Utah Freepers, scramble for intercept! Details here...
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Posted on 08/23/2006 1:31:56 PM PDT by batter
Details:
When: August 30, 2006 11:30am - 1:30pm
Where: Liberty Park's Rice Terrace (900 S and 700 E - Northeast corner of the park) - look for a 3X15 banner we've secured
Bring: Signs, flags, hat, water, nice attire (as usual)
The Freedom Rally is "an opportunity for people to drop off supplies for soldiers overseas. The collection effort is part of the ongoing Operation Give campaign, which was started almost three years ago by the Utah National Guard's Paul "Chief Wiggles" Holton."
Donations include:
- School supplies
- Medical and hygiene supplies
- Toys
- Clothes
- Shoes
If you're like me - make reminders NOW so you don't leave the donations at home!
IMPORTANT NOTE ON SIGNS:
Previously I suggested that it didn't matter what sign you bring. The more I thought about it however, the more I realized we must be unified if we want the media to portray us correctly. Additionally, we are really gathering to show the support for our troops AND their mission as well as to welcome the Veterans which Rocky etc have neglected.
As such, here are the sign guidelines:
1. Any positive signs of support and gratitude for the troops AND their mission.
2. Any signs welcoming and/or showing support and gratitude for Veterans and the VFW.
3. No off topic signs (ie Bush Rocks, the economy's great etc) - we will focus SOLELY on the troops and vets! I'll explain this later in the post.
4. Absolutely no signs with personal attacks (including on Cindy Sheehan).
5. Absolutely no signs with vulgar or tinfoil hat stuff - the left has that covered already anyway. We've never had a problem with such signs, lets keep it that way.
The Media
The media (possibly national MSM as well) will be present. Again: STAY ON TOPIC.
- They may try to bait you on other issues (Bush lied, the economy, blah blah blah). Don't fall for it - stick with why we came out.
- Everything you say is ON THE RECORD! The media may engage you in a 'friendly conversation'. Remain on topic; in reality they are interviewing you.
- Think before you speak! You do not need to snap answers back, take your time.
- You are NOT obligated to talk to the media. If you feel uncomfortable or don't know what to say refer them to someone else etc.
Behavior
- Stay cool. I doubt lefties will be present. But if they are, they'll get in your face and try to intimidate you. Keep your wits. They argue on emotion we do not.
- If you are losing your cool, you will be asked to back off and take a break. This applies to the entire group (including yours truly).
- Stay on topic. If they wish to debate you on Israel, Bush lied, the environment, man purses, etc just state we came out to support our troops and give a proper welcome to our Vets rather than a protest. This does NOT preclude you, however, from giving them facts on the success and reasons for support of Iraq/Afghan. (WOT) as that directly relates to our troops' mission. Remember: keep your cool and no outlandish statements - stick to the facts.
- No yelling!!!!!! (pun intended)
So, Soccer8, why are you so anal about signs and the message?
First, this is Chief Warrant Officer Paul Hudson's Rally. Not ours. It is plainly clear that his is a support the troops rally.
Second, the reason everyone I've talked to wants to attend is to support the troops and verterans while also showing Rocky etc that we won't stand for our troops not being fully supported and the VFW getting a cold shoulder.
The best way to hit them and gain the most traction with the average person at home is to show the libs for what they are. A 10 second shot of us debating them about the economy etc will make zero impact (people watching at home have seen it for the last five years). Let everyone see that their idea of support is to pour all resources into a protest when the VFW comes to town instead of welcoming them and to despise the mission a clear majority of our military supports. Between the two, they come off as jerks to the average guy/gal (Bush visit or not).
If we give the media an excuse to stay off that topic (and just show another left-right debate snip) they'll take it and ruin the Freedom Rally.
Remember, President Bush and Rocky aren't up for re-election but the war on terror and our veterans will continue past 2008. If you wish to support President Bush, there will be a rally later in the day (See the State Message Board for details).
I've contacted Paul Hudson (aka "Chief Wiggles") and he's stated that we are welcome and that our signs etc, as stated above will be in line with his rally/objectives.
Our goals remain the same.
Protest Warrior is also on board and will be with us at the rally. Also, PW will later walk along with the lefties when they do their State St. to the Fed building at 12:45.
Continue to pay close attention to the sign and media info as well as the rally location and time. Protest Warrior is on the same page as us and will be present (see my comments under the post).
Anyone with comments/concerns is absolutely welcome to freep mail me. I can take criticism too.
Remember pass the word along to friends/family/military folks etc including our message.
FYI
bttt
BTTT
Sounds like a better plan. Keep up the good work. Love they way the various groups are supporting each other instead of doing their own thing. We have a lot of cooperation in D.C. between the various groups and the turn outs are real good.
Looking forward to reading the AAR.
[Mr] T
Thanks for organizing this. I can't be there, but I sure would like to be. Make sure you get a peek at Cindy Sheehan (Rocky only invited her for the publicity value.)
Taxman Bravo Zulu!
Thank all of you for taking on such an important task!
I wish you and your fellow Utah FReepers and the others involved in this important FReedom Rally much success!
