Crawford Texas CounterFReep Report

[DrewsDad]

The false peaceniks descended on Crawford Texas to protest President Bush's warnings to Saddam and Iraq. There were roughly 150 protesters gathered in the parking lot of the Crawford Community Center(football stadium) when we showed up. We arrived a bit late thanks to taking the scenic route through Waco and were directed by law enforcement officers arround a series of roadblocks. After indicating that we were peaceful protestors instead of "hecklers", we were directed to a parking area.

We decided to scout out the area first and promptly found the Iraqi sympathizers. Someone in the group noticed a lone woman carrying an America Flag on the other side of a tree line behind some barricades. We approached this brave soul and found Txrangerette holding down the place set aside for the "hecklers".(Apparently, she didn't know the peaceful protestor password)

While we were debating rather or not to drive around to the "heckler" area, Blastus returned to the car, grabbed his sign and started toward the protestor crowd. I think Gracey was being interviewed by the Waco Tribune and others started heading back to their cars to join Txrangerette. Since I rode with Blastus who wasn't moving his car, I grabbed my sign and wandered back to the protestors. Needless to say, a few of them noticed our signs and started swarming around us asking questions. We informed them that we were peaceful protestors exercising our first amendment rights and enganged them in further conversation. For the most part they were courteous but extrememly mislead.

After a bit of discussion, we noticed that the rest of our FRiends had gathered on the other side of the fence in the "heckler zone". On the way back to the car, we saw that Gracey was defying the zoning restrictions a bit and had come a bit closer to the fence. We drove back out to the roadblock and around through a camping area and joined the others in the "heckler zone".

We scouted the area a little bit and were about to join the others behind the barricades when a local Sheriff car pulls up and threatens to "haul us in" if we don't stay in the right area. So we made it to the right place where PetroniDE and Jobshopper were making their presence known. PetroniDE had brought his megaphone and since we were confined to the "heckler zone", we decided to start heckling. Waco-k and her husband joined us and we had a great time in the "heckler zone".

Here is a picture of all our signs and another one of my New Democratic Party Planks sign.

After numerous shouts of "You're helping out the oil companies by driving your cars", "Where's your electric cars", and other chants, we took a group photo and headed back to town.

By that time TheSarce had arrived and we joined her in the coffee shop. President Bush(ok, just a cardboard cutout) was there and joined in the fun.

Overall, a good time was had by all(or at least me) and we gave numerous interviews and let the peaceniks know they won't go unchallenged.

[McLynnan]

They weren't the FReeper type...
LOL! Yeah, I can relate to that.

LOL, they REALLY aren't the FReeper type. Totally apolitical people. I love them dearly but will never understand how anybody can be totally indifferent about politics.

[1234]

RIGHT ON

[McGavin999]

I knew this was going to be a great report when I clicked on the thread. Thanks so much for posting this.

I love the fact that we're not allowing the "protesters" to be out there without an answer.

[bobbyd]

Good job YA'LL ~

[basil]

Gee, I wanted to be at this freep so bad I could taste is! I had all the plans in place to be there, but suffered a little set back, healthwise, and have been confined to my house, for the most part until Monday, when I go in for more tests.

Having said all of that, it looks like ya'll did a SUPER JOB without me--as I knew you would. All of you make me proud to be a Texan. I can't wait until our next H.O.T. chapter meeting so I can hear all the nitty-gritty details!

[3D-JOY]

These positive Freeps are really a wonderful way to represent Free Republic and so much fun to do!!

Thanks Texans, we Freepers from Jeb's State thank you!!

[ladyinred]

Good report! The area is lovely! Doesn't it make you feel good to support the President and the war on terror against such anarchists? Love the coffee shop photos!

[TXBubba]

One of the peaceniks I engaged was from the socialist workers organization. I told him that 'socialist worker' sounded like an oxymoron. I related that most of the socialists I work with are quite wealthy, yet feel they are one with the common man because they drive a lower end BMW. We agreed his socialist pals did not run in the same circles as my co-workers. He told me that his organization was trying to free the worker from the social and economic limitations of capitalism and he wanted workers to be free to control the means of production and their own destiny. I suggested that our existing form of government already allowed that process to thrive - it is called entrepreneurship. We also discussed the unfair income tax policy and I suggested that he was free to send in more money to the government. I doubt he has ever paid income tax. As with all of the encounters we had, the peaceniks were friendly and not threatening like many of the knee jerk liberals in Austin. Blastus

[TXBubba]

A Rasta with a red white & blue face offered a 'peace chant' CD. We discussed how all of us would be shot if we were in Iraq because 'we' were participating in a protest about the government policy. I pointed out that Christians are being repressed all across the Muslim world, yet it was never discussed in public. I said I was sure they covered that already in their speeches, but I missed it because I was late arriving. He actually brought up Christian persecution in the Sudan and that they still practiced slavery of blacks and whites! He wanted a $10 donation for the CD. I wonder if he has a sales tax ID….Blastus

[TXBubba]

The peaceniks were mostly Nader/LaDuke leftovers, not many demonrats, (probably all out filling out absentee ballots for Ron Kirk). Most drove alone, they did not carpool or take light rail in from Houston or Dallas. They were lousy singers - surprising for a bunch of liberal arts dropouts. The weakest cover of 'we shall overcome' I have heard. Avoiding red meat has taken its toll on these folks! Most of the vehicles were late model cars, the non AC equipped VW bugs were left home in the collective garage. They were drinking Ozarka water from plastic bottles, not Barton Springs water from free range goatskins. Blastus

[SteelTrap]

Sorry to hear that basil. I had the delight of making your acquaintance way back when Ol' Al was trying to steal Florida. As a matter of fact, I was just telling California about that.......http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/738709/posts?page=181#181

Hope you are back to 100% real soon!

[ValerieUSA]

That sounds like a plan. Support the Pres and have a burger, too. *L* The rough life.

[RMrattlesnake]

Good Job Keep up the Good work

[cmsgop]

Well Done From the Great Northwest!

Okay Seattle!

[Angelwood]

HOT CHAPTER:

Great report and pictures! It was so good to meet the members of the HOT Chapter when I visited in June. You guys do good work and look great, too! I hope to be back in your neck of the woods in October. FReep On! FReepers -- We're Everywhere!

Ms. basil -- so sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. Hope you got my message about the package to arrive on Monday. It'll make you smile. Take care now.

[Chad Fairbanks]

What? It's our turn? ;0)

[WaterDragon]

Loved the photos.....loved the report.... I love FReepers!

[Flyer]

Great job! I really, really wanted to make this one. I hope the folks in Crawford appreciated having a few "friendlies" in town.

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[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

They were lousy singers - surprising for a bunch of liberal arts dropouts.

As a singer myself, this line really made me laugh. :-]

You TX FReepers rock!