Milwaukee Support Our Troops Rally 3/8/03

self | 3/8/03 | self

[WIladyconservative]

Just got back from the Support Our Troops Rally in Milwaukee. LouD started us off with an inspirational speech (could you post a link or repost it here?). Charlie Sykes, Jeff Wagner, and Scott Walker made speeches and a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient was recognized.

The wind howled and the snow began to fall, but spirits were high and attendance was outstanding.

[LouD]

Text of my speech:

This whole thing got started because I got mad about the attention being given by the media to the anti-war movement in this country, and so we decided that someone needed to speak for the silent majority of Americans out there who do not seek this or any war, but who understand that sometimes war is necessary.

My brother-in-law was recently deployed to the Middle East. As he left, he told his wife and three young children that it might be a year or longer before he could return home. Now if he could say goodbye to his family for a year, the least I could do was ensure that he, and the over 200,000 other service members who said similar goodbyes to their loved ones, know that the overwhelming majority of Americans support them and their mission.

They can be confident that we stand by them, and by our president. And, quite frankly, I really don’t care what the rest of the world thinks about it. I don’t recall voting for anyone at the United Nations – although since this is Milwaukee, who knows? Maybe some absentee ballots fell off a truck somewhere…

The United Nations does not speak for us. Can we trust an organization where Cuba heads up the sub-committee on human rights? Where Syria sits on the Counter-Terrorism committee?

I think the words of George Washington, uttered on a cold, snowy Christmas night in 1776 are particularly relevant "Put none but Americans on guard tonight."

Those words speak to us across the centuries. That was a dark time in our history, and the outcome of the Revolution was in doubt. As George Washington prepared to cross the Delaware River, and enter into the pivotal conflict in the War for Independence, he counseled Americans to rely upon themselves, for they were fundamentally responsible for their own security.

226 years later, Americans are still responsible for our own security. We do not seek war, but we do not shrink from it either. In the words of John Stuart Mill, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.” Our safety is worth war. Our security is worth war. A world free of dangerous rogue states armed with nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons is worth war. A world in which all people may live free of tyranny and oppression is worth war, A free Iraq is worth war.

We support our troops, and we support our president. We welcome the assistance of our friends, but we do not need the approval of the world to see to our own security.

Only Americans on guard tonight. Only Americans on guard tonight.

Washington said something else as well, on that snowy night, as he stood poised on the cusp of history: “ Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause and the aid of the Supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions." I can add nothing to that sentiment.

God bless and keep safe our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and other combatants. God bless our president, and God bless the United States of America.

[Litany]

Please Freep WISN Ch. 12 news also. I just watched their coverage of the antiwar rallies, and not 1 mention of our HUGE turnout in Milwaukee. I called and complained and some lamebrain (probably an intern) said "oh you mean the rally sponsored by WTMJ?" and I said no the rally sponsored by the PATRIOTIC people of Milwaukee !!" I let her have it (I am normally not like this but I was /am FUMING !!!!!)

Their newsroom # is 414.937.3331.

[steveegg]

Considering that WISN-12 didn't mention us at all, but saw fit to mention 2 anti-America rallies (which they passed off as "patriotic") and promised coverage of more, they REALLY need a FReep. Contact info:

(414) 937-3331

wisntvnews@themilwaukeechannel.com

[steveegg]

Text of e-mail I sent the anti-Americans over at WISN:

I noted with disgust your coverage and lack thereof of various rallies held in the metropolitan area. No mention was made of the very large pro-troop rally held at Cathedral Sqare, where unofficial Milwaukee Police Department estimates placed the crowd at 1,500; while a pair of anti-America rallies that together had no more than 200 participants (with one held in the comfort of the indoors) got covered extensively. I hope that your advertisers desert you.

So much for watching Monday Night Football (unless I can pick up the WLS signal out of Chicago).

[republicandiva]

PINGING THE WHOLE FREAKIN' LIST! Please see posts above.

HERE ARE THE FACTS: 1500- 2000 PATRIOTS attended a rally at Cathedral Square. Only ONE TV station found fit to mention this (barely) stating there were about 500! If you have a minute, please call one of the stations and let them know this you want to see coverage of the rally TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND YOU'RE SICK OF THEIR OVERINFLATED NUMBERS OF ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS.! THANKS>

[steveegg]

...and some lamebrain (probably an intern) said "oh you mean the rally sponsored by WTMJ?"

Considering that Hearst, the corporate owner of WISN-TV, has no radio properties in Milwaukee, and it was WTMJ-AM (radio) that was involved, that is a b<13 letters deleted>t excuse if I ever heard of one (if you want the other 13 letters, FReepmail me).

