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Written by Melanie Morgan
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Saturday, 22 March 2008 |
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I admit it.
I lied.
A big, fat whopper.
And I am NOT the least bit sorry about it.
I said in the media and in e-mail last Wednesday that our pro-troop side decided to stand down against the moonbats on the street during the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq, and at Shattuck Square in Berkeley, Calif. where our Marine Recruiters are doing excellent work in spite of the near constant harassment.
I told a fib, based upon my knowledge of the Great Chinese Warrior Sun Tzu.
"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."
I didn't want to tip our hand until it was too late for the crazies to get up out of bed, put away their crack pipes and stumble over for a counter-protest against EaglesUp, Patriot Guard Riders, the Lafayette Flag Brigade, Blue Star Mothers and motorcyle clubs from all across the western United States.
Move America Forward and the pro-troops groups wanted to deliver a positive message of strength and love for our military without significant interference from the anti-American, anti-troop crowd.
(My favorite photo of the day, brave warriors from previous wars.)
(Babs and Jim Alexander of Lafayette, Calif., ride into Berkeley) Chronicle photo by Michael Macor
Our strategy worked.
Only a few rabid pink weasel stoners showed up, and we owned the street with our pride and patriotism, waving flags, singing patriotic songs, cheering for the Marines as well as all military men and women, their families and our country.
Doug Lyvere of EaglesUp mustered over 600 bikers (updated) on Harley's, Ducatis, and every bike in between. Guys and gals drove in from Modesto, Turlock, Arizona, Wyoming, San Mateo, San Jose, Santa Clara, Contra Costa and supporters flew in from San Diego and L.A.
In all, there were close to 800 people there, and it surprised the hell out of the media.
Move America Forward sent out press releases just two days before the event to the ink-stained wretches, TV types, as well as radio reporters .
KTVU Channel 2 reports (fair report, except numbers drastically undercounted.)
More TV coverage here.
Syncro from FreeRepublic.com delivered his usual wry commentary and excellent photos.
ProtestShooter.com has some stunning pictures here.
The GREAT Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit.com even linked to Gateway Pundit for our efforts.
PipelineNews.com has more here.
BashMan at PatDollard.com blogged here.
We made news in London at the Daily Telegraph!
We started the morning in Emeryville, California (five miles from Berkeley) where Doug and Tom of EaglesUp organized a staging area (very efficiently) and hundreds of these cool machines and sexy guys in leather gathered.
Retired San Francisco police detective Fred Ponomarenko offered me a helmet and a ride on the back of his machine. The rumbling of the pipes was deafening, but it was music to my ears.
As we rocked out to Lynnard Skynnard, Fred hollered at me that "half the guys are cops, and the other half crooks.. But all of us all come together under the Red, White and Blue."
Fred was exaggerating, a bit.
Retired and active duty cops, firefighters, security workers, paramedics, Vietnam Vets and others rolled in.
The most fun I had on the ride over to Shattuck Square was going through the residential neighborhoods of Berkeley. The bike pipes set off car alarms, burglar alarms, and alerted the crackheads, ho's, smelly hippies, and peaceniks that our seriously determined pro-troops Americans were in town to tell them to leave our Marines the hell alone.
Fred delivered me safe and sound at the Marine Recruiting Center. At the staging area, I jumped up on Sweaty Beatty, a beautifully restored 1940's pick-up truck, alongwith Catherine Moy from Move America Forward, Diana Nagy, our fabulously talented singer, Scott Conover and Mike Anderson (Gold Star Fathers) and Diane Layfield (Gold Star Mom) shouted out our support.
(Mike Anderson, left, of Modesto, and Scott Conover, of Tracy, join hands during a prayer as hundreds gathered in front of the US Marine recruiting center in Berkeley) Chronicle photo by Michael Macor
(Singer Dana Nagy, right, joins hundreds of supporters of the Marines gathered in front of the Marine Recruiting office in downtown Berkeley.) Chronicle photo by Michael Macor
The most deeply moving moment of the day came when a young man, fresh from Iraq and a close haircut, literally wandered into our gathering. He was stunned.
