Yesterday, my family and I attended the pro-Troops, pro-Bush rally in Crawford. We did so because we wanted to show our support for the Troops, for President Bush and their mission.
I also, as an experiment, wanted to compare our observations vs. what is reported in the news. I find it odd that the minute the Pro-Bush, anti-Cindy sentiment could be highly visible, the coverage goes away. Granted, bigger stories have surfaced (Hurricane in New Orleans), but still, given all the time and space and money the Mainstream Media devoted to Cindy Shehan, I would think some obligatory follow up would be in order.
If you are interested in the follow up to this story, here is my account of the rally:
First stop, the Walmart parking lot in Waco. According to the material I found on the Web, Move America Forward and the Protest Warriors were meeting there so they could caravan to Crawford together to the rally. We pulled in just in time to see the participants lining up and getting ready.
What I saw: old and young and everything in between.
Common theme for all: “Friendly” Smiles and positive attitudes abounded.
The Walmart parking lot began to empty as the caravan began its way to Crawford. I estimate that anywhere from 35-40% of the parking lot were these caravaners.
Next stop: Crawford for the Pro-Troops, Pro-Bush rally.
First indicator something was going on: traffic.
As we crept down the road, we came toward the famous “Crawford Peace House”, the lefty gathering spot for many years. Today however, they had a little competition. The house across the street from it had Bush supporters out front with signs. The participants of both houses had lots of signs: in the yard, on the grounds and in their hands.
Further up the road, you could see tons of people walking around. Some were riding horses, but most were carrying signs and flags. We could see the next block over. Those people were traveling the opposite direction. My son characterized it as a “parade”.
We passed the Yellow Rose which had a lot of support the troops and Bush signs. It also had a giant liberty bell out front. Of all the sounds I heard, I will remember with most affection the sound of the bell ringing every once and awhile.
We couldn’t believe our luck in that we were able to find a parking place with shade on a side street. By the way, the temp thingy in our dashboard read 99 degrees. That’s in the shade folks.
We then had to walk to the Crawford Community Center, which was a blast! A ton of vehicles were parked on the side of the street with sentiments galore written in. Examples:
Cindy: Sorry for you loss! Visit the Alamo Shrine before you leave
Thank you for your Sacrifice Lance Tim Creager
Vietnam Veterans salute our troops
You don’t speak for me Cindy
Thank you for your service Casey Shehan
We support our Troop and their mission
WE support our Troops
Bush Right, Cindy Wrong
Vive Bush!
Vets for GW!
The people were interesting too. We saw everything: old, young and everything in between. The best way to describe these people are “normal”. Mood: Happy! Friendly!
We saw lots of relatives of someone serving in the service. A lot of them had signs or shirts with their picture in uniform. Invariably they had some sentiment about how they supported the troops and their mission and would appreciate the same from Cindy (or her “friends” so to speak).
As we got closer, we could hear the event. To me, this is always a good sign that sound travels faster than light at these events. It indicates enthusiasm.
As we rounded the corner, we saw the crowd, which was huge. There was a large tent, well actually several set together, and it was full. People were sitting inside, talking, watching and some playing guitar quietly. It was very nice. A large line had formed to side of the tent to sign a flag for the troops. Up ahead was a stage and to the right of it was a very large flag pieced together from smaller pieces of art. Over on the other fence line, were some information booths and free water and food. We dove into the water bin and cherished the feel of ice.
About this time, the person on the stage let everyone know we were about to start. We began with the pledge of allegiance (note: the crowd made a special effort to emphasize “under God”). The flag was being held by a lady riding a horse. Next, was the Star Spangled Banner. It was sung by an African American man with a very lovely Baritone voice. He then led us all in the invocation. It was all very nice.
I enjoyed this group a lot. They were of good cheer, even though it was hot as all get out, and no breeze to be found unless a car went by faster than 10mph. By the way, the speaker reminded us that if we think it’s bad here, think about the troops in Iraq. The temperature is about 121 degrees and they wear about 60 pounds on their back during patrol. I don’t know HOW they do it.
We were near the BBQ pits that supplied the free food. It smelled heavenly, and gave the whole event a nice smelling flavor.
