Operation Infinite FReep, Columbia, Missouri

Streets of Columbia, Missouri | 01/27/06 | TheSnowFlake

[bluesagewoman]

REPORT: by TheSnowFlake

On Saturday-Jan 2006, Columbia, Missouri woke up to a cold, overcast, rainy day. As I stood across the Post Office this morning, the rain felt cold as ice dripping off my red-hooded windbreaker.

Today, I was alone opposing the peaceniks, since the other counter-protesters had various obligations. Alone, or not, it was so good to be there.

On the opposing side stood eight (I call them this time SUSPECTS, ha!) Their so-called peace cause is certainly more than questionable. And, also behind their so-called peace cause, some do commit crimes of violence and exhibit many different forms of hypocrisy.

Nevertheless, as the hour wore on, it was reasonably calm and quiet, as others came and went. I was proud to hold the sign, "OUR TROOPS, OUR HEROES."

Most of my encounters with the general public were as follows: One smart-mouthed peacenik crossing the street yelled out at me and said, "Good morning. Nice day," in a high, childish, sing-song voice.

I detected his insincerity and made no reply. Then, I thought, "Yes, it is a nice day to stand up for our troops." And, I know standing in the cold rain for one hour doesn't even begin to compare to the price our troops are paying for my freedoms- including many others-- even for the freedoms of the opposing side, which they take so grossly for granted, and do not appreciate.

A little later on, a lady got out of her truck and commented to me how UNIMPRESSED she was with the opposing side. I told her I was glad she could see through them, and the worthless cause that they all try to promote. She assured me that she could see through them. And, also said that if her husband was present, he wouldn't hesitate to give them all a piece of his mind.

Then one man going into the post office yelled across the street at me as I held my sign, "OUR TROOPS, OUR HEROES," and said, "You're right!"

I replied, "Thank you, our troops are right."

A few minutes later, another man walking across the street said to me, "Just one?"--referring to me standing alone.

I replied, "It's better than none." He agreed and later yelled back that he had three brothers in the war.

Another lady crossing the street looked at me and said, "Thank you for being here."

About the middle of the hour, a lady driving by gave me a thumbs-down. But, the thumbs-up I received in support of our troops always cancel out the negative.

Closer to the end of the hour, a man walked my way as he crossed the street. He said, "I'll tell you exactly what I told them. There are two heads and one snake."

I answered, "Can you explain?" But, he was still standing in the street in the path of traffic, and there were cars coming his way and driving around him. And, his reply really didn't make a whole lot of sense anyway. So I interrupted and said, "Sir, you need to get out of the street before you get run over." I didn't want him to end up as a dead snake.

Before he walked on, he said, "Our troops are alright."

I called back at a distance to him, "That's why we need to be out here standing up for them!"

Finally, at the end of the hour, a husband and wife in a dark pickup stopped and thanked me for standing against the other side. They also said, "Those people across the street need to get a life."

Then her husband rolled down his window on the driver's side and yelled out at them, "You all need to get a life!" One of the eight SUSPECTS defiantly yelled back at him, and argued on with (his/their) usual conversational jibber/jabber.

After observing that, it became even more apparent to me, that most of them will NEVER listen to reason, and will always continue to plug their ears. How they delight in remaining willingly ignorant and can NEVER see the forest for the trees. To me one example of that is their banner that says, "Tens of thousands have died."

I thought, "Yeah by the hand of Saddam Hussein and his two sons, and the wicked terrorists." Kind of barking up the wrong tree isn't it?

The hour went by quickly. But, it's always a nice day - rain or shine- to stand in support of all our troops. And, it's also uplifting to see that there are so many people in this city who believe in and support our troops, and the worthy cause they are all fighting for. And, I know that includes many others across the nation as well, who also give a BIG THUMBS UP for our troops.

Thank you troops for continuing to hang tough, so that I, and many others throughout our country and abroad, can have the freedoms that we ALL enjoy now.

May what you do NEVER be taken for granted. And, May THE L-RD continue to Bless and protect you, as you remain FAITHFUL in fighting the good fight of Freedom!!!

II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore ENDURE hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

[Indy Pendance]

Bump! Good work!

