I think Sarah Palin struck the right note when, in her brief, non-political speech, she intoned: "Look around you. You are not alone!" That, the overall tone of the rally and the huge turnout all combine to act as an encouragement and motivation for the 'average' American to do whatever they can to oppose the left in this country and the road to mediocrity they are attempting to take our great nation.
I fully expect another huge turnout by Americans - on election day, November 2nd - and with it, a sweeping out of the career politicians on both the left and right. Oh, we'll never get rid of all of them. There will always be a few leftists and RINOs around (John McCain, Scott Brown, Lindsey Graham, et al.) but if the voters can elect enough conservatives and instill the fear of an aroused populace into our 'representatives' that will thwart liberal schemes and the usual congressional shenanigans, we may have a real chance to actually begin to restore honor to our government - but the people must lead the way. I trust that they will.
I think Sarah Palin struck the right note when, in her brief, non-political speech, she intoned: "Look around you. You are not alone!" That, the overall tone of the rally and the huge turnout all combine to act as an encouragement and motivation for the 'average' American to do whatever they can to oppose the left in this country and the road to mediocrity they are attempting to take our great nation.
Great post, Jim Scott. I have to admit I had reservations in attending this rally, as I really didn't know specifically what it would be about. Glenn kept most of it (and most of the speakers) a Big Secret. Now I understand why he did, and I'm so glad we were a part of this incredible event. It wasn't the kind of "red meat" in-your-face, noisy, sign-toting rally I've become accustomed to over the years (ie like the 9/12/09 March on Washington or rallies vs. Code Pink, Cindy Sheehan, etc.).
A few minutes into the "Restoring Honor" rally, we realized the brilliance of Beck's tactics. Sharpton, the liberal media and Beck-haters everywhere got all worked up and wrongly assumed our rally would be an angry, hateful bigot-fest, attended mostly by "old white men". Instead it was a peaceful "church picnic"-like gathering honoring men and women of all races (including the late Dr. Martin Luther King) for their high character and personal responsibility.
"Restoring Honor" was also a show of deep appreciation of the sacrifices of our troops and for their families. Glenn humbly requested that we consider a donation to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF), which provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.
Check out this article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal. It was Glenn's favorite article (among many) covering the "Restoring Honor" rally, although he said he didn't necessarily agree with the last two paragraphs (the references to the GOP):
Other related articles, etc.:
Restoring Honor attendees (Photo courtesy of Tim Hester and Karla Kuykendall Hester)
Day Gardner (left) and Alveda King at Restoring Honor rally
LIVE THREAD: Restoring Honor Rally with Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin 8/28/10 (Yes, the Metro lines really were backed up over an hour on 8/28 morning!)
ABC News: 'Hundreds of Thousands' At Restoring Honor Rally; Palin Chides AP's 'Tens of Thousands' Great crowd shot from helicopter! (Thanks, kristinn)
Restoring Honor...A Deeply Personal Account From a Friend
Ed Schultz: I bet I could match Glenn Beck (Dream On!)
Glenn Beck Destroys NAACP President's Malicious Suggestion of Racism
The Beck/Sharpton Rallies: A Telling Dichotomy
Glenn Becks Rally - Glenn Beck Energizes the Right (by David Horowitz)
Pujols honor at Glenn Beck rally leads to [disgraceful] protest at Busch (St. Louis, MO)
WaPos Eugene Robinson Dismisses MLK Niece Alveda King as Figurehead or Puppet of Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck wore bulletproof vest while speaking at 'Restore Honor' rally at Lincoln Memorial
Bill OReilly Praises Glenn Beck Rally as a Huge Victory; Slams Critics Video
And yes... as always, we picked up every bit of trash and left the area in better shape than we found it, unlike the Obama supporters on 1/20/09. :o)