As I made my way to the car, I couldn’t help but look at the people streaming toward the Crawford
When I got to my car and got it going, I was digging in the back looking for the charger to my digital camera battery. A car had driven by me and stopped. It had 4 adults and one teenage sized kid. They guy up front (not driving) asked if I knew where Cindy’s place was located. I told him, “No, I was wondering that myself. I wanted to go there next.”
The guy then told me, “Hey did you hear that a guy with an anti-war poster was “beat up” over at the Bush rally?” Right after he said that, the female driver hit him in the stomach with the back of her hand (I’ve seen that move a few times….)
I said, “Really, I hadn’t heard. That’s not right, that shouldn’t happen. As a matter of fact, I just got back from there and hadn’t seen anything like that.”
The guy then said, “Well, that’s what I heard. They love war you know.”
About that time, another couple of guys walked up. They offered directions (go to the Peace House, right over there, and take the shuttle) and their parking spot to the car. The parking spot was right next to me.
When they parked and got out, several of the people in the car had “Texas Democrats” shirts.
I want to make sure that this account gets out because I suspect that a story will be circulating that someone got beat up in the Troop and Bush rally. The next stop for these Texas Democrats was going to be the Peace House and I suspect they were going to tell someone, besides me. Frankly, I imagine the next stop for this story will be on some web site sympathetic to such accusations.
I want to be very clear here: I don’t believe this happened. I saw no sign of animosity, and certainly not in levels that would lead up to violence. I don’t believe anyone got “beat up” for their views and/or opinions.
We were able to make our way toward the Casey Camps.
On our way we saw tons of pro Bush signs.
“This is Bush Country”
“We are 4 Bush”
“We support our Troops”
They were literally EVERYWHERE, including across the street of
The best set I saw were reminiscent of the old Barbarsol signs:
“You are a guest”
“Bush lives here”
“He is our neighbor”
As we rounded the corner approaching Camp
Cops were all over.
This was the most contentious area we would see all day. Both sides were shouting at each other and holding signs.
But then something odd, and yet good happened.
Right when we got to the area, a cop stopped us. Two people from the
It’s good to see that are still some people willing to help each other, no matter what may divide them.
We finally found Camp
We spot it first by the big white tent. Oh, by the way, this tent is a big deal on Indymedia. It seems that George Bush used these very same tents on his ranch for a fundraiser. Big deal.
Anyway, we were able to park fairly close to the tent and started walking. We were offered water by a pair of cheerful volunteers.
As we got closer to the tent, I was struck by how quiet the whole area was.
This was a very mixed group of people: some were very “normal” looking, much like the Bush/Troop rally. But it also had some very, um, colorful characters too.
I would have to say that the smiles were not quite as forthcoming as in the Pro troops and Bush rally. I did not feel good moods here, unlike the other rally.
We looked inside the tent. There were a lot of people sitting down watching the entertainment. It was definitely not my “cup of tea”. It was, I’m guessing, folk music? After watching the whole thing, the only thing that came to mind was “hippy hoedown”
The other thing that struck me was the long line of news cameras set up toward the stage, ready at a moments notice. I didn’t see that at the other gathering.
There was a huge line waiting for the shuttle. A good many of the people in the tent were standing in line for the shuttle. So the choices in the tent became sit and listen to hippy hoedown or stand in line and listen to it. I am so glad we did not take the shuttle. We would still be there, listening to this stuff.
We walked around and took in the sights. We saw a “Free Speech Tent” and the “Iraq Veterans Against the War” tent (I wonder if this will be like “Vietnam Veterans against the War” or whatever it was called that John Kerry was associated with).
One poster that I couldn’t believe I saw was this: “The Price of Gas is Too High” Amusing. Aren’t these the very same people that griped because the price of gas was too low and thought it should be more in line with gas prices in
Again, we took note of the signs and bumper stickers:
“Bush Bin Lyin”
“Draft the Bush Twins”
“These Colors Don’t Run the World”
“Bring’em on home”
“I get along with God just fine It’s his fan clubs that I can’t stand”
“Lets Try Pre-emptive Peace”
Lots of “Gore” and “Kerry” stickers
Tired, sweaty and pretty darn smelly, we were ready for home. We had enough and were ready to go.