[Litany]

Great ! Here is the one I sent:

(The subject heading was "the milwaukee channel???")

"How can you call yourselves "The Milwaukee Channel", when you deliberately chose to ignore over 1000 people gathered at Cathedral Square in a Support Our Troops rally? So what if WTMJ was there too? You are hypocrites.

[republicandiva]

Thanks for the pics...it was great to finally meet you and brewcrew, even though we lost you in the crowd. Your little boy is adorable...what was on the other side of his sign?

Thought LouD's speech was by far the best and most passionate of any given. IMHO could have done with the Peter, Paul and Mounds trio singing "If I had a hammer," but we didn't have any control over that. Thanks for coming...we might be doing it again.

[republicandiva]

Had your "Land of the free, because of the brave" sign at the rally. I have a picture of my husband with it, but alas, not a digital camera...so as soon as I take my pics in for the 19th century developing process, I'll post it. BTW, I think brewcrew or WILady may have had a small sign with the same saying.

[republicandiva]

Thanks for the posting the speech, but to be honest, your delivery and passion made it twice as awesome as it seems in print. Record it for an audio link maybe?

[Litany]

You were eloquent...I was moved beyond words at your speech.

Thank you for organizing this rally.

[LouD]

WISN 12 claims they weren't there - although I thought I saw them.

I told them that I am sensitive to their concerns regarding boosting a competitor (and, although they no longer have a radio property here, WTMJ radio shares call letters with a direct competitor of theirs) however there was no reason that the WTMJ aspect of the story could not be downplayed. I asked them to at least verbally report the event during the 10:00 news.

The fact that there were over 1500 people standing out in a driving snow is certainly more newsworthy than a dozen left-over hippies standing on a street corner in Waukesha.

[LouD]

Thanks, Litany

[steveegg]

...(and, although they no longer have a radio property here, WTMJ radio shares call letters with a direct competitor of theirs)...

Does WISN-TV have any Brewer games this year? Guess they better not inadvertenly show the Uecker booth, or any of the Journal Broadcast Group signage at Miller Park this year.

I wonder if Ulice Payne would be open to dumping WISN as a TV partner. THAT might get me back to the ballpark.

[LouD]

Did anyone see the news on WDJT 58? They were definitely there. Did we make their broadcast?

[WIladyconservative]

Awesome speech. Funny what happens when you wander through a crowd muttering *Freerepublic? Freerepublic?* I met a bunch of folks that way!

I think (hope) Fox 6 will have something on at either 9 or 10pm. Their cameraman was perched on our side of the stage (we stayed on the northeast side where we met) and kept scanning the crowd and especially my son and his sign. One side said *Thank you for fighting for my future* and the other side said *Freedom is worth fighting for, LET'S ROLL*.

Both Brewcrew's and my signs said *Home of the Free BECAUSE of the BRAVE*, and a lot of vets gave us positive comments.

We got home before the worst of the snow hit. It wasn't a bad drive.

Sorry we missed you Stevegg.

[steveegg]

Did anyone see the news on WDJT 58?

Sorry, Lou. It was at 5, and I forgot about it. I also missed the TMJ4 5 o'clock report (they may or may not have had more of us then), and most of the "bonus" WISN 6:30 news.

[steveegg]

With 1500 of your closest friends around, I'm VERY easy to miss.

[spunkets]

Thanks for the effort. It had an effect on all those that saw it from afar. It happened and the rat media can't make it disappear by ignoring it. As far as the news goes...

"1500 people standing out in a driving snow is certainly more newsworthy than a dozen left-over hippies standing on a street corner in Waukesha."

It doesn't fit their agenda. They don't want to make it known. What they're trying to do is tear down President Bush in the eyes of the public. Airing reality and the fact that folks understand and support his efforts to loose the grip the dictator has on Iraq, end his reign of terror, and stop his financial and material support for various other terror orgs. would promote the idea that Bush is really a good President. These people have demonstrated numerous times that it is more important to trash a conservative, regardless of cost, than it is to do the right thing.

[codercpc]

I was there!!! My first rally

My husband and I drove down from Mid Wisconsin (and then back in a blizzard) about 2 1/2 hours.

Boy was it worth it. We were two of the first people there, stood right in the front row, and held a sign (that a wonderful woman gave us), that said...

DEMS

40 COUNTRIES IS NOT UNILATERAL

12 YEARS IS NOT RUSHING

Did anybody see us?

Thanks Free Republic for a truly awesome day.