5/17/02 Support our Troops Rally in Fresno, California

5/17/02

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Well, tonight's "Support Our Troops" rally had some great moments and some awful ones too. First the bad news I guess. About halfway into tonight's rally, a new guy showed up that we hadn't seen before. He wasn't very talkative but we were happy to see him because he immediately picked up one of our signs, the one that says "Respect War Protesters?? NO WAY!!!" Sounds like a kindred spirit, doesn't it? Then he went over our new cardboard cut out of President Bush and untaped it from the pole that was helping him stand up. He held President Bush in one hand and the other sign in the other one.

I got out my camera (which I do every time someone new shows up because I know you guys probably get sick and tired of seeing pictures of the regulars week after week after week) and asked him if he would mind if I took his picture. He said something like he was in a position where he didn't want his face to show (red lights should have gone off right there) but let us take a picture of him holding the signs so that we couldn't see his face. (See picture below)

So I decided to take the rest of tonight's pictures as long as I had my camera out. When he decided we were too busy to notice what he was doing, he dropped the sign he was holding and ran off with the cardboard cut out of President Bush!!!!! We tried to follow and catch him but we were unable to.

Notpoliticallycorewrecked figured that it had to be someone from the other side of the street and got very upset. She crossed the street and warned the other side that if our cut out showed up on their side of the street, we would call the police. They said that they had nothing to do with it. I sincerely hope that they are telling the truth, because I wouldn't want to mess with NPC when she is angry if I were them!

Otherwise, there were nine FReepers and patriots on our side of the street and eleven peaceniks on the other corner tonight. It was hot out there standing in the sun tonight. Note to self, no more long black pants until the hot weather is over! It is still 87 degrees at 9:40 p.m. as I write this! HOT!!!

We played and enjoyed listening to patriotic tunes and got plenty of honks from drivers by tonight. FReepers attending tonight's rally were:

• Jim, Sheila, and Chris Robinson
  
• JustAmy
  
• Gracie1
  
• Notpoliticallycorewrecked
  
• Mtngrl@vrwc

To those who attended tonight, we appreciate you! To those who couldn't make tonight's rally, WE MISSED YOU!

[JustAmy]

We had a good rally last night; it would have been great except for the kidnapping. :^)

[WillaJohns]

I took this picture 3 - 4 weeks ago but failed to post it. This young man thanked us and told me he was Army and held up his military ID so I could take his picture.

This is just so nice. Made me a little weepy. Must have made you Fresno freepers happy to know some of our military know they truly are appreciated.

[JustAmy]

Watch for further details, but ...... how about coming to Fresno in July? Temperature will probably be no hotter than 108.

[JustAmy]

We have had a few military people stop by to thank us .... a couple from Lemoore NAS. Their thanks are so sincere and it always warms my heart and make me extra proud of what we are doing on that corner.

[VOA]

He said something like he was in a position where he didn't want his face to show
(red lights should have gone off right there) but let us take a picture of him holding
the signs so that we couldn't see his face.

Sorry about your experience with the low-level provacatuer.

But I am one of those people who appeared at the large counter-protests at the
Federal Building in West Los Angeles during Nov. 2000, protesting in favor of Dubya
during the vote imbroglio.

I work in the UCLA/Westwood area where the Fed. Building is located...and did NOT want my face
appearing in any newspapers or on any websites.
I didn't give anyone my actual name and only went by my Freeper handle.
One after-action photo did appear on freerepublic.com which identified "VOA"...
fortunately it was not me.

Sure, this is acting over-cautiously, but my employer and work environment are
NOT tolerant of "diversity" in opinion.
It's sad to say, but the police state of East Germany may be gone, but it lives on
in politically-correct-obssessed enclaves in the USA.

[RaceBannon]

A Bump, miss. Thanks for keeping it up out there!!!