As many pictures as I took, there was one I could not have; that being a picture of Cindy herself. I looked for her, but could not find her.
The other thing I couldn’t find: minority participants. Where are the minorities the left is always claiming to represent? Truth is, we were the closest to “minority” status in this area in that we did not agree with them.
We got in the car, retraced our steps, passed by the protesters at
It was a good day for all.
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It looks like the MSM is covering the Anti-Cindy crowd in Crawford. But it also looks like the Anti-Cindy’s are eating their own: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9075811/.
A majority of Americans have doubts about the situation in Iraq and 87% support the right to protest the Battle of Iraq, Time to do some damage control and go to the tried and true method of attaching your opponent. But why isn’t the anti-Cindy rhetoric working? Consider this from the master, Karl Rove:
“Look, I don’t attack people on their weaknesses, that usually doesn’t get the job done. Voters already perceive weaknesses. You’ve got to go after the other guy’s strengths. That’s how you win.”
For example, consider Senator Kerry’s military record and the Swift Boater’s attack. But you can’t go after Cindy Sheehan’s “strength” — that she’s a grieving mother — because no matter how hard you try, you can’t disprove it. Although Rush Limbaugh did try in a bizarre moment when he compared the actions of Cindy Sheehan, to Bill Burkett, when he said that her “story is nothing more than forged documents, Cindy Sheehan is just Bill Burkett.”
Just got back in and had to post this.
Myself and four other volunteers left Plano Friday nite late with a load of some 50 briskets, the mobile smoker and about 500 bottles of water, 500 lbs of ice, not to mention plates, forks, napkins, buns, sauce etc. All donated by myself and many others that could not be at Crawford but wanted to contribute. And they ain’t hard to find.
Twenty of the briskets I had already smoked, the smoker was still cooking as we drove. We stopped in Waco to hook up with any folks that might already be there and fed everyone at 1 AM. We even fed and watered the cops who came to check out the small crowd.
After finally negotiating the traffic in Crawford we hooked up with the other cookers and set up. We immediately had folks with hungry tired faces as we handed out plates of brisket sandwiches and bottled water. All of the cookers there in Crawford were tireless workers going without sleep to have food ready. And all cookers charging no money.
No cameras around to catch any of this as you might guess. You won’t see and they won’t tell you we handed out over 20 cases of ice cold Capri Sun drinks, also donated, to kids and anyone else that wanted them.
You also won’t see how one of the volunteers trailered down my little 14 foot travel tailer. Or how we hooked up a generator and put the A/C on full blast to cool down some very drained and overheated young babies whose parents were definite hippies that had come to protest the war.
Those sweet babies fell asleep in that trailer while the parents ate free food and drink and fell asleep on the other bed in the trailer. They left without so much as a thank you. I think about those little babies a lot. We told the parents we would not feed the kids until they had cooled down as they would get sick. Can you see the spin headline on CNN about this?
“Repub supporters deny food to children. Parents were outraged.”
We had brought our cajun cooker and the coleman stoves and someone from somewhere had donated a huge amount of eggs and coffee so we were doing scrambled eggs and coffee early Saturday morning.
We fed everyone. Everyone fed everyone. We did not care the politics. Food and ice and water was coming from everywhere from all over the country in support of the troops and the effort.
We were sleeping on the ground and in canvas chairs or in the little trailer when we could and we did not care. We carried no political agenda. We are with President Bush but we just wanted to feed them all.
I will say this and this I never expected. Of all that came for a meal, like Ree-C said you could tell the Repubs from the Dems because of their smiling faces and hope and just general good will.
Since we fed everyone without regard to politics it was invariably a Bush/Troop supporter that wanted to open their wallet and wish to give us funds of which we would not take. We figured that if we set out a tip jar or took any funds, that would get the CNN cameras rolling. “Repubs ask for funds for food.”
The Cindy supporters on the other hand almost seemed to expect the food and water and otherwise. One fellow was so rude to ask why it was taking so long for the coffee to be brewed then complained it was too hot. We still love him and would die for the right for him to complain.
