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!

[wickedsmaht]

Just wanted to give a big shout-out to you and all the true Americans I met this weekend at the convention.

I always wondered why my Dad (streetsmart) would make sure I setup each of his computers with freerepublic.com as the home page. After meeting you all this weekend and being a part of our march on DC (my first real contribution to our cause as an in-person activist), it is now *MY* default homepage!

I’m ‘wickedsmaht’ now ... a name recommended by a freeper I met while at the convention this weekend w/my parents.

THANK YOU!!!!

Todd Smart (aka son-of-streetsmart aka wickedsmaht)

[MinuteGal]

Any reports from FR conventioneers incoming?

Leni

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Welcome to FR (officially)! It was great meeting you and your parents and all the other great FReepers I got to know this weekend.

It was an incredible event, and really inspiring to be surrounded by so many great patriots.