Posted on 05/02/2007 4:31:34 PM PDT by kristinn
Edited on 05/02/2007 4:34:44 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Mary Lou Greenberg gripped a slotted serving spoon and took out her frustrations over the Iraq war on a cast-iron skillet.
The makeshift percussion instrument delivered a piercing rhythm to lead the chant by protestors Tuesday evening outside the White House in Washington.
Another woman tooted to the beat on a whistle, while Greenberg and about 10 other people chanted: 'Impeach Bush for war crimes - stop the war now.'
They gathered, Greenberg said, in anticipation of US President George Bush's veto of legislation that would have forced him to start withdrawing US troops from Iraq by October. Inside the White House, Bush did address cameras to announce that he had rejected the measure.
'Pots and pans have been used by people around the world to protest things when people are dissatisfied with the government,' said Greenberg, wearing a hat with a rainbow-coloured pin and a black T-shirt with photos of Bush on a wanted poster.
'We were not satisfied with that legislation (to force an eventual withdrawal), ... but we're protesting the veto because it indicates that Bush is not willing to consider pulling the troops out. We're saying the troops must be pulled out now. That's our deadline.'
More than four years into a war that has lost popular support, the scene outside the White House underlined the lack of resonance of the protest movement, even after the issue helped the centre-left opposition Democrats take control of Congress in last year's elections.
Sunny Chapman's grey and white rabbit, Bugsy, sat placidly on a purple leash and twitched his nose outside the wrought-iron White House gates. Chapman called him their anti-war mascot and a 'bunny against Bush'.
A few metres from the anti-war group, a handful of counter-demonstrators waved US flags, held placards and ridiculed their rivals across the granite sidewalk. Kristinn Taylor lit a yellow cigarillo and contrasted Tuesday's rally with the massive Vietnam War-era protest movement.
'If I were Bush, I'd be looking out my window going, 'Oh, no! This is just what Nixon faced in Vietnam,'' he jeered at the chanting group. 'There must be six or seven of you.'
Taylor said he and the counter-demonstrators with him were members of the Washington chapter of Free Republic, a controversial right-wing Internet forum.
'We figured there'd be a few anti-American leftists,' said Taylor. 'We figured we'd come out and root for the home team in the war on terror.'
A woman in a red blazer tapped his arm as she walked past and said, 'Thank you guys for being here.'
Chomping a cigar, another counter-demonstrator shouted at the anti-war group in a mocking, whiny tone: 'Freedom is too hard. Stop the war now.'
BufordP, Mr. Trooprally, tgslTakoma and myself held flags and a couple quickly made signs and stood a few feet away from the moonbats and cheered for the home team.
One sign said: "Patriots Want Victory in Iraq" and the other one said "DemocRAT=Treason". Yes, we were questioning their patriotism.
The moonbats were trying to hand out WCW propaganda fliers to passersby with not many takers. On the other hand, we had a lot of people stopping to thank us for being there to support America.
We were assembled by the Monica Gate and were seen by the White House reporters who left by that gate after President Bush's speech. The Washington Post's Dana Milbank gave us a quick wave and a smile as he headed back to file his Washington Sketch report. NBC News's Kelly O' Donnell hung back with Human Events' John Gizzi. A moonbat went over to speak with them. I'm sure they were impressed.
The only reporter to interview us was the German DPA reporter of this article. He got our quotes and the scene right.
Ping with the fringe on top.
Illegal aliens are not controversial but a discussion group of average citizens (Free Republic) is?
Nice “prop”, kristinn. But I still don’t understand what would make FR “controversial. We are much more civilized than you-know-who.
Bump!!
Those crazy Freepers! Always stirring up controversy by doing things like supporting our troops!
Well, at least they didn’t describe us as a blog.....
;-)
***Taylor said he and the counter-demonstrators with him were members of the Washington chapter of Free Republic, a controversial right-wing Internet forum. ****
GASP! If I’d have known this I never would have signed up!;-)
Sarc off/
Controversial, white wing...and he SMOKES CIGARS. OMG.
LOL
(Thank you all for being there)
.
Yeah, what the hell is so controversial about patriotic Americans?
Great job by you and the rest, Kristinn!
We carry US flags, support our troops and their mission and we love our country.
Sadly nowadays, that is controversial as he!!
Did it seem to you that Bugsy the “Bunny against Bush” was acting under duress? A free rabbit would have bolted at the sound of all the pot banging. It’s one thing for the Leftie Loonies to aggravate normal people, but to do this to a poor bunny? Soulless ghouls...can you get the Vietnam Vets to rescue Bugsy? Maybe sneak up from behind and cut the purple leash while you and the other D.C FReepers distract them with your cigars and witty banter? It’s a thought!
Code Pink is controversial. CAIR is controversial. The National Council of La Raza is controversial. We have families and day jobs and just want the rest of them to butt the hell out of our lives. But in the eyes of the Leftist media, we're the fringe group.
Controversial? I guess being God fearing, pro Americans is controversial.
Thanks to all of you for your time and effort!
Thank you for your tireless efforts for success.
Why do I have a picture in my mind of who that was...?
;-)
Bump for productive activity!
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