But we are back home and overall a great adventure. We are very tired but we are very proud. Our adrenaline is in the high 10’s. We want to do it again.
Myself and four other volunteers of the TXSG 19th BDE. 3rd BTN, Charlie Company. Volunteer MP’s for the State of Texas.
We stand to serve.
Thanks, Ree C. I’ve been in the paper, and couldn’t find a thing that I saw that corresponded to what I read afterwards.
I’m overseas now, fighting for lower oil prices (no, not in the military.. in the oil Biz), and wish I could have been there with all the smiling faces.
That’s what you find: Moonbats are unable to smile. They are always angry, disappointed, and blaming someone else.
I think this will be the most accurate description I’ll get to read concerning the Pro-America, while CNN over here continually spews the Anti-Bush, Anti-American trash they spew so well.
Too bad the rest of the world only sees the blatantly incorrect CNN version.
From my heart,’Thank you for this.
I am going to show this to all I can find,
Patti
Thanks for telling the whole story, something we simply do not get from the media.
This is an excellent to share with others. As a Soldiers’ Angel who writes to troops overseas in an effort to show them our support, I can testify to the fact that our media is damaging troop morale more than anything with negative coverage. But, articles like this and others that tell the truth will lift spirits in a hurry!! I can’t wait to share it.
Now, if we could just get news media to report on all the wonderful progress our troops have made in Iraq - like shoes and school supplies for children, the numbers of schools that are open with girls attending for the first time, churches open, businesses run by individuals, and more and more. Our troops are so proud of their accomplishments - yet no one here at home even acknowledges them in the media! If you know how this can be done, please let us know too.
Thank You!!
Judi Burns
Soldiers’ Angels
I left Houston at about 7:00 am to drive to Crawford. I drove in a WWII truck in order to show my support. With me was my friend Tom Cottar. We saw much of the same as yourself but our visit to the “Cindy Fonda” camp was a little different. The “pretend guitarist” tried to belt out Arlo Guthrie renditions of peace and love. Another shouted, “How would you like to have your children serve in Iraq?” Another yelled comments that, “We should be ashamed for profiting from the war”.
My response to the first was that I would be proud to have my daughter serve our Country in the miliary protecting his children. I wonder if he felt that his children were too good to serve in the military? The second tout did not even justify a response because of the idiotic implication of what was said.
Malcolm Browne
Thanks for the story — it’s much better to hear from someone who was there, instead of trying to figure out how much of the true story the media will give us! R. Murphey did a good job.
I feel sorry for Cindy and all the others who are trying so very hard to turn Iraq into another Vietnam.
Thank you so much for the coverage . I watched Fox News all weekend long hoping to get some pictures and a good story. They would just show about 5 minutes of footage of the Pro Bush . Then they would show Sheehan with reporters all around.
I know a couple of reporters claimed that both sides had about the same number; which I found hard to believe. SO YOU kNOW - we can’t always trust our dear FOX NEWS to be so Fair .
So,where are the pictures? I would love to see the troop supporters!!
Thank you for providing some balance to the ridiculously overblown coverage of an aging hippie using the memory of her dead son for a selfish purpose. It’s very sad and disrespectful. He was an adult. He was a man. He was a soldier. He was not an infant who needs mommy dearest to protect him from big bad Bush.
You are right, everytime I see a lefty rally there is such anger and shrill voices. This from the ‘tolerance’ crowd. I was not surprised to hear of the warmth (and not just temperature) of the truly supportive folks who honor our brave soldiers.
God bless you all.
No minorities will side with Cindy Sheehan because the KKK and RaceHustlerReverend Al are with Cindy.
Your piece is riddled with the kind of moronic assumptions all too common in any debate of this type. E.g., all people who oppose certain policies have to be “leftists,” Democrats, liars, unhappy, etc. You and your message are diminished by your prejudice.
Thank you for this complete report. The contrast between the two factions is very striking. Too bad the MSM can’t seem to be as objective.
