Go Blue! ;-)
Posted on 10/06/2004 2:19:44 PM PDT by Alouette
Even though it's the day before a 3-day-long Jewish holiday, I put my cooking and preparations aside to hear a speech by President Bush on the campus of Oakland Community College in Farmington, MI.
Security was VERY VERY tight. My son and I got tickets for the event from jewsforgeorge.com. The rally was held on the sports field and the grass was very muddy. No one wanted to sit or stand on a Bush/Cheney poster and disrespect the President and the Flag, and there weren't any Kerry/Edwards posters at the site. Anyway my New Balance sneakers lost their nice white look and the hem of my skirt got filthy. It was much worse for a group of Black church people wearing their Sunday best. Not to mention the Secret Service who were very distinctive with their shaved heads, mirror shades, black suits, wingtips and earpieces.
My son and I had tickets to the "inner circle" which was closer to the President, not that close and the ground was even muddier. And of course being a very short person I could barely see the President, but there he was, and gave an excellent speech, which was interrupted frequently by whistles, cheers and chants of FOUR MORE YEARS!! Every time he mentioned his opponent's name, the crowd chanted "Flip Flop! Flip Flop!"
Anyway my son and I had a great time. Were any other Michigan FReepers there? If you saw a short red-haired lady wearing a black trench coat with a tall, good-looking bearded guy wearing a black suit and a pumpkin-colored shirt, that was me and my son "kazatzkeh."
Wow, we have to very different crowd estimates. I hope yours was more accurate. I think it's a good sign the President was on the east side of the State today. Kerry seems afraid to return here (it's probably beneath him)...he's sending Edwards.
At least they wern't stolen. My dad's was stolen - twice.
Speaking of meeting fellow FReepers...make sure you check out the Michigan FR forum--I've met a lot of geat area FReepers that way. I'm heading to the MI forum now to see if I can set up a campaign-related FReeping get-together.
Air Force One flew right over my work building today on its way to Metro Airport. It flew in surprisingly low to the ground so I could see the markings on the plane very clearly. It almost looked like they wanted to give the President a closeup of the Ford World Headquarters.
I was in the middle-back and could barely see since I'm only 5'10.
KKK (Krazy Kooks for Kerry)
I LIKE IT!
but the KKK could only muster about a dozen nutcakes.
Might I suggest they get a nice new suv. They hold more than a spec.
That is exactly where I parked.
I had the black Explorer that has a blue "Stop Hanoi John Kerry" and "Sportsmen for Bush" stickers on the back window.
I must be a lucky one. I bought the party pack and put all the signs up in my tiny yard. Someone drove by and asked if he could have one, and I said sure. Then a coworker asked for one, and I gave her one. Had my house painted and they destroyed one - by accident. I now only have 3 left - but it is more than enough. Only one other sign on the block and it's just like mine - a busier street (on the corner) and I thought for sure his would disappear - as we live in the Democratic stronghold of Mount Clemens - Michigan - home of the Reagan Democrats - County Seat of Macomb County.
Our Air National Guard at work - protecting our President - they were scrambled from Alert at Selfridge. God I love our Military - especially the ANG (Course my wife is a lifer with the Mi Ang).
Red Head in Atlanta!
Although I must admit grey is showing up more and more.
Go Blue! ;-)
We were there also, we drove to 12 Oaks and buses drove us to the rally.
Luckly we stood on the straw, on the right and had a great view of the Pres, and next to the national media. I was able to snear at John Roberts of CBS primping for his live shot. We harrassed him unmercifully.
The Pres sounded great, and the crowd around me went wild, almost like Elvis! I loved Bo's speech too.
Law enforcement said to me that they estimated 15,000 to 20,000.
My family and a few friends and I were there. I was disappointed in the lack of attention to datail as far as signs at teh parking area at teh mall (there were none) and they could have used another dozen porta potties. I think they soaked the field to control dust. Great idea, but they oversoaked it.
There was also no water. My daughter was dehydrating and getting faint. We had to go to the med tent to get some water and waste their time with a minor issue. Secret Service was confiscating water bottles at the gate.
We were toward the back but had a great time. I help run a homeschool Cub Scout pack. Saw several Scout families.
We were on the last shuttle bus out after waiting 2-3 hours to leave. No one was grumbling as we had a great opportunity to see the leader of the free world and support his re-election.
Now for the best part. Some of the kids started to gripe about being hungry. Our group had 8 kids from 14 to 4 months, plus a bunch of my Cubs were around as well. I walked over toward the buildings and encountered a couple of Oakland College Police Officers. I told them that I had about 20 getting hungry kids and asked if there was a candy machine around. He told me to wait around, went into his office and came back with a big bag of mini candy bars and gave them to me. I passed them out to our kids and any other kids I could find.
4 kids refused to take candy from a stranger until I told their parents that I got it from the police and received their permission. Great kids. I mad esure that the police received the credit for the candy.
ive only got one stick..its gotta last me this year.
yea the bush bashers at OCC were actually polite they protested but were very peaceful..i shook the hands of one of them saying that im glad that him and his friends were not causing problems he was like "yea i dont want trouble..just want my voice heard" i told him that he was doing it right by peacefully assembling
Last time I've ever been to a rally was in 1989 when Bush 41 came to Billings, Montana, I was going to college in Billings at the time. I even watched Air Force 1 touchdown at Billings Logan International Airport the night before. Classes were let out that day, so I took the opportunity to go hear him speak. He was there to talk about the D.A.R.E. program. Bush 43 came to Billings in 2002 to rally the voters for Mike Taylor, but unfortuantely, I had other obligations. I guess if one is to attend rallies once a month in your homestate, one has to live in a battleground state. The only politician I've ever met personally is the lone Representative in the House Of Representatives. He makes a point to visit all 56 counties in Montana every year.
If you check out the Flea Press article mentioned, you would notice a few more MSM tricks. First, the picture FP chose to use has the Prez standing a step or 2 below Laimbeer at the split-second that Laimbeer just turned around from the podium to shake POTUS' hand after introducing him. Second, I take issue with the comment, “Supporters waved flags and pompons and held signs. An emcee told them when to wave them, when to cheer.” The only time we were told to cheer or wave anything was before POTUS arrived (absolutely no prodding was needed once President Bush took over). I've never been to a rally or concert where an emcee didn't attempt to fire up a crowd prior to the main event!
It was unfortunate that there were not any concession stands but you can probably thank the Democrat Mayor of Farmington Hills (Vicki Barnett?) who found a way to change the venue at the last minute, which left the organizers scrambling. Up until Monday, this rally was planned for the Founders Sports Park on 8 Mile Rd. However, they were passing out small water bottles when I arrived around 12:30 PM. Perhaps, due to the size of the crowd, they ran out.
POTUS was definitely on his game; his reworked stump speech was powerful. God willing and the Creek don't rise - he will funnel the same energy into tonight's debate!
I concur with you. Laimbeer did a mock into about 4 minutes before POTUS arrived and I think that was the only crowd pumping. I figured that the change of venue trhew them for a loop. Do you think the soaking of the field was a Dem dirty trick too? I think hosing the field is a good idea for dust control, but they must have thought they were filling a pool. The muck was 2-3 inches deep where we were.
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