[Txsleuth]

Is this "snowflake" a freeper??

[bluesagewoman]

Yes, she is, and she did solo-duty this morning, and wrote this report.

[bluesagewoman]

Ping guys.

[Txsleuth]

Well, then....snowflake...you put us all to shame by not doing what you are doing...and I want to thank you..

I was engrossed in your post..and I kept hoping that it would have a "happy ending", in that a few more people would have stayed to stand with you...instead of just thanking you and walking by.

God Bless you...and bluesagewoman, THANK YOU, for posting the account.

[zip]

SnowFlake, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate you being there for our Troops, our Country and our God.

I really miss being there with you all and hope to be able to rejoin you this summer.

[bluesagewoman]

Ah, but there is a tremendously happy ending here. We've managed to counter the peaceniks since 2001, twice a week, through all weather. It seems that no matter if one person can not attend, there is another who will step up to bat. None of our little group is afraid to stand alone-even if the peaceniks get violent, which does happen in this college town.

One of our guys had Guard weekend, and I had a meeting out of town. TheSnowFlake just knew to show up and hold the corner. That's Providence. So, we were honored in more than one way.

Thanks troops, for your service.

[KSCITYBOY]

Good job... You are one determined little lady.

[StarCMC]

Hey lady -- it sure was an ugly day out there -- at least in my part of Missouri! You did well!! Thanks, Hugs, and God bless you!!

[Txsleuth]

College town, huh?? Well, that explains a lot.

I was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado...and it is moonbat central, west of San Francisco, that is....

Now...I understand where the "danger" part comes in...

[trooprally]

SNOWFLAKE

From a couple of Walter Reed FReepers, who know the hardships of standing in the freezing weather, you deserve a medal for your one person stand against the 'Suspects"!

Semper FRiends to you!

You realized that we can't let the leftist have any free sidewalk time, even if only one FReeper shows up. I hope your FReep was a last minute thing and next time you'll have more FReepers with you.

Thank you bluesagewoman for posting Snowflake's heroic stand.

[Mr] & [Mrs] Trooprally

[Flora McDonald]

Please tell Mrs. Snowflake that her report was inspirational and tell the rest of your FReepers there that to do this since 2001 twice a week is nothing short of heroic.

It means so much to those of us with loved ones in the military, I just can't begin to tell you.

(I'm going to do my best to send you some of the warm Virginia weather we've been having.)

[Prov3456]

Thank you for standing up for freedom, The Snowflake, and for posting her report, bsw--and for pinging me of its existence. :)

There's a place in my heart for y'all; I miss my time there. I thank GOD that He continues to provide someone to counter the peaceniks/suspects across the street.

Thank you, Mid-Mo Freepers.

THANK YOU, military and military families, for the sacrifices you make to defend and maintain our American freedom!

[Trteamer]

Way to go!

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Thanks for standing a lonely post in support of our men and women under adverse conditions.

[bmwcyle]

Thank you for your time

[zip]

Great to see your post. We sure miss you also. Keep us informed on happenings in "the east".

[freema]

This was an awfully inspirational read. I loved the 'thoughts'.

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

If I may say, I don't think I put anybody to shame, and I'm (not) there to try to compete against our group or out do anybody. Bluesagewoman and Tom have stood alone a lot more than I have. And, they deserve a lot more thanks than I do. I was just attempting to present the facts in the report of what happened, etc. And, I also know that there are a lot of other freepers out there across the nation that stand alone too, that may not receive the recognition they deserve. But, they still remain faithful to the task. Many thanks to them too for standing up for our troops, as well as Bluesagewoman and Tom here too.

Thanks for reading the report. I really appreciate Bluesagewoman posting it for me! I know she's a busy lady.

And, as always G-d Bless our troops!

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

Thanks for the compliments, but I don't deserve any medal. Tom, Bluesagewoman, Prov 3,5,6 do and others deserve a medal a lot more than I do.

And, really if I did get a medal, I'd have to give it to the real heroes anyway- OUR TROOPS.

