Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tens of Thousands Rally in D.C. for Troop Withdrawal
Washington Post ^ | January 27, 2007 | By Michael E. Ruane

Posted on 01/27/2007 1:27:10 PM PST by Jim Robinson

Edited on 01/27/2007 2:17:21 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

Tens of thousands of demonstrators from across the country converged on the Mall in Washington today to urge the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq as President Bush is proposing to send more troops in an effort to stabilize the country.

The enthusiastic crowd was generally good natured and orderly, waving hundreds of colorful placards and chanting slogans such as "Not another day, not another dollar" and "This is what democracy looks like."

~~snip~~

Across the street, however, was a counter-protest, staged by the Washington chapter of the conservative organization FreeRepublic.com. Those protesters, who organizers said feared that the antiwar march would hurt the U.S. anti-terror efforts, yelled and sported signs, such as one that read, "Go to hell traitors. You dishonor our dead on hallowed ground."

At least one veteran from the Iraq war tried to bridge the divide between the groups. Cpl. Joshua Sparling, 25, from Port Huron, Mich., who lost his right leg below the knee in an 2005 explosion in Ramadi, spoke to both groups.

Near the end of the CodePink rally, Sparling, a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital who used crutches to walk, went to the microphone and told the protesters that they are entitled to the right to demonstrate and must fight for what they believe in. But he reminded them that the situation is dire for many Iraqis and U.S. troops there believe that they are fighting to help provide a better option for the people of Iraq. He was rewarded with general applause, although a few feint boos could be heard.

When he finished, he walked across the street and spoke with the FreeRepublic group also.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: antiwarprotest; cpljoshuasparling; dcchapter; freerepublic; hanoijane; janefonda; joshuasparling; moonbats; refugeesfromthe60s
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180181-193 next last
To: NormsRevenge

"We are important, we are important!"

161 posted on 01/28/2007 10:38:04 AM PST by Yaelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Weak turn-out.


162 posted on 01/28/2007 10:38:41 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

163 posted on 01/28/2007 10:45:07 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freema

We finally found it, lol!


164 posted on 01/28/2007 11:27:21 AM PST by potlatch (Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer in it?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: YourAdHere
perhaps the TRAITOR-*ITCH is COLLECTING them!!! (ROTFL!)

if so, it means no MORE "LIB-puppies" from that bunch!

free dixie,sw

165 posted on 01/28/2007 12:37:49 PM PST by stand watie ("Resistance to tyrants is OBEDIENCE to God." - T. Jefferson, 1804)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 151 | View Replies]

To: Candor7

One thing that I noticed in the photos was the amount of space between individuals- lots of it. WHen you actually have a crowd as large as what the media claimed, they cram together and there is little personal space.


166 posted on 01/28/2007 12:55:28 PM PST by Muzzle_em (A proud warrior of the Pajamahadeen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: Yaelle
Why I've never been able to view Sean Penn as a serious actor, much less commentator:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFkjKBj_m9M

167 posted on 01/28/2007 1:24:10 PM PST by lqclamar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 161 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

My idea for Protest Warriors' sign -

AMERICA SUCKS!
COMMUNISM RULES!


168 posted on 01/28/2007 2:09:36 PM PST by Humidston
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Congressman Billybob; kristinn
the Post article is dishonest once again. Not one word is said about the politics of Code Pink and the "Justice" people.

Yeah, and it could have made for such a warm and fuzzy human interest angle too: Stalinist and Maoists coming together. Just makes you tingly all over.

169 posted on 01/28/2007 2:42:33 PM PST by Stultis (I don't worry about the war turning into "Vietnam" in Iraq; I worry about it doing so in Congress.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

Tens of Thousands of Cowards. Led by, oh I appoligized for my trip to Hanoi, Hanoi Jane Vietcong Fonda. I suppose someday she will apologize for this also. Simebag bi*#h.


170 posted on 01/28/2007 2:46:35 PM PST by RetiredArmy (Marxis-Dimocrats stand for everything I hate and wish to see destroyed, including them!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #171 Removed by Moderator

To: bannie

Can anyone tell me why she was never tried as a traitor? This woman has enjoyed the best America has to offer--raised in comfort,celebrity, and riches, this woman was responsible for the beating deaths of prisoners who tried to slip her notes when she visited with their communist captors--this according to several statements of vets who were there.

Right on the numbers--looks like a so-so crowd, not tens of thousands.

I am ashamed of the Americans who keep sending Kucinich to Congress. Just what district is he from, the little creep?

vaudine


172 posted on 01/28/2007 3:00:36 PM PST by vaudine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
This is what democracy looks like.

Yeah...ok!!

These nitwits don't even know that we are a REPUBLIC!!

173 posted on 01/28/2007 3:09:58 PM PST by PISANO
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
In light of all of this anti-war stuff going on by Hollywood's USEFULL IDIOTS, I just had to watch "Team America: World Police" again.

To my astonishment, the lampoon that was portrayed back then has actually become a real life portrayal of these characters today!!

If the reprocussions of their actions were not so serious, this would actually be humorous. But sadly the consequences of their actions could lead to the success of enemies against America.

174 posted on 01/28/2007 3:26:37 PM PST by R_Kangel ("Please insert witty tag-line here")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

Whatwe're seeing here are the people who'd vote for a tree-branch if it ran for office as a democrat!


175 posted on 01/28/2007 4:23:24 PM PST by GVNR (Don't end the President's tax cut, just INCREASE tax rates for people who voted Democrat!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: vaudine

NE Ohio. Home of the 0-hour work week and 7-day weekend. He keeps winning because he funnels millions in welfare benefits. Senior citizens love him, even though its their SS they are losing their benefits as a result.


176 posted on 01/28/2007 5:10:51 PM PST by cleveland gop (Curtis Manning, welcome to CTU heaven!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 172 | View Replies]

To: freema

Free, whatever happened to Tonk? Last I heard he was refusing all care, visits by his family, etc. Hope all is well with him.


177 posted on 01/28/2007 5:12:55 PM PST by The Right Stuff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: Muzzle_em
One thing that I noticed in the photos was the amount of space between individuals- lots of it. WHen you actually have a crowd as large as what the media claimed, they cram together and there is little personal space.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I noticed that, but I tought maybe they were all afraid they were going to get felt up or something,now your observation brings home the truth.

I would love to just take some pictures of their stage managers : " OK Spread Out everybody, and cover as much space as you can,and..... Hey You, You, over there in the Red Republican sweat shirt, get out of there..."

What a bunch of dorks.

178 posted on 01/28/2007 5:17:00 PM PST by Candor7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 166 | View Replies]

To: R_Kangel
To my astonishment, the lampoon that was portrayed back then has actually become a real life portrayal of these characters today!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Fancy that. I watched it a year ago, and like you have seen it several times over the last month, just to watch the portrayal of the terrorists.

I now conclude that Team America is a patriotic movie, once you get past the black humor. Its a classic.Almost prescient. Does that mean that Michael Moore will blow himself up? LOL.

179 posted on 01/28/2007 5:20:29 PM PST by Candor7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 174 | View Replies]

To: freema
"Cpl. Joshua Sparling." Hey. I remember sending this soldier a long letter some time back.
At any rate. It sure looks like the festering sores that the anti-war movements started during NAM have returned.
No matter how things may change to the good in Iraq they will grow in numbers. Mind controlled robots full of emotions with little knowledge. Always the best sort to use for ones cause.
180 posted on 01/28/2007 5:58:06 PM PST by Marine_Uncle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180181-193 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson