After Action Report: Pro Solomon Amendment Rally at U.S. Supreme Court

Trooprally | Dec. 12,2005 | [Mr] Trooprally

[trooprally]

Tuesday, Dec. 6,2005, U.S. Supreme Court

[If you cannot view pictures in thread, I posted album link. The pictures are in no particular order, so look numer in "DC2005xx.jpg" pic name for order. Still a newbie in posting pics in a thread.]

We, [Mr & Mrs] trooprally (We share the 'trooprally' screen name) arrived at the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. about 11:50 AM.ready to counter protest the noon time anti Solomon Amendment/antiwar protesters.

We were greeted by about 50 Media people with cameras all set up. Boy I thought to myself, this is going to be BIG. and Looking around we could not make out any battle lines, or any one except media people. At noon two college looking 'kids' (Hey, were over 50, everyone looks like a kid!) came up to us and asked if we were there to counter protest. I guess the give away was the Marine Corps cap I was wearing. Finally, contact!! (The pass word was 'lefties suck'). In talking to them, we found out that one was a FReeper and they were George Washington College Republicans. They expected support from Protest Warriors and the Leadership Institute.

At 12:10 or so, still no battle line had formed, but this was from lack of people on both sides. And the media started to pack up! I asked a cameraman what was up. He said that everyone had already talked about 11:30. Now I was really confused. Did we miss something? Only later did I learn that he was talking about the talking heads who listened to the Solomon Amendment arguments. The total time that the Justices heard arguments was about an hour.

But something that we missed in the massive media crowd were the 3 protesters that had showed up. They were mumbling "What do we do now Moe??" At about 12:30, with the media now down to 10 or so, the now "Not-So-Manificant-Seven" protesters started to hold up their signs at the bottom of the steps. So we got to work. The four of us split forces and flanked them, making it hard for the media to take pictures without showing us. The media even took some pictures of our signs. The black/white foam board signs were from the Friday night Walter Reed FReeps and the colored "Vote Yes For The Solomon Amendment" were made the night before. We had more signs at the ready in the bag that I was carrying.

Soon, both groups grew. The protesters numbered about 27 from several organizations, of which 5 were 'guest' Our group numbered 15, FReepers included [Mr & Mrs] Trooprally and Christopher Lincoln, GW College Republicans, the Leadership Institute, Protest Warriors and one walk by (Lady with microphone) who joined us part way through out counter rally.

The protesters set up a sound system and started spouting their lies. And they were vicious lies. The military is worst than the Nazis, the military uses an 'economic draft' (as if the poor are stupid and can only go to college by joining the service) to recruit people, phosphorous is the 'new' chemical weapon that the U.S. is using, the military massacred Iraqis at Falluja, our troops are the terrorists.

And the speakers were very vindictive in their passion. They talked like Hitler to the Brown Shirts. These kids are the real ones that need to be watched. They are real anarchists. Code Pinkers are pussy cats compared to these people.

But our group did fluster them in their efforts. We surrounded them for a while and interrupted their speeches when they lied with the truth. and our guy with back to camera Part of our group showed our signs to passerbys and the cars and received a lot of thumbs up and honks. We even had a bull horn and occasionally drowned out their sound system. We sang several songs, the Marine Corps Hymn and The Star Spangled Banner was my best. Towards the end of our rally, we said the Pledge of Allegiance at the Supreme Court's flag.

More pics:

We also got several people of our group interested in FR. One student who just moved to the area said that she'll be at our Friday Walter Reed rallies.

For the D.C. FReepers, LLLLuuuke was there on his bike and so was Malachy Kilbride, the person who accosted tgslTakoma. Both seemed to leave soon after they recognized us, especially Kilbride. He did a double take when he recognized [Mrs] Trooprally, who was trying to take his picture, and bugged out soon afterwards.

I learned two lessons from this rally. WE NEED TO INTERACT WITH OTHER GROUPS THAT SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. There is strength in numbers. No one group can organize a quick counter rally. But if all of the like minded groups send even a few people, we look stronger.

The second lesson is that we can't let the left have a protest without someone countering them. The general public needs to know that we are out there. Otherwise the public will withdrawal their visible support of our troops and our president. I'm glad to read about FReepers countering the antiwar demonstrations from the right coast to the left coast.

The pictures were taken by [Mrs] Trooprally. Don't worry about her not being in any pictures. Her interview during the Sept. 24/25 anti Cindy She-Shrew rally in D.C. was on TV by the local FOX news , and her pic was on Tony Snow's web site during She-Shrew's October die-in in D.C.

[BillF]

Corrected link to bmw's Christmas Party photos.

[BillF]

See photos at my link in #21 above.

You were all missed. Hope that you can attend the next DC Chapter social occasion.

[trooprally]

Great pictures bmw. Ya know, I walk past the flag on the porch several times a day and have taken it for granted. But after looking at it thru the lens of a camera, it looks GREAT! [Mrs] Trooprally agrees. Hopefully we won't take it for granted any more.

I'm glad you also gave yourself the nickel tour.

[ScreamingFist]

BTTT! Nice job FRiend.

[Doctor Raoul]

Great job. You did a number of the left wing wackos.

[Doctor Raoul]

DAWN = YAWN. They can't make quorum anymore.

[tgslTakoma]

Ping!

[vharlow]

Great job! Glad you guys were there making the effort.

[Apple Blossom]

Great report and fantastic effort! You're right, when different groups band together, our impact is much stronger than with a few FReepers, a few college Republicans, etc.

Hopefully we can also keep each other informed about what's going on in different areas like campuses or street corners in front of hospitals.

[Landry Fan]

where was the she-shrew?

[cf_river_rat]

bump for CP AAR and Christmas party pics!!

[DLfromthedesert]

The late great Congressman from upstate New York, Jerry Solomon, a former marine and a patriot was the author of the amendment.

One of his more memorable moments was when he scolded the punk Patrick Kennedy about gun rights on the House floor.

[bmwcyle]

The DC Chapter a nice group that just doesn't throw money. They get out and also do something.

[trooprally]

I believe She-Shrew was in new bork. She was probably on in the billing to get more people and the press there. Didn't work very well.

[trooprally]

Thanks for the history, didn't know that. You said "he punk Patrick Kennedy", did you mean the 'puke' P.K.

[cf_river_rat]

The DC Chapter a nice group that just doesn't throw money. They get out and also do something.

LOL! was that post meant for me? Are you trying to say you'd be nicer if you did throw money? you know I "get out and also do something" too! I'm FReepin PETA in front of KFC in Fayetteville tomorrow. I'll ping you to the AAR!

[bmwcyle]

No not at all. It was meant for the people who do it. You are not one of them.

[Milhous]

Good work. :) Thanks for your effort.