Although our group was small our spirits were high this evening when 4 brave Freepers, a little Freeper and a soon to be Lurker FREEPED the FRENCH looking "Ketchup King", John F. Kerry at the Hotel Roanoke in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. Those attending were Gopher Broke, El Malo, Mrs. Ben dover America (BdA), Cristian (Son of M/M BdA) and Doug the soon to be Lurker.
Besides Old Glory and the POW/MIA Flags our signs said: No Kerry, Kerry = Socialism, VA can't trust Kerry
Our Freep stated at 6:00pm EDT in front of the Conference/Convention Center. Security was tight and mostly respectfull. We didn't get to see Kerry, he was already inside the Hotel before we got there. We were told we could exercise our 1st Amendment Rights on the sidewalk but couldn't step foot on Hotel Property. This was funny because the Hotel is owned by Virginia Tech and the Conference/Convention Center is owned by Roanoke City. I should say something about an Institution of Hight Learning paid for by Virginia Taxpayers and a local government property also taxpayer funded. Anyway; the FREEP was a success judging by the honks and many thumbs up we got by people driving by our protest.
About half way through the FREEP a car passed on the other side of the road and the drive almost broke his neck cranking around to see us. In a couple of minutes two goons in cheap suits started yelling at us about how Kerry, was a Veteran and earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. When I told them that Kerry earned the Silver Star and later threw someone elses medals over the fence at the White House and was a member of the Vietnam Vets against the War, one of the goons started cursing us and giving us the 1 finger salute. We responded by yelling "Hateful, Mean Spirited, Condesending Liberal and What's that your IQ?.
Virginia State Senator John Edwards,(D)Roanoke City came across the parking lot to express his support of the 1st Amendment and to remind us of Kerry's military service. I said so what I retired from the Military. He quickly went inside. A couple of Dean supports came out to see what was up and said that all the DemocRat candidates where allowed to put up tables in the Conference/Convention Center but they weren't allowed to attend any of the Kerry functions inside. One of the Dean supports said she loved FREEREPUBLIC because she could find out what all the Right Wing Kooks were up too.
Doug the soon to be Lurker jogged up and joined the FREEP. He is a friend of Gopher Broke and promised to check out FR tonight (Hi, Doug).
Three quarters into our FREEP another Security type came over and said I had to move my car (parked in a handicap space) because I wasn't a guest of the Hotel. I did move it 50 or so feet across to the side street into a handicap spot in front of the local Social Security Office. I guess he thought that making me move my car would discourage me from FREEPING. Boy was he wrong. When I returned to our corner of the sidewalk I brought my bullhorn and proceed to serenade the area with the French National Anthem "La Marseillaise" over and over again. I guess he likes doing his job because that's what he said he was doing, asking me to leave, over and over again. (Here's the part I can't understand, the parking lot is owned by the City of Roanoke and it wasn't full) Oh Well, I hope he does his job as good when some Republican comes to town.
Again we had lots of honks and thumbs up for this FREEP and that makes a big difference.
BTW, according to our unofficial count we estimated there was a low turning out to hear. the French looking, John F. Kerry.
Towards the end of the FREEP a Reporter and Cameraperson (PC, You Know)from the local paper came over and interviewed us.
We missed FREEPING Senator Graham D-FL, last week because he was in and out of Roanoke so fast it would make your head spin. Hopefully we will get better intell/info if any one of the other 7 rat candidates decide to come calling in SW Virginia.
Hopefully Gopher Broke and El Malo will add there reports later.
To: Militiaman7
Congratulations on your most excellent Freep! Bump from Ventura County, CA.!!
2 posted on
08/16/2003 8:43:10 PM PDT by
Rabid Dog
To: Militiaman7
It looks as though the Vast Rignt Wing Conspiracy is alive and well! Great Job. Hillary will be jealous that she is not getting all the attention.
3 posted on
08/16/2003 9:00:24 PM PDT by
Trteamer
(Eat Meat, Wear Fur, Own Guns, FReep Leftists, Drive an SUV, Drill A.N.W.R., Vote.)
To: Militiaman7
Good job guys. We in Richmond are proud of youall.
5 posted on
08/16/2003 9:06:45 PM PDT by
jaz.357
(The beatings will continue until morale improves!)
To: Militiaman7
Great freep! Great photos! Great report!
Keep up the good work.
7 posted on
08/16/2003 9:11:07 PM PDT by
basil
To: Militiaman7
Great report, MM7. You said it all...we had a great time.
Now, here is the story as posted by the Liberal Roanoke Times....seems the P/C reporter and cameraperson forgot to add us to the story, despite the many pictures they took and story he scribbled down...looks like we do not exist in the eyes of the liberal world....
350 attendees? I dont think so! We saw about 20 people go in...this sounds like Million Man Math....
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Mass. senator blasts President Bush in speech to 350 Democrats
Kerry rallies in Roanoke during swing through state
"The only jobs George W. Bush has created are the nine of us running for president of the United States," said Sen. John Kerry.
