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Deploying Cindy's Antiwar Army [FR's DC Chapter counterprotest mentioned]
Washington Post ^ | August 18, 2005 | Dana Milbank

Posted on 08/18/2005 12:10:17 AM PDT by Jim Robinson

It was to have been a silent vigil outside the White House last night in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan, the Gold Star Mother-turned-antiwar activist. But the 500 demonstrators were not the sort to be silenced.

"Meet with Cindy!" they chanted. "Tell her the truth! . . . This war was for oil! . . . End the war now!"

"Cindy Sheehan," organizer Karen Bradley shouted into a megaphone, "you are an inspiration to us all!"

As Sheehan, mother of an American soldier killed in Iraq, camps out near President Bush's ranch in Texas this month in symbolic protest, foes of the war see the chance to achieve something that has eluded them for two years: galvanizing a mass antiwar movement. Sheehan, they say hopefully, could be their Rosa Parks.

Bradley, a volunteer for the liberal group MoveOn.org, which coordinated about 1,600 candlelight vigils across the country last night for Sheehan, certainly thinks so. "We've been missing this galvanizing, iconic figure," said Bradley, who lost a child nine years ago, to illness. "I think all the mothers of the world are going to come out and say, 'Enough.' "

That's what worries Kevin Pannell, whose knot of a dozen conservative counterdemonstrators was outnumbered 50 to 1 on Pennsylvania Avenue last night. Pannell, part of the Army's First Cavalry Division, lost both calves in Iraq last year when his patrol was ambushed in a grenade attack. He said he had never been to a political rally before, but he is worried about Sheehan's ability to spark an antiwar movement.

"She's stirred up a wasps' nest," he said, leaning on a flagpole to support his prosthetic legs. "It's definitely getting bigger. They're getting a little out of hand."

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Extended News; Free Republic; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: cindysheehan; dcchapter; fr; iraq
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1 posted on 08/18/2005 12:10:17 AM PDT by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson
the Gold Star Mother-turned-antiwar activist.

More like unbalanced mother turned red-star-commie-pinko

2 posted on 08/18/2005 12:13:11 AM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: Jim Robinson

How about that! An article in the WP that actually presents both sides. Be still my heart!


3 posted on 08/18/2005 12:17:22 AM PDT by McGavin999 ("You must call evil by it's name" GW Bush ......... It's name is Terror)
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To: Jim Robinson

I have already warned my Mom if she ever even thought about something like that, I would come back and haunt her


4 posted on 08/18/2005 12:18:17 AM PDT by Razwan
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To: McGavin999
"We've been missing this galvanizing, iconic figure,"

That's it! Put your arms around her and give her a big old kiss. Then when she goes out in a blaze of glory, we can lay her right at YOUR feet, pal!

5 posted on 08/18/2005 12:21:49 AM PDT by Howlin
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To: Echo Talon
("When talking to reporters, it is OK to keep repeating the same message over and over. It may feel strange to do that, but the reporters are used to it.")

LOL.........see, they do believe if you say it enough it will become the truth........and they are admitting that the reporters are their helpers!

However, this is scary:

But is it possible this moment could make MoveOn.org what SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) was during Vietnam?

6 posted on 08/18/2005 12:26:01 AM PDT by Howlin
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To: Jim Robinson; All

Doesn't anyone get that Hanoi Kerry is behind this,
along with Hanoi Jane?

Why, if in the 2004 election, "we won" with an overwhelming majority why are "we" outflanked by the wacko's?

Why is the majority silent like they were in the 60's and 70's and allowed Nixon to "give up" even though he was involved in Viet Nam since at least 1955?

I applaud all who do something, in person, or by mail, e-mail etc to support our troops.

But why did it take an attack on President Bush to light a fire on most conservatives.

Where was the same support for the troops in Gitmo a few months back when they were under attack?

Where is the support, by the right, to impeach Hanoi Kerry for his crimes in the 60's and 70's?

If I sound "bitter" I am.

But then again I'm just a lifelong Independent who has been cast aside once the 2004 elections were over by a few long term GOP members on Free Republic.

NEW FLASH : I just don't care what people think.

I know what I do each and every week in the real world
to support our military and I will continue to do so as long as I live and breathe.

I also am smart enough to know that many on FR also support the troops in person and in other ways.

AND I know the ones who just show up to support the President.

Well I voted in 2000 and 2004 for President Bush.

BUT my 1st allegiance is with our military.


