Posted on 01/05/2006 5:46:43 PM PST by trooprally
The antiwar groups are at it again in Olney, Maryland. Olney is 10 miles due north of Washington, DC, on Georgia Avenue, which is the same road where we FReep at Walter Reed and the same road where the Protest Warriors, with help from some FReepers, tangled with protestors at the Silver Spring Recruitment Center back in November. Sounds like we should change the street name, then the antiwar groups would get lost, but I digress. Greater Olney is a small town of 35,000. But it is in the middle of a very liberal Blue State that tries to out liberalize the Left-Coast. We have a strong Quaker presence in the Olney area. The two that started the Montgomery County Chapter of PeaceAction are Quakers who live in an assisted living facility. If you really need to view their site, copy/paste .
I said "again" because the group MOBilizing Mothers, the old Mothers Opposing Bush (MOB), organized several antiwar protestd back in September as a prelude to the big IMF anti-everything (but billed as Cindy She-Shrew's antiwar) demonstration in Washington, DC last September. We rained on their parade back then, and we will also now.
[Mr & Mrs] Trooprally were not aware of FR, Protest Warriors and others at that time. But we organized a counter rally with the local residents, VFW and American Legion. We were out numbered 20/60, 15/40 and 15/40 for the three weeks we countered them. But we got more thumbs up, honks and waves than they did.
Getting back to last Saturday, Dec. 31. PeaceAction out numbered us again, 8/4, but Saturday was more of an exploratory FReep and was not widely publicized. We wanted to see what was happening and how long they stood.
Three of us arrived at 3 PM, our fourth, Local Stu, arived about 3:45. (Below)
They had one at 3 PM also, with the other 7 arriving around 3:15, their official starting time. Their early bird is a standard hardcore antiwar idiot. He held a "Support the Troops, Impeach Bush" sign. I told him why we were there and showed him our signs. (Below)
The other seven were mostly older people, probably from the same assisted living facility as the Montgomery Chapter organizers.
We took our position (Not by Chance) at the middle of the best corner, which also just happened to be the corner they occupied. By us being in the middle and splitting their group in half, they were forced to send half of them to the opposite corner. Pic below is of North East corner from Main, South West corner
They had a small, homemade cloth banner that pales in comparison to the FR MOAB that is at Walter Reed on Friday nights. (Below)
They will soon be getting a rude awakening when the MOAB shows up in the near future. [Mrs of] Mr.Mrs.RedWhiteBlue (Below)in back ground with American flags attached to her sign. Is it me or did I miss the antiwar groups American flags?
Except for several of their group, they welcomed us out there. We wished them Happy New Year as they left. They cordially responded with Happy New Year, EXCEPT for one 'lady'. She agitatedly asked "Why do we have to protest on the same corner"? I simply answered, "You are not going to get any free sidewalk time". It's also freedom of speech.
Even though we were in close proximity to their group and they were on two corners, we received more honks, thumbs up, and waves than they did. Maybe there are more red voters out there than we thought.
Looking forward to our second week, we are gathering momentum. We are getting the locals out to help and also our new FRiends at FR and Protest Warriors.
It is still cold even though we are out during the warmer part of the day because at this time of year the sun is behind buildings and evergreens. We are standing in the shade! The FReepers from Walter Reed know how to dress for the cold, but the locals need to be educated for counter protesting and holding signs in the cold.
With luck, hopefully the older folks will not want to be engaged in FReindly verbal bantering about the truth and stop coming. Several others will have to be persuaded by more in-your-face arguing and slogans. Unlike WR, there are no permits required by the County or the State (we stand at the intersection of two State roads) so we can mix it up face to face. We're sure some of the WR FReepers will like that, but be gentle on the older folks, unless they want to go face to face.
So join us in Olney from 3 PM to 4:30 PM every Saturday until they cry uncle, at the intersection of Georgia Avenue, MD Rte. 97, and MD Rte. 108, Olney-Laytonsville Road to the west, and Olney-Sandy Spring Road to the east.
Thanks to [Mrs] Trooprally for taking pictures.
bump!! good job.
bump!! good job.
I really meant it that you did a good job. So I doubleposted!
May the Lord Bless you and all your helpers.
Thanks. Are you listening to the maggots "Moron" and Murtha? What idiots.
ping!
Yes, thanks go to you three for helping me 'solve' the great mystery of posting pictures. Now to learn how to wrap the body text around the pictures.
A big Thanks for serving. We will cover your backs on the Home Front against these idiots and the politicians. Be safe.
It's ok :)
I've been home since last January and I wasn't in the military while over in Iraq.
Believe me, though, the troops DO appreciate what you guys have been doing back here at home. It was like that when I was there, and I am certain it's the same way now.
Words like these is what makes our efforts worth it. Again, Thanks.
No. I read some posts quoting from the uhh gathering.
Here's some recommended reading for people like Murthball.
Capt B's milblog: One Marine's View
http://shepherdaway.blogspot.com/
A great country it is. Apparently new SSgt. R. had more fun after we left, but doesn't remember it all.
bttt
Great job you guys!!
Thanks for doing this and for posting a report, too. I hope other locals will join you all in Olney this Saturday and beyond as needed.
Wonderful report.
I am glad to see that the Freeper action is going on in new places too.
Keep up the great work until I get back in the area and can join the group!
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