Fresno, California's Annual Tailgate Picnic 9/13/03

9/13/03

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Today was Fresno, California's annual FReeper Tailgate Picnic and we had a wonderful time! I am not sure how many attended today's picnic but would estimate that there were about thirty-five to forty of us who attended.

We caught up with FReepers we hadn't seen in ages, discussed the upcoming recall election, ate fantastic food (including JKPhoto's famous tri-tip), listened to music, watched a tape recording of last night's news where they discussed whether or not FRee Republic was a hate group, and just all around had a fabulous time.

I am going to post just a few pictures that I took today and hope that all who were there will post their pictures if they have any and tell their thoughts about the picnic.

If you were there today, please speak up!

[Republic]

GREAT SHOTS!!! Wonderful folks.....looks like you all had a great time! KUDOS!

Please consider hand delivering pictures of the dangerous elements in the photos above to the Fresno commission that feared your family picnic so...LOL!

[ppaul]

FReep 'em good!

Contact the Mayor of Fresno:

Fresno City Hall
2600 Fresno Street
Second Floor
Fresno, CA 93721-3600

Phone 559-621-8000
FAX 559-621-7990

Mayor@fresno.gov

Remind him of his promise...

"It is apparent that the city wants leadership and direction, not politics.
Leadership requires the courage to make decisions that will benefit the next generation.
I promise that kind of leadership."
Alan Autry
Mayor, City of Fresno

[Libertina]

hand deliver.... ROTFLOL They'd probably pee thier pants. amazing the sissyness of liberals...

[Republic]

LOL--Then the photos must surely be 'hand delivered'!!! hehe

[Diver Dave]

Sorry we weren't able to make the trip down there.

Thanks for the report and pics.

[JustAmy]

Is this what you were looking for?

[JustAmy]

"Sorry we weren't able to make the trip down there."

Bet you just didn't want your picture taken with the 'hate group'. LOL

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

It sounds as though the Mayor is going in the right direction, and we applaud his decisions so far. But Debbie Reyes MUST BE FIRED!!

As members and a donors, we demand it. Both of us have been insulted. Every member here has been insulted.

This is truly outrageous. They said we were a "hate group" and "extremely violent". My husband is a pilot with the Government. I'm a disabled Vet. I'm pretty dang outraged by this folks. We all should be.

The city's seal is on this announcement! I suspect the mayor needs to hear from us.

We are reasonable people, asking for a reasonable outcome and a retraction and apology in the newspaper and word that Debbie Reyes has been FIRED. "SUSPENSION" is NOT ENOUGH!!! I need this to be resolved, and soon. I will repeat my offer to donate monitarily to a legal fund if necessary.

BTW, can someone show me this link where it shows this website is anti-immigration and anti-gay? I know we discuss many things, and while I'm anti-ILLEGAL-immigration (my ancestors came here LEGALLY), and I am un-apologetically anti-gay (love the sinner, hate the sin. I don't judge ANYONE, it isn't MY job, but Gods!). I sure don't remember seeing any links on FR other than seeing a MULTITUDE of threads and discussions on a RANGE of MANY topics. It would be a challenge to tie us down to any 2 or 3 subjects!

I only put "part" of the article below..I'm sorry but this defames all of us. Again, I do think the Mayor is addressing this, and he seems as outraged as we are. So I give him the benefit of the doubt. FOR NOW!!

The article is "in part" only:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mayor Alan Autry will try to suspend the city's Human Relations Commission after its chairwoman issued a news release labeling a local conservative organization a "hate group."
Autry vowed Saturday to take action against the commission in the latest clash between the group and more conservative members of the Fresno city government.

He was reacting to a news release Chairwoman Debbie Reyes sent Friday that warned, "a rally is being organized by a hate group called 'The Free Republic.' "

The statement was stamped with the city of Fresno's seal.

The Free Republic is a Web site operated by Jim Robinson of Fresno.

On the site, Free Republic is introduced as "an online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web."

According to the commission's news release, "The information on this group's website clearly indicates threats of violence toward any minority groups that interfere with their rally or picnic."

