Fred Mattlage is an incredibly brave soul

[ohio_liberal]

I never thought in a million years that any of the landowners near Crawford would allow protesters on his land. He was worried about their safety! Hats off, my man. :thumbsup:

From Yahoo/AP:

Fred Mattlage, an Army veteran, said he sympathizes with the demonstrators whose makeshift camp off the winding, two-lane road leading to Bush's ranch has angered most residents. Mattlage said the group will be safer on his corner 1-acre lot.

"I just think people should have a right to protest without being harassed," Mattlage told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. "And I'm against the war. I don't think it's a war we need to be in.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050817/ap_on_re_us/peace_mom

[kentuck]

1. Considering his environment, it was a very courageous act...

He is a friend of America...

[The Stranger]

2. We need to stand by and with Mr. Mattlage as the Right Wing hate machine

kicks into gear against him. When the talking points, background checks, mass emails, and AM klansmen start attacking him, we need to attack back.

[ohio_liberal]

3. Absolutely

How long will it be before Bill O'Rielly gets Fred's service record or other personal information? Not long, I'll bet. Especially if Mr. Mattlage keeps talking to the press.

[deutsey]

4. Yes, thank you Mr. Mattlage

:thumbsup:

[johnaries]

5. Can we send him cards or flowers in appreciation?

Or instead of flowers, gasoline gift cards?

[Crankie Avalon]

6. So how long till HE gets smeared by the wingnut noise machine?

Meanwhile, they give the Larrys who shoot their guns and desecrate war memorials the "hero" treatment.

[KarenInMA]

7. Is there a plan to send him anything? If anyone has his adress,

I will send him a thank you card.

[ohio_liberal]

8. I've seen posts, but nothing definite that I know of

I would happily coordinate any thank you's for Mr. Mattlage, if needed. :)

[havocmom]

9. Are tax appraisals public record? Someone might check what his are

now and keep an eye that they don't make any sudden jumps! He laid his property and himself on the line for the right of Americans to protest. We need to watch more than just what the RW Smear Machine does in public. We need to make sure the junta does not stick a knife in him privately too.

Maybe we could raise $$ to pay his property taxes for a year? It would be a nice way to say, 'Thank you, friend. You stood by us and we stand by you.'

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. I'm sure we could send them to the Peace House,

and they could make sure the cards get where they need to go. Good idea!

:thumbsup:
FSC

[ohio_liberal]

13. Great idea!

[BrotherBuzz]

14. An open letter of thanks written to The Lone Star Iconoclast

might be cool.


http://www.iconoclast-texas.com/

[ohio_liberal]

26. That's a good idea too

:)

[shireen]

31. his address should not be made public

actually, he might be safer if we do not post his address anywhere. perhaps you could send the card to him c/o the Crawford Peace House -- someone there could put it in his mailbox.

[naturalselection]

10. When is the planned migration to Fred's property? n/t

[ohio_liberal]

11. The article said they'd start moving today

[riverwalker]

15. and lets stop insulting his family

by referring to his cousin as "crazy" Larry.
I never felt Larry was a bad person, as I watched the video of him a couple of times I never got the impression he was evil, he was just overwhelmed.

[Liberal In Texas]

16. ...and drunk. n/t

[DanCa]

17. self delete

[Catherine Vincent]

18. Yes he is incredible.

Very nice of him to allow the peace peeps on his land for their vigil. What's with the pic on yahoo? It shows a woman (Bush supporter) and the caption says she was picking up the crosses but the peace protestors didn't allow her to do that. What's the scoop on that?

[ohio_liberal]

20. Don't know for sure

I suspect they were left on the ground for a period of time so that the media could take the appropriate photos/video. I would assume the Camp Casey folks just asked her to leave them there for a while. Or, maybe they didn't have a clue who she was and objected to anyone picking up VFP property. :shrug:

[wtmusic]

19. Ya think cousin Larry is invited for Thanksgiving this year?

Might get ugly...

[ohio_liberal]

22. I'm sure he'd bring beer

;)

[Spike from MN]

28. No, not beer.

Keystone Light. There's a big difference. ;)

Kudos to Fred for being a true patriot. I really feel sorry for him. Can you imagine owning a ranch all your life (which I'm assuming is the case here) and then having Dubya move in a mile away? I bet property values went in the toilet when that happened. Then again, maybe it wouldn't be so bad living a mile from Dubya. If that was me, I would plaster my land with anti-Bush signs and torment him every chance I got. Anti-Dubya protesters would be welcome 24/7. ;)

[kentuck]

21. I heard he is going to have a news conference later this morning?

I heard Jay Marvin mention it a bit ago..

[ohio_liberal]

24. Hope someone grabs the video

Maybe Scott at Truthout will have it. I'd love to hear what Mr Mattlage has to say.

[TexasLawyer]

23. We're not ALL a bunch of RW ditto-heads in Texas

Thank you, Mr. Mattlage!

[ohio_liberal]

25. Well I knew that

:pals:

[johnnie]

27. Very cool

Very cool indeed. Way to go Fred! Thank you for your service in the Army AND your service now to the people who are trying to help your brothers and sisters come back home alive.

[Booster]

29. Fred Mattlage - I salute you. You are a true patriot and a

beacon of light in our world of confusion. Any man who supports the people's right to protest is a man to be admired. I thank you for your service to our country, and, most of all, the bravery you are showing right now.

[Generic Other]

30. I posted a link here!

8/16 All DU Cindy threads DAY 11
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4376753

[SlowDownFast]

32. kick.

Kudos to Fred Mattlage!