Free Republic's National Convention Pre-Live Thread and Updates (Updates: 137, 138, 139, 151 & 292)

DC Convention Organizing Committee ^ | August 7, 2009 | Brytani

[Brytani]

Welcome to FR's DC National Convention Pre-Live Thread &Update

After months of planning, FR's DC Convention is coming together.

Help make history, join in Free Republic's return to DC as a national group and help to herald in another wave of conservative activism Free Republic is famous for!

On behalf of Jim Robinson and the DC Convention Planning Committee, we are pleased the announce very special guests who will be attending our convention:

Andrew Wilkow Host of Sirius/XM Wilkow Majority

“Reagan is good for business” was Andrew’s introduction to politics. “I was real little, but that’s what my dad used to say.” Andrew Wilkow began his radio career at the college radio station. Conservative leaning politics were always his heart and he expressed his views on the air regularly, much to the anger of his co-workers. “I was basically just anti-P.C. at first.” He broke out of music radio in 2002 when he was given a trial/fill-in slot for Mark Levin on his hometown station, WABC in NYC. “That was huge and that’s when I first met Sean Hannity.” Soon after that he earned a weekend slot then a full time job at an upstate station. I basically did a 300 mile roundtrip every weekend for over 3 years to do both shows. Wilkow’s move to SIRIUS brings his new sound of conservative talk radio to a national audience. To quote Andrew, “Now is the time for the new school of conservative voices with a whole new style and passion – moving to SIRIUS lets me take that style and passion nationwide."

Lieutenant Colonel Allen West (US Army, Retired) was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia and is third of four generations of military servicemen in his family. His parents instilled in him a very basic principle, love of God and Country. In 2004, when it was time to retire from more than twenty years of service in the US Army, he brought his wife and two young daughters to Broward County, Florida, where he taught high school for one year. He then returned to Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan army, an assignment he finished in November 2007.

Allen West received his Bachelors degree from University of Tennessee and Masters degree from Kansas State University, both in political science. He also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military operations.

"Education is the great equalizer," he says. "With a good education, any child in America can live his dream."

Allen West knows that for our children to live their dreams, they need to be safe. He has served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was battalion commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division, and in Afghanistan, where he trained Afghan officers to take on the responsibility of securing their own country.

In his Army career, Col. West has been honored many times, including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. He received his valor award as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm, was the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993, and was a Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps Assault School. He proudly wears the Army Master parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Navy/Marine Corps parachutist insignia, Italian parachutist wings, and German proficiency badge (Bronze award).

Allen is an avid distance runner, a PADI Master certified SCUBA diver, motorcyclist, and attends Community Christian Church in Tamarac Florida.

Excellence is a West family tradition. His wife, Angela, holds an MBA and PhD. and works as a financial planner. His oldest daughter, Aubrey, attends Archbishop McCarthy HS and his youngest daughter, Austen, attends Parkway Christian School.

Steve Malzberg has fast become one of America’s most recognizable faces and voices on the political talk scene. He has been recognized by Talkers Magazine as one of the nation’s, “Top 100 Talk Show Hosts” several times.

His quick wit, passion and biting analysis of the days events have earned him a huge and loyal following throughout the nation. Steve is among the most sought after “Talking Heads” regularly appearing on the Fox News Channel and CNN. Steve has also filled in for Joe Scarborough and Monica Crowley on MSNBC, and was a regular contributor on the Phil Donahue Show.

Steve has been a guest host on stations around the country sitting in for Bill Bennett and Mike Gallagher on the Salem Radio Network, and John Gibson and others on Fox Radio. He’s also been heard on WMAL in Washington DC, KLIF in Dallas, WBT in Charlotte and WGST in Atlanta among other stations around the nation. The Steve Malzberg Show is heard nationally via the WOR Radio Network.

Steve is perhaps best known for his ability to snag the top newsmakers of the moment for interviews, and using his warm engaging personality to get his guests to open up. He has won several A.I.R. Awards (Achievement In Radio) for “Best Interview” in both the news and sports areas.

Steve’s ability to bring that same passion from behind the microphone to live audiences has made him a successful and sought after speaker. He has been honored by many groups including the NYC PBA, who selected him as their 2004 Man Of The Year. Other honors have come from The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, The NY State Shields, United Cuban-American Organizations, The Chinese-American Society, Retired Detectives of the Police Department of the city of New York, Detectives Crime Clinic of NY-NJ, American Legion of Little Neck, NY, The Department of Veterans Affairs; and Steve received the Distinguished American Award from the Bergen County NJ Chapter of the National Football and College Hall of Fame.

