Smaller Group Sees Inaction as a Greater Danger (Patriots Rally For America III)

The Washington Post ^ | Sunday, January 19, 2003 | Carol Morello

[kristinn]

SNIP

The counter-demonstration that drew fewer than 50 people began with a morning rally near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and regrouped along the route used by the antiwar contingent. It was organized by Free Republic, which was formed to protest President Bill Clinton's actions, and another group called MOVE OUT, an acronym for Marines and Other Veterans Against Outrageous Un-American Traitors.

Many predicted dire consequences for the United States if Saddam Hussein is not ousted from power. Joel Kernodle, a retired Marine from Indianapolis who organized MOVE OUT, conjured up images of the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol in rubble.

"If we don't stop Saddam Hussein today, tomorrow it might not be a plane, but it might be a mushroom cloud," said Kevin Martin of Baltimore, a former Navy sailor.

Aziz Al-Taee, a spokesman for the Iraqi-American Council, talked about fleeing Iraq in the 1980s after several members of his Shiite Muslim family were killed by Hussein's forces. His aunt was ordered to pay for the bullet that killed her son.

[kristinn]

I recommend reading the whole article. IIRC, this is the first time The Washington Post has devoted an entire article to a Free Republic related demonstration since the March For Justice, October 31, 1998.

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[Humidston]

This is amazing, Kristinn. Sorely outnumbered, yet getting all this publicity for our side!

And I'd like to add, all the people interviewed gave clear concise and thoughtful answers.

Good job, guys!

[freepersup]

I tip my hat to each and every one of you. Bully ! Bump'n it for the evening. Lights out... Great job Kristinn, and thanks for your effort today. Best wishes Washington DC FR chapter.

[Southack]

My, what an interesting flag that is that the protestors are waving (left of the Capitol building)...

Lenin shows up on the Red signs of several protestors here...

[kristinn]

Thanks. I wish our numbers were a bit better, but we're grateful to all who stood with us today. They did a good job on all fronts--especially with the media.

[Cindy]

LINKS OF INTEREST:

FREEREPUBLIC.com- Discussion Thread - Topic: "PATRIOTS RALLY FOR AMERICA" (011803)

***TALIBAN ONLINE - Posted by "She Taliban": "HAMAS WILL TAKE WAR OUTSIDE PALESTINE IF US ATTACKS IRAQ" by Nidal al-Mughrabi (January 18, 2003)

***WorldNetDaily.com: "INS READMITTING ARAB SCOFFLAWS High Risk Visitors Who Fail to Comply With New Anti-Terror Rules Let Back In" by Paul Sperry (January 17, 2003)

***ISLAM-ONLINE.net - News: "...TALIBAN REGROUPS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In a related development, Afghan government took steps Friday to tackle a reported regrouping of Taliban and al-Qaeda factions in the south of the country. Around 5,000 police have been sent to the southern town of Spin Boldak, near the border with Pakistan. Sources have told the BBC news online that some former Taliban activists are trying to re-group in the region. On Thursday, January 16, a humanitarian official said Taliban fighters are returning from Pakistan and regrouping around Spin Boldak. A growing number of Taliban fighters or former Taliban are gathering in the small frontier city, 600 kilometers southwest of the capital Kabul in the province of Kandahar, said the source, requesting anonymity. They were taking advantage of the porous border there.") (January 17, 2003)

FOX NEWS.com (AP): "TWO U.S. PARATROOPERS HURT BY EXPLOSIVE-PACKED BICYCLE IN EASTER AFGHANISTAN" (January 18, 2003)

FOX NEWS (AP): "PAKISTAN ACCUSES AMERICAN DOCTOR, HIS FAMILY OF AL-QAEDA LINKS" (January 15, 2003)

FOX NEWS.com (AP): "U.S. SOLDIER SHOT IN LEG IN WESTERN AFGHANISTAN" (January 17, 2003)

[Marylander]

Nice work, kristinn and Angelwood. I'm sorry I didn't make a greater effort to be there this time to add one more rational voice to the effort.

The article in WP is truly amazing, but I guess they agree with Freepers on the Iraq question, so suddenly the DC Chapter has popped into existence. Amazing.

[kristinn]

One of our chants was, "Your Red Roots are Showing." The commies scowled at that one, hehe.

[kristinn]

We are at the mercy of assignment and managing editors for press. I guess we got lucky this time.

Earlier this week, I had to explain to an incredulous reporter that we don't do what we do for the press--we do it to send a message directly to the subjects of our complaints and any media coverage is gravy.

[timestax]

keep up the excellent work.

[kristinn]

Will do. This morning, actually ;-)

[WaterDragon]

The headline to the article is straight (almost) from President Reagan's first inaugural address. He said something to the effect that the sky won't fall on us if we do something, but it definitely will if we do nothing. Now, I'll go read this fascinating-sounding article!

[skinkinthegrass]

GOOD WORK :)

[FreedomPoster]

You and all the DC FReepers ROCK! bump.

My hat is off to you.

[Notforprophet]

Some of us have family and job responsibilities that preclude traveling halfway across the country for a rally, rabidone. Kudos to you for making the trip.

[lorrainer]

Earlier this week, I had to explain to an incredulous reporter that we don't do what we do for the press--we do it to send a message directly to the subjects of our complaints and any media coverage is gravy.

This is one of the most telling quotes of the whole affair, kristinn--that their side was mostly there for a FASHION STATMENT. Do you think it sunk in?

[CARepubGal]

John Armour = B1Bob? When did that happen? :-)