Aahhh.. all Houston people misguided, too much time on hand!
You come over for North Korea, I got one real good job for you!!!
You work in kitchen, roast dog all day! No fry dog!
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.
This is SO wonderful to see these Americans turning out to support our country and the military! Wow! Over 10,000 people!
I wish our conservative talk radio station would organize something like this in Fresno. I think I shall e-mail the station some of these photos and encourage them to get something like this going here - never hurts to try, the worse they can do is ignore me, LOL.
Eaker
Yes, I did. She happened to be standing next to me for most of the rally and she was a very "energized" and vocal lady to say the least. She was so bent on making sure that the infamous Queen of shame was aware of our and most certainly her feelings.
One officer had to quickly insert himself in between her and the Queen as she getting into her chauffered limo parked in a moving lane of traffic, as it got tense for a quick moment there. I was standing (what, 1 - 2 feet) away when this was happening.
I quipped to the lady to remind me to never get her upset at me (this very irate lady that is). Her reply was that the BIT** deserved it for having the gall to show her face at our rally. You know, she just might be on to something there.
Well, they are revising their numbers upwards a bit. The six o-clock broadcast reported "in the hundreds" with face time divided about equally between us and the handful (5?) of the momentary counter protesters. I thought WB39 and FNC26 had the most favorable and accurate coverage of all 5 stations this evening. Ch11 (CBS) sucked big time, so bad they should have skipped it altogether IMO.
Aahhh.. all Houston people misguided, too much time on hand!
You come over for North Korea, I got one real good job for you!!!
You work in kitchen, roast dog all day! No fry dog!
On a similar note. For 25+ years I felt very dis-respected as a vet but today has gone a long ways to ease the hurt I've carried around with me for serving my country in its time of need and being spat upon and cursed by some and mostly the mainstream media portraying what we did as something to be depised and shameful for.
I'd have to estimate that at least 150 or more people came up to me today to do what I had so little of before, to offer me personally a thank you. It would be hard to imagine how that made me feel. They may have been belated but were most welcome. Thanks guy for remembering.
Barb
She was indeed lightly booed and she may well have left under a police
escort at her own behest; however I was thirty feet from her and
I can assure everyone that she was never in any way threatened
nor was she unduly disrespected. If she required the services
of the U.N. or the Secret Police or the Prima Ballerinas it was at
her own discretion and paid for by you and I.
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