Posted on 02/22/2003 6:19:57 PM PST by Prov1322
RALLY FOR AMERICA DRAWS 2000 PLUS
American flags snapped in the wind and vocal praise for President Bush filled the air at Orlando's Lake Eola as thousands of Floridians rallied in support of U.S. troops preparing for a possible war against Iraq. About 2,000 people turned out in Orlando to hear songs and speeches, including the Gettysburg Address. Anger against last week's protests, which drew hundreds of thousands worldwide, was apparent in the speakers' words and attendees' signs. Echoing a slogan from the 1960s, one placard read: "America — Love It or Leave It." Another target was France, which has stood in the way of a U.N. resolution authorizing force against Iraq. "Use your emergency duct tape to gag (French President) Jacques Chirac," said one sign. Standing out in the sea of red, white and blue at the Orlando rally was the Israeli flag carried by Jason Hoffman. The 33-year-old Internet consultant noted that Israel air force planes, one flown by future Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981. The raid received harsh criticism from the global community. "What Israel did 22 years ago has made it much safer world now," Hoffman said, "and our troops are not facing a nuclear-armed Saddam." The Orlando event was put on by Newsradio 540 WFLA. "There's a silent majority out there that really hasn't had a vehicle yet to get their voices heard, and that's what this is all about," radio host Shannon Burke said. "These are people who love their country, and they're just here to share that."
Agreed! The only peacenik I saw was a supposed reporter for the Orlando Weekly. I say "supposed" because while she didn't show any credentials when she was interviewing people.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-rally022303,0,440200.story?coll=orl%2Dhome%2Dheadlines
Rallies support military action
The Associated Press
February 22, 2003
American flags snapped in the wind and vocal praise for President Bush filled the air Saturday as thousands of Floridians rallied in support of U.S. troops preparing for a possible war against Iraq.
About 2,000 people turned out in Orlando to hear songs and speeches, including the Gettysburg Address, while another 1,000 prayed and marched in Pensacola. The day's events began in Miami with the Tribute to the Military 5K Run.
In Pensacola, Navy Warrant Officer David Wolff, a veteran of Desert Storm, arrived in full uniform with his wife. He believed the event would give soldiers readying for war a needed boost, much like the yellow ribbons he received from Americans during the Persian Gulf War.
"I was so saddened to see so many in our nation not supporting our troop and our country during (last Sunday's) anti-war protests. It was really upsetting," Wolff said. "This is great. This is very uplifting."
Anger against last week's protests, which drew hundreds of thousands worldwide, was apparent in the speakers' words and attendees' signs. Echoing a slogan from the 1960s, one placard read: "America — Love It or Leave It."
"The anti-war protesters last weekend are aiding and abetting Saddam (Hussein, Iraq's president)," said Sherri Tabb, a 37-year-old homemaker from Osteen. "Saddam has gotten emboldened, he is not cooperating. War is the only solution."
But not all participants advocated war.
"I'm here because I love America," said Vince Chandler, a 59-year-old banker and Air Force veteran. "I support the president, the troops. If the world shows determination against (Hussein's regime), they will leave; I prefer not to go in."
Another target was France, which has stood in the way of a U.N. resolution authorizing force against Iraq. "Use your emergency duct tape to gag (French President) Jacques Chirac," said one sign.
Standing out in the sea of red, white and blue at the Orlando rally was the Israeli flag carried by Jason Hoffman. The 33-year-old Internet consultant noted that Israel air force planes, one flown by future Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981. The raid received harsh criticism from the global community.
"What Israel did 22 years ago has made it much safer world now," Hoffman said, "and our troops are not facing a nuclear-armed Saddam."
The Pensacola rally was a grass-roots effort coordinated by Milton resident Sam Mullins, while the Orlando event was put on by the talk-radio station WFLA-AM.
"There's a silent majority out there that really hasn't had a vehicle yet to get their voices heard, and that's what this is all about," radio host Shannon Burke said. "These are people who love their country, and they're just here to share that."
Retired Air Force Col. George "Bud" Day, one of the nation's most decorated veterans who now is a Fort Walton Beach attorney, received loud applause when he told Pensacola rallygoers: "Terrorists thought they could bring war on us, intimidate us and cow us. When we show them American power they'll take off like a bunch of scared rats.
"(Terrorists) want to die, but they don't want to die with somebody shooting them in the face."
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