Peaceniks Subdued in NYC

10/7/01

[LisaFab]

Forgive me if someone else has posted this info. I've not yet seen another after-action report on this afternoon's FReep of 'peace' protestors in Union Square park.

We had a small but dedicated group of about 75 FReepers & walk-ups counter-protesting the "Give Peace A Chance" group occupying Union Square park.

I arrived about 2:00 PM and the reception we received from passersby was electric! Horns were honking and we were given the 'thumbs up' sign by 2/3 of those who drove by.

Many took photos and I would like to think that our demonstration was the reason that the peaceniks moved their 'festivities' down the street about 4 blocks.

We could barely hear their inane and monotonous droning as we drowned them out with chants of: "Hey Osama, it's time we bombed ya!" Little did we know at the time that bombs were indeed dropping in Afghanistan.

The indomitable RaceBannon closed the FReep with a hearty 'three cheers' for the NYPD, which was well received by all.

All in all a great day for America.

[undergroundwarrior]

This jerk kept showing up (across the street). We kept yelling "Take off your mask!!", but he did not have the guts to show his face. Was he one of your buddies????

[ELS]

C-Span had a feed from the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Channel)

I saw that. They aired some interviews with FReepers (RaceBannon and LibrtyBelle) and had some good footage of the FReep line.

[KLT]

We really shut those anarchist socialists up....They needed a good arse booting, and in our own FR way we gave it to them....Where's the rest of the pix? Waiting for them to be posted....We were Hot!!!!!!

[raygun]

What crap is it that we don't know about being a U.S. citizen? Enlighten us unenlightened ones, oh wise one.

I've got a question concerning your upstanding citizenship. Are you flying the flag today?

Oh, and you say you remember 'Nam. Hmmmmm. Do you remember antidisestablishmentarianism?

[abner]

antidisestablishmentarianism

I lost a spelling bee in 5th grade because I couldn't spell that word. This is the second time I've heard it.

[LisaFab]

Hey Dave! Glad to see you made it here. Your courage and commitment contributed to the good spirits of all yesterday. Many thanks for escorting us around your tremendous city after the rally.

Our first official notification of the counter-attacks were viewed on the tickertape scroll above Times Square. Inspiring!

Welcome again ManhattanPatriot...you have much to contribute here.

[Cultural Jihad]

Hi, Manhattan Patriot. Glad you found us. Yesterday was my third freep and the best time I've had at one so far. I don't go to these things under any illusion that we'll ever outnumber the other side--they're a little too good at calling up numbers of people with nothing better to do. I go because I've noticed that many passersby are actually RELIEVED to see us--they get a look on their face that says "Wow, there ARE sane people here after all, maybe the world has not gone completely crazy."

I spent too many years in this town being "polite" in response to far-left rudeness (that's how I was raised, to be "polite" to jackasses in social situations), but no more. I don't worry about offending them anymore. They SHOULD be offended on a regular basis. And reminded that they really are on the fringe.

Thanks for posting, hellina. How's your watercolors doing?

[Cultural Jihad]

Spoke too soon. I see some of your latest on your profile page. Outstanding!

[hellinahandcart]

I knew how to spell "antidisestablishmentarianism" and a whole slew of other words in the fourth grade. There I was, in the final round of the district spelling bee. I was so prepared. Then I was slapped with a word I had never heard before. "Quisling". My fourth-grade mind could only reason that it had to be spelled with a Z, since we had quizzes nearly every day.

I still cringe every time I hear that word.

[Darth Dan]

I remember Nam. When they shot those college kids at Kent State, the whole country seemed to turn on a dime. You play with fire with the stuff. There are a lot of Americans who don't put up with tough guy stuff in the streets, and a few busted heads with blood in the news will play all over the country. Wise up.

The were ignored until they started getting beat up. There's a concept called martyrdom that is quite effective, but it can't happen without both the martyr and the martyree.

Martyrdom...Maybe you should "wise up".

[Mark17]

Where are you from, incidentally? Your profile is blank.

I suspect Cuba.

[KSCITYBOY]

So the Constitution and Bill of rights only apply to leftist sobs is that what you're trying to say.

[thingumbob]

Bravo! Excellent post. I have been reading the book Ronald Reagan: "In his Own Hand" which speaks about several of the points you mentioned in your response, especially the ones about Cambodia - he wrote a series of three on this subject.

I was especially moved by those since I have a sister-in-law who's father was the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand at the time of those death marches and almost all of her relatives died because of them. Her immediate family's lives were only spared because they were in Thailand.

I agree with you whole-heartedly that to do nothing we end up with something worse. Thank you for your well thought out response.

Freegards,

Thingumbob

[KSCITYBOY]

You are a fool. Now go back to your friends at bartcop and have a nice little circle jerk with the 8 percent of those who live in the US but hate it.

[Oschisms]

One can protest without violence. You guys seem to be fixated on "busted heads" and "blood."

Perhaps you should seek professional help. I hear yoga also does wonders to alleviate feelings of anger. Just a thought.

[lds23]

Race did a great interview with NTV (Japan). We were also filmed by Canadian TV news (CTV or CCT?), as well as a team from Austria. It looked to me like a lot of folks from the peacenik crowd were taking our pictures, too, including closeups. We just smiled and waved!

I'd estimate the peace crowd (via my binocular scan) at about 300-500. But this number may include bystanders (perhaps perambulating people pausing while passing through the park to peer at the peaceniks)

We sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic when we heard Kabul was being kaboomed, chanted "USA", sang "God Bless America" and of course "The Star Spangled Banner"

I'm a relative newbie, so I got to meet a heckuva nice bunch of Freepers.

Oh, one more thing. After the rally we retired for some refreshments, and by sheer coincidence the name of the place next door was the "Afghan Kebab House". Couldn't have made that up if I tried.

[Darth Dan]

Whoa, back off buddy. I'm not in the same league as LLpisant. I forgot to italicize LLpisant's quotes in the first two paragraphs of my post. I'm in the National Guard & will most likely be defending LLpisant's right to spout nonsense on FR.

[Darth Dan]

I remember Nam. When they shot those college kids at Kent State, the whole country seemed to turn on a dime. You play with fire with the stuff. There are a lot of Americans who don't put up with tough guy stuff in the streets, and a few busted heads with blood in the news will play all over the country. Wise up.

The were ignored until they started getting beat up. There's a concept called martyrdom that is quite effective, but it can't happen without both the martyr and the martyree.

Martyrdom...Maybe you should "wise up".

[Helix]

You're welcome, and thanks for the book idea. I haven't read that one yet.

[The Kitten]

Why thank you, Underground Warrior! That's me all right. And after reading about the butt-kicking President Musharif of Pakistan gave to all the Taleban-lovers in his administration last night, I am very happy I carried that sign in his honor. If you look real close you can see the name of Pakistan on the list of our Islamic allies. What a ballsy president they have in Pakistan! I feel very confident of victory with him on our side and I want them to know that they are appreciated.