Official Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball Reports and Photos Thread (Post 'em Here!)

Saturday, January 22, 2005 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

The Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball was a wonderful, but exhausting time. I'm still wiped out. But, I know folks are waiting for pics and stories. I'll add my observations later, but I wanted to share one thing before I head back to the hotel to see 'Governor' Robinson and his family off.

We received a phone call from the White House yesterday. The Office of Presidential Scheduling called to pass along President Bush's regrets for not being able to attend our ball (we had mailed a formal invitation to him and his family.) We were told, "He hopes it went well."

As it turns out, the ball went really well after a late start.

Governor Huckabee and Capitol Offense rocked the house well past midnight. Impressionist Billy Finch did a wonderful job as Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful. Sauropod's video presentaion was stunning. The speeches by the Iraqis were very moving. WMAL's Michael Graham did a great job opening the show. Nick Danger was excellent emceeing the Eagle Awards. The St. John's College High School JROTC were magnificent presenting the colors. Richard Poe was busy all night signing copies of Hillary's Secret War. Seeking the Truth and his wife, Darlie, couldn't take a break--their 0Cents.com merchandise was very popular.

Thanks to all for their hard work making sure the ball went so well. And a special thanks to the active duty service members from Walter Reed and the Pentagon, as well as the veterans, who accepted our invitations as honored guests to the ball.

Please post your reports and photos or links here. I know alot of folks are traveling home, so check back over the next few day as folks check back in on FR.

[hoosiermama]

SO now you've got the WH calling you....;^)

Looks like a grat time was had by all!

[mdittmar]

Watch em',their short but mean.Ha!

[hoosiermama]

"Strangers who were all my friends"!!

If you ever have time read the Live thread for that day....At one point many of us got teary eyed and very nostalgic about the freerepublic "FAMILY".
Jim Rob has really created a wonderful thing out of Al Gores' Internet ;^)

[Ryan Spock]

These are Katie Rasdorf's (krasdorf's) pics cropped and resized:

Capitol Offense

ironman, RaceBannon, and krasdorf

krasdorf and Governor Huckabee

kristinn and Governor Huckabee

Suzanne and krasdorf with Saddam

Suzanne, kristinn, and krasdorf

Suzanne and RaceBannon

RepubMommy and DollyCali

Teacup and RepubMommy

[Americanchild]

Here come some pics from Queenkathy.

First we have her hanging out with the bad crowd! (That's me!!)

Next is her view at the swearing in:

[MEG33]

Great pics..I liked the slide show feature.

[sweetiepiezer]

Thank you for the reports, was great reading them. Maybe in 4 years we can all get together.

[tgslTakoma]

Excellent photos, ramseye! I am glad to hear that you had a good time at the ball.

I am working on my photo report to post on this thread later; but am taking a short break to catch up with the latest on FR. I'm hurrying, though; and hope to post soon...

[Jen]

Spookie - check this out.

Deadhead - I'm so disappointed I didn't get to meet you at the Ball! We had a great time.

[ironman]

Many thanks for all your efforts putting on the Ball. I had a great time.

[BillF]

I'm going to start a separate thread later with some of my photos, many of them being photos of the anarchists who stormed by the pub that bmwcyle and I stopped at.

[Repub4bush]

You too KP! My husband loved talking to you!

Let me know about your plans for Tri-state. I hope we can get involved.

[GummyIII]

Uncleshag drove from SC. He overnighted in Richmond on the way. He's one fine gentleman, and those of us listening to "Right Talk" heard it! Thank you for playing it.

[doug from upland]

That's right. Uncleshag came from SC to deliver the CD. At least you in the Rightalk Radio audience heard it. And others can now download the MP3. We are talking about a CD of RAT-bashing hits.

[sauropod]

I met him personally and had to do a double take. Quite a fine likeness, really.

[radu]

WOOHOO!! Just what we've been waiting for! PICS and details about all the fun y'all had at the FR W2 Inaugural Ball!

It looks like everyone had a great time and I'm absolutely dyin' here. LOL! I wanted to go sooooo badly.
At least here, we can put a few more faces to the names we see so often at FR. What a great-looking crowd of folks.

Seeing the pics gives meaning to "FReepers ROCK!"

Thanks for the ping, Tonk!

[Katya]

What a fantastic end to a glorious election outcome. You did a magnificent job running this fete. Besides running into Freepers I hadn't seen in a while, greeting our warm and wonderful founder Jim Robinson, one of the highlights for me was meeting:

Buckhead!!! Wooohoooo!!!!

[AGreatPer]

You are one of the classiest ladies I have ever met in my life. Thank you for your post #138.

It looks like everyone had a great time. Wish we could have been there. So many friends from so many Freeps. Love you all.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I was most excited as the ball had wound down, to talk to Buckwheat!"

LOL..."Buckwheat," the screen name Buckhead wishes he had chosen...MUD

[Repub4bush]

Yeah did you see my post after that one?

I think a gremlin got in and changed the name, cause it said Buckhead when I proofed it! Go Figger???? LOL