"OPEN BORDERS"
Her sign is the usual list of leftist grievances against Bush, except for that one. Very puzzling.
Posted on 11/03/2005 9:17:36 AM PST by Prov3456
After reading about a planned "WorldCantWait" protest on November 2 in Springfield, Missouri, I decided I had to do something in response. Bogeyman and I drove there on Tuesday afternoon, first to find the location and then to determine where we might want to stand.
It was a good thing we went early: the Mapquest directions were wrong! I had to ask a woman leaving her office where Park Central Square was. Thankfully, she knew and gave me great directions. Thank you, whomever you are.
Wednesday morning we arrived at the square about 10:30 am, parked in Springfield's free downtown parking lot, and walked around the square. We knew someone from wcw was on the scene when we spotted a small car parked (legally) in a handicapped zone, with two bumper stickers on the back window: "We're creating terrorists faster than we can kill them." and "These colors don't run the world." After walking around the square, we waited in our car, listening to Rush, until just before the noon start-time. Bogeyman headed off to take photos of the wcw crowd, and I took our sign and flags and stood at our pre-determined location. Unfortunately, we didn't get full photos of their signs. I saw one that said, in part, Impeach Bush, Illegal War, Illegal Torture, Oil....
Our corner was opposite the square, at the intersection of the primary one-way street which entered the square. Before I could completely unfurl my American flag, I received the first thumbs-up and honk from a man in a passing pick-up truck. The honks, thumbs-up and words of thanks came so quickly and steadily that within 15 minutes I had already lost count. It was incredible! Bogeyman completed his photo-taking assignment and joined me within minutes.
About 12:15 we heard the commotion and saw a group of people across the square, in "parade" fashion. These "cheerleaders" paraded past the wcw pavillion and around the entire square. What an interesting group, to say the least. We never could decide if they were part of the wcw event or if they used it to express themselves. Either way, their presence and actions through the remainder of the protest overshadowed anything wcw tried to do.
After the first lap of the parade, a male reporter from the Springfield News-Leader took our picture, spoke with us for a few minutes, and went back to the square to cover the main protest. By then the paraders had encircled the solitary "torture victim" who was kneeling in the center of the square. As they took hands and circled him, they sang Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies, Fascist, Fascist, they all fall down. We nearly fell down laughing! After a few moments of that, the paraders dispersed around the square (though none ever joined the wcw group at the pavilion) and talked to anyone who would engage them in conversation. During the rest of the event, they made random parade laps: the largest group we counted had 30 participants.
While watching all of this, bogeyman and I were constantly interrupted by honks of support, thumbs-up, and passersby who stopped to talk. A couple who was in town on vacation spoke to us. As he drove by, one man yelled, "It's a fine representation of the opposition over there...." Several people who were outdoors on their lunch hour came by. One woman shook our hands and said," Thank you for coming out. I have to be at work, so ....," shook our hands again and returned to work. A man who identified himself as a Desert Storm vet shook our hands and said, "Thank you for being here and for your support." A Marine in his pick-up truck shouted "Thanks for the support" as he drove past. Another marine thanked us on behalf of himself and his entire family who is military. We thanked each military person for their service and remarked that it was only because of THEIR service that we (and wcw) could be doing what we were doing.
Not all reactions were positive. We also received several one-finger-salutes and a few other name-calling shouts. When an SUV carrying two female college students circling the square for the third time passed us with shouts of derision, I couldn't stop myself from shouting back, "All about oil? Get out and walk!" They left the square on the fourth lap, giving us the "salute" as they drove by.
Following the cheerleaders' last parade lap, a young lady stood across the street holding her sign, Spred the love for all to see. When Bogeyman yelled over to her that "spred" was misspelled, she responded, "You don't gotta be smart to love." Oh well.... Just then, a female reporter who had spent most of her time following the paraders around and talking to several of them came over to ask us questions. She was also with the Springfield News-Leader; she said the man took the photos and she wrote. (They both wrote; he was the only one with the camera.) We spoke briefly. She said the report would probably appear in Wednesday morning's [today's] issue of the News-Leader. Bogeyman and I both have enough experience with the press to know that whatever we said may or may not appear correctly, or at all, in printed form. By the time that interview ended, the festivities across the street had fizzled out so bogeyman and I left the scene.
We had a great time. I was glad to be there in support of the President, the troops, and American freedom. It is really ironic that the protesters do not understand that the people and groups whom they oppose are the very ones who secure and maintain the very freedom that allows them to protest in the first place. May God continue to bless and protect this nation and all who serve to defend it.
I remember you being there! I was the one who honked and gave you a thumbs up.
Remember? :-)
It is real surprising when you consider Missouri State has a well known theater department. There "protesters" looked like the theater major freaks I knew about in college.
Really great job and awesome report.
You all make us proud!
Great job! Thank you for being there for our President, our troops and our country!!
Thanks for taking time to confront these maggots. I didn't know they were planning an event - I don't read the News Leader so I miss some of the local news. I suspect these people are connected to the Peace Network of the Ozarks whose website has links to A.N.S.W.E.R and the usual assortment of Communist/terrorist organizations. According to their calendar, they are planning a "peace demonstration" on November 12 in downtown Joplin.
Those were the days.... ; > )
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.