Pro-Bush Demonstrators Counter Sheehan [FR, Heart Of Texas Crawford Rally]
NewsMax ^| Aug 14, 2005 | With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff


Posted on 08/14/2005 11:04:29 AM PDT by Jim Robinson


Demonstrators backing President Bush's war on terrorism traveled to Crawford, Texas, on Friday and Saturday - as the media continued to focus on Gold Star mother Cindy Sheehan's anti-war protest outside Bush's ranch.

Led by syndicated radio host and NewsMax contributor Mike Gallagher, more than 100 pro-Bush demonstrators arrived on Friday, as part of what Gallagher called a "pro-America bus trip."

"This is not about Cindy Sheehan," Gallagher told the Waco Tribune Herald, after leading a chorus of "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner." "We're here to support all our troops and all the men and women who died, including [Sheehan's] son. She has the right to believe the way she believes, but we do, too, and that's why we're here."

On Saturday, reinforcements arrived in the form of "The Heart of Texas" Chapter of FreeRepublic.com, which staged a support-the-troops rally that drew 250 people, according to WCBS Newsradio 880.

Rally organizer Kristinn Taylor also stressed that the protest was not an attack on Sheehan.

"It's about supporting the troops, the president and the war on terrorists," he told NewsMax.

"The Heart of Texas Chapter of FreeRepublic.com is comprised of patriotic Americans, many of whom are veterans or have family members that are serving, or have served in the military," the group said in a press release.

Among those attending the pro-Bush rally was Thomas Zapp, of Richmond, Texas, whose 20-year-old son, Marine Lance Cpl. T.J. Zapp, was killed by a bomb in Iraq on Nov. 8, 2004.

Zapp said that it was unfair for Sheehan to demand a second meeting with the president when many parents of slain GIs, like himself, have not even had a single meeting.

"I have not met with President Bush," he told the Tribune-Herald. "Why should she get to meet with President Bush again?" "I firmly believe our president is sincere with what we have to do and I believe that he's under enormous pressure and he's doing the best he can. I'm here to support him," Zapp added.
Torog Reviewed by Torog on . Pro-Bush Demonstrators Counter Sheehan Pro-Bush Demonstrators Counter Sheehan NewsMax ^ | Aug 14, 2005 | With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff Posted on 08/14/2005 11:04:29 AM PDT by Jim Robinson Demonstrators backing President Bush's war on terrorism traveled to Crawford, Texas, on Friday and Saturday - as the media continued to focus on Gold Star mother Cindy Sheehan's anti-war protest outside Bush's ranch. Led by syndicated radio host and NewsMax contributor Mike Gallagher, more than 100 pro-Bush demonstrators Rating: 5