraq.


Outpatient soldiers Oscar and Dustin, center, visited the FReepers. Andi of Andi's World military blog on right.

This week, two young enlisted men from the 10th Mountain Division recovering in Walter Reed outpatient facilities from IED wounds came over to talk with us. Now that Code Pink has started waving "Up Veteran Benefits" signs to try to disguise their antagonism towards military solutions to the decades-old problem of Al Qaeda attacks on Americans worldwide, we often wonder if passersby will recognize which side truly supports the troops; but these guys had no problem singling out the Free Republic side of the street. Here's a stunning testimony from FReeper and veteran ConcreteBob, who spent time talking with these two young soldiers:

[W]ith the rain pouring down, talking softly about what they had been through, hearing them say several times, "I just want to get back to my unit"; it was a humbling experience... 22 years old, and these young men were professional soldiers, WARRIORS in the truest definition of the word....The one thing Oscar stressed while we were talking is this: The Iraqi people want us to stay until all the foreign nationals who are disrupting the process are killed or captured or rendered ineffective. They are overjoyed our military removed Hussien. Oscar said he'd never heard the words "Thank You", "Thank America", and "Thank President Bush" more than in Iraq. ...everywhere they went, the Iraqi people would run up and offer thanks, food if they had it, and always, always were very grateful.... Dustin also said the agitators on the other side of the street "have no idea how the people inside feel about what Code Pink is doing to the morale of the families who have to pass through that gate on Friday evenings, visiting loved ones."

"...and these two young warriors kept thanking us," ConcreteBob's post continued. "They kept saying how much they appreciated us being on that corner. I didn't know what to say.'You're welcome' seemed a bit lame... They were adamant about the effect our presence on that corner every Friday night has on the morale of the wounded, and the staff at Walter Reed."

Andi, military blogger of Andi's World, echoed the "cluelessness" theme about the Left. "I had one of [the left supporters] email me recently," she said, "taking the attitude that people who do not have a loved one on the ground in Iraq have no right to support the mission." A military wife herself, she rejected this claim. "It would be like saying if you are attacked, but you have no relative who is a policeman, you can't call 911. Or you can't call a fire alarm unless you have someone in the fire department."

FReepers tell it like it is, even though it's too rainy for our usual three-sheet, 60-pound Mother of All Banners. How much more would the MOAB have weighed sopping wet?

FReepers captured the Pinko corner after their usual (early) quittin' time. To enlarge the picture, click here.

Our honor roll for the evening, in no particular order: Mr. and Mrs. TroopRally, Fraxinus, Our Man in Washington, Gadsdenman, Justanobody, JackDeth, BMWcyle and daughter, ConcreteBob, Landry Fan, TgslTakoma, PleaDeal, BufordP, Hoodlum91, lurker Joan, Andi, lurker Bill from Maryland, AllRightAlltheTime and Albion Wilde.




It's a Wet, Wet, Wet, Wet FReep

To sum up: It was wet. It was loud. It was painful, for those of us with barometric arthritis. Some of us were cranky. Our feet, hair and clothes were drenched, and our shoes, unless we dragged them through one of the many puddles lying in wait, were muddy. Many of our hand-made signs got wrecked. And it was dangerous. Driving home in the foggy, nerve-wracking downpour, I had to pull over three times to allow screaming emergency vehicles right-of-way to rescue motorists who had hydroplaned off the treacherous roads. One SUV had flipped completely onto its roof on a soft shoulder of I-95; I could only pray for the driver.

Still, it was a helluva FReep, without denying that we took a soaking. But muddy feet were nothing compared to what our volunteer troops undergo every day.

Ringing ears were nothing compared to artillery and explosives taking out little Iraqi children or your comrades in front of your face at any moment.

Soggy clothing was nothing compared to lugging body armor, a helmet, boots, a huge backpack and serious weaponry day after day in the 118-degree heat of Afghanistan and Iraq.

At the end of the day, facing off against the hate-America diehards, even in a drowning rain, was the least we could do.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com





Additional links:

Join CODEPINK for New Year’s in Cuba, December 27-January 2, 2006

Code Pink claims that "infiltrators" are responsible for their ghoulish anti-war signs: Anti-War Group Suspects it May be Victim of "Infiltrators"

Marc Morano's video report, showing Kevin McCarron at the Code Pink "vigil"

"Infiltrator" Kevin McCarron holds "Maimed for a Lie" sign June 17 Read the Free Republic thread documenting Kevin McCarron holding the sign; scroll down to 7th picture.

"Infiltrator" Bruce Wolf, weekly Walter Reed correspondent for Code Pink, holds the "Maimed for a Lie" sign on June 29 Here's the thread-- 6th picture, click to enlarge.

Last Week's FReep, Oct. 7, Week 24: HUG-SEEKING VETERANS REBUFFED BY CODE PINK

VFW Speaks Out Against Anti-War Protests at Walter Reed Army Hospital (Code Pink Is Pure Evil)

VIDEO: Code Pink Moonbats Assault Filmmaker at Walter Reed Hospital September 29, 2005


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Cuba; Free Republic; News/Current Events; US: Delaware; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: New Jersey; US: Pennsylvania; US: Virginia; US: West Virginia
KEYWORDS: aar; antiwar; antiwarprotest; codepink; codepinkdc; dcchapter; maimedforalie; protest; supportourtroops; walterreed
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To: Landry Fan; tgslTakoma

If either of you think of it bring Saran wrap and glue sticks for waterproofing signs.

Thx!

cc: Landry Fan; tgslTakoma


101 posted on 10/14/2005 4:22:11 AM PDT by BufordP (Excluding the WOT, I haven't trusted W since he coined the term "compassionate conservative")
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To: BufordP; tgslTakoma

I've already got the glue sticks packed. Will try to pick up some saran wrap this afternoon.