To me, and I know Bluesagewoman and Tom, Prov and others feel the same way that it doesn't matter how many people are standing with you. Standing alone is fine with me. And, I know it is more than fine with them too. I also once heard one time that G-d plus one is a majority. And, really that's the way I see it.

They are the ones in our group that really deserve the credit and attention. I'm a little embarrassed to have the spotlight on me.

Please let's refocus the spotlight back on the troops where it belongs. That was the real purpose of the report.

G-d bless you all!

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

I appreciate you too. Tell your beautiful wife I said "Hello."

How's your little one?

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

Thanks much for posting the report. I really appreciate your help.

You know I'm not the best with computers. Haven't graduated yet from my old manuel typewriter yet. (ha)

Thanks again!

[Doctor Raoul]

Hippies stood in the rain? Now you know how often they shower...

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

Hi Prov3456

Sooner or later, I'll learn to get the numbers in the right order. (Grin)

We all really miss you, but hope all is well.

G-d Bless always!!!

[Doctor Raoul]

BTW, nice job. Thanks.

[Txsleuth]

Oh, please....I hope you didn't think I was taking a shot at you...if you took it that way...I do apologize.

[trooprally]

While I was writing my post and getting interrupted, other posts were sent that further explained about the time you all have spent out there.

Still, you ALL deserve praise for your tenacity.

The troops at Walter Reed occasionally come out to thank us, but the praised always gets turned back to them 10 fold. Sometime I think we are out there just to have them come out so that we can thank them. The word we get from the troops and on their blogs is that they really appreciate us keeping their backs covered from the MSM and antiwar groups.

Semper FRiends and keep up the great work for the troops.

[Mr] Trooprally

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

NO PROBLEM........... I'm not really very good at talking on the internet, and I am also very shy about speaking in public. Haven't done it too much. I guess I'm just getting broken in as far as the internet goes. I prefer the old manual typewriter. (Ha!) Just ask Bluesagewoman.

THANKS FOR STANDING UP FOR OUR TROOPS, and have a Blessed Day!!!

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[\/\/ayne]

Please let's refocus the spotlight back on the troops where it belongs. That was the real purpose of the report.

Yes, let's, but we want to make note of your wonderful report as well. It really is wonderfully written and an inspiration to those of us who also write them.

[bluesagewoman]

Nicely said.

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement. PTL!!!

What did you think of President Bush's speech last night?

I myself feel he's doing the best he can under the circumstances. And, there are a lot of things beyond his control that he is being blamed for. Like for example, he can't control what the weather does, ie Katrina, and other unexpected happenings. And, I'm sure there will be more of such to come, and a whole lot worse.

So in my opinion in such cases, he's doing the best he can under the circumstances. And, he is strongly advising people to expect the unexpected and to prepare and be prepared for future such disasters and catastropies, which we should all strive to do while we can.

The answer, in my opinion, of when are our troops coming home is easy, "as long as it takes to finish the job." I think that's pretty much what he's been saying all along isn't it? We shouldn't start something that we don't finish.

But, I do feel strongly though that President Bush should take a stronger stand and defense for Israel, and (NOT) divide the land for so-called peace. It is their land-(all) of it. G-d promised it (all) to them. And, America should always respect and defend Israel, because they are G-d's chosen people, and that is the right thing to do anyway.

Sometimes I hold my sign "ISRAEL IS FOREVER." The so-called peace people hate it, which suits me fine. And, as far as the cowardly President of Iran wanting to wipe, Israel off the map, he won't succeed. And, he also needs to consider the fact that his days are very few and numbered.

Now it's your turn. (ha!)

[\/\/ayne]

Sometimes I hold my sign "ISRAEL IS FOREVER." The so-called peace people hate it, which suits me fine.

Yes, that is one notable exception to "peace" in the minds of "anti-war," (but don't nuke the place because we're giving it to Palestine later.) Take heed, FReepers! Pro Israel signs are a definably a catalyst!

I didn't catch all the speech last night but I bring up a lot of points about the war that it seems no one else does. Here's how I explain it to moonbats and questioners:

1. Iraq led by Saddam Hussein killed many of his own people and used nerve gas (Weapon of Mass Destruction or WMD) on them and during Iran/Iraq war.

