Posted on 03/20/2004 3:38:12 PM PST by IAmNotAnAnimal
Edited on 03/21/2004 7:59:26 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
My thoughts on my first Freep ever today in Fayetteville, NC. I arose early and set out on my two hour journey to Fayetteville. During the course of my trip, I kept going over different scenarios in my mind on responses to any sort of idealogical or factual argument I may have with the other side. I admit I was a little stressed.
arriving, the word was that we would have about 30 FReepers (if lucky), and that there were going to be about 1,500 "peace" people. As we gathered and waved our flags, spoke our mantras, the "enemy" slowly ascended the hill. My anxiety about being quick-witted in response to reasoned arguments rapidly vanished. The rag-tag crew that ascended the hill (about 600-700) people looked to be a mish mash of seasoned citizens wearing torn clothing and trash bags, and junior high school students waving such signs as "My dad is a Navy veteran, and he opposes the war".
Okay, so where's your dad? I can't help but mention the ecletic dancer with black and red hair who was "dancing" to the beat of homemade drums. It made me long for the sixties, even though I was born in 1968. I looked around at the 90, yes 90 Freepers and family assembled, all with flags and signs, reciting the pledge of allegiance, I looked at the Vietnam Vets against John Kerry, the veterans from various wars, the wives, and the babies, and then I had to laugh. Not at us, at them. I saw signs that were very germane from "Affordable Housing" to "Dennis Kuchinic" (who)?, and other such mind provoking drivel. I had to laugh, I just had to.
The reporter asked me if I had lost my legs in combat. I explained to the reporter that I had leg braces on, as exhibited by my very visible feet, that my legs were still there.
We marched behind this stately peaceful crowd where we joined up with our brothers and sisters in leather and on Harleys.
We would have loved to debate the other side, but no one seemed to want to come to "the line" to do that. So, I just watched one misguided veteran from the 101st, who upon weighing roughly 300 pounds shout to us that we didn't "get it". I would've shouted back, but he had already turned and gone down the hill, presumptively to get another hot dog.
The FReepers were great, it was like being amongst old friends, but I had just met them. We all shared in fellowship, and were quick to offer help to those who needed it. I would like to thank all the FReepers who were there for their kindness and patriotism. I am only left with one question - when we got to the park there were about a hundred open black umbrellas laying on the side of the "peace" people, and it wasn;t raining. What gives?
Looking forward to the next one. Ranger out.
While I wasn't in the shot, my flags were in the shot when the Rolling Thunder vet was interviewed. Pretty cool.
Can't say as I've ever met one of those. :=) But then again, while I was in the Navy, all we had were Chief Petty Officers, Senior Chiefs, and Master Chiefs.
That's funny. Usually the posers make themselves a commissioned officer and a graduate of one of the service academies.
Thank you for marching today.
Why is it that the lefties always manage to get more people at their demonstrations than us?
Because we're not professional rabble-rousers, and we don't bus in unionists or idlers on the public dole. We have jobs and other serious responsibilities in life. I'm thrilled that these guys in Fayetteville had a turnout of 90. That is tremendous.
“The appearance that we get in the media focuses on one or two people killed, when we are opening schools and people are giving us flowers,” said Capt. Todd McDonald, 35, who said he broke both his legs in a parachute accident in Iraq.
I was interviewed by the NY Times and the Fayetteville Observer. I hope they don't distort what I said.
But 700 to 30? There cant be that many unemployed people. That answer is a bit too simplistic. That may explain some of the rabble rousers but not all.
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