Dueling demonstrators swamp Crawford (Sheehan)

Houston Chronicle ^ | August 28, 2005 | MELANIE MARKLEY melanie.markley@chron.com

[Cincinatus' Wife]

CRAWFORD - Thousands of people swarmed into this tiny town near President Bush's ranch on Saturday, most of them in support of the troops and his policy to stay the course in Iraq.

Nearer the ranch, busloads showed up throughout the day to support Cindy Sheehan's ongoing anti-war protest, gathering for a peace vigil under a large tent in the stifling August heat.

Bush remained on his ranch, urging Americans in his weekly radio address to be patient.

"Our efforts in Iraq and the broader Middle East will require more time, more sacrifice and continued resolve," Bush said. "Yet people across the Middle East are choosing a future of freedom and prosperity and hope. And as they take their brave steps, Americans will continue to stand with them because we know that free and democratic nations are peaceful nations."

There were no reports of violence, but there were a few arrests.

One man, Ken Robinson, of Richardson, was taken into custody at the pro-Bush rally after he refused to leave when organizers objected to the harsh wording on his sign. The sign, referring to Sheehan's roadside protest, called her the "B---- in the Ditch" and equated her to "Hanoi Jane," a reference to Vietnam-era protester Jane Fonda.

Crawford, a one-blinking-light town of about 700, suffered major gridlock as police tried to direct the hundreds of cars, many trying to find scant parking spaces. Cars lined the narrow roads near the two demonstrations.

The pro-Bush rally is the largest since Sheehan began her protest outside his ranch early this month.

At the Community Center in Crawford, where Move America Forward and other pro-Bush organizations led the rally, speakers included parents whose sons had died in Iraq.

David Ries, of Amarillo, whose son, Marine Staff Sgt. David Ries, was killed during his second tour, said he wanted to send Sheehan a message.

"I'll tell her she is helping the terrorists," he said. "That is what terrorism is trying to do — divide the country."

Also taking the podium was Deena Burnett, whose husband Tom was one of the passengers who fought with terrorists aboard United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.

"This is about not having another Sept. 11 anywhere in the world," said Burnett to loud cheers, adding that the troops in Iraq deserve the country's support.

"As my husband did, they fight for the lives of people they don't know, and I commend them for that," she said.

Conroe homemaker Sandy Mueller sat under a big tent, listening to speaker after speaker implore the country to stand behind the president.

"We just want everybody to know that we are against Cindy and for our troops," said Mueller, who has a niece in Iraq.

At times, the crowd broke into a loud chant directed at Sheehan, whose son, Casey, was killed in Iraq.

"Cindy, go home. Cindy go home," the crowd chanted off and on throughout the rally.

At Camp Casey, Sheehan hugged and greeted people arriving from around the state.

Bette Graham White, a former Houstonian who now lives in San Antonio, said she was impressed by Sheehan, describing her as having "the kind of stuff Nobel Peace Prize winners are made of."

Betty Polifka, who arrived from Houston, said she felt moved to make the four-hour trip to Crawford and join Sheehan in her protest.

"I don't like the direction the country is going in," said Polifka. "I have grandchildren, and I wanted to support Cindy. I don't support Bush. I support our troops, but I think the war is a waste of lives."

Folk singer and anti-war activist Joan Baez sang, and speakers urged Bush to bring an end to the war.

"We are here for such a serious purpose," said Ann Wright, who quit her position as a senior diplomat in Mongolia to protest the war "We are here to make sure this war ends."

Both sides say their demonstrations in Crawford are just the beginning. They have already made plans to resume their rallies in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A McLennan Sheriff Deputy warns an unidentified Cindy Sheehan supporter that she will be arrested if she does not stay on the Camp Casey 1 side of the road across from the pro-Bush protesters near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005. Several thousand people descended on President Bush's adopted hometown Saturday, either attending a rally supporting him or arriving for the last leg of an anti-war demonstration near his ranch. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Bush supporter Chris Duncan of Dallas yells across the road to anti-war protestors at the original Camp Casey, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005. Several thousand people descended on President Bush's adopted hometown Saturday, most in a cross-country caravan for a pro-Bush rally and others to support an anti-war demonstration led by grieving mother Cindy Sheehan. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Mark Voss, of Crawford, Texas, writes the names of those families who do not want their relatives memorial cross at the campsite for Cindy Sheehan, at a gathering of pro-Bush supporters in Crawford, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005. The crosses were removed from the makeshift memorials at Camp Casey. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Jim Faulkner, a Vietnam veteran from San Antonio, holds a sign in support of the troops at a gathering of Pro-Bush supporters, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, in Crawford, Texas. Thousand of pro-Bush supporters are expected in Crawford to counter the supporters of Cindy Sheehan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

[wildcatf4f3]

Zoooooooh, Polifka is not so very happy with direction of country. Natasha, I zink we have candidate for service to great peoples cause, No? Da, Polifka, darlink, come here a moment eh?

[NaughtiusMaximus]

So, Sheehan is the B$TCH IN THE DITCH? I thought that was Hillary.