He had NO IDEA so many people supported him, especially in BERKELEY.
(An all-American dog came, too.)
I wish I got our soldier's name, but he was a bit embarassed because he was crying. I gave him a hard, long hug and whispered, "Welcome Home, Soldier."
That's when he really broke down.
God Bless our soldiers, and all of you. Never before in American history has there EVER been a counter protest movement to the so-called 'Peace Crowd', a fringe group of people who are screaming like hyenas, calling our troops thugs, baby-rapers and murderers.
They are NOT.
They are HEROES and I was proud to stand in support of their service and sacrifice.
Damn, now I am crying.
But I don't want to click off without paying tribute to some special people.
Doug Lyvere of EaglesUp has done an amazing job organizing this event, working days and nights on end to make it happen. Special acknowledgment to Bryan Weldon of the Lafayette Flag Brigade and all his folks, as well as the courageous Patriot Guard Riders who helped. (Please forgive me if I didn't mention your group. So many came and helped. Thank-you!)
Updated Blogging
http://leaningstraightup.com/2008/03/23/1729/ Rosemary's Thoughts, A Blog For All, The Beauty Stop, 123beta, Right Truth, Stuck On Stupid, Big Dog's Weblog, Phastidio.net, The Amboy Times, InvestorBlogger, Cao's Blog, Conservative Cat, ARISTO_GATTA, Nuke Gingrich, third world county, Faultline USA, McCain Blogs, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl, Miss Beth's Victory Dance, Pirate's Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, , The Pink Flamingo, Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker, Wolf Pangloss, , Stageleft, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Melanie
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Written by Melanie Morgan
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
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Thanks to Gary at FreeRepublic.com
Troop Support Rally
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Ok folks, this is the call to arms. It doesn't matter where you live, Northern California, the Western States, east coast, where ever - tell everyone you know, forward this email, call them, whatever - get the word out. It doesn't matter if you ride a bike or drive a cage. This is a call to arms for all veterans, all patriots, and all that truly respect the military.
Please forward this email to every veteran you know, every organization you know, every post you know. Assume you are the only one that has received this email and spread the word. Also, if you have the time, please make up small signs showing date, time, location, and try to get them put up in motorcycle stores, AL Posts, MCL Posts, etc. And forward to whomever has an email list.
This Mission will only work if we have a LARGE turnout.
Due to the garbage in Bezerkeley, we've made a decision to have a Massive show of support for the Marine Recruiters, and Veterans everywhere. Bezerkeley, the City Council, the Mayor, Code Pink and the other moonbats want to step all over veterans, past, present and future. We need to show them we're not going to allow that in Berkeley or anywhere else.
I'm not using the term "demonstration" for two simple reasons - "demonstration" is tied together with "counter demonstration". Neither of those terms come in to play in this instance.
I want a true "Support the Troops" event. Come by motorcycle, car, truck, whatever means you have. Bring an American Flag, and if you have them, Flags of the Armed Forces. If you want to make signs, please limit them to support ie: So and so, or family of, or organization so and so supports the troops. And one other - VNSZ (Veteran's No Spend Zone) Lots of those.
On March 22, 9:00AM, we will all meet and/or stage at the Watergate Market, 2390 Powell St, Emeryville.
http://tinyurl.com/3apwej
The rally point was picked in that it has food and fuel readily available. When getting off the freeway, there is a Chevron Station on one side of the freeway, and a Shell on the other (the direction you'll be heading). There is a Denny's where you get off and the Watergate Market has sandwiches (I believe). Across from the Market is the Emeryville Police Dept. There is parking along the street to the left of the EPD. You will directed to parking when you arrive. Currently, there will not be a "formal" check in, but see me when you get there. I'm not hard to find.
When you eat or fuel in this location or any location outside of Berkeley, please keep the receipts - if we have a big enough group, I will collect those receipts and deliver them to the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce on Monday the 24th. Hopefully with the assistance of the news media.
We will depart at 10 for Berkeley. The Emeryville police will assist us in getting on the freeway. ( If you are driving directly to the city - not driving in with the "convoy", please meet at the recruiting office.) There will be 3 approach routes to Berkeley that will be announced at that morning.