Legenday Entertainer and Comedian Will Be Hosting A Special Introduction Video Specially Filmed for Free Republic. Jackie is now doing weekly video commentary for World Net Daily, the largest, independent online newspaper. www.jackiemason.com

Proud Black Conservative Entertainer/Speaker "American Tea Party Anthem", Lloyd is joining our own Jim Rob on the Tea Party Express and has graciously offered to perform for Free Republic. http://www.lloydmarcus.com/

Lisa Mei Norton, Patriotic Singer and Songwriter and Freeper. Lisa will also be performing for Free Republic. http://www.myspace.com/lisameinorton

Special Mention

John Manning of Alexandria, Va winner of World Net Daily's Top Tea Party Speech. John will be presenting his winning speech Defenders of Liberty.

Get your Free Republic Convention tickets here!

Reserve your room at the Sheraton National here!

[MinuteGal]

You can try to hook up with freepers at the National Mall Tea Party, but it may be difficult to find them among the masses.

Many freepers are going right to the Tea Party and not participating in the March.

The logistics of the March (staging area, route, security, etc.) are not clear at this time. Sorry we can't be of much help to multiple individuals not registered for the convention, we just don't have the staffing and time for that.

Can't you clear your decks to sign on for one day and night (Saturday) and partake of the whole Tea Party/Banquet enchilada?

Leni

[Peter W. Kessler]

Less than three weeks to go ‘til I get to see old Freeper Friends and new ones.

[Peter W. Kessler]

I can’t wait.

And no haircut, either.

Look out.

[MinuteGal]

Oh, oh!

Leni

[Lisamei62]

Listening to Brytani on BTR...

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedom/2009/08/24/NiteCap-on-Freedom-Radio

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

THERE ARE TWO OF US WHO MAY TRY TO GET up there at the last minute.
Questions:
1. We would be flying into Baltimore Md airport..cheapest flights from Jax, FL
2. anyone know if there are shuttles to the hotels or DC from the Baltimore airport?
3. We will check tomorrow also by calling the hotel,etc.
4. Will you be posting a local ph number and /or meeting place for the March for Freepers.
5. anyone else going from Jax( jacksonville, FL )?

[seekthetruth]

Leni, Thanks for your wonderful posts and kind words!

I want EVERY Freeper in the USA and elsewhere to know that MinuteGal Leni is another Florida freeper convention committee member who has worked hours and hours to help us plan the Free Republic National Tea Party Convention! I am proud to have Leni as a close personal friend whom James and I get to see when she is back at her Pasco County home here in FL! How I wish she could join us in DC but she will be with us from afar along with many other freepers across the US. James and I are sending hugs to you in this post, Leni!

And yes, Freepers, our own Freeper Lisa Norton and her darling son Joshua will be on stage at our convention. I start my days on line listening to one of my favorite songs by Lisa and sure looking forward to meeting her and Joshua in DC! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFCS5N_jDc

[MinuteGal]

Hurry, hurry! Phone in your reservation tomorrow....the $116 dollar rate expires at midnite tomorrow, Monday. Then it goes waaaay up!

Worry about the rest later.

Ask the hotel clerk about the airport shuttle.

Also don't forget to tell the clerk you're with FR so you get the reduced room rate.

All the rest of the convention and Tea Party info is posted on this thread and more info will continue to be posted right up till before the convention weekend, so keep up on your reading.

You are going to be two happy people after you're registered and all good to go. This will be one of the most fabulous experiences you can have, trust me.

We're going to be happy people here on the committee, also, getting to meet and greet you in person.

The phone # for the hotel is on post # 151.

Leni

[mtngrandpa]

You betcha -— Hope there are more freepers staying at the Holiday Inn Capitol we can meet up with too. I stayed once at the Sheridan National where the convention is being held, and just didn’t like that hotel very much. No eating places within walking distance of hotel. The Holiday Inn Capitol lets us be within walking distance of where all the marches and action starts.

[JustAmy]

I don’t know about Baltimore Airport but the Sheraton has shuttles running every 30 minutes or so to National Airport.

When you register at the Sheraton, ask them about transportation. They were very helpful when I called.

Also, the Metro gets you almost anyplace.

[seekthetruth]

Glad you are coming to DC, and of course everyone has the choice of where they are going to stay and what events they are going to attend.

Me? I rather stay at the Sheraton National with Freepers from across the US from 9/11 to 9/13 for $116 per night than pay $205 per night at the Holiday Inn Capitol.

I also know that with my $175 Freeper Convention ticket, I will have food provided Friday evening, Saturday morning buffet breakfast, and a wonderful banquet Saturday night with great speakers and entertainment along with freeper fun! Also, ticket holders can attend the afternoon get together Sunday with snacks and drinks provided if they do not have to leave DC until late afternoon or evening of 9/13.

Like I say, there are choices available and I choose to be at the Sheraton where the Freeper Convention is being held. I also know that the hotel is providing free transportation to and from the airport and the Metro station so we can get around DC with ease.

See you all in DC!

