Posted on 06/28/2003 11:30:02 PM PDT by daviddennis
In the early evening of the 27th of June 2003, Freepers gathered in Century City, near the Century Plaza Hotel, to express support for President Bush, his liberation of Iraq, and other issues.
Freepers came out in force - at its peak, we had a few hundred people enthusiastically waving signs, banners and - most of all - American flags.
Unfortunately, since I was coming from the Valley, I arrived late, around 5:30. Worse, I accidentally dropped my Canon XL1, which is currently recuperating in the video camera hospital. You can send it your cards and letters :-).
By the time I put my camera to bed and got my digital still camera to get photographs, it was getting late -- and the atmosphere was getting distinctly chilly, with about equal numbers of ANSWER goons and our people on our side of the street. (There were billions of them in their own designated area). RonDog [right], our beloved organizer, Jill Hayes and others were warning us that things were getting bad, and we should retreat.
Ted Hayes was stalwart as always, talking, arguing, cajoling and discussing matters with everyone who had even a passing willingness to listen and learn. And he got a considerable audience, even as conflict swirled around him, with people calling him various names I won't repeat primarily because I have forgotten them all. (Breaking your video camera can do that to you).
The usual suspects were there - such as the lady on your right, who apparently handles the human rights policy for the LA teachers' union. I wonder if this is the problem with our educators: They are so busy thinking about human rights they've forgotten their main mission is to educate our hapless children.
Freeper Lady Jenn (to the left, with flag) was looking postiively radient, even as the baddies in full cry dominated the scene. Even though it's prudent to leave the scene before it becomes violent, I have a special place in my heart for those with the guts to stay.
And nobody shows guts like Ted Hayes. Nobody. You can threaten him, you can cajole hiim, you can call him every name in the book -- and he's still there.
Thanks, Ted.
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This nice fellow acted as though he wanted to kill me -- and I just wanted to take his picture!
I told him I was surprised about his attitude, being a man of peace and all, but he didn't take the hint. He was barely in control of himself, and I was my usual blandly courteous self. Somehow, being blandly courteous is what really sets these people off.
You have been warned.
Someday, people like this will realize how badly their attitude undermines their cause.
Someday.
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