Won't be able to be there in person (JAX to SLC is a long road trip!), but will be with you in spirit.
Look forward to reading your after-action report.
When I talked to him, he was a really nice guy and very happy to have us join in as our pro troop/vet theme worked perfectly with what he is doing.
Sorry you can't make it. Please spread the word. Again, this rally will NOT involve confrontation. This is a purely pro troop etc rally where donations (see the article/lead post) will be collected. This is the type of rally anyone (including families) can attend.
Check this thread out:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1688613/posts
They are incredible, IMO. The news has been fair too (ie not editing out the Galvez's statements regarding protesters harming the war effort and holding them culpable for their son's death). It has made the SLC Mayor look like the jerk that he is.
My heart (and prayers) goes out to them.
BTTT
This sounds great! I wish I could be there. But between work and school, I just can't find the time. If I lived down in SLC, I would be there for sure.
Let me know how it goes. Take plenty of pics and post 'em here. Better yet, I hope to see you guys on the news. Sounds like our side will be the more positive/uplifting side and Rocky and Sheehan will be the negative/gloom-and-doom side. Hopefully it will be protrayed accurately in the media.
God bless you guys, our troops and our President.
The media here is hit or miss. I think they will cover both rallies this year, however. If so (as long a we don't give them something to spin), I think the difference you describe will be very clear.
Channel 4 and 5 are usually pretty good and so is Fox 13. I never watch Channel 2, so I couldn't tell you how "balanced" they are. Plan for a negative spin from the Tribune and the Deseret Morning News is hit or miss.
Hopefully, Klemack (sp?) from Fox 13 will cover the rallies. He seems to do fairly good and was the only reporter to research and identify what constituted an 'assault weapon' when the ban subsided (everone else was showing regular semi-auto rifles).
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Ironically, I found this website from the UtahVoices mail list, and am glad I did. I represent the Utah chapter of the United American Committee, and we're participating on Wednesday's rally. Usually our message is much more agressive, aiming to warn Americans of what Islamic terrorism is all about and how widespread it is. But we're keeping our signs on the positive next week and just want to support the troops. However, I have a few questions:
What if some of our members want to mention Israel in their signs? Such as "Israel: an important partner in the war on terror" or something like that.I'm still very new at this grassroots activism thing, so I need as much input as I can get.
I don't want our message to go too far off topic, but so many events are related to the war in Iraq. Immigration,Border Security...and of course, Israel being one of them.
And being that our organization is still very new and very small, I would like to pass out leafelets some time during the event, but if that won't fly, I'll understand.
Also, I read in someone else's post that Protest Warrior is coming. I post there under the name RedWhiteandBlue. If any of my PW friends are here, raise your hand!
I would suggest you contact the Rally organizer (Paul Holton). He has contact info at Operation Give.
Immigration,Border Security...and of course, Israel being one of them. And being that our organization is still very new and very small
Actually, I would ask that you just stick with the message of the rally (ie no Israel, border, etc stuff). There will be plenty of other opportunities to counter the lefties. On this one, we really need to "focus like a laser beam" if we wish to make an impact (particularly for troop moral). The left's protests have typically had a 'shotgun approach' (ie signs on every possible issue). We absolutely do not want to do this. Again, I'll refer you to the "Sign guidelines" and "why is soccer8 so anal" sections.
Remember, the Galvez family may be there. This is our chance to rally and respectfully thank them (and all others) for their service and sacrifices.
If you can, I think it would be fun if you would post the statement(s) they made about us. If you are unsure how to, click "Private Reply" below this post and give me the link to the list or copy/paste the message and send the private message to me. I'll take it from there.
Email from a veteran
I am sorry that your organization seems to completely misunderstand what is going on in America. I don't agree with a single thing that you stand for, but I do defend your right to voice your opinion. I just wish more people such as yourselves would really understand the wonderful job that Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair are doing in the world.
When I was in Iraq for a year, there were numerous Iraqis who couldn't say enough good things about pres. Bush, and that they have so many more freedoms now. They know things are rough right now, but they can see past the violence and the possibilities that await their country. You think that our country is more at danger because of our president. You are absolutely wrong! I can't imagine what a disaster our country would be in if Mr. Kerry were running it, or if the always-mind-changing Bill Clinton were.
I am concerned about America's future as you are. But let's focus on the real enemy we have, the ACLU. The founders of our country would be appalled at the things they are doing and the direction they are taking our country. I understand if you are angry about the lives lost in Iraq; there are more than 2500. Perhaps you should think about the biggest killer in our country, something that Rocky Anderson and the ACLU support; it kills millions in our country each year. How can we concern ourselves with 2500 when we are killing millions? What is this killer? Look no further than abortion. Abortion, the ACLU, and those who support them are the real dangers in our country.
I am encouraged by your desire to better America, but please let's do it the right way. Maybe you could have found better people to speak at your rally instead of Rocky and Ms. Sheehan. Ms. Sheehan loves to find time to suppport the anti-war activists, but she can't find time to put a headstone on her son's grave. For someone so concerned about her lost son, perhaps she shouldn't give up custody of her one remaining son. Wow, what a fine person you have to speak at your rally! She really has her head screwed on tight.
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