Austin, Texas CBS FReep Report 9/23

[DrewsDad]

The Heart of Texas Chapter of FreeRepublic.com was joined by members of the Republican Liberty Caucus, TownHall, and others to FReep Dan Rather and the CBS Circus at the Austin, Texas CBS Affiliate. Honor roll included FReepers Basil, Blastus, DrewsDad, Gracey, SueBee88(and George), Zimmerman, and Zlala; RLC members Wallace and another gentleman; Townhall members Bekka and Brent; Lurker Mike and Tim.

The following Press Release was sent out to various media outlets:

*********************************************************

For Immediate Release
Sept 22nd, 2004

"Free Republic" protestors target Dan Rather at CBS studio

Media contact: --- ------- XXX-XXX-XXXX

Austin, TX -- On Thursday, Sept. 23 at 12:00 noon, Free Republic protestors will be picketing the CBS studio on 10700 Metric Blvd (Austin, TX) in protest over Dan Rather's biased media reporting. The mis-reporting on President Bush's national guard record caps decades of Rather's left leaning media bias. This bias was best documented in former CBS executive Bernard Goldberg's best selling book, Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News.

"We're not picketing the local CBS news people, but rather the blatant bias of Dan Rather himself", said protest organizer ----- -------.

"Dan Rather's resignation as news anchor would go a long way towards restoring the credibility of CBS news -- it's a shame that the reputations of many fine journalists there should be rather tarnished by Rather's unvarnished bias", added activist ----- ---------. "Reliable, trustworthy news reporting is absolutely crucial to preserving liberty in a free Republic".

The protest is expected to last from 30 to 60 minutes.

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I arrived shortly before 11:30 and spotted Mike, a lurker who had joined us for the protest on Tuesday as well. We made our way toward the front entrance to KEYE News, the Austin CBS Affiliate.

On Tuesday, the general manager of the station was there to welcome us and engage us in a friendly conversation. We told him that we were protesting Dan Rather and the National CBS News and offered him our sympathy. He told us that he would pass on our concerns and even offered us bottled water if we needed it.

Today, no one was there to greet us except a few employees straggling in and out. After Mike and I got in place we saw Zlala approaching, dressed in her pajamas and slippers(as promised). Wallace(I hope I remembered his name correctly) joined us. Blastus, another Tuesday participant came along with his signs and was followed by Gracey with hers.

SueBee88 and George(IIRC) showed up with pen and posterboard in hand, drew up some signs and were ready to FReep. My friend Tim stopped by with the latest edition of WORLD Magazine covering Rathergate.

Basil strolled up with several good signs and another RLC member(whose name I don't remember) helped us hold all of our signs.

About that time, Zimmerman joined us and introduced us to someone from a local radio station. While Zimmerman was being interviewed, we'd though we'd provide a little background noise with some chants:
"When Dan Rather lied, Your credibility died"
"Forge on CBS, forge on"
"If at first, you distort, you're unfit to report"
"What did Rather know,when did he know it"(followed by a Kerry version)
"Hey,hey, ho,ho, Rather and Mapes have got to go"
"CBS, Hear BS, Throw BS out"

Bekka then joined us with her large waterproof(she was prepared) signs. Brent, a pretty vocal Townhaller came along, jumped across to the median and enjoyed interacting with the traffic. We got quite a response from the drivers. There were lots of honks and thumbs up(particularly from large vehicles including buses). We got our share of democrat IQ signals and even some folks shouting at us as they went by. I even had a postal truck that went a bit postal swerving near me and leaving tread marks on the curb. A couple of folks chased him down to get his truck number.

Cedric, another reporter stopped by and took a couple of photos and gave us a card indicating that he was with some publication that I wasn't familiar with. We were a little disappointed that the other media failed to make an appearance, but figured that they didn't want to "eat their own" and start a war amongst themselves.

We had a pretty good crowd and had lots of FReeping fun. I certainly enjoyed it and hope everyone else did too.

Click on pictures for larger images(or click the first one and view the slideshow)

zlala

bekka-1

bekka-2

gracey

group

mike

blastus-1

blastus-2

rathergate

suegeo

tim

wallace

zimmerman

basil

[DrewsDad]

We will check with a few other like-minded organizations and determine if we want to do it again. Thanks for everyone showing up!

[DrewsDad]

Here's the FReep Report.

Don't miss the fun next time.

[WOSG]

well done. great report.

[basil]

Good report--good photos! Thanks for both!

This was truly a fun freep--except for when you almost bought the ranch when the postal truck driver went postal!

It's always a treat to be with freepers--and we have a very good group here in Austin!

[fidelio]

Ping.

Well done.

[zip]

Thanks to all of you. It makes me proud to "know" you. zip, Columbia MO Infinite FReeper

[DrewsDad]

I made use of your graphic for my sign in the Zlala picture.

[Taxman]

Taxman Bravo Zulu!

[sockmonkey]

I even had a postal truck that went a bit postal swerving near me and leaving tread marks on the curb.

"Newman!"

[bstein80]

I am disappointed more people didn't show up. I sent an email out to everyone I know in Austin.

I also forwarded the press release to all the major news outlets. I think ya'll are right that the media does not want to start a war among themselves. Plus, they are liberal and hate us anyway.

[BradyLS]

Well done, Drewsdad! Austin is the belly of the beast. I admire you guys.

[BJClinton]

Well done. Too bad no media showed up.

[Gracey]

DD, We're fortunate to have you amongst us here in Austin. Thanks for taking the initiative to make this happen. You're so good at that... and inspiring. We had a GREAT turnout today, almost as many as came to the picnic.

For a town our size we do a pretty good job of kicking butt against the Leftists, Liars, Loonies and UnAmericans that skirt this town.

Keep up the inspiration, FRiend.

[anymouse]

Way to go H.O.T. FReepers. PJ dittos.

[Taxman]

I am reminded that a long journey begins with the first step.

And:

Molehills can become mountains, if each of us will move just a little bit of dirt.

Finally:

Persist, persist, persist! Above all else, persist!

[Redbob]

Anything going on this weekend?

Anyone here attending the SREC meeting at the Hyatt?

I'm driving down to Austin tonight - I'll be a "proxy" delegate for a member from Denton County.

[Redbob]

Don't forget the ever-popular:

"See-BS:
We distort,
You deride"

[DrewsDad]

I'll be trading places with you then this weekend. Be sure to wave as we pass each other.

[talleyman]

B^ump!

[Redbob]

Sure thing!
I'll wave: I'll be the one driving the SUV!