7 posted on 08/18/2005 12:29:08 AM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Never Forget)
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To: Howlin
Bradley, a volunteer for the liberal group MoveOn.org,

I especially liked this part. I think this is the first time I have ever seen it in newsprint.

8 posted on 08/18/2005 12:29:25 AM PDT by McGavin999 ("You must call evil by it's name" GW Bush ......... It's name is Terror)
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To: McGavin999
Don't care much for this:

Kristinn Taylor does. An organizer for FreeRepublic.com, a MoveOn.org counterpart on the right...

9 posted on 08/18/2005 12:32:04 AM PDT by Howlin
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To: Howlin
well thats the MSM for ya they dont "ask hard questions" of liberals and just let the clap trap dribble keep comming.
At least poor Scott McClellan has had a nice vacation the last few days. :D
10 posted on 08/18/2005 12:32:56 AM PDT by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

I, too, am a patriot who served honorably. I have no comment about your statements other than the one about winning with an overwhelming majority. How can you call a 3% margin an overwhelming majority? I, for one, was rather underwhelmed by the whole experience.


11 posted on 08/18/2005 12:42:40 AM PDT by FreeRepublicFlorida
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To: Jim Robinson

bttt


12 posted on 08/18/2005 12:44:03 AM PDT by nopardons
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To: Howlin
True, but you've got to admit, it's far more balanced than anything that has ever been posted in the Washington Post. Maybe those sinking circulation numbers and the declining ads are starting to get through to them.

We could probably help it along by sending them maps to the nearest unemployment office and a cookbook on 1,000 ways to prepare tuna fish.

13 posted on 08/18/2005 12:44:11 AM PDT by McGavin999 ("You must call evil by it's name" GW Bush ......... It's name is Terror)
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To: Jim Robinson; kristinn
Also from www.washingtonpost.com:
...But is it possible this moment could make MoveOn.org what SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) was during Vietnam? "I'm only 30," Matzzie replied. "I don't really understand the reference that much."

Kristinn Taylor does. An organizer for FreeRepublic.com, a MoveOn.org counterpart on the right, he recruited a small group of conservatives to hold a counterprotest last night; they stood beneath the statue of Andrew Jackson and held a banner, stitched from three bedsheets, proclaiming: "God Bless Our Soldiers Liberating the World of One Tyrant at a Time."


14 posted on 08/18/2005 12:46:20 AM PDT by RonDog
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To: tgslTakoma
...they stood beneath the statue of Andrew Jackson and held a banner, stitched from three bedsheets, proclaiming: "God Bless Our Soldiers Liberating the World of One Tyrant at a Time."
That would be THIS wonderful "monster" sign:

...from:

The PAJAMAHADEEN COOKBOOK:
Chapter One - Making a MOAB in your own backyard!

  Posted by tgslTakoma
On News/Activism 10/04/2004 8:47:40 PM PDT · 62 replies · 2,564+ views


DC Chapter ^ | October 4, 2004 | anonymous PAJAMAHADEEN members

15 posted on 08/18/2005 12:51:59 AM PDT by RonDog
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To: Jim Robinson

BTTT!

Still waiting for the oil prices to go down....
Waiting.
Waiting..
Waiting...


16 posted on 08/18/2005 12:57:19 AM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Lord, we need a Logan miracle for Simcha7 and Cowboy. Please.)
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Doctor Raoul; BillF; Pyro7480; doug from upland; ALOHA RONNIE; ...
See also, from:
DC Chapter After Action Report
TURN ON YOUR NEWS!

Posted on 08/17/2005 7:04:56 PM PDT by StayAt HomeMother

Y’all might want to watch your local / national 10 and 11 pm news for tonight’s FReep in front of the White House.

(Mod – please allow this to stay in “Breaking News” for an hour or so.)

Kristinn just called as they were wrapping up. Here is his phoned-in report:

There were about 300 of “them” and 18 of “us.”

We started out in front of the Andrew Jackson statue facing H Street, but the Park Police sent us on our way because we did not have a permit.

We moved to in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave and set up the MOAB.
For a picture of this banner see:

"4-Corner FReep of Code Pink's Quagmire at Walter Reed, Aug 12
(Heavy graphics, Join us Aug 19!)"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1465323/posts
“They” left their location and followed us. “They” were “ticked off” by our presence and one of “them” asked, “How come you FReepers always have the big signs?”

Kristinn replied, “We’re good, man, we’re good.”

