FREEP REPORT: Century City "Thank GOD it's W" after-action report

amazing.com [my web site] ^ | 06/28/2003 | David H Dennis

[daviddennis]

In the early evening of the 27th of June 2003, Freepers gathered in Century City, near the Century Plaza Hotel, to express support for President Bush, his liberation of Iraq, and other issues.

Freepers came out in force - at its peak, we had a few hundred people enthusiastically waving signs, banners and - most of all - American flags.

Unfortunately, since I was coming from the Valley, I arrived late, around 5:30. Worse, I accidentally dropped my Canon XL1, which is currently recuperating in the video camera hospital. You can send it your cards and letters :-).

By the time I put my camera to bed and got my digital still camera to get photographs, it was getting late -- and the atmosphere was getting distinctly chilly, with about equal numbers of ANSWER goons and our people on our side of the street. (There were billions of them in their own designated area). RonDog [right], our beloved organizer, Jill Hayes and others were warning us that things were getting bad, and we should retreat.

Ted Hayes was stalwart as always, talking, arguing, cajoling and discussing matters with everyone who had even a passing willingness to listen and learn. And he got a considerable audience, even as conflict swirled around him, with people calling him various names I won't repeat primarily because I have forgotten them all. (Breaking your video camera can do that to you).

The usual suspects were there - such as the lady on your right, who apparently handles the human rights policy for the LA teachers' union. I wonder if this is the problem with our educators: They are so busy thinking about human rights they've forgotten their main mission is to educate our hapless children.

Freeper Lady Jenn (to the left, with flag) was looking postiively radient, even as the baddies in full cry dominated the scene. Even though it's prudent to leave the scene before it becomes violent, I have a special place in my heart for those with the guts to stay.

And nobody shows guts like Ted Hayes. Nobody. You can threaten him, you can cajole hiim, you can call him every name in the book -- and he's still there.

Thanks, Ted.

This nice fellow acted as though he wanted to kill me -- and I just wanted to take his picture! I told him I was surprised about his attitude, being a man of peace and all, but he didn't take the hint. He was barely in control of himself, and I was my usual blandly courteous self. Somehow, being blandly courteous is what really sets these people off. You have been warned. Someday, people like this will realize how badly their attitude undermines their cause. Someday.

[daviddennis]

Well. Quite an experience. Looks like I cost myself about $500 for that XL1 repair, but it's in the shop resting and it should be fine in the end. It might even be ready for my trip next week.

In the mean time, when you see me with my cheap temporary Canon ZR60, try not to laugh too hard, 'k? And to think I did it to myself, without even having International ANSWER to blame.

Hope you all like the pictures. A whole ton of them are published at the link, so if you want more, they're there for you.

Feel free, as always, to post additional picture links and experiences on the thread!

D

[daviddennis]

I apologise for the lateness of this report. I spent the day finding a good repair shop for my beloved XL1 and buying a temporary substitute.

I hope you enjoy the report anyway!

D

PS Ron, please ping Genevieve for me; it looks like I haven't figured out how to spell her name yet :-(.

[W04Man]

Great Job David. Outstanding photos. Makes me feel like I was there. My condolences for the XL1 accident. Saw lots of Bush2004 stickers! Great job by all!

http://W-04.com

[backhoe]

Your report, pictures, and commentary are excellent. My thanks to you and your compatriots.

[netmilsmom]

Good Job!!!
Sorry about the camera...what is the prognosis?

[daviddennis]

I expect the repair people to get back to me on that question on Monday. But there's no question the patient will live; it's just a matter of the financial damage and how long he's in the hospital.

The lens and electronics all appear completely undamaged, which is excellent news. It's just the tape transport that was hit badly.

I'll keep the curious updated on this thread when I learn more.

D

[RonDog]

GREAT FReep REPORT, Savid!Right now, I am off to "Haunt the Hildabeast" in Pasadena:

Here the MOST CURRENT "pre-FReep in Pasadena" thread:

Hillary to be at Vroman's Bookstore on June 29

Until then, would SOMEONE please save the following WONDERFUL image onto a FReeper-friendly server?

I am concerned that the A.N.S.W.E.R. RATs will delete it soon.

THANK YOU!

To: halfdome; doug from upland; ALOHA RONNIE; DLfromthedesert; PatiPie; flamefront; onyx; ...

From the RATs' own website, at www.la.indymedia.org:

It is truly a sad commentary on the state of Los Angeles media that the ultra-left indymedia.org is more "fair and balanced" than the "mainstream media" here...

My best guess is that WE had about a hundred or two, and THEY had about a thousand or two.

More in an after action report by one of my fellow FReepers - soon...

79 posted on 06/28/2003 11:32 AM PDT by RonDog

[RonDog]

LOL!

Savid should have been David!

[RonDog]

HELP!!!

There are some EXTRAORDINARY images - from our good FRiend Genevieve - who was on the INSIDE! - now posted on "Yahoo! Photos"

She was INSIDE the fundraiser, and actually attended the dinner!

Please help me get some of these images onto a FReeper-friendly server!

Yahoo! Photos apparently does not allow "remote third party" linking. :o(

Gotta go now, and FReep the Hildabeast in Pasadena!

[chicagolady]

Thanks for a great FReeping job!!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Great pics, David! Hoping your video camera recovers soon ;-)

This rally was a circus. I still can't believe all the freaks and hippies that showed up. What was really interesting is that some of these "peace protesters" are so full of hatred. I want to know why the cops didn't make them go back to their own side of the street. It got to the point where I didn't exactly feel safe.

I'm not feeling too good this morning, so I'm not going to the Hillary book burning...errr signing event this morning. Hope someone takes pics of that!!

[fatima]

RonDog,Here's a bump.

[Mo1]

Yahoo! Photos apparently does not allow "remote third party" linking. :o(

I can upload them to the photo site I use so you can post them if you want

[MeekOneGOP]

[TheSpottedOwl]

Those are great pics, Ron and Genevieve!

[onyx]

Yes, Mo1, please do the uploading thingee. I believe RD asked for same.

[Mo1]

OK .. Here is the album I put them on ..

http://public.fotki.com/Mo1/genevieve/

[Mo1]

I have my mom coming over any minute now ... can you or another freeper post them for me

Here is the first one

President Bush's Speech

[onyx]

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Ron's gone to FReep Hitlery).

[NordP]

Thanks for the ping and for the GREAT job you all did, Friday. I can't wait to see the pictures of today's fun with Hitlary!

NordP