Operation Infinite FReep: Report from the front lines - Pieceniks in Grand Rapids

My Eyes | 1-29-03 | Myself

[Dan from Michigan]

I'm actually a waverer on this war with Iraq(Although I don't like Pieceniks, and I HATE their backers). I'm not a pro-war person unless there is a damn good reason. Mike Rogers was one of the few that laid out a good case for me in his speech at the convention. Bush I know hinted at AlQueida(sp) being tied to Iraq. I also have a friend who was a cop. He's from NY and has a lot of NYPD friends. There's something there.

If there is a tie between Bin Laden and Iraq, then I back this.

[Dan from Michigan]

ping

[FourPeas]

Thanks for the report. I'd contemplated going down but with two small children, it probably wasn't the right place to be.

Do you happen to remember the name of the Congregational church? I have family in the area who are associated with that denomination and the info might come in handy.

FP

[Dan from Michigan]

UC I think, although I'm not sure. Someone mentioned where it was. (68? 86th st - something like that) Supposedly, there are a ton of anti-war signs on their lawn. I don't know, I'm not from the area.

If I was a parent, I would not bring small kids there. Lots of colorful language(I'd watch mine with small kids around(I'm bad but not THAT bad), but others wouldn't), bullying, and stuff like that going on.

[APBaer]

When you see "*Pieceniks* in Grand Rapids" 
You had better check into a:

before you wear a
"No Jackasses" pin on your coat"

[RepublicanHippy]

I can ad a little to what Dan from Michigan has told you. There were around 500 anti-war protestors, according to a local news station. A total of 10 people were arrested for trying to incite a riot, etc. and for trying to overturn a truck with someone sitting in it. I watched as one guy was thrown to the ground by police about 20 feet from me. Freepersup is a real trooper. He stayed up all night making signs then driving 360 miles to join us.
Photogirl (a new poster on FR) took photos today and will probably be posting them sometime tonight.

[Flyer]

One was a guy with a "US Flag" and a "peace" symbol where the stars are

I have noticed a new theme from the left - "It's our flag, too"

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Support Your Houston FReeper Chapter!

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[Indy Pendance]

Piecenik is a better word, since their protests tend to be anything but peaceful.

Good report Dan. Thanks for being there.

[RepublicanHippy]

Hey Dan, it was nice to meet you in person. Sorry I left without saying goodbye. Next time we need to have some Free Republic signs so we can get the word out.

[concentric circles]

Thanks for all your efforts. I don't think there are many pro-war people here or anywhere else. There are, however, countless legions who believe that liberty and self-government are ideals in need of champions; that those who cherish peace deserve protection from those who love tyrany; and that those who would lay waste to your home and parade in the blood of your children must be met and must be stopped.

Watch Colin Powell. He won't convince everyone but he will convince those who can still have an original thought and who have seen that there are barbarians abroad in this world.

[steveegg]

Great description of the loonies (they literally want the Islamists to have a piece of this, a piece of that). IMHO, they're ALL interconnected over there.

[Rebelbase]

Did you see any SUV signs?

[CharacterCounts]

drove down and saw the Burger King on Michigan Street. I didn't see anyone there except the pieceniks.

You didn't happen to run into Mr. Ritter trolling for teens, did you?

[eleni121]

Well, I am 100% behind my President. Period. It's unfortunate that Grand Rapids which I have always thought was a bastion against left wing loonies had to suffer through these idiots. Thanks for the report.

[BlueOneGolf]

Check out this Nov. 11 2001 article from Great Britain:

http://www.observer.co.uk/focus/story/0,6903,591439,00.html

It describes how Iraq sponsored terrorist training camps and taught them how to hijack airliners with boxcutters in a Boeing aircraft fuselage on the ground in one of these camps! Yeah it's an older article but it is compelling.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Thanks, Dan, for being there to give the pieceniks a piece of your mind!!!!!!! Excellent FReeping effort and thanks for this report! Glad to hear about the two brave FR souls who drove all the way to Grand Rapids from Central Illinois!!!

[Dan from Michigan]

That was an intentional spelling since they didn't want peace.

[tgslTakoma]

Good for you, Dan; especially because you are a waverer, as you called it. Most important thing for us is to get out in the streets and counter the communist-led money machine that is feeding the "anti-war" effort in the US - at the same time we voice our strong support for the troops who are on the line ready to assure we continue to have the right to assemble as we do now.

I'm sure there is proof, and very good reason to go get Saddam Hussein - and believe that if the proof is made public that we would lose our intelligence sources on the ground who are supplying it (either they'll get caught and killed, or they will have to be pulled out for safety).

I'm trusting my government on this one, this time. I don't think I could have said this if Algore was our prez, tho. I Know I couldn't have used the word "trust" while Clinton was in the White House. I guess we'll see for sure in a few weeks.

We'll miss seeing you at CPAC this year. I'll be splitting my time between SAS and doing DC Chapter stuff. Take care, Dan.

[exnavy]

Thanks for the report. I couldn't make the rally myself, maybe next time.

[rintense]

Nah. GR used to be pretty conservative. It's growth has caused a lot more grief, hence, more liberals. That's why I moved to the Lakeshore. ;)

Dan, thanks for your very detail report. Once again, the peaceniks prove all words and no thought or subtance.