Free Republic's National Convention Pre-Live Thread and Updates (Updates: 137, 138, 139, 151 & 292)

DC Convention Organizing Committee ^ | August 7, 2009 | Brytani

[Brytani]

Welcome to FR's DC National Convention Pre-Live Thread &Update

After months of planning, FR's DC Convention is coming together.

Help make history, join in Free Republic's return to DC as a national group and help to herald in another wave of conservative activism Free Republic is famous for!

On behalf of Jim Robinson and the DC Convention Planning Committee, we are pleased the announce very special guests who will be attending our convention:

Andrew Wilkow Host of Sirius/XM Wilkow Majority

“Reagan is good for business” was Andrew’s introduction to politics. “I was real little, but that’s what my dad used to say.” Andrew Wilkow began his radio career at the college radio station. Conservative leaning politics were always his heart and he expressed his views on the air regularly, much to the anger of his co-workers. “I was basically just anti-P.C. at first.” He broke out of music radio in 2002 when he was given a trial/fill-in slot for Mark Levin on his hometown station, WABC in NYC. “That was huge and that’s when I first met Sean Hannity.” Soon after that he earned a weekend slot then a full time job at an upstate station. I basically did a 300 mile roundtrip every weekend for over 3 years to do both shows. Wilkow’s move to SIRIUS brings his new sound of conservative talk radio to a national audience. To quote Andrew, “Now is the time for the new school of conservative voices with a whole new style and passion – moving to SIRIUS lets me take that style and passion nationwide."

Lieutenant Colonel Allen West (US Army, Retired) was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia and is third of four generations of military servicemen in his family. His parents instilled in him a very basic principle, love of God and Country. In 2004, when it was time to retire from more than twenty years of service in the US Army, he brought his wife and two young daughters to Broward County, Florida, where he taught high school for one year. He then returned to Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan army, an assignment he finished in November 2007.

Allen West received his Bachelors degree from University of Tennessee and Masters degree from Kansas State University, both in political science. He also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations.

"Education is the great equalizer," he says. "With a good education, any child in America can live his dream."

Allen West knows that for our children to live their dreams, they need to be safe. He has served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division, and in Afghanistan, where he trained Afghan officers to take on the responsibility of securing their own country.

In his Army career, Col. West has been honored many times, including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. He received his valor award as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm, was the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993, and was a Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps Assault School. He proudly wears the Army Master parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Navy/Marine Corps parachutist insignia, Italian parachutist wings, and German proficiency badge (Bronze award).

Allen is an avid distance runner, a PADI Master certified SCUBA diver, motorcyclist, and attends Community Christian Church in Tamarac Florida.

Excellence is a West family tradition. His wife, Angela, holds an MBA and PhD. and works as a financial planner. His oldest daughter, Aubrey, attends Archbishop McCarthy HS and his youngest daughter, Austen, attends Parkway Christian School.

Steve Malzberg has fast become one of America’s most recognizable faces and voices on the political talk scene. He has been recognized by Talkers Magazine as one of the nation’s, “Top 100 Talk Show Hosts” several times.

His quick wit, passion and biting analysis of the days events have earned him a huge and loyal following throughout the nation. Steve is among the most sought after “Talking Heads” regularly appearing on the Fox News Channel and CNN. Steve has also filled in for Joe Scarborough and Monica Crowley on MSNBC, and was a regular contributor on the Phil Donahue Show.

Steve has been a guest host on stations around the country sitting in for Bill Bennett and Mike Gallagher on the Salem Radio Network, and John Gibson and others on Fox Radio. He’s also been heard on WMAL in Washington DC, KLIF in Dallas, WBT in Charlotte and WGST in Atlanta among other stations around the nation. The Steve Malzberg Show is heard nationally via the WOR Radio Network.

Steve is perhaps best known for his ability to snag the top newsmakers of the moment for interviews, and using his warm engaging personality to get his guests to open up. He has won several A.I.R. Awards (Achievement In Radio) for “Best Interview” in both the news and sports areas.

Steve’s ability to bring that same passion from behind the microphone to live audiences has made him a successful and sought after speaker. He has been honored by many groups including the NYC PBA, who selected him as their 2004 Man Of The Year. Other honors have come from The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, The NY State Shields, United Cuban-American Organizations, The Chinese-American Society, Retired Detectives of the Police Department of the city of New York, Detectives Crime Clinic of NY-NJ, American Legion of Little Neck, NY, The Department of Veterans Affairs; and Steve received the Distinguished American Award from the Bergen County NJ Chapter of the National Football and College Hall of Fame.

Legenday Entertainer and Comedian Will Be Hosting A Special Introduction Video Specially Filmed for Free Republic. Jackie is now doing weekly video commentary for World Net Daily, the largest, independent online newspaper. www.jackiemason.com

Proud Black Conservative Entertainer/Speaker "American Tea Party Anthem", Lloyd is joining our own Jim Rob on the Tea Party Express and has graciously offered to perform for Free Republic. http://www.lloydmarcus.com/

Lisa Mei Norton, Patriotic Singer and Songwriter and Freeper. Lisa will also be performing for Free Republic. http://www.myspace.com/lisameinorton

Special Mention

John Manning of Alexandria, Va winner of World Net Daily's Top Tea Party Speech. John will be presenting his winning speech Defenders of Liberty.

Get your Free Republic Convention tickets here!

Reserve your room at the Sheraton National here!

[HonestConservative]

Wish there were Malzberg T shirts and West T Shirts and Andrew Wilcow T shirts and ....

[JustAmy]

If I order caps, do you think they will get here by Saturday? I want to order 3.

