Pro-war, pro-America, pro-U.S. troops rallies around the country today
American flags snapped in the wind and vocal praise for President Bush filled the air Saturday as thousands of Floridians rallied in support of U.S. troops preparing for a possible war against Iraq.
About 2,000 people turned out in Orlando to hear songs and speeches, including the Gettysburg Address, while another 1,000 prayed and marched in Pensacola. The day's events began in Miami with the Tribute to the Military 5K Run.
In Pensacola, Navy Warrant Officer David Wolff, a veteran of Desert Storm, arrived in full uniform with his wife. He believed the event would give soldiers readying for war a needed boost, much like the yellow ribbons he received from Americans during the Persian Gulf War.
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"I was so saddened to see so many in our nation not supporting our troops and our country during (last Sunday's) anti-war protests. It was really upsetting," Wolff said. "This is great. This is very uplifting."
"The anti-war protesters last weekend are aiding and abetting Saddam (Hussein, Iraq's president)," said Sherri Tabb, a 37-year-old homemaker from Osteen. "Saddam has gotten emboldened, he is not cooperating. War is the only solution."
But not all participants advocated war.
"I'm here because I love America," said Vince Chandler, a 59-year-old banker and Air Force veteran. "I support the president, the troops. If the world shows determination against (Hussein's regime), they will leave; I prefer not to go in."
Another target was France, which has stood in the way of a U.N. resolution authorizing force against Iraq. "Use your emergency duct tape to gag (French President) Jacques Chirac," said one sign.[I love this!--J.T.]
Standing out in the sea of red, white and blue at the Orlando rally was the Israeli flag carried by Jason Hoffman. The 33-year-old Internet consultant noted that Israel air force planes, one flown by future Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981. The raid received harsh criticism from the global community.
"What Israel did 22 years ago has made it much safer world now," Hoffman said, "and our troops are not facing a nuclear-armed Saddam."
Mr. Hoffman, I pray that you're right and that they're not (against the eventuality that Chirac or some other creep has sold them some more nukes.)
I think that we'll see more and more of these pro-America, pro-Bush rallies in all our major cities.
Just tonight, I read about not only this one but about similar "pro-war" rallies in
and another in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
If I hear of one here in Dallas, you can count on me being there.
God bless these fine folks who organized these pro-America rallies: last weekend's pro-Saddam "peace" protests made me sick to my stomach...literally.
