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Most signs were individually done except for the printed ones done by the Young Conservatives who put on the rally. Theirs said support the troops and President Bush. It was noted that even tho they put on this rally they still attended all their classes.
There is hope for the next generation, what fine young people.
I'll try to post some pictures. HERE is a link to the photo page.
Let me tell you about a couple things that happened there:
First off, I met a guy there named Mike who was in Manhattan, five blocks away from the WTC on 9-11-01. He told me about hearing the jet engines as the first plane hit the South Tower. He also told me about being outside and seeing police running as the North Tower fell; a thick cloud of smoke, dust and ash following them at about 15 miles an hour.
It is hard not to remember what he said and think about the news footage. Of course, seeing it on TV is nothing compared to being there, which he was.
Well, I got kind of hungry, so I went inside the Capitol building and asked a Trooper if there was a place inside to get something to nibble on. He said there was a cafeteria one floor below. So I took the elevator, and noticed the place was closed. I hoped to find a vending machine for snacks or soda, so I walked along for a bit, even going down another floor in my search.
When it became obvious there was not one, I figured I should turn around and come back. One problem: I did not know where I was. So I looked for the first elevators I saw and went up to ground level. I went from there and followed to the entrance outside, and realized I was exactly across from the back of the Capitol building. I had to walk straight back through to get back to position A.
In the bottom of the rally, I noticed one anti-Amer....I'm sorry, anti-war protester not too far from us Freepers. I pointed her out to Allegra, then said to the female protester (holding the sign NO WAR ), "I hate to tell you this, but the war has already started." Allegra had a few things to say of her own, and a woman moved to another spot where she got in a row with another Rally participant. This did not go very well, as she walked away, calling the guy a creep.
As she left the area, I heard her say, "Viva la Cuba."
To which I promptly replied, "Viva la stupidity."
I hope everyone there had a good time!
Got some pics on the way as soon as I can figure out how to post them!
Earlier today several Freepers from the Houston Area Texans (H.A.T.) FR Chapter joined about 5000 others pro-Americans for another Rally for America. This event occurred at the South steps of the Capital Building in Austin, TX. This event was sponsored by the Young Conservatives of Texas at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Houston Freepers arrived at the State Capital around noon for the 3:00 event. At the arrival, an AFL-CIO sponsored rally for Cesar Chavez was wrapping up. By 1:00 pm, the AFL-CIO crowd was gone and the pro-America crowd began to gather. Once again, the "WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" banner was in full display, along with a "Support our Troops/Support our President" yard sign, and a large U.S. Flag. Once again, the banner was a huge hit among the tourists and those attending the rally. Allegra served as the chapter photographer, but digital cameras were numerous at this event.
Speeches/Program Segments were given by the following people.
M.C. Dr. Alan Sager - Lecturer, Univ. of Texas/Travis County Republican Chair.
Susan Hawkins Sager - Invocation
Ret. Colonel Jim Foster - Pledge of Allegiance
Kyle Sisters - National Anthem
Colonel Hugh Shine - Veteran
Don Crawford - Radio Talk Show Host KLBJ (590-AM)
Rick Green - Founder of Patriot Academy
John Carter - U.S. Congressman (R, 31st-TX)
Jerry Patterson - Texas Land Commissioner
Numerous U.S. Flags and yard signs provided by Travis County Republican Party were present. Gracey from the H.O.T. FR Chapter brought a large Union Jack (England Flag). The Freepers were advised that media from the BBC would be present and several people gave them interviews. The local FOX station (Channel 8) was also noticed in the crowd. Among the other pro-America signs:
- Saddam, Can you hear us now, Can you hear us now, Can you hear us now?
- Two mural rememberances of 9/11/01.
- Signs indicating what A.N.S.W.E.R. really stood for. Sign by DrewsDad
- The Bat Lady dressed up as the Statue of Liberty.
One dissenter was spotted in the crowd with a "No War" sign. One participant of the pro-America had a sign for her that read "We Are The Red Diaper Dopper Babies", and this angered the dissenter. Angering the dissenter further was PetroniDE who had his bull horn on during the rendition of "God Bless America". All she could say on her way out in digust was "Viva Cuba". You want more humor, you got it. Plenty of material today.
- Houmatt got lost in the capital building during the pre-rally festivities.
- No Road Rally for America event is complete without PetroniDE taking a wrong turn somewhere. Getting to the event was no problem, but someone moved US-290 on the way home.
- El Arroyo was the chosen spot for the traditional after Freep meal. Among the menu items: DOG FRIES (no fry dog).
- A property tax reform group was in attendance and they passed out $2000 bills with a picture of President Bush. These dollar bills are somewhat complimentary toward our President, and the Houston Freepers tried to use them for purchases on the way home. No luck. Texans are too smart.
- At the next Freep or counter-Freep, bring Catnip. Tell the liberals it is "Free Weed". People in the crowd were cracking up just thinking about it.
OK - That is it for the evening. 368 miles and 13-1/2 hours later. Back at home base. Night All. Pictures from Allegra soon.
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
We saw The Bat Lady on T.V. Can't remember what channel but Blastus reported that to me.
I am rather disappointed in the Fox News channel coverage. They led their 9:00 p.m. news with the header "Thousands gather at Capital for Pro-American rally". Then the reporter jerk came on for the story and said, "Hundreds gathered". Well, since we know it was thousands (I understand at least 2,000) then why belittle it with "hundreds". Just makes me mad.
Okay, when do we do it again so I can mark the calendar?????!!!!!!
PetroniDE aims a cannon at the departing liberals...
Anti-War Car Caravan
2:30 pm, Monday Apr 7, 2003
Rally or Demonstration
City & State Austin, TX
Topic / Issue Iraq
Location Meet at Randall's Parking Lot, 2222 and MoPac
Description We are going to the gas stations that have sent us to war. We will purchase five cents of gas on a credit card (thus costing the gas station twenty cents) and drive very, very slowly to the next (you know, to conserve gas).
Source Calendar: Austin Indymedia Calendar link
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Wow, can't argue with that logic, can you? Gas stations sent us to war, so we're going to drive them into debt by using credit cards for 5 cent purchases. Is there a local conservative talk show host you could warn about this?
