Operation Infinite FReep in Fresno, California (10-18-02)

10/18/02

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Oh my! Where to start? Tonight's peacenik FReep in Fresno, California was by far the most exciting FReep we've ever had!

We ten FReepers were just standing on FReeper Island, holding up our signs and enjoying the fantastic response we were getting from those driving by, when all of a sudden several vans drove into our parking lot and thirty-three members of the Youth Group of the Assembly of God Church in Riverdale, California joined us! They brought wonderful signs with them and were dressed very patriotically. They were the nicest bunch of 18-25 year olds you could imagine! They waved flags and sang songs like the Star Spangled Banner and Onward Christian Soldiers. What a perfect addition to our group they were!

One guy who was there tonight had a bull horn with him and he offered any of the peaceniks who were interested, a free one way flight to Iraq. Not one taker, imagine that! He also led us in chanting USA and God Bless America.

Those FReepers who were able to make it tonight were

• Jim, Chris, and Sheila Robinson
  
• JustFrank (who came in place of JustAmy who wasn't able to make it tonight)
  
• Friend Ann
  
• Ladyinred
  
• Chadsworth
  
• Gracie
  
• Notpoliticallycorewrecked
  
• Mtngrl@vrwc

The majority of those driving by our group tonight were overly enthusiastic about seeing us there. I wish I had counted the honks we got tonight! It's a hard thing to do though, because of those who honk a half dozen or more times and then stop real quick when they cross the intersection and see the peaceniks standing there. Most people do NOT honk just once.

I do have to say to those who have never FReeped, try it, you will like it. Even if you live in a part of the country where there are no peaceniks, make up a sign that says "Honk to support our troops and President Bush" and go out on the busiest intersection in your town and hold it up for those driving by to see. It is just the most awesome experience, seeing the delight on the motorists' faces as they realize that CONSERVATIVES are actually out holding up signs on the street corner. It's just the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my whole life, and I would love for all of you to experience it too.

Well, as the peaceniks were punching their time clocks and leaving for home at precisely 6:30 (as usual), a police car drove into their parking lot and told them to leave. It appears that someone who owns one of the stores in that shopping center called them because the peaceniks were parked in their parking lot, and using parking places reserved for their customers. The peaceniks then complained about us being out on FReeper Island so the policemen then came over to our side of the street and told us to desert our island and stand back on the corner. Then they preceeded to hang out with us for ten or fifteen minutes, allowing us to take their pictures. When they finally left, as their cars drove in front of us, they put their lights on to show their support for our message.

Now a word about JustFrank. What a character this guy is! He's hard to figure out, first he stands there on the corner, kind of stony faced and unfriendly like - and the next minute, he's out offering cookies to those from the youth group that joined us tonight! He did tell us a few good jokes though. ;-) Interesting FReeper, that Frank. (see pictures below)

All in all, it was just a wonderful evening and a FReep that none of us will soon forget.

To those who were able to attend tonight's FReep, thanks for coming! To those who weren't able to make it tonight, we missed you and hope to see you next week.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

JustFrank:

Gracie1 (in blue) and Jim Rob:

Sheila and FriendAnn:

Chadsworth on the left. I have no idea about what Superman was doing there! LOL!

Notpoliticallycorewrecked in the center:

Wow!

Wow again!

Just Frank again (with Gracie1 behind him):

That's me, Mtngrl@vrwc:

There's one of the policemen who kicked us off of Freeper Island (behind the "We Love Our Troops" sign:

The other policeman and Chadsworth:

It looks like the policeman and Notpoliticallycorewrecked were getting into it, but he was really very nice.

Ladyinred (in black) LOL!

[Mo1]

1ST?????

[ladyinred]

ROTFL! You are the BEST! (and I will get revenge)

[mtngrl@vrwc]

If you would like to have your screen name added to or deleted from my ping list, please let me know. Thanks!

[Mo1]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

OH this is just too much fun

So what's with the cops in the picture??

I guess I should go read huh???

[ladyinred]

What a night! In spite of being kicked off Freeper island again, it was one of the best nights of my life! The emotion I felt seeing all of those young kids out there waving signs they made themselves, waving the flag, whooping and hollering was just overwhelming! It brought a lot of us to tears. It was a noisy, wonderful, incredible time!
I don't know who the guy who used my bullhorn is, but he was fantastic! He really took on the creeps across the street. One thing I have to say is, the one policeman said the peaceniks got in his face, "you know, since they are so peaceful and all" he said a couple of times! They don't like them either!! The are very supportive of us, and said most of the police force is made up of vets so they are on our side, but have to go by the law!
JustFrank did talk to me a little bit. I was so glad to finally meet him after all of this time, but I must say he is a weird fellow!
Best Freep ever, I will always remember with pride seeing all of those teenage kids showing such enthusiasm for our troops! They were just fantastic kids!

One last thing, that wasn't Superman, Mntgrl, that was
SUPERSIMON!!!!!!

[CounterCounterCulture]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! :-)

[JustAmy]

JustFrank took some pictures tonight (Some???? I think he took about 24) I will post them for him tomorrow. I just got home.
Did anyone else take pictures? What happened to Mama_Bear and Jkphoto? Looks like I'm not the only one who missed a great time!

[ladyinred]

Yes READ! One would think you were in such a hurry to post that you didn't even read the thread if one didn't know better wouldn't one? One might also think you and said poster of this thread were in some sort of a conspiracy too since it seems you were the first to be pinged here tonight? Hmmm? :-)

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Mo, you are absolutely our most faithful supporter, and I don't know how to thank you enough. You always wait up patiently for me to upload all of my pictures and get the report written so you can be among the first to visit our thread. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

And now a wave for Riverdale's Assembly of God Youth Group!

[ladyinred]

Ping for a surprise!

[Mo1]

One might also think you and said poster of this thread were in some sort of a conspiracy too since it seems you were the first to be pinged here tonight? Hmmm? :-)

NOPE .. tonight I beat you fair and square .. neener neener neener

And no I haven't read it yet .. bad habbit from the Freepathon I guess .. LOL

[mtngrl@vrwc]

One might also think you and said poster of this thread were in some sort of a conspiracy too since it seems you were the first to be pinged here tonight? Hmmm? :-)

Hm...I tried to let Mo know I was about to post, but she's not on either instant messanger. She's just clairvoyant, it appears. LOL!

[ladyinred]

ROTFL!
Mo is one of our greatest supporters for sure, Mtngrl! And quick as a bunny rabbit too! :-)

[ppaul]

Very, very cool.
Thanks for the weekly commitment.
Paid off in a wonderful way last night, eh?
Thanks also for the updates.

[Mo1]

It appears that someone who owns one of the stores in that shopping center called them because the peaceniks were parked in their parking lot, and using parking places reserved for their customers

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm .. could someone in those stores not like the Peaceniks ???

[Jean S]

Bump.

[Mo1]

WOW .. what a nice group of folks .. are they Freepers yet??

[Mo1]

I'm liking the hair ... Kewl