3. Iraq invaded our ally Kuwait (torturing and killing civilians while stealing everything they could) and threatened others like Israel, Saudi Arabia.... (wait for noise to die down) If you feel like those countries shouldn't be our allies write Congress, but currently they are.

4. With a UN Coalition we drove Iraqi forces back to Iraq and could have conquered them but we had a UN Coalition. The UN brokered a deal where Saddam Hussein promised to allow inspections for WMD's, and Iraq had oil sanctions.

5. Iraq claimed their children were starving so the UN and US made a program "Oil For Food" where they could sell oil and use the money only for food and medicine. However, many still claimed the US was starving children in Iraq.

6. The World Trade Towers were destroyed by terrorists. Iraq was openly involved in terrorism, but the admitted terrorist leader Osama Bin Ladin was in Afghanistan and they tried to protect him. So we conquered Afghanistan, no easy feat.

7. Saddam kept hiding things from inspectors and eventually kicked them out which broke his UN agreement. Everyone said Iraq had WMD's, including France, Russia and the UN, although those three also said we were starving Iraqi children with sanctions and we shouldn't attack Iraq!

8. With Saddam known as a mass civilian killer, user of WMD, sponsor, trainer and hider of terrorists, known to have had WMD's and probably still had them, breaker of the agreement he signed, we invaded and conquered Iraq without the approval of France, the UN and Russia.

9. The "Oil For Food" scandal was discovered where Saddam Hussein, the UN, France and Russia were stealing the money from the children of Iraq! It was them that were starving the children. Imagine that. No wonder they didn't want us to invade!

10. The anti-American American mainstream news media continue to lie and distort facts as they try to make the country look bad in all its policies, including the Iraqi war.



Now, am I wrong in this or is there something I am missing? I am open for comments.

[\/\/ayne]

Sometimes I hold my sign "ISRAEL IS FOREVER." The so-called peace people hate it, which suits me fine.

Yes, that is one notable exception to "peace" in the minds of "anti-war," (but don't nuke the place because we're giving it to Palestine later.) Take heed, FReepers! Pro Israel signs are a definably a catalyst!

I didn't catch all the speech last night but I bring up a lot of points about the war that it seems no one else does. Here's how I explain it to moonbats and questioners:

1. Iraq led by Saddam Hussein killed many of his own people and used nerve gas (Weapon of Mass Destruction or WMD) on them and during Iran/Iraq war.

2. Many say the USA sponsored Iraq during that time but it's simply not true.

3. Iraq invaded our ally Kuwait (torturing and killing civilians while stealing everything they could) and threatened others like Israel, Saudi Arabia.... (wait for noise to die down) If you feel like those countries shouldn't be our allies write Congress, but currently they are.

4. With a UN Coalition we drove Iraqi forces back to Iraq and could have conquered them but we had a UN Coalition. The UN brokered a deal where Saddam Hussein promised to allow inspections for WMD's, and Iraq had oil sanctions.

5. Iraq claimed their children were starving so the UN and US made a program "Oil For Food" where they could sell oil and use the money only for food and medicine. However, many still claimed the US was starving children in Iraq.

6. The World Trade Towers were destroyed by terrorists. Iraq was openly involved in terrorism, but the admitted terrorist leader Osama Bin Ladin was in Afghanistan and they tried to protect him. So we conquered Afghanistan, no easy feat.

7. Saddam kept hiding things from inspectors and eventually kicked them out which broke his UN agreement. Everyone said Iraq had WMD's, including France, Russia and the UN, although those three also said we were starving Iraqi children with sanctions and we shouldn't attack Iraq!

8. With Saddam known as a mass civilian killer, user of WMD, sponsor, trainer and hider of terrorists, known to have had WMD's and probably still had them, breaker of the agreement he signed, we invaded and conquered Iraq without the approval of France, the UN and Russia.

9. The "Oil For Food" scandal was discovered where Saddam Hussein, the UN, France and Russia were stealing the money from the children of Iraq! It was them that were starving the children. Imagine that. No wonder they didn't want us to invade!

10. The anti-American American mainstream news media continue to lie and distort facts as they try to make the country look bad in all its policies, including the Iraqi war.



