Whistle Ass protested during visit to Appleton, WI

[Cheesehead]

Our fearless leader visited our turf today and was met by a contingent of patriots estimated to number 400-600, consisting of peace, labor, environmental and women's groups, Kerry supporters, students and various and sundry other p.o.'d citizens.

The demonstration was enthusiastic but peaceful. The was no free speech zone and we were allowed to congregate directly across the street from the Performing Arts Center where those with tickets to see the Chimp stood in line in inclement weather waiting to be admitted. We were having a lot more fun than they were! Bush's motorcade arrived about 11:15 and if he had his eyes open he saw actual real live demonstrators. We then moved to nearby Houdini Plaza for a wrap-up rally.

I just got home and didn't hear what Shrub talked about, but this is a heavy manufacturing area where job losses have been substantial.

There is some preliminary coverage at

http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/index.shtml

that I assume will be updated as the day goes on.

[CatWoman]

1. do you know why there were no first amendment zones?

BTW: Good Job!!!

:thumbsup:

[htuttle]

4. You know, I'm not sure they've ever tried to do '1st Amendment zones' here

...in Wisconsin.

I'm trying to remember whether they've had them in Milwaukee when Bush or Cheney have been visited. The thing is, they haven't visited very often. Cheney is justifiably leery to visit my hometown of Madison, since the last time he tried it, the City Council passed a resolution stating he had to pay for his own security. He cancelled and hasn't tried to come back yet.

Does anyone remember whether they've ever tried to use 'First Amendment Zones' when Bush or Cheney have visted Wisconsin? I'm about 99.9% sure they have never tried them in Madison (ha! as if we would stay in them...).

[Bushfire]

6. Last two times whistle ass was here there were "1st Amend Zones"

Once at the Bradley Center where he took the back route avoiding the protesters, and most recently by the ICC where he might have caught a glimpse if he tried really hard. We could see his limo quite well, surrounded by Lincoln Navigators plus various other vehicles.

on edit: please join us in the next protest, they are great fun unless you are strapped to a cubicle all day.

[Cheesehead]

5. I really don't know.

Many of us were expecting to be more closely contained, but it didn't happen. We could get real close, but had to keep moving, sort of like we were picketing.

[Jane Austin]

2. Hey, Good going!

To all you hardy Wisconsin activists!

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. They had MSNBC on in the gym and I KNEW some of our trusty DUers would be

out there giving him what for in WI.

Good going. Amazing thing about none of the NoFreeSpeech zones.

FSC

[SodoffBush]

7. Thanks Wisconsin

for the terrific cheddar, too. :)

[Career Prole]

8. Yeah!!

Alright for you, and all those with you in that same inclement weather. Thanks for speaking out in spite of it! :yourock:

[revcarol]

9. If they'd have known that Snow was speaking in favor of outsourcing,

there would probably have been a RIOT.

Can't believe Bush was promoting "jobs," while Snow is speaking out AGAINST Americans having jobs!!(" Course we know that Bushbot was just speking to his choir, but STILL...THE ARROGANCE OF IT ALL!!)

[radfringe]

10. I've been referring to his "visits"

as the Whistle-Ass Whistle-Stops

just going to throw this idea out to you all ---

next time you go out to protest the Whistle ass -- bring along some whistles

[devinsgram]

11. In another thread

someone posted about him looking so bad during a speech on TV. Could this be why? Has he finally seen what the folks think of him. Boo Hoo, poor baby.

[Dudley_DUright]

12. Cool

From a former cheesehead to a current one, way to go! On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin...

:toast:

[Cheesehead]

14. Once a cheesehead, always a cheesehead.

Thanks for the support, DUright. Hope you get back to visit occasionally.

[Dudley_DUright]

16. I get back to america's dairyland

almost every Xmas and I will be in La Crosse this summer for a conference. :-)

[CBHagman]

13. How wonderful!

Kudos to the people who got out there and gave Bush a piece of their minds. Woo-hoo! :bounce:

[WFF]

15. Bush is one Terrible speaker!

I watched the motorcade go down College Ave, which was kind of exciting. I was surprised at how fast they drove (35-40 mph). I expected a little more parade-like atmosphere. There was also a Coast Guard helicopter overhead. There were a lot of people there including a pretty big protest section. No free speech zone...the protesters could stand where they wanted. Where I was standing, there were protesters standing next to pro-Bush people, but everything was very orderly.

I went home and watched part of his speech on TV (as much as I could stomach). All the local channels were carrying it live. All he was doing was stammering and smirking. Not very eloquent. He seemed more comfortable afterwords when he was shaking hands. When he left, he made an unscheduled stop at the Paper Valley Hotel. I don't know what that was about. I thought all the protesters were there. My sister said he waved and smiled to her as he was driving back to the airport. She still won't vote for him.

[Dying Eagle]

17. it was a good day

I was at the very corner that was the closest to the PAC. I was yelling through my rolled up Kerry rally sign at the scum lined up outside to hear the chimp speak. I even got the cop by me to smile a few times. Hey, chessehead, maybe i saw you there. I was wearing black pants, a Carhart jacket, a back wards brewers hat with a Kerry button on it and had a Kerry sign. Latter i was holding one of the 4 HUGE 5x8 KERRY signs on the corner. It is nice to know I'm not the only DUer in Appleton.