According to MSNBC in their photo essay on the weekend there were about 200 people counter-protesting this weekend in Crawford. Of the 18 photos in the essay only 3 (#s 2, 7, & 18) showed pro-President Bush supporters. One was showing them trampling an anti-Bush sign, another was showing a White House Aide taking a series of bedsheets signed with Pro-Bush sentiments, and the last was a shot of two women holding a flag mentioning that 200 Pro-Bush supporters had arrived.
Thank you for your observations and great reporting. Shame on the media who gave little if any coverage of the thousands of Troop supporters that gathered on Saturday. Please let us know if you plan to share your photographs on the web.
And show their patriotism by securing our borders!
Join the Minuteman Project!
God Bless our TROOPS!
I was unable to attend the rally. I wanted to go so badly. I had a class to teach. It had been scheduled for months and I could not cancel it. I did help pay for some of those signs, though. Thanks for letting those of us that did not get to go experience it through your story. It is great!!
We went to Crawford Saturday and saw the same scenes. However, we weren’t aware of “Camp Cindy II” and didn’t see much of the media. The signs that lined Prarie Chapel Road leading to “Camp Reality” across from “Camp Cindy I” were provided by grassfire.org supporters like us. We’ll send some photos we took.
The price of gas is too high when you realize how many human lives it is costing to keep our cars running.
Subsequent to his departure from office, Bill Clinton publicly stated that his administration knew that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Since none have been found, we can conclude:
A) We were lied to by Bill Clinton.
B) The Clinton administration was totally incompetent.
You pick.
Good stuff! Thanks! Wish I could have gone. W!
The price of gas
The price of gas is too high when you realize how many human lives it is costing to keep our cars running.
Julia Cochrane
_________________________________________________
Please excuse my rudeness, but what the hell does that mean? The comment makes no sense to me.
If you thought the price was high before just wait as the price of gasoline will get your attention.
The EPA has prevented refineries from being built and it appears now they will start preventing us from drilling in certain offshore areas due to air emissions.
Question is how high does the price of gasoline get $5.00, $6.00, $7.00 or $8.00 per gallon before we say enough and force elected officials to realize that not all EPA rules make sense or even reduce poluution.
We aren’t fighting just for oil in Iraq, but if I had to choose which place to fight Iraq is much better than Houston. If you don’t want to fight the terrorist overseas then let them fight in your neighborhood near your house or your children’s school as I have no desire for them to fight anywhere in the US.
Thanks for that detailed report. I wondered if the Hurracaine didn’t take the reporters away, because I didn’t see much of either on the news. i did see some Camp Sheehan. But to know they were waiting at Camp Sheehan and not at the pro- Bush side just confirms my suspicion.
Let’s see what happens when they come to Houston at DeLay’s site.
I have just returned from a trip thru Texas which started with the Crawford pro troop rally last Sat. We wanted to see what Crawford was like so spent Thurs in Waco and went to Crawford Fri AM and looked around and then left after the rally on Sat. I did not have access to a computer so am grateful for you account. We talked to the father whose son died in Iraq and who has a camp set up next to the gift shop. He rang the bell while we were there and it was indeed impressive. We drove out to the Cindy in the ditch campsite and there was almost nobody there, just a hippie guy near the road by the big sheet sign about getting with the light or some such deep thought. We talked to the folks across the road who were quite informative and one was being interviewed by a reporter. Something that I found incredulous was the nothingness of the Cindy camp that has held the media enthralled for weeks now. They always have her in one grieving pose or another and I realized that we never are treated to an overview of her ‘camp’. The other pro troop camp is just as grass roots as her claims but nobody but eye witnesses know it is there. The whole thing is a scam of course but there has to be powerful players to get only their side into the national media. The pro troop rally was a great experience and we were glad to add our bodies to the count for our side. Thanks for posting your article. Freeper Mountainfolk
Ahhh, the old ‘War for Oil’ argument. About the only response this deserves at this point is a deafening silence…
Cindy now says she is glad the President did not meet with her? That it galvanized the peace movement? That it proves he does not care? What peace movement? Did I miss something during my nap.
Thanks for the “thoughts” of your Trip to Crawford.
-Charles Lingerfelt
North Texas Freedom Rally
P. O. Box 360722
Dallas, Texas 75336
972.286.0606
Cell: 423.315.3183