By MICHAEL SLUSS THE ROANOKE TIMEs
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry fired up party activists in Roanoke on Saturday night by accusing President George W. Bush of "creating a new sense of entitlement for the wealthy at the expense of the average working person in America."
"I'm tired of hearing this talk about trickle-down economics - it isn't trickle-down at all," Kerry said in a speech to 350 Democrats at Hotel Roanoke. "Most people I've met in the United States of America are tired of being trickled on by George W. Bush."
The Massachusetts senator delivered the keynote address at a fund-raising dinner for the Democrats' 6th and 9th congressional district committees.
He devoted most of his speech to criticizing the Bush administration's economic record, blaming the president for a ballooning deficit, more than 3 million lost jobs and a corporate climate in which executives of failed companies have been insulated from the losses suffered by workers and shareholders.
"The only jobs George W. Bush has created are the nine of us running for president of the United States," said Kerry.
His appearance in Roanoke capped off a daylong campaign swing through the state that also included stops at the Virginia AFL-CIO convention in Vienna, a Charlottesville fund-raiser for the political action committee of state Sen. Creigh Deeds, and an event in Norfolk.
"I wanted to spend a day in Virginia because you've moved your primary up, it's early and you're important," said Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran serving his fourth term in the Senate. "You all have proven your loyalty to the Democratic Party, and you deserve to have a candidate for president of the United States come here and ask you for your vote to help send George Bush packing in 2004."
Democratic presidential candidates have all but ignored Virginia in recent elections, but Gov. Mark Warner and party lawmakers sought to change that by scheduling the state's 2004 primary for Feb. 10. Only 11 states will hold earlier primaries or caucuses.
Kerry became the second candidate to visit Roanoke, coming a month after Florida Sen. Bob Graham staged a series of campaign events in the city.
"What John Kerry is demonstrating with this trip is that a trip to Virginia is not just a trip to Richmond," said Deeds, D-Warm Springs. "He's putting himself in a position to do well here."
In an interview, Kerry expressed dismay over the recent loss of nearly 1,000 jobs in the closing of the Pillowtex plant in Fieldale. He said the federal government can revive manufacturing by reducing businesses' energy and health care costs, awarding grants for advanced technologies and negotiating fair-trade agreements that contain uniform labor and environmental standards.
"The key is to help our companies be more competitive," Kerry said.
In his speech, Kerry also said he would increase investment in public education and try to push the nation toward energy independence with initiatives such as an energy research institute.
"No young Americans will have to go abroad and die for it [affordable energy], because we will grow it right at home," he said.
No Democratic presidential nominee has carried Virginia in a general election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Bush won 52.5 percent of the Virginia vote in 2000, and Republican officials insist that none of the Democratic hopefuls can cut into the incumbent's support here.
"The majority of Virginians support the president," said Shawn Smith, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Virginia. "They support his domestic agenda to stimulate the economy and create jobs by allowing taxpayers to keep more of their money."
State Democratic leaders hope the appearance of presidential candidates in Roanoke and other parts of the state can generate turnout for the open primary, energize the party's base and build support to help Democratic candidates at all levels.
"I think it's a great party-building tool," said Susan Swecker of Richmond, a member of the Democratic National Committee who is serving as Kerry's campaign director in Virginia.
Kerry said Warner's 2001 campaign showed that Democrats can do well in Virginia.
"I liked what he did, and I liked his message," Kerry said. "It's similar to what I talk about, which is how you create jobs, being reasonable on issues, fiscally responsible and focused on growing the economy."
8 posted on
08/17/2003 6:01:57 AM PDT by
Gopher Broke
(Abortion: Big people killing little people)
To: Militiaman7
Virginia State Senator John Edwards,(D)Roanoke City came across the parking lot to express his support of the 1st Amendment and to remind us of Kerry's military service. This may be characteristic of Dems who aren't used to being freeped (in contrast to the Clintons, for example). When a few of us freeped Patrick Kennedy at a USWA hall, they sent over people to act friendly and chat with us to see why we were there. As soon as we explained our differences with the 'rats at the event, they scurried away to report to their handlers. Sounds like Sen. Edwards was sent out on a recon mission.
To: Militiaman7
Thanks for the report and photos! You did a great job!
To: Militiaman7
BUMP
11 posted on
08/18/2003 9:17:11 AM PDT by
apackof2
To: Militiaman7
Nice work. Thanks for caring and showing up.
To: Militiaman7; Gopher Broke
Heheheh! The french National Anthem was a nice touch!
From the flags in the photos it looks like you had a pretty stiff wind, which is why the french-looking candidate stayed inside. Nothing looks worse than a hairsprayed do standing on end, crackling as it bends at the roots.
It looks like you all had a lot of fun. Thanks for being there and keep on FReepin!
13 posted on
08/18/2003 11:21:27 PM PDT by
Flora McDonald
(Bring America Back to Life!)
To: Militiaman7; Gopher Broke
P.S. The signs were great! Easy to read from a distance and to the point!
P.P.S. Cristian is so cute!
14 posted on
08/18/2003 11:28:23 PM PDT by
Flora McDonald
(Bring America Back to Life!)
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