Now, am I wrong in this or is there something I am missing? I am open for comments.

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

Thank you for your reply. You give a lot of good food for thought, and accurate solid and concrete facts, in my opinion.

I did have a question. And, please excuse my ignorance. You sound like a professor. But, what do you mean by, "Take heed, FReepers! Pro-Israel signs are a definably a catalyst?"

And, I don't like the sound of "we're giving the land to Palestine later." That just isn't right, even though I know that's what the so-called peace people advocate. And, there doesn't seem like right now anyway, that there is anything we can do about it. Am I wrong?

Also, others out there are welcome to share your opinions and views too.

Thanks.

[\/\/ayne]

But, what do you mean by, "Take heed, FReepers! Pro-Israel signs are a definably a catalyst?"

I meant to say definitely not definably! Whoops!

A catalyst is something that causes a reaction, much like my giant "Say No To Communism" sign. (It gets the liberals going.)

Yes, I was making the somewhat ghoulish point of how some people would like give all the land in Israel to Palestine after destroying the current occupants because I don't know what else to do but try to have some humor about it. It does seem like President Bush and indeed many Israelites have blinders on regarding the situation there. Every time Israel gives more land away the Palestinians say "move the rocket launchers closer" and it never seems to end. I do pray for Israel.

Thank you for the compliment but I am not a professor, I simply learned to read by the phonics system called ITA (Initial Teaching Alphabet) which was taught by a public school in the '60s as an experiment. It worked extremely well and we were all able to read prolifically so the system was immediately discarded.

[Salem]

Dear Valued FRiends and Peers,

I was pinged to this thread because Israel was mentioned, and that is appreciated, but this one is an American exclusive.

It is a debriefing by FReeper SNOWFLAKE and her one woman stand on behalf of the men and women of the US Military serving overseas. I am deeply moved.

It reminded me of my best friend, a Marine, who served in Panama for two years and saw action at the onset of the Noriega affair before he rotated home.

He told the story of standing a post alone in the middle of the night on the perimeter of the base, with a one man guard tower, and as he described, one light bulb barely beating back the darkness.

At one point he heard a sound like a Blackhawk coming in, and then a giant bug with a substantial wingspan plopped down on the concrete in the pale light. All he had was a broom to contend with it (cranking off rounds from his sidearm would have raised too much of an alarm), so he proceeded to give it a few good whacks. In the midst of the beating it became attached to the broom, and when he brought it up for closer inspection, the beast flew off back into the night. One of his many Panama bug stories.

I'm certainly not making light of the real danger our service people face, but whether Camel Spiders in Iraq, giant bugs in Panama -- or Leftists and Democrats in the rain in Columbia, Missouri, sometimes it's just one American standing a post alone dealing with the make your skin crawl, creepy things, in this life that are part and parcel of what it takes to defend America and our way of life. And its a wonderful thing they are out there.

SNOWFLAKE, you are what makes Free Republic and America great, and our men and women serving in our Patriot military are certainly fortunate to have you! Great campaign!

---

AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~
Honored member of FReeper Leapfrog's "Enemy of Islam" list.
Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...  by backhoe
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....  by PsyOp
The Clash of Ideologies - A Review

[prairiebreeze]

Bump!! It's a pleasure to read about our faithful freepers in Colombia again. Somehow I've missed seeing your reports for quite a while.

thank you Columbia freepers, we stand right beside you in spirit.

[RaceBannon]

Outstanding!!

[proud_yank]

bttt

[bluesagewoman]

Though we've been out each week, we haven't posted much the past year. For me, it seems that it is so very hard to get folks out to join us that it is futile and pointless to post anymore. After years of it, like the folks in Fresno, we just keep a presence out on the street so our military and their families see it. That is the only thing that matters.

Our little group has been through a lot. We've been spat at, accosted, assaulted, threatened, and publically insulted by peaceniks. Our group gets smaller each month, I'm sure many have been driven off by the negatives.

