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Battle for Fran O'Brien's
MUDVILLE GAZETTE ^ | April 12, 2006 | BUZZ PATTERSON

Posted on 04/12/2006 5:41:50 PM PDT by radar101

Hello all,

This past Friday night I was privileged to visit Fran O'Brien's steakhouse in the Capitol Hilton, Washington, DC. Every Friday night, Hal Koster, the restaurant manager and Vietnam Vet, invites our wounded soldiers convalescing at nearby Walter Reed Army Center to a free steak dinner and drinks. It was supposedly a "slow" night for our heroes as many were on a ski trip in Colorado. But I walked into an absolutely packed room of wounded soldiers and their families enjoying a minor but well-deserved recognition for their service to our country.

I've also discovered since then that the Hilton Corporation will not be renewing the lease. Apparently, there are too many "liability issues" in accommodating American heroes in wheelchairs. In fact , the lease (and therefore the dinners) will expire in a few short weeks. If America had responded as we would in the past, this would be inconsequential really. Obviously we have not and it is a tragic commentary on today's PC-ness.

Please read the attached e-mail with more of the details.

Best, Buzz

Buzz Patterson Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired)


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: buzzpatterson; capitalhilton; franobriens; hilton; military; steakhouse; supportourtroops; wia; woundedwarriors
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To: NautiNurse; doug from upland; Mia T; ALOHA RONNIE; jwalsh07; Born Conservative; mhking; ...
This just ain't right ping!
41 posted on 04/12/2006 8:43:29 PM PDT by nutmeg ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
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To: radar101

Hilton, eh?


42 posted on 04/12/2006 8:43:49 PM PDT by Natchez Hawk (What's so funny about the first, second, and fourth Amendments?)
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To: radar101

Maybe they should get rid of Paris instead!


43 posted on 04/12/2006 8:45:13 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Walk it off, Snack Fairy!)
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To: radar101

"I've also discovered since then that the Hilton Corporation will not be renewing the lease. Apparently, there are too many "liability issues" in accommodating American heroes in wheelchairs"

Let's get some verification of this before we go off...

But if its true there should be hell to pay.


44 posted on 04/12/2006 8:46:12 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: #1CTYankee; .303 Brit; 2nd amendment mama; Agamemnon; AGBRUHN; always vigilant; Alter Kaker; ...
This just ain't right ping!
45 posted on 04/12/2006 8:46:17 PM PDT by nutmeg ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
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To: Wheee The People
As a veteran I served to stop people from destroying our democratic and capitalistic system. Which side are you on?

Really. So that means belittling folks who want to help by putting pressure on Hilton.

Or I suppose your version of a "democratic and capitalistic system" would be one where noone would complain of poor service and unpopular decisions.

46 posted on 04/12/2006 8:48:21 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Protect American jobs. Don't hire illegals.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Chieftain

Did you see this?


47 posted on 04/12/2006 8:50:21 PM PDT by BykrBayb ("We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will give you no rest.")
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To: radar101
Here is the only recent news story I can find. It mentions the dinners but doesn't say the lease isnt being renewed and it doesn;'t say the lease is not being renewed because of veterans in wheel chairs. I'd like to know more. What is the source of information that the restaurant is closing for this reason?

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/story.asp?ID=121379
48 posted on 04/12/2006 8:51:51 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: VeniVidiVici
I'm willing to be on your committee. I renounce all allegiance to accounting and capitalism. I demand that Hilton not make a profit.

Please let me be a member of the committe. Power to the people.

49 posted on 04/12/2006 8:52:32 PM PDT by Wheee The People
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

I smell CodePink!


50 posted on 04/12/2006 8:52:37 PM PDT by PleaDeal (Concretebob for Pres. in '08)
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To: radar101

ping for morning to-do


51 posted on 04/12/2006 8:52:55 PM PDT by eyespysomething (American liberals like everything about the struggle for freedom except the struggle.)
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To: Wheee The People

One more scotch and you can call it a night.

So sayeth the committee.


52 posted on 04/12/2006 9:01:16 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Protect American jobs. Don't hire illegals.)
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To: Wheee The People
Where does anyone say that Hilton won't make a profit if they renewed the Fran O'Brien's lease?

Hilton never sent a new lease to the owners of Fran O'Brien's, though the owners repeatedly asked when they would get the new lease. Then, apparently this week, Hilton sends a letter to the owners telling them that their lease won't be renewed.

No mention of money, haggling over rent, or anything of the sort.

So, where do you get the idea that Fran O'Brien's was somehow causing the Hilton to lose money?

53 posted on 04/12/2006 9:01:28 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
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To: Wheee The People
But I'm also an accountant.

I do not mean to disparage you or your profession but there are things that transcend making a buck or avoiding risk. What Hilton is doing is despicable and I will do my best to hold them accountable.

And this country was not founded on "capitalism". It was founded on Freedom. Our founders risked their lives and property without expectation of financial gain. Many, if not most, found themselves worse off after the Revolution, at least if you judge things by business ledgers.

What would John Hancock or Ben Franklin have done if they listened to Hilton's accountants/lawyers?

54 posted on 04/12/2006 9:01:52 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Tribune7; gondramB

And gondramB is right about getting some verification.


55 posted on 04/12/2006 9:04:13 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Tribune7

"And gondramB is right about getting some verification."

I just called the restaurant but didn't get a person and I have to go to bed.

If anybody else would like to verify the story before we start boycotting here is the contact info

Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse
1001 16th Street NW Washington DC 20036
888-802-5730 / 202-783-2599
info@franobriens.com


56 posted on 04/12/2006 9:08:23 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: tgslTakoma
"Hilton never sent a new lease to the owners of Fran O'Brien's, though the owners repeatedly asked when they would get the new lease. Then, apparently this week, Hilton sends a letter to the owners telling them that their lease won't be renewed."

If that is all the info we have, there could be other reasons - like wanting to do something else with the property.

It would still suck to see the place closed but its not the same as saying it is because Hilton doesn't like wounded veterans.
57 posted on 04/12/2006 9:12:07 PM PDT by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
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To: nutmeg; Nick Danger; Interesting Times

What is needed to fix this?


58 posted on 04/12/2006 9:18:24 PM PDT by NautiNurse
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To: nutmeg

Thanks for the "ain't right" ping.


59 posted on 04/12/2006 9:21:30 PM PDT by GOPJ ("A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." ~Bertrand de Jouvenel)
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To: everyone

Every now and then, the word "corporate pigs" does apply.


60 posted on 04/12/2006 9:29:28 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charlie the Tuna out there. It's Jaws.")
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