Reyes said she wrote the news release, with help from another commissioner, because, "there's a link on the website that refers to this group as anti-gay and anti-immigration. When intolerance comes to the table, we need to answer that call."

Autry said there is no evidence that Free Republic is a hate group, adding that the commission is "using the city of Fresno as a tool to attack people without cause. This is just something that has to stop."

Autry plans to meet with Fresno's city manager and city attorney to discuss suspending the commission "until we find out how this happened, who was involved with the press release and the reason behind it."

Human Relations Commissioner Cary Catalano said it was decided last week that the commission would not issue a news release about Free Republic.

"Due to the nature of this event I will personally be asking Chairwoman Debbie Reyes for her resignation," Catalano said Saturday. "It's just important that the community knows that this is not a reflection of individual members."

In response, Reyes conceded other commissioners should have been told of the release.

"He's right on that," Reyes said. "It happened at the last minute of the midnight hour."

The news release was sent with a city of Fresno cover sheet and stated Free Republic was planning a rally Friday.

About a dozen people met at Shaw and Blackstone avenues Friday. They listened to country music, waved American flags and held signs asking drivers to honk their horns if they support U.S. soldiers.

Those who gathered at the busy intersection said the commission's accusation was ridiculous.

According to the commission's release, "This group has also planned a 'Free Republic Hate Rally Picnic' " Saturday at Woodward Park. However, those who planned to attend said the picnic was a chance for dozens to eat barbecued tri-tip, talk and play.

Autry called the Human Relations Commission "politically intoxicated" and described its news release as "inflammatory, reckless, irresponsible and dangerous."

"These comments are not a reflection of the city of Fresno," he said. "It's one thing to say someone's a jerk or to say someone is off base, but the worst thing you can say is that they're a hate group."

Last month, Autry clashed with Reyes when the commission member accused city officials of making racist remarks. This followed the release of an e-mail message in which City Council Member Jerry Duncan said he wished he had a "dirty bomb" to kill every liberal in Fresno.

Autry also was upset that the commission used city staffers to send the release.

At their meeting Thursday, Nicholas DeGraff warned commissioners that the Free Republic was planning events "that had the potential for violence."

DeGraff, a member of Peace Fresno, said he read messages on the Web site that stated Free Republic members were armed and "extremely violent."

"We wanted the police to be notified that there was a potential conflict," DeGraff said Saturday. "It was my goal to avert any potential violence. That being my goal, it was accomplished."

After listening to DeGraff, the HRC decided to write a letter to police, Catalano said. And Reyes later decided to send the news release, warning of the "hate group."



http://fresnobee.com/local/story/7445084p-8362763c.html

[JulieRNR21]

I think our 3rd Annual Fresno Rally and Tailgate Party is being planned for next June. Wouldn't you like to plan a trip to CA in June to coincide with our barbecue? We would love it if you could come. :-)

Thanks you for the invitation.....it would be loverly...but it's unlikely at this point.

[Syncro]

"It's not a barbecue without a few kids. :-)"

Yea, but they sure squirmed when we put them on the spit, didn't they.......LOL JK...

[scubachick]

I know my Auntie Mama Bear will do a fantastic job! Congratulations! I am so proud of you!

[scubachick]

Priceless photos!! Too funny for words! I know you will do a great job, Auntie Mom and as usual, Daddio has outdone himself with his terrific photos!

[ladyinred]

Really missed you Dave and your family!

[tame]

Thanks to everyone for the fun.

Syncro: Tell your grandson I said thanks for reminding me how much I need to get back into my exercise, and diet, lol!

ladyinread; Mama_Bear: You both our awfully sweet to say those things about unfinished music, lol! Thank you so much for your encouragement and support!

Diotima: Fascinating background and conversation! Thanks!

Notpoliticallycerwrecked: Thank you so much for the video!

JimRob: Thanks for everything!

[vikingcelt]

Oh my. Actual photos of the members of that hate group I recently heard about. Amazingly, y'all don't look hateful at all. You look like pretty nice people to me.

[Saundra Duffy]

Oh, my gosh, Tippi is gorgeous!!! And you caught me dumpster diving. Great contrast, pal. By the way, aren't grandchildren a kick in the pants?