Tuesday, September 1, 2009, two opposing groups met face to face outside of Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office. One group appeared to be well funded. They carried premade signs and were fairly dressed well. The other group brought homemade signs and showed up, for the most part, in t shirts and ball caps. The groups drew about the same amount of people, but the difference was stark.
Ken King, a regional field director for Organizing For America-a group connected to President Obama, held up thousands of signatures that he said were gathered from people around the district. Most of the ones who attended their rally carried signs that read, “Thank You” and “Standing Together For Health Insurance Reform.” A podium was set up where people could talk about their recent experiences with the health care system. One such person was quoted as saying, “One group of people who enjoy the benefit of adequate healthcare have the audacity to deny millions of people the right to have it when America can afford to provide it.” Perhaps he has not checked the US Debt Clock. It even appeared that Organizing For America had hired “Video It” to professionally document their well orchestrated rally.
The other side had stories of their own. An independent insurance salesman will lose much of his business, and thus his livelihood, if the bill is passed. A midwife named Debbie Sapp was also among the protesters. She stated that she cannot practice in the state of Georgia due to government regulations. We can expect even more of that when the federal government controls healthcare in this country.
While the Organizing For America group met under the shade of a tree talking about how great the bill will be for this country, the opposition sang patriotic songs like the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, and My Country Tis of Thee. For me, this was the most poignant part of the protest, and will live with me forever. A group of patriots who understood the greatness of this country sang her praises and waved an American flag while another group took their petitions and marched to Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office demanding government run healthcare.
A soldier walked past the band of citizens early in the protest. He was dressed in uniform. They thanked him for his service, and watched as he walked over to the Organizing For America group and joined the rally. Someone said that it is against Department of Defense regulations to participate in a political rally in a military uniform. When the soldier passed by with Organizing For America, the citizen pointed that out. The soldier pointed to the name THOMAS on his fatigues and said that it was his uniform and he would do what he wanted. To that, the man replied that it was his tax dollars that paid for the uniform and by wearing it he implied that the military is for this reform bill.
Frankly, there was not much of an effort to debate between the two groups. I don’t suppose that it would have changed any minds if such debate had occurred. I do want to acknowledge an older black lady that left the Organizing For America group to investigate the opposing view. She looked like she could have just left a church service. She examined the various signs and read their messages. I saw her hugging some of the people on the other side. In fact, I thought that she was with the others until I walked over and heard her in deep debate over the topic of abortion. She said, and I am paraphrasing here, that she knows abortion and killing are wrong according to the Bible, but sometimes that is just the best option. “It can be cheaper in the long run.” Another lady broke into the conversation and explained that she had gone through an abortion when she was younger, and it caused her 13 years of therapy. Her point was that it was not always “cheaper.”
As Organizing For America left Congressman Bishop’s office, they came out smiling and chanting “Yes We Can! Yes We Can!” To that, the group of citizens chanted back, “Don’t Kill Grandma, Kill The Bill!” Little old ladies were chanting along with everyone else.
When Ken King left the building, a protestor from the other side yelled, “Organizing For America.” King smiled and waved to the crowd. The protester continued, “The true Astroturf organization that is funded by our government and President Obama.”
The citizens that had gathered had a chance to visit briefly with Bishop’s field representative, James Crozier. They expressed their concerns over the rise of socialism in this country and how the bill allows the government to meddle in the private financial lives of the citizens using the IRS. A lady told Crozier that she had always voted for Bishop in the past, but she will not do it again. A gentleman said that he would actively campaign against Bishop if he signs this bill. Crozier assured the protestors that he would relay the message to the Congressman.
Organizing For America disbanded and all of their people went their separate ways. The ones that remained from the group of citizens joined hands, formed a circle, and prayed for our nation.
When I was enlisted, it was very much against regulations to be involved in any kind of political demonstration…especially in uniform. I plan on doing a little investigation to see if this is still the case. Do you have Mr. Thomas’ rank?
The lady who said that abortions were cheaper in the long run broke my heart. I find it impossible to believe that anyone equates the value of life with the value of a dollar.
We have much more to do.
Mr. Thomas was equalivent to a marine SSGT. I think he had 3 up and 1 down.
Thanks Pam. I’m assuming that, since he was here and in uniform, that either he was a recruiter or assigned to the National Guard Armory here in Albany.
I’ll place a few phone calls later this afternoon to alert them of their soldier’s violation.
For the record though, I’d honestly do the exact same thing if he had stood with those against health care reform. Our military members are to appear neutral on political matters. There are ways they can express themselves within regulations, but this isn’t one of them and they should be held accountable no matter which side of the debate they fall on.
I would highly recommend the writings of Margaret Sanger. She is the founder of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the world. They already receive money from the government. The whole purpose of Planned Parenthood is to wipe out the black race. Adolph Hitler read her writings. They have a huge presence in Africa. Hilary Clinton just accepted the Margaret Sanger award. She said she was very proud of this award.
This is a vile organization. I agree, how do you put a value on human life. I have never had an abortion, but have buried two of my children. I will gladly pay for their return. I have talked to girls that have had abortions while teaching because I had to present Roe vs. Wade. They asked to leave the room until we finished. They all told me this was a nightmare they would live the rest of their lives. May God have mercy on us for aborting in excess of 54 million babies.
Is name is Thomas, he is a SST E-6 Ga National Guard, 48th infantry. I have more pics of him, his name, shoulder patch and rank.
Wow…what an a** for telling on someone! Are you guys 12? Is this highschool? Get a life people.
Wow, what an a** for telling people to get a life because they expect someone to honor their oath of service by following orders, which include following regulations. You don’t like it? Tough.
Rusty you have no ideal about pride in professionalism and by your reply have never served. You have not been there please get a life.
Rusty,
A caller told Glenn Beck last week that she may have to cancel her trip for the March on Washington scheduled for 9/12. Her husband is in the military and was told that nobody in the military was allowed to go, even if they left the uniform at home. The military is strict when it comes to regulations. I would suspect that a member of the military would know those regulations and would violate them at his or her own risk.
Rusty said, “Wow…what an a** for telling on someone! Are you guys 12? Is this highschool? Get a life people.”
Is this from someone wanting to turn in a cropduster to the FAA? FWIW personally, I may or may not have said something to SSG Thomas, but would not report it to his superiors. Personally, I also would not turn in the pilot. As frequently is the case, I’m probably in the minority on that attitude. YMMV.
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