Crawford Texas CounterFReep Report

[DrewsDad]

The false peaceniks descended on Crawford Texas to protest President Bush's warnings to Saddam and Iraq. There were roughly 150 protesters gathered in the parking lot of the Crawford Community Center(football stadium) when we showed up. We arrived a bit late thanks to taking the scenic route through Waco and were directed by law enforcement officers arround a series of roadblocks. After indicating that we were peaceful protestors instead of "hecklers", we were directed to a parking area.

We decided to scout out the area first and promptly found the Iraqi sympathizers. Someone in the group noticed a lone woman carrying an America Flag on the other side of a tree line behind some barricades. We approached this brave soul and found Txrangerette holding down the place set aside for the "hecklers".(Apparently, she didn't know the peaceful protestor password)

While we were debating rather or not to drive around to the "heckler" area, Blastus returned to the car, grabbed his sign and started toward the protestor crowd. I think Gracey was being interviewed by the Waco Tribune and others started heading back to their cars to join Txrangerette. Since I rode with Blastus who wasn't moving his car, I grabbed my sign and wandered back to the protestors. Needless to say, a few of them noticed our signs and started swarming around us asking questions. We informed them that we were peaceful protestors exercising our first amendment rights and enganged them in further conversation. For the most part they were courteous but extrememly mislead.

After a bit of discussion, we noticed that the rest of our FRiends had gathered on the other side of the fence in the "heckler zone". On the way back to the car, we saw that Gracey was defying the zoning restrictions a bit and had come a bit closer to the fence. We drove back out to the roadblock and around through a camping area and joined the others in the "heckler zone".

We scouted the area a little bit and were about to join the others behind the barricades when a local Sheriff car pulls up and threatens to "haul us in" if we don't stay in the right area. So we made it to the right place where PetroniDE and Jobshopper were making their presence known. PetroniDE had brought his megaphone and since we were confined to the "heckler zone", we decided to start heckling. Waco-k and her husband joined us and we had a great time in the "heckler zone".

Here is a picture of all our signs and another one of my New Democratic Party Planks sign.

After numerous shouts of "You're helping out the oil companies by driving your cars", "Where's your electric cars", and other chants, we took a group photo and headed back to town.

By that time TheSarce had arrived and we joined her in the coffee shop. President Bush(ok, just a cardboard cutout) was there and joined in the fun.

Overall, a good time was had by all(or at least me) and we gave numerous interviews and let the peaceniks know they won't go unchallenged.

[Texasforever]

As the old saying goes, one Texas Ranger for one mob. Ya'll did great.

[TXBubba]

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2002/08/25/1030315553.24670.9391.3104.html

Link to the Waco Tribune article. Wow, a paper that presents both sides of a story without editorializing, how unlike the Austin UnAmerican MisStatesman!

[Blastus]

Some of the 'peace protesters' were wearing clothing advocating anarchy. What do they want Anarchy or peace?

[Gracey]

Thanks DrewsDad for a fine article and pictures. You all did a fine job depicting our day in the city of the Western White House and Cafe.

And thank you Txrangerette, for when we had our doubts about going, YOU were the one who wrote back and stated "because the Leftists are invading Crawford, we
need to FReep them. See ya!" Well, that did it, and a few of us thought that if you would be willing to drive all the way from Abilene, we surely could come from Austin and Houston.

Several of our FReepers backed out because of the heat but mostly because with President Bush out of town...and the press out of town with him... some thought there was no purpose. So thank you Txrangerette and PetroniDE for making the extra long trip.

DrewsDad, I was interviewed by the "The Daily Texan," the University of Texas rag. I suppose, Professor Jensen, the resident Communist, made sure their protest made the UT newsstands. Was told the article and interview would be in Monday's edition.

Hey, hope we can have another FReep in Crawford, when the press is present, and perhaps the weather is less than 3 digits.

[Gracey]

TheSarce took some good shots of us in the cafe, hugging the cardboard President. Hope she can post them.

[Humidston]

Thanks for the email, Gracey. I've been looking all day for a report and this one is fantastic!

You guys showed 'em a fine TX "welcome" and I sure wish I could've been there with you all.

(Hi, Petroni!! Thanks for representing Houston and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!)

[Humidston]

Hey there, Cutie!

Do me a favor??

STAY OUT OF THE HEAT AND GET STRONG!!!!
(We need you for the long haul.)

[Gracey]

Hi Gracey!

Thanks Jim. We were a small group but we did good, Jim.

TxRangerette makes a great freeper. She knows how to yell and shout with the proper retort.

[Gracey]

We miss you and your grand style of FReepin, Humidston.

Petroni did a fine job representing the Houston gang. :-)

Maybe we can have an organized FReep of Houston, Austin, DFW folk at the President Bush Library one of these days. What you think gal?

[Jim Robinson]

This honery honorary Texan says y'all done good. Yeehah! Go Texas!

[Gracey]

That "Thank You President Bush" sign was also held during an entire morning of rain being poured on it. It makes my day to see it had another day of life.

LOL, Alissa. I remember you were going to throw that sign away after our San Antonio freep.. the day JimRob and his wheelchair were drenched, right before 911 ... but.. it was such a FINE sign. I took it home, dried it out and have used it more than once. It's a perfect sign for the anti-war anti-Bush crowd for it's so clearly visible. Thanks Alissa, and hope you enjoyed DC.

[Gracey]

You got it right the first time, Jim. Honery is more appropriate!!! :-)

[Gracey]

Isn't the Coffee Station with the cardboard cutouts and pictures a hoot?

Yes, it's a hoot. Love all the Bush mementos on their wall and the friendliness of the town folk.

Did you eat there? The food is darned good for cafe food!

Yes. And you're right...the food is very good. We had hamburgers, fried jalapenos, and an assortment of other items off the menu...and the price was cheap. There's a Western White House gift shop a few doors away that sells unique items.

[Gracey]

Glad you enjoyed the report. Checked your homepage. You're a pretty FReeper... Keep it up.

[Gracey]

Did you find that savvy teenager to post the "gruesome" photos of our native self mutilators? Waiting... :-)

[waco-k]

We loved being part of the counter-protest and meeting more Freepers. Lord willin' and the creeks don't rise we'll be tickled to participate in any other event around here. I'll even make a big sign that can be read from a distance!!! Wish everybody could've stayed in Waco for Salsaritaville; Pat Green and Willie were awesome! DrewsDad, the pictures are terrific!

[waco-k]

Sorry you all couldn't make it. Hope we can meet at the next one!

[waco-k]

So sorry to find out you've had health problems. Wish we could've met you. Next time......

[txrangerette]

Gracey, thanks so much for all your
kind words. And yet, always remember
how you pushed it & held it together!
Superglue, that's YOU.

[txrangerette]

PetroniDE, without YOUR megaphone our
voices would not have been HEARD! But
the newspaper story called it by a
much more crude name--a BULL HORN! LOL