[MinuteGal]

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I'm heartbroken I can't be in DC for the Freep of All Freeps, but recent surgery from which I'm not fully recovered keeps me under wraps for a while.

I've attended just about every FR freep in the nation's capital during my tenure here at this forum since '98.

I'm thinking of my first trip to D.C. for the March for Justice, then the other Marches, the Correspondents' Banquet Freep, the House Managers Banquet (honoring those who handled Clinton's impeachment), the famous, jammed Freeper Hide the Silverware Inaugural Ball....you name it, I was there.

Folks, if you're still undecided whether to go to our FR convention and the concurrent National Tea Party, may I suggest that the events I attended in DC were the highlights of my political life...and I retain memories I'll never forget.

I made freeper friends whom I see or are in correspondence with today.....years after the freeps.

Wonderful also were the sights and sounds that I got to see in the Shining City on the Hill. To see the White House, the National Cathedral, the war monuments including The Wall, the solemn Arlington Cemetery changing of the guard, the Eternal Flame, the original documents like the Declaration, the Bill of Rights, all those historical treasures in the Smithsonian, the art museums with all those ORIGINALS of famed American artists.....all this easily brings a tear to my eye in solemn and grateful retrospect.

Fellow freepers, don't let this golden moment today slip by. Pick up the phone and plan for a glorious conservative, patriotic weekend. See and participate in our heritage and history while you have this opportunity.

On Tea Party day, I'll be glued to C-Spam (if they show anything, hah)........and of course, to Glenn Beck, who'll be at Fox Central covering the Tea Party.

And you know I'll be with you in spirit....the Spirit of '76, of course.

Leni/MinuteGal....Convention Committee

[filbert]

I’m unavoidably unable to attend, but this morning I was thinking about the insipid 1960’s leftie radical slogans, and started brainstorming some updated, freedom-loving slogans. Some of the following might be original to me, a lot of them aren’t. But feel free to use one or more of them—or think up your own!

Power to the PEOPLE—not the Bureaucrats
The Constitution: Not just a good idea, it’s the LAW
Question Authority—Before Authority questions YOU
Keep your bureaucrat hands off of my body!
YOU don’t speak for ME. I speak for ME.
Take your party back—then take your country back
Restore the Republic
Free Enterprise Works—Government Doesn’t
Responsibility Works
Freedom is SELF-Control
Liberty is SELF-Control
Quit spending MY MONEY!
Charity begins AT HOME
Hyphenation is RACISM
Green is MURDER
Make Money, Not War
Give Freedom A Chance
Socialism Kills
No Liberty, No Peace
No Freedom, No Peace
The Personal Is The Political
Leave Me Alone
“Tolerate” THIS!
Take back the streets, take back the country
Liberate yourself
Freedom Is The Answer
Liberty Is The Answer
Free To Choose
Choose Freedom
Choose Liberty
No Left No Right Yes Liberty
Freedom For Everyone
Liberty And Justice For All
Liberty Knows No Race
I Am The Power
Free The Airwaves
Equality Before The Law
Equality Not Racism
I’ll make my own mistakes, thank you
Permanent Revolution For Liberty
Government gives nothing—Government TAKES
Stop The Looters
People To Government: BEHAVE
Here, the People regulate the Government
Don’t Make Me Come To Washington
Get Out Of The Way
Change Yourself
Government Serves The People—Not The Other Way Around
National Service Is Slavery
The Clunkers Are Still In Washington
Stop Waterboarding My Wallet
I Do Not Believe You
Don’t Make Me Use My Mom Voice
Don’t Make Me Use My Dad Voice
Enough Government!
No More Government!
Stupid Has No Color
Stupid Has No Race
Don’t Tread On Me
Rights Depend On No Man
Need Is Not A “Right”
I Will Defend My Rights
Keep Your Fairness Off Of My Freedom
Your Rights End Where Mine Begin
I Will NOT Shut Up
Single-Payer Health Care Is Slavery
Government Is The Servant, Not The Master
Freedom Is The Reason
Government Is Not Reason, It Is Force
Stop Pointing That Government Gun At Me

[mtngrandpa]

I do have tickets to the Free Republic Convention, and I’ve stayed at the Sheraton National before. However I have 4 “Free Reward Nights” at the Capitol Holiday Inn -— $0.00 beats $116.00 a night.

Looking forward to seeing all Freepers over at the Sheraton National for the events there, and Walter Reed on Friday night. When you take the Metro to where the action is on Saturday, we’ll be there waiting for you since it’s a short walk.

[Reddy]

Wow! Just received my official FR tee (won it in the drawing of participants), and it’s customized! My husband says I make a definite target now... :) Glad I made reservations and bought convention tickets... can’t wait for the events!

[Syncro]

Hay buddy, I’ll be great to see you again in DC!

[MinuteGal]

ping

[MinuteGal]

ping