Can we have them shipped to the hotel?

[seekthetruth]

I know, but we Freepers have the best going for us because we will have those guys with us at the convention!

I can't wait to meet them in person!

And you too! See you in DC! :)

[seekthetruth]

Perhaps you would get them in time since Gene lives closer to you. Ask him when you go to the site and order. He perhaps can do a faster shipping than regular mail too.

Here is the link again for great Freeper Stuff!
http://www.0cents.com./

[SuziQ]

I ordered Freeper ball caps for SirKit and me on Friday. I figured it will be 9 business days, so we'd probably get them before we leave here on the 10th. And they were on sale, too! I'm gonna dig out as much red, white and blue clothing as I can find, too; some jeans, blue slacks, red shirts, white tanks, etc.

Our daughter, Clare, and I went shopping last night and I found the cutest purple snakeskin clutch to use for the Freeper banquet!! Now, for the shoes...;o)

[HonestConservative]

I KNOW!

[HonestConservative]

I shall attempt to plug the thing tonight on BTR.

[cyn]

NICE. I LOVE the El Che "communism killed 100 million" t-shirt. Where can I get one? It is a fact that cannot be allowed to be ignored, dang it.

[seekthetruth]

We found out today that the hotel will allow us to refill the rooms that were canceled by freepers due to sudden illness or family illness which is keeping them from coming to DC.

If you still want a room at the Sheraton, please freepmail me and send me your first and last name and phone number. I must contact the hotel person in charge of out group rooms and give her your name and phone number. The hotel person will then contact you so you can book the room that was canceled by another freeper. Thanks! Jean

[JustAmy]

Pinging everyone to post #289.

A few rooms are available at the discounted rate at the Sheraton.

The Tea Party Express seems to be drawing great crowds. Looking forward to seeing a huge crowd in DC.

See you next week.

[seekthetruth]

FREEPERS, PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU ARE A VETERAN!

If you are a Veteran and are coming to DC for 9/12, please let me know by FREEPMAIL. Thanks so much! Jean

[seekthetruth]

Freepers, Just Amy is right. We found out today that the Sheraton will allow us to “refill” the rooms that were canceled by freepers due to illness or family illness that is keeping them from coming to DC. Since they were rooms that were already booked at our group rate, the hotel will allow us to refill those rooms.

If you want to book a room at the Sheraton, please Freepmail me and give me your first/last name and your phone number. I must get in touch with the hotel person in charge of our FR group rate rooms and have her contact you to fill the canceled rooms.

There are very few so it will be on first come first serve basis. Contact me through FReepmail if you want to book one of the available rooms. Thanks! Jean

[blackbart.223]

"See you next week."

I wish I could be there but it is not possible. I will be there in spirit

[JustAmy]

Thanks, BlackBart.223.

Hope you can make the next one. Watch for us on Fox. :)

[DollyCali]

still hoping to get there. Everything in my life is last minute due to things with mom. Will the hotel permit dogs w/fee? Are we all going to Friday night Walter Reed?

I need to read thread, I KNOW.. I didn’t digest a great deal of things because is was all so maybe. It is looking better for me to be there at this point.

[DollyCali]

good rates on rooms so close in is wonderful

[seekthetruth]

“still hoping to get there. Everything in my life is last minute due to things with mom. Will the hotel permit dogs w/fee? Are we all going to Friday night Walter Reed?”

Hi CollyCali, I will jump in and answer your questions. The Sheraton is pet friendly and pets are allowed. You just need to mention you are bringing your pet when you register.

Also please read my post #292. We have just a few rooms left to refill from canceled rooms. Try to make your decision as soon as possible or you will have to book at a different hotel as our group rate deadline is past. They are just allowing us to refill the canceled rooms due to illness. Thanks!

Hope to see you in DC! Jean

[seekthetruth]

“good rates on rooms so close in is wonderful”

Yes we did get a great group rate considering all that is included in putting on a very large banquet and weekend events!

The visit to Walter Reed, Friday evening vigil with food, Saturday morning buffet breakfast, and wonderful banquet Saturday evening! Plus transportation to the Metro provided by the Sheraton and banquet rooms and set up essentials all worked into the ticket price of $175.

If one adds up costs for meals alone in DC you realize our Convention is a great deal when you have meals and such wonderful speakers and entertainment at each event to boot!

The Sheraton will be the place to be from 9/11-9/13! And to be with Freepers from across the US is the most fun ever!

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN DC! Jean

[SuziQ]

To us, one of the best things about the Sheraton is the free shuttle to the Metro for guests. It runs all day starting at 5:30 am, and it takes folks to the Pentagon City Metro station. Makes it a lot easier to get around DC and outlying areas!

I ordered SmarTrip cards, fromt he Metro system, for SirKit and me, since we're going to be there from Thurs. to Monday. That way, we can use the Metro and Metrobus without having to deal with change, etc. I got it loaded with $25 in trips for each of us, because we're using the Metro to get from BWI on Thursday, and that total trip is about $5 for each of us. We can hop on the shuttle, get into DC, and do our sightseeing in reasonable chunks, without feeling like we have to stay in town ALL day, each time we go.

Metro Cards can also be purchased at the stations, and they're so convenient to use! When our daughter and I went to Tokyo to visit friends, I bought a cardholder on a lanyard, and put the Metro card in it, so I'd have it available at all times, and didn't have to reach into my purse each time I needed it. That was particularly useful since I used a purse that converted to a backpack, and would have had to take it off each time I needed to reach for the card.

[ncfool]

Go to priceline and book a 3 or 4 star room for about $50. to $75. Most hotels are close to the Metro line so you have good access.