All approach routes will lead to the US Marine Officer Selection Office at 64 Shattuck Square - it's a one way street and therefore will be on your left side. After driving past the recruiting office, please park your vehicles carefully as I'm quite sure the parking police will be around. I would park one vehicle (includes motorcycles) per parking place as long as you don't mind the paring fees - also - I've been warned about feeding the meters.
Move your wheels periodically so as not to get cited or towed. Coordinate with each other on shifting vehicles. If you park in lot that is restricted to customers, then buy a cup of coffee or a coke, or whatever. I can make a drink last a LONG time.
While wandering around like any other tourist, if you talk to shop owners, please remember, we're not there to get in THEIR faces, but to make a point to the City Council. If our presence, our taking parking places, our not spending money has a negative impact on the individual business owners, they will need to go to make a decision on who to recall and who to vote for.
If the individuals don't like the war, don't like the administration, don't like the military, GTG, but what the City Council has done is baloney! Besides, if they don't like the military, then why would they want our money.
I'm asking Melanie Morgan and MAF to start speaking at 12 in front of the Recruiting Office. Other speakers are welcome. I'm asking Capt Lund and some of his staff to be there, in uniform of course.
Purpose of this Mission is to show support for the troops in general, all veterans, and for the Marine Recruiting Office. It is not for physical confrontation - that needs to be avoided. We need to set the example - Code Pink, ANSWER and the other moonbats would love to see us get slammed in the media and they will try to do that.
On Feb 12 there were a couple of people attending who apparently were there just to cause trouble. Please be careful. I am by no means saying "turn the other cheek". I'm just asking that you are careful with any response - let them take the fall.
If you need places to camp or stay - please remember to get a place outside of Berkeley.
I need some volunteers - one or two to handle billeting for those that need it arriving Friday nite and/or staying Saturday nite. I need a couple of riders - 4 to 8 - to help get people to Shattuck Square and then to help with getting people pointed to parking areas. I'm also asking a local CB/HAM/motorcycle club to help with any communications necessary. If your scoot is equipped with comm gear, please ID yourself at check in (IF you want to be put to work). And I need couple of people to help coordinate at the staging area.
Currently we know that Trader Vic's is offering us a banquet room that evening for a buffet dinner. They are also giving us 15% off coupons. We will work on some more like minded stuff.
Response - if you are coming, please respond with just numbers - I only need names if you are available to help (you pick the category). And I need to know numbers for Trader Vic's - they have 2 different room sizes and need to put one aside for us. Normally I respond to every email. HOWEVER, because of the anticipated volume of response, I will only respond on offers to help or to questions.
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Written by Melanie Morgan
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
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Folks--Come on Downnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
We're going to be in Berkeley Saturday morning, gathering around 10:00 in the morning with our pride in our United States Military in front of the Marine Recruiting Center at 64 Shattuck Square.
I'll be there to do some speechifying, which begins at Noon.
I'm going to ride into town with the Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder and other bikers (HOW COOL IS THAT!) ..
Join us in fighting the anti-American message from the rabid pinko weasels and have a great time with pro-troopers who LOVE our military men and women.
I will be on KRON4 at 8:15 tomorrow morning to talk about our great event.
Be there at Shattuck Square!
Bezerkley, California --here we come!
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Written by Melanie Morgan
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
The Daily Californian Online
Three Protests, Many Causes, No Results
Contributing Writer
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tags: TOMMY OWENS IS A MEMBER OF THE BERKELEY COLLEGE REPUBLICANS. REPLY TO
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For many of the protest groups recently active on and around campus, it's time to see the writing on the wall. The chances for these demonstrations to succeed are slim, to say the least. The UC regents will not budge on the BP deal. The new athletic center will be built. And the Marines are not retreating from Berkeley.
In response to the Marine protest, Move America Forward, a conservative activist group, ran television ads lambasting Berkeley by name. Is this what Mayor Bates and Code Pink wanted? Probably not, but their stubbornness have cast shame upon themselves and, by extension, our city and university.
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