FREEPER REPORT APRIL 5, 2003: Pro-America Rally with Glenn Beck in Clearwater, Florida

April 5, 2003 | floriduh voter

[floriduh voter]

I'm probably the first person from Free Republic who attended the Coachman Park Flag Fest that's already home. I selected the front page for this report because those of us in attendance from Free Republic invited rally participants to visit us here. It will be much easier for them to be welcomed on the front page. Welcome.

I will have pictures from the rally and will be posting other links here. Flyers were flying in addition to all the American, British and military flags. There were some great signs too.

I was interviewed for local television but as time is always short, I'm not going to stay glued to the set for a glimpse of me. Let's just say that my sign may be on local Channel 13 (Fox) over the reporter's head at the anti-war moshpit, numbering a dozen or so. The short interview which is about that very sign is for local UPN Ch.4 or Ch. 9, I can't say for sure.

[floriduh voter]

Here's how the interview began... Reporter: "How are you feeling?" Floriduh Voter: "It's a great day."

You see, I got my message out and didn't even answer the reporter's question. As we all know, the media and liberals always want to know how everyone's feeling. Since the Glenn Beck Rally was for the troops, how I felt before the rally was immaterial.

Finally, freepublic.com and freeper.org were clearly visible on my sign.

Thanks to tunehead54,4integrity and sarasmom for finding me in the 15K plus crowd. The free republic labels were a big hit, sarasmom. I was handing them out by the anti-everything mosh pit. Now I need to go watch tv. Bay News 9 is covering the event right now. Fregards, Floriduh Voter

[floriduh voter]

Ping. Bay News 9 just showed Governor Bush, the crowd and the mosh-pit. It was so much more. Locals, I'd recommend watching your evening news tonight.

I was circling (like an eagle) Fox 13 near the mosh-pit.

I did lose my flag though during the excitement all around.

At least I got some laughs for yelling at the demonstrators, "You have a right to be stupid."

Most of the yelling consisted of "USA! USA! USA!

[floriduh voter]

FV gets on tv too... Like it's so hard... I'm just teasing you guys.

Please give a warm welcome to Floridians from the rally who are visiting Free Republic for the first time. Fregards, FV

[Interesting Times]

Great work FV, and a warm welcome to our new friends from Florida.

Perhaps some of them aspire to become pirates?

[Interesting Times]

Here's how the interview began... Reporter: "How are you feeling?" Floriduh Voter: "It's a great day."

You see, I got my message out and didn't even answer the reporter's question. As we all know, the media and liberals always want to know how everyone's feeling. Since the Glenn Beck Rally was for the troops, how I felt before the rally was immaterial.

I remember Matt Lewis telling us at the FR Network conference in Las Vegas that you always answer the question you wanted to be asked, not the one they actually asked you. Your reply is a nice bit of psychological judo, and a great example of the technique.

[floriduh voter]

Sure, I keep the Pirate thread on my profile page. All for one and one for all. Newcomers can visit a profile page by clicking on a screen name.

Ping for PKM.

[floriduh voter]

You see, I wasn't sleeping during the Leadership Institute course. I only admit to showing up late during the lecture about "being on time." Oh, the humanity.

At the lovely park today, there were many military families. Pictures of their loved ones were on their signs.

[floriduh voter]

Hope you are doing well. Please ping your list sometime and welcome FR's Florida visitors. We can thank sarasmom for her FR url stickers.

[omni-scientist]

It was truly a wonderful rally - the surprise of the day I think was the appearance on the stage of Mrs. Tommy Franks.

The most heart-rending was the message read from William Buesing, father of Marine Brian Buesing of Cedar Key, who explained why he turned down the invitation to attend: that at the very time of the rally he would be present at the funeral services for his son. Nevertheless, his words concerning his son's committment and courage were both inspiring and touching. I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes.

[MinuteGal]

I arrived early and pitched my camp stool in the front row center stage next to two lurkers I had met at the Sarasota rally. Made some passes around the crowd to find other freepers till the crowd got too big and dense to navigate. But I knew they were there somewhere!

(Note to self: next time bring 12-foot tall sign with Free Republic on it).

I estimate between 4-5000 people. A sea of red, white and blue behind me. A formation of Blackhawk helicopters made two low fly-overs right over the crowd and must have loved the sight below of thousands of Old Glories and patriotic arms waving to them.

MC, radio talk show host Glenn Beck, announced good and bad news from the bandstand. Bad news first, the governor of the state of Florida is not showing up for his speech.

Collective groan from the massive crowd.

Then the good news, "I'm honored to present the brother of the Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America, Jeb Bush!".

A collective roar from the crowd!

My favorite signs?

"Give Peace a Chance! - We Did and Got 9/11"

"Thank God for a President with a Backbone!".

Got home in time to see myself in a pan shot on the noon local TV news.

This was BIG, folks. I'm still on a high!

Leni

[floriduh voter]

It was a great event from beginning to end. I've never seen that many flags. The right tone was set. There were solemn moments mixed in with enthusiastic cheering.