[MistyCA]

Thanks for the ping, Amy!!! Kidnapping??? hmmmmm......I guess I better start at the beginning..... :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, mtn...you guys are giving so many other Fresno residents hope. Could be that the little thief was simply a mischievous thief looking for attention. Sorry about the loss of your sign. Your message comes through without a sign- red, white and blue, downright decent, and with the courage of your convictions.(^:

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Thanks for the bumps and kind words, you guys! Your support means so much!

ladyinred - "Okay private eye freepers, get to work on those feet!" The shoes will be the first thing we notice about any one who joins us in the future! LOL!

WillaJohns - "...it will be interesting to see how your "President Bush" comes back to you." I loved that cutout replica of Dubya! I hope the person who took it feels bad and brings it back because the last thing the person who sold it to me said was to take good care of it. I feel so awful!

ppaul - "Just gotta fly over to Frasno some Friday to meet y'all and join the FReep." We would love to have you join us any time!

cake_crumb - "As I swill hot coffee this AM and glance out my window at the steadily falling SNOW..." - Snow? Yikes! It's been so long since we even had any rain.

[MistyCA]

Thanks for the ping, Mtngr! And so many thanks for all of you who took part in this and other rallys for our troops and for our freedom! :) You guys are the best!

[ST.LOUIE1]

"the kidnapping"

LOL!!!!!! That's hillarious!

Uh....sorry. : (

Wonder where GW is today. LOL

[JustAmy]

I hope he is standing in some kids bedroom instead of in the garbage can. We thought about calling the local police and telling them that someone kidnapped the Prez. Decided they would not appreciate that. LOL
If the kidnapper ever comes back, we will recognize him!! He was faster than we were but I think all 7 of us should be able to hold him down until we can get the cops.

[ST.LOUIE1]

We thought about calling the local police and telling them that someone kidnapped the Prez.
Decided they would not appreciate that. LOL

Yeah, NOT a good idea. LOL

He was faster than we were but
I think all 7 of us should be able to hold him down until we can get the cops.

I would hope so! LOL

Hey, just tell Mama_Bear he took off with her cookies.

Nuff said. : )

[Diver Dave]

Hey, just tell Mama_Bear he took off with her cookies.

Poor Mama_Bear. She never should have mentioned cookies those many weeks ago. :^))))

[Mama_Bear]

Hey, just tell Mama_Bear he took off with her cookies. Nuff said. : )

LOL! Here we go with the 'cookie' thing again. You never quit! :-)

Amy, if we can come next week, I will volunteer to bring the cookies ......... that way I can be sure I will show up. LOL!

Sorry to hear about the Prez being abducted. That really took a lot of nerve, didn't it?

[Mama_Bear]

Poor Mama_Bear. She never should have mentioned cookies those many weeks ago. :^))))

Thank you, Dave. "Poor Mama_Bear" is right. But now I can't even remember what I said that started this whole 'cookie thing'. LOL!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Poor Mama_Bear.
She never should have mentioned cookies those many weeks ago. :^))))

Got that right! LOL

Hi, Dave.

Any 'mini rants' planned? : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

LOL! Here we go with the 'cookie' thing again. You never quit! :-)

Can't, too much fun tweaking your fuzzy cheeks. : )

Sorry to hear about the Prez being abducted.

Better him than Amy. LOL

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Since I'm the one smart enough to wear shorts (hehe), I 'll reply. It was definitely warm enough to wear short even tho my legs are considered too white for California standards. The public is just going to have to deal with it hehe.

I'm still steamed about the kidnapping. Did anyone notify the SS about this? BTW I was trying to keep my eye on him. He raised a few red flags when he appeared out of nowhere and I swear that he mutter something derogatory about Bush under his breath at one point. So, I don't think that our GW is on display anywhere, unless he is on display in a trash can.

[Mama_Bear]

Can't, too much fun tweaking your fuzzy cheeks. : )

Well, I certainly don't want to ruin louie's fun. ;-)

((((hugs))))