.......and the rest of us including channel 26 saw this.....
See Ilbay, THIS is what we are talking about!!!!
Stay safe; stay armed.
Eaker FReeper Status
Posted on 03/01/2003 5:37:47 PM PST by PetroniDE
It seems a lot of people, Freepers and just ordinary Americans alike, are sick and tired of the lies and propaganda that the anti-American crowd has been forcing down the throats of the American people. In a rally earlier today at Jones Plaza, located in downtown Houston, TX, a crowd estimated at over 10,000 people showed their appreciation for their President, their freedom, and the brave people (i.e. the military) that protect it.
Before I begin the rally recap, special kudos to talk radio station KPRC (950-AM) for organizing and sponsoring this rally; in less than two weeks, they lined up speakers and musical entertainment, while dealing with all the messy logistics that a successful rally requires. Another person who also gets kudos is Glenn Beck, who was in San Antonio earlier today for a similar event. KPRC carries his radio show and it was his rally in San Antonio that prompted KPRC to do the rally today.
It was a beautiful day for a rally with cloudy skies (no rain) and temperatures in the mid-60’s. The noon start time didn’t deter one Freeper (PetroniDE) from doing a Sheila Jackson-Lee imitation. He arrived at 8:00 am to put together the large “We Support Our Troops” banner in a strategic location (he also nearly performed a Ted Kennedy imitation since he was driving the wrong way down several streets; he is a Yankee; lucky he knows how to drive at all). Vintage military vehicles on display for the rally arrived at about 9:00 am and some time was spent on the balcony of Jones Plaza with the large banner on display for passing motorists.
The massive crowd began to arrive around 10:00 am. Some assistance was provided regarding building of the large balloon rainbow. Jones Plaza was basically completely filled by 11:30 am. Several people with large signs began walking around Jones Plaza in circular formation; by then a few other Freepers had arrived and joined in this makeshift parade. Anyone in Jones Plaza by 11:30 saw the banner, and the FreeRepublic and HoustonLiberty signs below it.
A sampling of other signs spotted at the rally. Some humorous, some with more serious themes.
- God Bless America. Thank God Al Gore is Not President.
- Martin Sheen: You are NOT President, You Only Play One on TV.
- Texas Terrorist Hunting Permit; No Bag Limit; No Tagging Required.
- We Have Nothing to Fear, Except Fear Itself, FDR, 1941; Let’s Roll, Todd Beamer, 2001.
- Liberate Iraq, Just Like We Did France.
- Babes Back Bush
- Numerous people showed up who have family members in the military and are currently stationed overseas; most of them had photos of the loved ones in uniform.
The following people gave speeches.
Pegi Ivancevich (Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution, San Jacinto Chapter)
Dan Pastorini (Former Houston Oilers Quarterback)
USAF Retired Major Ellis Buchanan (Formerly of NATO Command). During his speech, there were three flyovers by retired Air Force personnel. Michael Berry (Houston City Council). Kudos to him for voting against the anti-war resolution in Houston City Council earlier this week.
Kevin Brady (US House Deputy Majority Whip)
Tom Delay (US House Majority Leader)
Two other people gave speeches at the rally. In a major surprise, U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee made an appearance and gave a speech. The crowd response was mixed (some polite cheers and some boos), but considering that the crowd was nearly all conservatives, this was a polite response. KPRC stated up-front that this was a pro-America rally and politicians from both parties would be invited to speak (trying getting that from the other side). The other surprise speaker was Ahmad Hassam, a personal friend of moderator Chris Baker, who immigrated (legally) to this country 24 years ago and is grateful to today call himself a citizen of the U.S.A.
One funny moment at the rally involved musical artist Kevin Black. Twice while playing his first song, the speaker system went out, just as he was hitting the song’s highest note. System went out at the exact same moment both times.
The Houston Police Department estimated that about 10,000 people attended the rally in support for America. However, the anti-American crowd tried to make their presence felt; a grand total of 6 (five on one hand plus one on the other for the liberals reading this) arrived to counter the rally. One Freeper (Ron H.) confronted them and essentially told them to “stick it”.
After the two-hour rally, local radio talk show host Pat Gray posed for a picture with our banner. Several Freepers, including Humblegunner, Flyer, Eaker, and RetiredAFWarrior had cameras and took some excellent pictures. Afterwards, most of the Freepers stopped by Griff’s for some post-rally celebration.
List of Freepers Attending Rally
Action-America
Allegra
Anymouse
Bobbyd
BuffyT
Carlo3b
Dix
Eaker
Flyer
Houmatt
Humblegunner
Humidston
IamRight
Janette
OllieMB
PetroniDE
Rejoyce
RetiredAFWarrior
RikaStrom
Ron H.
TxLady
Xenalyte
Zboa
If any other Freepers attended the rally and are not mentioned above, please mention so on this thread; I apologize in advance for any omissions, and kudos to all whom attended.
They want to speak and be heard, fine. They don't want our side to be heard.
Indeed.... but it got worse with Channel 2....
In their nightly salute to servicemen, the idiot lady newsreader pronounced "Ensign" as "In Sine"....
My God, how clueless can they possibly be?
I just heard Channel 2 report "over a thousand" people attended.
Yep. I caught that, but forgot to post it. So, channel 13 had to follow their report with a blurb about a week old commie protest and Channel 2 had to understate our attendance by 90%. That sounds about like them. Did 11 even do a piece on the rally? If they did, I missed it.
.......and the rest of us including channel 26 saw this.....
See Ilbay, THIS is what we are talking about!!!!
Stay safe; stay armed.
Eaker FReeper Status
I find them disgusting. But this is only the question of the hour. The question of the ages is that of the Bill of Rights.
All three of the stations did their piece about it roughly at the same time.
That's what I figured. Although we have 5 TV's, I could only see 2 at the same time and like you, I watched 2 and 13. Judging from what I saw, I can just imagine what the libs at 11 did.
1. Edwin Johnston is claiming on the indy-media site that he was responsible for killing the micro-phone during the rally today. If what he says is true (don't necessarily take it at face value), that is one example of violating first amendment right.
2. Another recent example. During a recent Mecom fountain freep, a couple of anti-war demonstrators positioned themselves for the expressed purposes of blocking our signs. They even admit to it.
3. The Glenn Beck rally in Cleveland OH tomorrow has been plagued with complications due to interaction by leftists (I will leave specific names to be disclosed by Glenn Beck). They tried to stop that rally from being held.
4. At rallies and counter-demonstrations, sometimes the media will attempt to interview one of us; the liberals will attempt to disrupt our interview, usually by placing their faces or signs within inches of the camera.
Like I said, we don't pull that crap, but the left doesn't play by the same rules. If we tried such tactics, they would scream "first amendment, first amendment, first amendment". I also find them disgusting; all we ask is equal time, for the network to give both sides a fair chance; the liberals know if that happens, they lose.
Not trying to pick a fight with you, but we have seen the tactics of the left first-hand, and they are not respecting our first amendment rights in this cases.
I use a little tiny shoehorn!!!
Stay safe; stay armed.
Eaker FReeper Status
As the rally was nearing it's close, my husband and I decided to leave the crowd and we walked around the block because I wanted to see if I could get a feel for the size of the crowd. Just in time to see Queen Sheila mugging for the camera's as she made a hasty exit. What happened then was priceless. Someone yelled out that Sheila was leaving and the crowd (one woman in particular) rushed the queen "very verbally". There I was with a digital and a video camera around my neck and I didn't think to catch it on film.
Ron H, I know you saw this incident. Sorry I didn't tell you who I was when I asked you your screen name. Kind of shy. Loved your sign!
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