Posted on 05/27/2011 12:41:31 PM PDT by kristinn
SNIP
"It is a big distraction, because my phone's been ringing off the hook since she announced it," Ted Shpak, legislative director for Rolling Thunder, the group that hosts the annual rally in support of American POWs and veterans, told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell in an interview Friday. Shpak implied that Palin's presence would detract from the event's focus.
"We're not political, this is not a political event," Shpak said. "The way it came out, it sounded like we endorsed her."
Though Palin will reportedly make Sunday's rally the first stop in her bus tour, Shpak was clear that her bus will not ride in the group of motorcycles that will travel from a near the Pentagon, along the National Mall, and back.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
SNIP
What's also known about the bus tour is that she'll kick it off at the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally that starts at the Pentagon. But Ted Shpak, a director of the group, which brings attention to American troops who fought in wars, said Palin was never invited.
"We're not political. This is not a political event. Maybe she's coming because she knows we have half a million people coming," Shpak told MSNBC. "We're not endorsing anybody and she's not speaking on our stage."
SNIP
Before anyone jumps on Ted Shpak, he's a good guy. I know him and have worked with him in the past. Rolling Thunder is a 501c3 and must stay out of electoral politics.
Knowing Ted, and knowing that the news about Sarah attending Rolling Thunder came right at the crunch time for putting the finishing touches on the event, I can see where getting deluged with phone calls would be a distraction.
I'm sure Sarah Palin will be well received by the vets as a Blue Star mom and big supporter of the troops, as will her husband, Todd.
One benefit to Rolling Thunder is that this is bringing publicity to their cause of remembering POW/MIAs and issues concerning veterans.
(ABC News) - For the riders of Rolling Thunder, the news that Sarah Palin will participate in their national rally on Sunday came as a surprise. A welcome surprise. “I think that’s wonderful,” said Gerri Tramel, president of one of Rolling Thunder’s Tennessee chapters. “Anybody that’s involved — Republican, Democrat, independent, whatever — if you’re involved with our veterans, I think that’s wonderful. Not just Sarah Palin — anyone that’s a politician.” For more than 20 years, as many as half a million motorcycle riders from across the country have descended on Washington, D.C., during Memorial Day weekend to raise awareness about prisoners of war and those missing in action. Rolling Thunder announced Thursday that Palin accepted an invitation to participate in its May 29 rally. She’ll kick off her One Nation Tour the same day, a bus trip along the northeast coast that aims “to educate and energize Americans about our nation’s founding principles.” Asked how Palin came to be involved with the rally, Rolling Thunder spokeswoman Nancy Regg said, “I honestly don’t know.” “I’m not the person that invited her,” she said. “We send letters to people all the time and invite them. We invited her to ride, she has accepted and she and her husband have both agreed to ride for us.” Regardless of Palin’s political agenda — the “Will she or won’t she?” fervor over her potential presidential run reached new heights this week — the members of Rolling Thunder agreed her participation is a boon. “If she wants to support the troops, we’re all for it,” said Greg Benson, president of Rhode Island’s Rolling Thunder chapter.
Just like black churches, the unions, and Soros-front organizations stay out of electoral politics?
I agree. Screw Rolling Thunder....Apparently they are not ‘rolling with any balls’.....
it’s political ,except when it isn’t.
U.S. Rep Randy Forbes (R-VA) leads ‘Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Ride’
June 8th, 2010 12:08 pm ET
Congressman Forbes was invited to ride at the head of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day Weekend 2010 for his work on veterans issues.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/replicate/EXID1197/images/MIC_JRF_Rolling_Thunder1A_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.examiner.com/boomer-biker-in-national/u-s-rep-randy-forbes-r-va-leads-rolling-thunder-motorcycle-ride&usg=__BsBnumFtvJQRgkqRN8sSau9zSr0=&h=138&w=300&sz=88&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=ftVaY0fEQZMj4M:&tbnh=53&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcongressman%2Brolling%2Bthunder%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D777%26bih%3D463%26tbm%3Disch&ei=Sv7fTeK5O5K4sQPkntiXBw
I am certain he does not need the frustration of leftwing media scum trying to make a story where non-exists.
that said, it is hard to deny that she has created attention to this event. I know for other motorcycle events other celebrities just show up and have fun for a cause. You never know who will be in the lines. is she going to be in the VIP section or will she be riding in the pack with the peeples.
I don’t think there’s ever been a more polarizing figure than Sarah Palin.
I understand it’s possible, but I find it hard to imagine anyone having strong feelings about her that are not politically linked.
Exactly! They don’t play fair so why should we?
Obama.
Born February 11, 1964 in Sandpoint, ID (Meets the Jus Soli Requirement)
Parents were
Charles R Heath, born in ID
Sarah Sheeran, born in WI
Both parents were US Citizens at the time of her birth (Meets the Jus Sanguinis Requirement)
Sarah Palin is a NATURAL BORN CITIZEN unlike Barry Soetoro aka Barack Hussein Obama.
They purposely misconstrued his words
As a 501c3 THE MUST REMAIN NON-POLITICAL
I hope a few of these motorcyclists dont take ‘offense’ at being used that way for political gain
Nothing like showing up and trying to get some cred at a National event. I am sure, that had they asked (which they did not) SP to make an appearance, she would have said yes.
This situation is just...awkward.
Apparently you have no idea what they are about.
Say that crap to their faces and you'll get stomped flat.
Has it occurred to you that they may not appreciate someone
wishing to "cash in" on their event at the last minute? Hmmm?
That maybe the addition of the security required for such a person might be a distraction to their goals?
No, you didn't think of that. You just reckon "What SARAH wants, SARAH gets".
Rah, rah, wave those pom-poms.
Oh for chrissake's people~!! When are you going to LEARN TO STOP KNEE-JERKING AT LIBERAL MEDIA PROPOGANDA
They did not "invite" her because it is not an invitation event- it is non-political
it DOES NOT MEAN she is un-welcome, which is what the author is trying to imply. I hope some bikers take offense to that
That means she's ^#%@ed.
Ubama never does anything... "awkward."
She's only polarizing because the Left says she's polarizing.
You know, according to that guy Alinsky?
I stand by what I said. If it’s her or them, they go. Carp all you want.
Do you have the link handy for that? Maybe we should post a separate thread to dispute this report?
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