Discouragement is only kept at bay by the fact it means so very much to the parents, spouses, relatives and newly returned enlisted. Never a counter has gone by when at least a couple of folks haven't stopped by to tell us how much they appreciate seeing the public support. Our faces don't mean anything to them, but the signs and the smiles mean everything. And, the traffic passing by giving the thumbs-up and honking (with no signs requesting honks) always lets them know that others appreciate our military folks' sacrifices.

We can't stop. We have to go back out there.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Check out the last two paragraphs that The Snowflake wrote, they will warm your hearts! :)))))

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

Could I bother you one more time please?

I pray for Israel too. And, I think the more praying for her, the better-- as well as our troops, our President, etc.

And, I appreciate your definition on the word catalyst. Webster also defines it as : to bring about/provoke/precipitate/insipire. Example: religious faith which alone catalyze important sacred art.

catalyst= to transform or altar significantly (Exm.) Janet Flanner (his vigorous efforts to catalyze us into activity.

What I'm wondering about is not so much the definition, but how can my sign, "ISRAEL IS FOREVER"-- as well as other pro-Israel signs that other Freepers hold become one notable exception to "so-called peace" in the minds of anti-war protesters, or be used as a catalyst?

Thanks.

[THE SNOWFLAKE]

I humbly thank you for your kind words.

G-d Bless our troops, and G-d Bless Israel FOREVER!!!

[daffodilMO]

Thanks for the post, I think its so great that you are willing to go out even on a crummy day to stand up for what you think is right! I had a few questions though, and please keep in mind, these are not meant to be snarky, I just always like to know references for statements that people make. I think its always a good idea to back up your ideas with facts. And as I am new to FreeRepublic, maybe the statements you made everyone else knows are true, but since I'm new I was just wondering if you had refrences for your facts, especially the peaceniks committing crimes of violence! Yikes! I also know if I show this article to my friends and family, they will automatically ask for refrences. Thanks in advance, looking forward to getting to know everyone!

"(I call them this time SUSPECTS, ha!)"

Why do you call them suspects? And why is that funny?

"Their so-called peace cause is certainly more than questionable."

Why do you use the phrase "so called Peace cause?", and what makes it questionable?

"And, also behind their so-called peace cause, some do commit crimes of violence and exhibit many different forms of hypocrisy."

I'm intrigued, what violent crimes do the peaceniks commit? Also, what forms of hypocricy?
"One smart-mouthed peacenik crossing the street yelled out at me and said, "Good morning. Nice day," in a high, childish, sing-song voice. "
Why do you assume the peacenik was a smart-mouth? I always try to assume the best in people, but as I was not there, only you can know the tone and if it was condescending or not.

Thanks again, glad to have found this forum!

[bluesagewoman]

You have mail.

[not2worry]

I'm not in Columbia, but visit there often.

For those not familiar with Columbia, Missouri it is not only a town that is home of a number of Universities, including the State's largest, Mizzou, BUT also and IMHO more importantly, one of the major cities in the USA that house a radical Muslim population. If my memory serves me right, the Mosque (which is about three blocks away from where Snowflake was standing), has been rumored to have connections with OBL and AQ.

I admire and applaud Snowflake's commitment and bravery, and all the other FReepers that I've seen on a regular basis supporting the USA and our Troops on the downtown street corners of Columbia.

[prairiebreeze]

Didn't that infamous Dr. Germ go to school in Mizzou? Some terrorist microbiologist did.

Additionally the journalism dept at Mizzou is nationally known. FWIW. I have no idea if they turn out leftist journalists, would guess they likely do.

[not2worry]

Yes, I believe Dr. Germ did go to Mizzou and another one of Saddam's possee went to the University of Missouri at Rolla, Missouri.

Mizzou is still noted for it's great Journalism department. There are a few that broadcast on FOX and CNN. I think Paul Zahn went to Mizzou.

Most of the student body seems to be fairly conservative. I met quite a few at a Bush rally in Columbia in October 2004.

However, that doesn't exclude a number of nut jobs at Mizzou, including the infamous Cheryl Crow. She appeared a couple of years ago as the Prime Time Guest at Mizzou's Home Coming Game and was basically booed when she took the field at half-time. However, most of us in the crowd were baby boomer, conservatives, alumni or parents footing the bill for their kids currently attending Mizzou.