After Action Report - Rally For America - The Woodlands, TX (Sat 15 March 2003)

15 March 2003 | PetroniDE

[PetroniDE]

Another beautiful Saturday afternoon in Texas and another chance to participate in a "Rally for America". This event took place at Northshore Park in The Woodlands, TX, just north of Houston.

This rally was organized and sponsored by cardiologist Dr. K. P. Reddy of The Woodlands. He is a native of India who legally immigrated to the United States and today proudly calls himself and his family U.S. citizens. Kudos to him and his family who put this rally together.

The crowd estimates from police and those in attendance range between 1500 and 2000. The crowd began arriving around 10:30 for the 1:00 rally and as usual, Freepers from the Houston area were in attendance. Their signage included the familiar "We Support Our Troops" banner, Texas Terrorist Hunting Permit sign, and President Bush dressed as Uncle Sam rolling up his sleeves in front of a large U.S. flag. Other people also brought homemade signs, including "Texans Are Ashamed of the Dixie Chicks". The rally organizers had plenty of U.S. flags and patriotic signs for those who did not bring one. Two members of the crowd had framed pictures of family members in the military, and placed those pictures and small U.S. flags in front on our banner. Ron H., Flyer, and Stevie_d_64 served as event photographers.

The rally included the typical Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, and signing of God Bless America. The daughters of Dr. Reddy led the National Anthem and God Bless America. Rally program also included a moment of silence in the memory of the victims from September 11, 2001.

Speakers included the following people:

Robert Eisler - Texas State Representative
Guy Williams - Montgomery County Sheriff
Michael Berry - Houston City Council
Kevin Brady - U.S. House Deputy Majority Whip, 8th District-TX.

If the names Michael Berry and Kevin Brady sound familiar, they were speakers at the KPRC rally on March 1st. Kevin Brady stopped by to shake hands with all the Freepers in attendance. Bigun also notified the Freepers in attendance that Kevin Brady will be a co-sponsor to a bill regarding the U.S. Tax Code. I will let Bigun explain the details and/or clarify on that news item. Freepers led a "USA - USA" chant after the speech from Robert Eisler.

This time, there was no last minute appearance by Sheila Jackson-Lee. However, two peace demonstrators appeared at the rally. Ron H., Stevie_d_64, and others made them feel "welcome" by obstructing their signs, much the same way that peace demonstrators attempt to obstruct our signs when we counter-demonstrate them. The "stand-off" was peaceful and eventually the peace demonstrators left unable to disrupt or otherwise make their presence felt.

Channel 13 had the largest presence among the local media. Their 6:00 news broadcast led-off with the "Rally for America", including interviews with two people (pro-Americans but not Freepers) from the rally. Their report showed lots of signage, including the banner with the framed pictures of the two military men. Even though they only mentioned hundreds and mentioned the international anti-war rallies after their lead story, I though Channel 13 provided fair coverage of the rally. I did not catch the Channel 2 news at 6:00 or any of the earlier newscasts.

A local TGIF provided the traditional after-Freep meal. Next Saturday, Houston Freepers are planning a "Road Rally for America", making our presence felt in Dallas, TX. Pictures from the rally available soon and they will be mailed to Dr. Reddy as a sign of appreciation.

[PetroniDE]

You Outta Be in PINGtures.....

[PetroniDE]

PING ---

[Flyer]

Pictures coming very soon!

[Bob J]

Thanks for being there for ALL FReepers!

[Illbay]

Ron H., Stevie_d_64, and others made them feel "welcome" by obstructing their signs, much the same way that peace demonstrators attempt to obstruct our signs when we counter-demonstrate them.

Good to know that we're "just as good" as they are.

[PetroniDE]

We were much less obtrusive than they usually are. Ease off. You should have seen what they did to us on March 7th. We didn't even do 1/5th of that today.

[George W. Bush]

Flag us for pictures by addressing a bump to 'all'.

Gotta have pics.

[PetroniDE]

Pictures coming soon. Be patient. They Gotta Cook...

[Illbay]

Maybe so, I have no way of knowing.

I just think that we ought to get out of their way when they make fools of themselves.

[Bigun]

Bigun also notified the Freepers in attendance that Kevin Brady will be a co-sponsor to a bill regarding the U.S. Tax Code.

What Petroni is refering to here is that I have it on good authority (straight from the horse's mouth in fact!) that the honorable Kevin Brady, United States Congressman from congressional district 8 of the great state of Texas, will, VERY soon, sign on as a co-sponsor of HR-25, the fairtax bill!

[PetroniDE]

Good clarification, Bigun. My notes were vague on that part of the rally, so I wanted to make sure accurate information was presented.

[RobFromGa]

way to go-- Texas!!!

[Beeline40@aol.com]

I JUST GOT PICTURES EMAILED TO ME FROM OUR RALLY IN EUREKA TODAY, HOW DO I POST THEM ON THE EUREKA RALLY THREAD.

[PetroniDE]

What we need to do is to get you to a couple of rallies (both pro- and anti-). Then you can see first hand what the "anti-" crowd will attempt, even though the peace demonstrators today were tame by their usual standards.

There was even one crack-pot who claimed (falsely) on HIMC that he "pulled the plug" on the sound system at the KPRC rally.

[bradactor]

This is great news. Thanks for telling us. Glad it was a great rally
Brad

[Illbay]

I have no doubt the "anti-war" protestors behave this way.

My point is that I consider we are far, far superior to them, and shoot act like it.

[Bigun]

In case anyone in interested, Kevin Brady is the initiator of Sunset Legislation (HR-2939) that every one of us ought to help him pass!

[PetroniDE]

"shoot" ??? I know that is a typo and it's "SHOULD"...

Once you attend a couple of both rally types, you will see that we act in the proper manner.

[Eaker]

Where were you once again???

You might attend a FReep once or twice before you judge or criticize others.

Stay safe; stay armed,
Eaker