102 posted on 10/14/2005 4:30:48 AM PDT by Landry Fan (Proud Supporter of the President and the US Military.)
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To: All

Please be there tonight. The wounded soldier [injured by suicide bomber] I talked to who arrived at WR two Fridays ago saw us cheering for him as he arrived at the hospital. He said it made him feel good.

Be there, bump the thread, ping people... Anything you can do. Pinkos have no shame and aren't hesitating to exploit and degrade our heroes.


103 posted on 10/14/2005 5:17:49 AM PDT by Landry Fan (Proud Supporter of the President and the US Military.)
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To: Albion Wilde

Oh, we will! I guarantee it!


104 posted on 10/14/2005 5:24:26 AM PDT by Taxman (So that the beautiful pressure does not diminish!)
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To: Albion Wilde

Oh Gosh, I thought about you guys last Friday when I was warm and cozy at home with my kids and still wanted to be there!

You are the real deal!

Hopefully I will see you all in 3 weeks.


105 posted on 10/14/2005 7:03:44 AM PDT by Cathy
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To: Spanaway Lori
With all the rain, weren't the pinkos melting?

And we thought they just didn't show up! Maybe you're right, the witches HAD been there, but... they melted!


106 posted on 10/14/2005 8:06:01 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: bluesagewoman
FReeping in the Rain...what a glorious feeling!


107 posted on 10/14/2005 8:10:22 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Albion Wilde
I look forward to your reports every week--I've counter protested Women in Black with Protest Warrior and know how good it feels when a Soldier/Sailor/Marine/Airmen thanks you for being out there, holding the line against the hateful left.

From a repentent ex-liberal, thank you for doing these actions. If I ever get to DC, I will join you.

108 posted on 10/14/2005 8:10:33 AM PDT by ariamne (Proud shieldmaiden of the infidel--never forget, never forgive 9/11)
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To: concretebob; WVNan; King Prout; Lady Jag; ALlRightAllTheTime
NEXT TIME WE USE WATERPROOF INK.

Fabulous Osama sign, all of you!

109 posted on 10/14/2005 8:12:54 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Apple Blossom

Ping to post #94!


110 posted on 10/14/2005 8:17:52 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Nam Vet
God bless all you DC de-Coders!!! The pics and the descriptions reminded me of a cool scene from the movie Renaissance Man where one of the soldiers on a field mission is standing in the pouring rain shouting Shakespeare's famous St. Crispin's Day speech. That movie is one of my son's favorites (he is now 7 days away from graduating from Warrant Officer training at Ft. Rucker), and reading about this DC Freep gives me the same feeling of AWESOME as does watching that movie scene.

NV--where do you live in OR? I am in the southern part of the state, much less liberal but still Oregon! I love the physical climate--but the political climate, esp. in the Portland area, stinks!!

DC is a LONNGG way from here--but I can at least fantasize about going there and joining in a Freep. I remember how badly my beloved 1John wanted to go to DC for the first Freep--I still have his size XXXL T-shirt of the "How Would He Vote" ad the was published for that Freep.

So--on the behalf of my 1John and number 1 son Jon--and myself--I salute you DC Freepers and all those who know, and some all too well--that freedom is not free!

111 posted on 10/14/2005 8:21:44 AM PDT by milagro
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To: trooprally
We have 4 extra signs that we'll bring. It's short notice but I can make up several more - let me know what you want said on them - space is limited so no bloviating!! - but you alls sayings are soooo "colorful".

FReepers -- limited time opportunity! Whose signs were ruined last week by the rain?

112 posted on 10/14/2005 8:22:53 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Jimmy Valentine's brother

Thanks for the Thomas Paine quote. When the Blue States secede, do you think we can start teaching the real American history again?


113 posted on 10/14/2005 8:24:37 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Landry Fan
Please be there tonight. The wounded soldier [injured by suicide bomber] I talked to who arrived at WR two Fridays ago saw us cheering for him as he arrived at the hospital. He said it made him feel good.

Great comment, Landry Fan! This is why we do what we do!

114 posted on 10/14/2005 8:29:08 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Cathy
Hopefully I will see you all in 3 weeks.

Will be great to see you again! In the meantime, pray that it won't be necessary because the lefties will have LEFT!!

Whatever is the case, we will still support the troops!

115 posted on 10/14/2005 8:31:42 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: ariamne
If I ever get to DC, I will join you.

You'd be welcome, unless of course we can convince them that their little melodrama is doing them more harmful publicity than good, and they TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE! Contrary to their recent whine on the Code Pink web site, we have no issue with their free speech rights -- it's what our troops have fought for!

But things that are free are often very, very CHEAP! No Amendment guarantees the right to have GHOULISH BAD TASTE and IMMATURE BEHAVIOR lauded and appreciated.

116 posted on 10/14/2005 8:36:50 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: milagro

Thanks, Milagro! We honor you, 1John and your son!


117 posted on 10/14/2005 8:38:46 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Judge not, unless ye be a God-fearing originalist)
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To: Landry Fan; GodBlessUSA

Bump


118 posted on 10/14/2005 9:01:28 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Proud member of the Water Bucket Brigade - It's all about MOOSEMUSS)
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To: trooprally

Thank you for doing that.


119 posted on 10/14/2005 9:04:16 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Proud member of the Water Bucket Brigade - It's all about MOOSEMUSS)
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To: Albion Wilde
Sneaky, isn't he?


120 posted on 10/14/2005 9:08:06 AM PDT by Lady Jag (I dreamed I surfed all day in my monthly donor wonder bra [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate])
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