-- snip --

To: StayAt HomeMother; Doctor Raoul; BillF; kristinn; tgslTakoma

I was able to catch the local ABC and CBS news reports in the DC area on these "vigils." The CBS covered the pro-Cindy Move-on types, and interviewed some pro-military veterans at the Marine Corps Iwo Jima memorial, but there was no images of the FReepers. ABC7, on the other hand, had some great video coverage of the FReep. Here are some captures I made:


The "MOAB" (Mother of All Banners) and some FReepers are looking great supporting our troops.


It's good to see some patriotic kids!

The girl's poster


A FReeper and a Move-on type argue.

Kevin and the flag
The reason why Kevin isn't still over in Iraq
The MOAB and the FReepers from farther away

49 posted on 08/17/2005 8:50:22 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

17 posted on 08/18/2005 1:04:55 AM PDT by RonDog
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To: RonDog

Thanks RonDog!!


18 posted on 08/18/2005 1:06:32 AM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Lord, we need a Logan miracle for Simcha7 and Cowboy. Please.)
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To: Brad's Gramma
De nada. :o)

See also THIS thread:

Vigils Calling for End to Iraq War Begin (Free Republic Mentioned)
AP via The Guardian ^ | Thursday, August 18, 2005 | Angela K. Brown
Posted on 08/17/2005 9:52:02 PM PDT by kristinn

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - Hundreds of candlelight vigils calling for an end to the war in Iraq lit up the night Wednesday, part of a national effort spurred by one mother's anti-war demonstration near President Bush's ranch.

The vigils were urged by Cindy Sheehan, who has become the icon of the anti-war movement since she started a protest Aug. 6 in memory of her son Casey, who died in Iraq last year.

Sheehan says she will remain outside the president's ranch until he meets with her and other grieving families, or until his monthlong vacation there ends.

Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan but has made no indication he will meet with her. Two top Bush administration officials talked to Sheehan the day she started her camp, and she and other families had met with Bush shortly after her son's death.

More than 1,600 vigils were planned Wednesday from coast to coast by liberal advocacy groups MoveOn.org Political Action, TrueMajority and Democracy for America. A large vigil was also planned in Paris.

As the sun set in Crawford, about 200 protesters lit candles and gathered around a wooden, flag-draped coffin at Sheehan's growing camp, about a mile from the Bush ranch.

``For the more than 1,800 who have come home this way in flag-draped coffins, each one ... was a son or a daughter, not cannon fodder to be used so recklessly,'' Sheehan told the crowd.

After the names of some of the dead soldiers were read, the crowd sang ``Amazing Grace'' as people stepped forward to place flowers on the coffin.

Before the vigil, Gary Qualls, of Temple drove to Sheehan's camp site and removed a wooden cross bearing his son's name. He said he supports the war and disagrees with Sheehan.

``I don't believe in some of the things happening here,'' Qualls said. ``I find it disrespectful.''

Near Philadelphia's Independence Hall, a few hundred people strained to hear the parent of another soldier killed in Iraq. ``This war must stop,'' said Al Zappala, 65, whose 30-year-old son, Sgt. Sherwood Baker, died in an explosion in Baghdad in April 2004.

Karen Braz, 50, held a pink votive cup and a sign reading ``Moms for Peace'' as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with about 150 other people outside the New Hampshire statehouse in Concord.

``My son is 26. It could've been him,'' she said

Some critics say Sheehan is exploiting her son's death to promote a left-wing agenda. They say scores of Americans, including relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq, support Bush and his plans to keep troops there.

FreeRepublic.com, which holds rallies to support troops and to counter anti-war demonstrations, held a pro-Bush rally Wednesday night with about 20 people at the same time and same Washington park as a candlelight vigil that drew about 300, said Kristinn Taylor, co-leader of the group's Washington, D.C., chapter.

``For us the organizers of the vigil are phony-baloney, betraying the sacrifices that those men and women make in Iraq, by demanding that we pull our troops out now and leave Iraq to go to hell,'' Taylor said. ``This is a publicity stunt.''

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

19 posted on 08/18/2005 1:25:04 AM PDT by RonDog
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To: RonDog
``For us the organizers of the vigil are phony-baloney, betraying the sacrifices that those men and women make in Iraq, by demanding that we pull our troops out now and leave Iraq to go to hell,'' Taylor said. ``This is a publicity stunt.''

BTTT!!!!

20 posted on 08/18/2005 1:32:15 AM PDT by Brad’s Gramma (Lord, we need a Logan miracle for Simcha7 and Cowboy. Please.)
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