[SkyPilot]

Regarding this:

"A McLennan Sheriff Deputy warns an unidentified Cindy Sheehan supporter that she will be arrested if she does not stay on the Camp Casey 1 side of the road across from the pro-Bush protesters near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005. Several thousand people descended on President Bush's adopted hometown Saturday, either attending a rally supporting him or arriving for the last leg of an anti-war demonstration near his ranch. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Unidentified?

The MSM know damn well who that woman in the first photo is! She is as famous (or infamous) to the MSM as the DC Chapter President of "Code Pink"--Gael Murphy She is a professional agitator and has been doing press interviews for weeks!

<

[sopwith]

To all who made it to Crawford .
Great job thanks for going and telling the truth.

[Kuehn12]

This is so monumentally stupid, it reminds me of the OJ circus. Americans love spectacle. This is what make America look like a side show.

Truth:

President George Bush isn't going to withdrawal troops from Iraq.

The War of Terrorism will go on for most of our lifetimes.

Cindy Sheehan is a creation of the media. Who's only motivation is profit and filling air time and column space.

Jane Fonda is a galactic size moron.

[sticker]

"Bette Graham White, a former Houstonian who now lives in San Antonio, said she was impressed by Sheehan, describing her as having "the kind of stuff Nobel Peace Prize winners are made of." "

Anti-American BS?

[Loyal Buckeye]

"unidentified" = unidentified by the MSM

[jmaroneps37]

These people at camp Casey are not patriots. They are quislings who's aims would put us under Islamic rule.
The rest is just details.

[lionheart 247365]

Thank you for this post , I needed this . Kudos !

[EBH]

One man, Ken Robinson, of Richardson, was taken into custody at the pro-Bush rally after he refused to leave when organizers objected to the harsh wording on his sign. The sign, referring to Sheehan's roadside protest, called her the "B---- in the Ditch" and equated her to "Hanoi Jane," a reference to Vietnam-era protester Jane Fonda.

I had seen that picture on another thread last night, but there was no information as to why he was being arrested. Can they arrest him because of the wording on his sign or legitimately ask him to leave? The pictures I saw showed him on the opposite side of the road, not in Casey Camp. The words a pretty crude, but its his right to them, isn't it? They don't say which organizers asked him to leave either.

[exDemMom]

My, that Gael Murphy looks pinched and bitter. Of course, she has a right to be bitter, but why does she think she has a right to take it out on everyone else?

[Jumper]

I noted that when it comes to a family's objects to Cindy's White Crosses, only names could removed from Crosses.... It struck me as funny that the only time the Democrats and Liberal Socialist types ever use a cross as symbol is to make a political statement to offend religious folks like our President and myself. I guess the DNC gives brownie (not scouting) points for getting a double meaning out of a cross. I'm getting a little cross at Cindy and her socialist Iraqi insurgent supporting following.

[randita]

The War of Terrorism will go on for most of our lifetimes.

Terrorism will go on for most of our lifetimes, but it remains to be seen if we have the stomach to continue to fight against it long term. It's only been 3 years, terrific progress has been made (albeit not regularly reported) and we have many in our nation, including elected leaders, who want to get out.

Someday we might have a President like Clinton who pursues policy based on polls and survey groups and not on principle, we'll unilaterally disarm and the terrorists will reemerge unchecked their pre-2001 strength.

Then we might have to start this cycle all over again.

[RedEyeJack]

Very good analogy... they are Quislings in the psychological war for the hearts and minds of the American people. They are collaborators with the terrorists who seek to destroy the American will to continue the fight.

[pepperhead]

"Bette Graham White, a former Houstonian who now lives in San Antonio, said she was impressed by Sheehan, describing her as having "the kind of stuff Nobel Peace Prize winners are made of."

She would fit right in with Yasser Arafat.

[mtbopfuyn]

Ok, a bit about our side but still mainly Sindy this and Sindy that. Hasn't she used up her 15 yet?

[vvatcer]

This would put her right up there with Carter, Is the nobel prize something to be proud of?

[Eastbound]

Nobel invented dynamite. Being noble is not necessarily a requirement to receive a Nobel prize.

The Peace Prize category is a joke at times. Yassar? Kofi? Wonder why Jane and Kerry didn't get theirs? Didn't they give aid and comfort to the enemy for the cause of peace? Sheehan's name would fit well with those jokesters.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Anyone who thinks Hanoi Kerry and Hanoi Jane
aren't behind the anti war crowd
needs to get a clue.

Dallas/Fort Worth Star-Telegram 8-28-05 Jack Douglas Jr.
CRAWFORD TX-
President Bush's supporters poured into Crawford by the thousands Saturday,
for the first time outnumbering war protesters led by Cindy Sheehan,
who began a vigil here three weeks ago,
demanding a personal meeting with the vacationing president
to talk about her son's death in Iraq.

Lame Stream Media : News Flash!
President Bush already met with Cindy Sheehan months ago for over 10 minutes.
Quit lying!!!!