Oct. 24 Olney, MD Debate - After Action Report

Trooprally | Oct. 31,2005 | Trooprally

[trooprally]

I have to apologize for getting this report out so late. It has been a busy week with Cindy She-shrew in D.C. and getting work done. We also hope to have some pictures posted a little later.

Considering that we were in the heart of liberal country (Montgomery Co., MD), that Rep. Al Wynn (D-MD) gave the opening antiwar monologue, that the moderator was an antiwar liberal and we were out numbered 2 to 1, I think it went very well for the real "Support the Troops" side. Our pronounced presence keep the moderator in line and fairer than he probably wanted.

The article in the Olney and Silver Spring Gazettes were also fair. Check out the article at I attribute this to our presence and hopefully my contacts at the Gazette in keeping their feet in the fire as to fairness.

We were well represented by the DC Chapter FReepers. Concretebob looked very dapper (Yes dapper, in his suit); Kristinn was his normal great orator self; Iraqikurd and Dustin10thMountain gave personal answers and were later surrounded by liberals and troop supporters to further discuss the war (afterwards Iraqikurd did have several private choice words for the liberals); BillF, lurker Bill and myself [Mr] trooprally all put in our two cents at the microphone; we had "purpled" our index finger in solidarity with the Iraqis, but lost the impact of doing so because the Iraqi constitution question was deleted since the vote was not finalized; lurker Joan and concretebob traveled hours in the rain to come, and of course the other Freepers who braved the weather to support our speaker and our cause; Landry Fan, [Mrs] Trooprally, PleaDeal, BufordP, and TgslTakoma.

Several locals showed up and also spoke at the microphone. In later talking to them, I think we have three potential new FReepers. One was from trooprally's September rally in Olney.

Mr. Phillips from the Heritage foundation overwhelmed Mr. Atal from the Cato Institute with facts. Mr. Atal could only give feel good fuzzy answers. In actuality, our side verbally killed the lefties with facts. But they were unfazed by our answers, but that was to be expected. We were there for the fence sitters, who were sparse. But we did our patriotic duty.

Rep. Wynn arrived late due to the rain and left early. And this debate was sponsored by him. He bloviated for some time at the beginning but kept fairly quiet afterwards, for a pol that is. As several FReepers pointed out, he contradicted himself several times by stating reasons to stay the course.

As usual, it was a laugh listening to the liberals. One guy was ranting, raving and pounding on the stage so much that even the antiwar moderator had to dismiss his actions and asked him to leave. The ranter used up all the allotted time for their side so the 3 libs behind him had to sit down. They really looked pissed off by this guy using their time.

I believe that we showed the antiwar group that we are civil in our conversations, even with the few loud laughs and hoots from our side. We didn't change their minds but we had our say. We were there to show them that we will challenge them when and where ever they gather. And we received some positive media reporting, which we would not have received if we ignored this opportunity.

Many Thanks for everyone who came Monday night.

[trooprally]

Article is at: <->http://www.gazette.net/stories/102605/olnenew202801_31897.shtml<->

Being a newbie I'm still figuring out all the nuisances of posting.

[bmwcyle]

Be careful, they like to run people over with a bus.

[trooprally]

That's why we have our events inside!! But thanks for the warning.

We may be newbies, but we ain't stupid.

[Mr & Mrs] Trooprally

[Albion Wilde]

Great report, Trooprally, and that is a very balanced article about it, too. Thank you for all your hard work to make sure the balancing factor (DC Chapter folks and others) was present!

[trooprally]

No problem and you are welcome - the least we can do for our troops.

[tgslTakoma]

Link to photos, click here

Noteworthy series of shots, check out the numbers PA240013 through PA240015 for "WOOKIE" EWWW!

Also take a look at PA240048 -PA240052, when a wounded Iraq War vet went over to talk to Wookie about calling our soldiers Nazis.

And PA240125 - PA240128 to see the crazy guy ranting about the US's soul.

Last two photos are also interesting, a teenaged girl wearing a Che sweatshirt, and BillF all dressed up!

I would have posted links, but I'm late for work!

[tgslTakoma]

DC Chapter PING!

[trooprally]

Great Pic's (looks like Luke got hungry Gross!LOL ).
Thanks for the pictures. You see Faces of all emotions and you caught them all. Thanks for being there.

Mrs

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Great report! Thanks for defending the homefront at my old hometown.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping Takoma.
Great photos. Wookie - yuk!

BillF - Looking Good!

[3D-JOY]

DARN, You guys have all the fun!

I just sit here in the SUN!!

[Just A Nobody]

Thought you might be interested in this

[Just A Nobody]

FYI ping

[Landry Fan]

bump!

[AGreatPer]

Most excellent effort all.

Gees, to keep a paper like that from slanting left on their article is a major victory.

[BillF]

I have sound files of some of the debate. If I ever get the time, I may try to put some online.

Only two of the photos on my camera really turned out, both taken post-debate. One of them is a post-debate photo of me (reenacting my time at the microphone) taken by tgslTakoma. I'm not sure why my camera didn't work for the first photos that I took, but I was mainly concentrating on my debate arguments.

Both photos are below. Click on the first photo and a larger version will appear in a new window.

[Mr.] trooprally, BufordP, Landry Fan, and concretbob after the debate. Click for larger version.

Post-debate reenactment photo of BillF taken by tgslTakoma.

[Sisku Hanne]

Thank you for all your hard work on this event. An excellent AA report, and a surprisingly fair media report of the event.

[talleyman]

Bumpus Maximus