Patriots Rally For America - Live Report

Dave Dilegge - Live From DC | 20 April 2002 | Mustang

[Bob J]

Free Republic is full of patriotic individuals who are willing to pitch in for the cause. Their reasons for not attending probably have less to do with their patriotism than more pedestrian issues like cost, time, etc. In addition, we don't know how many people within driving distance attended the protest the week before. There are only so many weekends one can give up away from your family.

One also has to analyze the issue of safety. It's been pointed out several times that the situation was very tense and at times people were in fear for their well being. You can't plan on plopping 100 FReepers down in the middle of thousands of potentially violent leftists without some questioning their safety. FReepers are not like the leftists who attended the other rallies, who are primarily young, single, unattached college students who think they are going to live forever. FReepers have jobs, families, duties and responsibilities. Most could not afford getting arrested, which was a distinct possibility if altercations arose.

All of these issues must be considered when planning an event. If the primary goal was to oppose the lefties and not let them have DC all to themselves, than one must accept lowered attendance, considering conservative sensibilities. It appears this was the goal as intended by the rally organizers, so in that repsec, they were successful.

If the primary goal was to get as many people to attend as possible and make a big PR splash, it might have been better to hold the rally on a different day or in conjunction with the rally the previous week when you would have an additional 50k people (plus press) or so to draw to your stage and speakers.

It has been pointed out several times in these threads that the left is better at this than we are. It's not that they're better, it's that they have big head start, don't repeat mistakes and when they commit to organizing events such as this, they have very clearly defined goals and objectives that emphasis turnout and exposure. All their event decisions pivot around these issues. Right now, the opposition rally leaders, from the varying organizations, are having bull sessions analyzing what they did right, what they did wrong, and how to use what they learned to improve their impact next time. They know how to work together, even thought they may disagree on issues and strategy, because they realize there is strength in numbers and they increase the output of their efforts through cooperation. Free Republic, and conservatives in general, will never have the impact of the left until we learn to put our trivial ego and territory issues aside and work together as a team.

BTW - This is one of the goals of the FRee Republic Network.

[Bob J]

I would have suggested we have cameras and recorders infiltrating the opposition. I bet Hannity or O'Riley might have been interested in that footage. Contrast that with the DC Chapters event, including the state of the grounds after? We need to learn to maximize our efforts.

[Bob J]

It may have been a cost issue. Studio, broadcast and engineering expenses would have been $700-$1000 to do the whole event.

[AGreatPer]

Heres a quickie. One guy came in, put on a name tag and bought a button. He said, "Now, these are my kind of people." I asked him what he was talking about and he replied, "Well, my wife and scumb daughter are over on the other side and I had to get away from those bas......" He stayed almost the entire time.

[Taxman]

YOu are quite welcome, my FRiend. I am just glad that I could help out in a few small ways. The pleasure was all mine.

[FreeTheHostages]

During the war over the portapotties, one of the leftists was trying to get in, and me and my buddies told her no, and then went into a rant about how she should go cool off with an Icehouse. Every time she asked us a question about why she couldn't use the bathroom, we just told her about what a great beer Icehouse is. It was too funny!

You and your friends are *so* funny! And you have such fun at these things. My boyfriend and I still talk about your "YourAdHere" sign from 9/29. I confess I was just for a second confused, but you were then very patient in explaining it to us. Please challenge us again with a sign next time. Personally, I'm thinking of counterprotesting at the Hilton tonight -- the commies are coming back to Dupont Circle this Monday -- with a much more direct approach: a sign that says "Get a Job"

[sauropod]

Re: posts 369 and 370.

Dio, you were right on wrt the media distorting the numbers.

Bob, you are exactly correct about if there were only 10 of us to be there, the point was made. I am glad that several hundred did come.

I do agree with tgslTakoma about caring enough to get out there. I know a number of people who think as I do, but they "have families" and "work jobs" and "don't have time for things like this."

Well, so do i. There have been a number of times where supporting FR's efforts have been a hardship.

I also have a family and a job and don't have time to do this stuff. Yet i do.

The difference between myself and some of my friends is that I make defending Freedom a high priority. Rectitudine Sto. Sauropod

[diotima]

Thanks 'pod!

I figured the media would decrease our numbers as they increased the lefts numbers. Some one reported 75,000 hate america people....not bloody likely.

I was proud that you took the time to help put this together and go down and participate. You are a true patriot!

[Hail Caesar]

I wholeheartedly agree with your post #521. Though, I'm not plugged into the Free Republic Network.

[Bob J]

Taking on hardship is a personal decision and one that shouldn't be pressed from above. I believe the best way to encourage others to join and pick up that cross is through example. You and the others who put on this rally have done that and now is the time to let the subconscience juices do their job. Snipping at who is carrying the most water might spoil it and snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.

[sauropod]

I have to check my tapes. I may have them.

[who knows what evil?]

if so, i'm reasonably sure he wasn't entitled to wear WHITE!

ROTFLMAO!!! I'm cramping up...that's hysterical!

[sauropod]

Re: Post # 522. My vidcam was commandeered for our event. I had every intention of doing exactly what you just suggested. The S29 footage i have from last year would also fill the bill. Dumping a cpy for Dio. Hannity may still be interested in this even tho it was last year. The visual effect is very powerful.

[sauropod]

Re: Post # 522. My vidcam was commandeered for our event. I had every intention of doing exactly what you just suggested. The S29 footage i have from last year would also fill the bill. Dumping a cpy for Dio. Hannity may still be interested in this even tho it was last year. The visual effect is very powerful.

[sauropod]

I understand your POV Bob. In no way do I mean to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

It was disheartening in that I believed we would have thousands attending our rally.

There will be others. Peace, my friend. Dave

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

We are in this for the long term and we hope many of you will be there with us.

Dave, from one of the leaders who worked so hard to pull the rally off, truer words were never spoken. The fact that we were there was enough to drive ANSWER and their minions crazy. They could not stand the fact that we were there. We gave a great rally. We can show our wounds and those who were not there will rue the day.

Perhaps next time when the call goes out ...

You got to love Bob Dorman. When he had given time to everyone at our site after his speech, he took off across the streert on his own to find some more flabby Lefties to lay into.

[Bob J]

I understand that feeling as I hoped we would have had more at the Judgement Day and the House Managers Rally. We learned a lot from those events (including the March for Justuce) and there is a storehouse of experience out there from the people who organized them.

In an event such as this, without cosponsorship from 5-10 other major conservative organizations, you just have to raise the flag and see who salutes it. If things don't go as hoped, analyze the plan, see where strategic errors were made and don't make them again.

BTW - The previous was not meant to be critical of anyone associated with organizing this event. Post event analysis is important in not repeating mistakes while reinforcing what was positive. In fact, if I were involved, I would suggest putting up a thread asking FReepers for their opinions and suggestions, kudos along with constructive criticism. There is a wealth of professional knowledge and talent on this site, from PR to media to event management, etc. Might as well take advantage of it.

[Bob J]

The video idea was just a thought. Fox News might have to be contacted in advance to make sure they would be interested. However, these are the kinds of projects where we can have some real impact.

[VaMarVet]

Pod - you did good out there and were an integral part of the planning committee. You know, with all that was going on, all the bustling about, all the things to attend to prior to and during the rally; I was still kicking myself all day for forgetting to bring you my tripod.

[VaMarVet]

JVB - The problem is that I know I will have to stand with this wild Irishman many times over the next.... Finally got to meet JV on Sat.