Posted on 02/01/2002 6:52:32 AM PST by RikaStrom
Nothing over here either, Cook!
I guess it's up to Syncro and Gabz . . .
I didn't think anything could beat the Inauguration trip, but this was a great one, too. It was so much fun getting to know other FReepers and to hear so many outstanding speakers. We wish you had been there.
Here is the pic of you keeping Teale out of the mud at the Inauguration. ;-)
The booth was done so well and I know a lot of work and thought went into making it so interesting for attendees. Many people came in and looked at every action pic.
Angelwood's buttons had to be the highlight of the show for many people. A lot of people stopped by and said they had been trying to find the buttons they had seen others wearing.
I didn't attend as many of the speeches as I planned to attend because I ended up hanging out at the booth and taking pics. After I formatted them, RikaStrom put them on her server and posted. We made a great team and I look forward to working with her again.
Condy Rice was as dynamic as everyone said she was. What a presence she has, and yet she seemed so down-to-earth and approachable. Katherine Harris talked about what Florida has done to ensure that we never have another election in which FL can be used to confuse and litigate an election, and described what must be done in all states to make sure that the people are able to elect a president of their choice and not be subject to the fraud we witnessed in the last election.
I was really impressed when a black gentleman stood up for the Q&A and thanked Mrs. Harris for not being intimidated by Jackson and Sharpton when they came to Florida to upset the black voters. He said that Jackson and Sharpton say they speak for all black Americans but they don't speak for "this man." A short time after that, I saw him in the FReeper booth looking at our pictures and materials. I thanked him for saying that and invited him to subscribe to Free Republic. He told me he had read it before and did plan to become a FReeper. When he joins, I am sure he will make a huge contribution. I have his permission to put him into the FReeper Photo Album already, so as soon as I have time to format all the pics I took, he will be one of us in the album.
When Sean Hannity was on, I tried to find a seat, but people were standing out in the hall. Finally, I found a space on the stage at the back where the TV camera's had been set up the day before. When Sean was introduced, many people went up the center aisle to take pics, so I went with them and ended up sitting on the floor with a bunch of college-age kids who weren't worried about knee-strain.
Later that day when Ann Coulter and David Horowitz were to talk, I told Dan from Michigan to follow me and we went up the center aisle and sat about 15' away from the podium, sitting on the floor. I got many great pics of Ann and David, but we only posted one for each. I will post one more for TLBShow, because I captured Ann in motion. Because I had the camera on zoom and she was moving across the stage pretty fast, the pic isn't framed well, but I hope all the young FReeper men enjoy this one. I think Dan enjoyed being that close. (Stick with me kid, and I'll show you how it's done!) ;-)
Although Ann Coulter had to have given the best speech I heard in terms of nailing the issues while illustrating them with sarcasm and wit, the message that David Horowitz gave was very powerful. He basically told us that conservatives were too nice. The lefties are at war with us and will use any means to achieve their goals. This is war, and he called us to action. As a college student in the late 60's when David was a self-described Marxist, I recognized the kind of person that he was back then and know without a doubt that while I have gone about my laid-back conservative ways, the Marxists of my generation have risen to positions of power and are currently doiing everything they can to destroy our country. He urged us to fight back.
It was an intense 3 days, but highlighted by the comeraderie we FReepers enjoyed. I don't think any other booth had as many fans and attendees. This is a great venue for getting the FR message out, and a great place to connect with other FReepers. I highly recommend putting it on your calendar for next year.
(I tried to ping Chairman_19_December_Society, but I just couldn't get the name right.)
Kristinn won one of the Washington Times ads signed by all the house managers, and a girl from Virginia won the other. Pattye has it and will get it to her... I just hope she realizes what a treasure she has! Thanks so much for donating them, Angelwood.
To the rest of ya: It was an honor to meet you & great to spend so much time with you all. Thank you for your help... it couldn't have been done with out you. Y'all are awesome.
One of my favorite moments was at the NRA reception, watching Dan from Michigan and Wayne LaPierre discuss the issue closest to them...
I met so many people, picked up so much literature, have scads of people to keep in contact with about various things that I really don't know where to start. Yes, I do - Lurker No More - all of your hard work made this a very special event - Thank you friend. There are others that I want to thank and they know why, Thank you everyone. I hope that everyone made it home safely
To Katie who handled the booth, Skeet who ran around getting our brochures hot off the press, Tim and IJ who tirelessly broadcast and interviewed NON STOP (and who I sneak feed during the banquets while they worked), and to IT, Bob J, Nick Danger who were always "on" during our zillions of meetings, OPH for our fabulous legal meetings and three ways with Reagan Girl. And to A Navy Vet for being willing to be my right hand man for all things Member/Chapter related.
I especially would like to thank REAGAN GIRL, who officially walks on water, as far as I am concerned. Everyone attending CPAC and everyone enjoying the CPAC threads, ought to get down and kiss her feet for the hard work that she did to make FR a MAJOR PRESENCE at CPAC.
I salute all of you.
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