I think that the demonstrators will have a nasty headache this evening after witnessing how much the rest of us love our country. That being said, they were only a handful.

[floriduh voter]

You're absolutely right, leni. It WAS BIG. Just think when the troops overseas hear about or see images from these rallys. My pictures are still at the drug store. Thanks for your report. FV

[4integrity]

Leni, sorry I missed you. A huge FR flag is a good idea! I checked out the area behind the bandshell several times and did meet up with Tunehead54 and FloriduhVoter. But when the Rally began, I found a shady spot near the water. It was a wonderful day!!! Mrs. Tommy Franks was a great surprise! I just love seeing so much RED, WHITE and BLUE flying proudly.
God Bless our troops and the USA!

[Tunehead54]

The most heart-rending was the message read from William Buesing, father of Marine Brian Buesing of Cedar Key, who explained why he turned down the invitation to attend: that at the very time of the rally he would be present at the funeral services for his son. Nevertheless, his words concerning his son's committment and courage were both inspiring and touching. I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes.

---

Dang right! There wasn't a dry eye in the house ... err ... park! What a day! Thanks to our troops I'll get some pics up soon. Thanks FV for getting this up - saves me from a long-winded description of a great USA crowd!

[chicagolady]

Thanks for the post! Mike Galagher is coming to Chicago May 29 -30 for ANOTHER Dixie Chicks Counter Concert!!


The Gallagher-Mc Cullough Army Comes to Chicago
WYLL Radio 1160 am/ chicagolady



Conservative Radio show host Kevin McCullogh has invited the infamous talk show host Mike Gallagher to Chicago to continue his good cause!

A Dixie Chick Boycott! ......................Conservative national AM talk show host Mike Gallagher is planning a pro-USA concert in upstate SC on May 1, 2003 to rival the Dixie Chicks tour debut at Greenville's Bi-Lo Center. Gallagher plans to donate all proceeds to families of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Middle East. He is actively pursuing Charlie Daniels to be the headlining act, but also mentioned Toby Keith. A location has not been chosen as of yet, but Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, The Peace Center, ...................

...ILLINOIS, INDIANA, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN FREEPERS save the dates May 29th Thursday and May 30th Friday Dixie Chicks at the United Center.


Kevin Mc Cullough, WYLL -am 1160 came to bat for the Rally for America, Chicagoland Chapter . He recruited his radio peers to talk up the Chicago Rally-Liberty Weekend March 22nd. We received a lot of air time because of his support. He even exorted his listeners on why it was so important to go to Federal Plaza to support the Rally and the troops. Now Kevin requested on his radio show, asking his "Free Republic Friends " to join in and make this boycott a success! Let's support Kevin Mc Cullogh the way he supported Liberty Weekend!!


If you are interseted in helping out with the CHICAGOLAND Dixie Chicks Counter Concert FReepmail me!

Since Free Republic was blamed for all the "Chicks" trouble, Let's show them what Trouble really is!!

We want the "Chicks" to know "Free Republic" Intimately!!

[sarasmom]

Sorry I missed you,I was looking for signs of Freepers, and only saw FV.
It was truly a wonderfull feeling to stand amid so many people,who just like me, stopped being the silent majority today.
I avoided the "anti" pit, as I had Sara in tow.I did hear those surrounding them chanting "USA", and "Shame on you".
How many were actually there?

[I still care]

Did you see the woman with the black scarf over her face? (Anarchist?) I almost felt sorry for her, this wonderful friendly crowd so open and happy and full of gratitude for America, and there she was in the Antiwar pit with a black mask over her face like some supersecret guerrilla or something. I wondered what trauma she had dealt with in her life to twist her so badly.

There were so few of them, maybe 10?, all strange and pathetic. The park was full of thousands of children, families, veterans, etc. I noticed the antiwar types left way before the event was over, probably all the wholesomeness upset them and scared them off.

[abner]

Estimated attendance? ? ?

Glenn wanted this one to be huge!

[sarasmom]

No, the only "anti-troops" people I saw were what I guess was the tail end of the group escorted into the "protest pit",by policemen, when we walked up right before 10:00.
It was the only time during the event that I felt my face take on that "I dare you to mouth off to me" glare.
It was also the only time I saw a police presence,excepting traffic controll.
I wonder if the dozen or so idiots will ever understand the irony,inapropriateness, and abject stupidity of their poisenous views.The flip side of turning a memorial service into a polical rally.Some people just were not raised properly, and continue to avoid learning the rudiments of acceptable social behavior.
The rest of the rally consisted of everyone meeting everyone else's eyes, and was a beautifull affirmation of support for the servicemembers of the USA.
I hope our armed forces get to see a few shots of the crowd.That is the reason thousands of us showed up today.To let them know we care, and what they are doing is most definately IN OUR NAME, AND FOR OUR LIVES.

[NautiNurse]

15,000!!!

Click on photo for TBO.com story