Thread: rumble news?

anyone have any news on the rumble at all?

I had posted this in the news from other groups section but happy to copy it here as well. It was a great rally despite the tornados and thunderstorms.

I'll post pics tomorrow and as they come in to me from our official photographer but here's the report. Friday night we had severe thunderstorms throughout the area. Worst hit was the section of Waco where several of our speakers were staying. Crawford was also hit pretty hard and our big tent was brought down. The tent company came out and put it back up first thing Saturday morning. (Shameless plug here for Special Event Rentals in Waco - These people were absolutely super.) Saturday started out cloudy, then cleared up about 9:00 a.m. We all worked feverishly to get the stage, signage, media sign in tent and speakers tents up. People were arriving even before I got there and they all pitched in to help. Big kudos to the Harringtons, these guys couldn't stay for the rally but they came out to help set up any way. Thanks Kenneth & Steve, you guys were just fantastic. As more people started coming in, we had to begin directing traffic. Mark Wallace, Robert Gavin and Arthur Loux worked their tails off directing people. Around 11:30 it started clouding up again. I went to direct traffic so Mark could enjoy the festivities. At noon the sky opened up and the full fledged down pour began. Robert, Arthur and I stood in the pouring rain for an hour and a half directing traffic because the cars were too numerous for us to stop and go get rain gear. (A word about Arthur Loux if I may digress for a moment. Arthur stayed out there in the pouring rain until I finally told him to stop. He was one of our speakers. THAT'S dedication. And for all of you Texans reading this, he's running against Kay Bailey Hutchison for US Senate so get your tails out there and support him. He's a good man.) About 1:00 the Minuteman Caravan arrived. What a sight. Vehicles as far down the street as I could see.
I didn't get to hear the first few speakers but from the cheers they must have been good. (I think one guy somehow ended up on the list that shouldn't have been but other than that the speakers were great.) Around 1:30 the rain stopped and then the blazing sun came out. Vehicle traffic started to slow shortly after that so I had an opportunity to go listen to the speakers and do some head counting. Our estimates are that there were approximately 500 - 700 people at the height of the event. The tent held roughly 250 - 350 and there were as many people outside as there were inside.
The Young Conservatives of Texas set up a table to sell drinks and get the word out about their organization. The head of YCT, Michele Conole, was one of our speakers and she was a little fireball. The Constitution Party of Texas had brought out the only remaining Liberty Bell replica that still works. (There's a long story about the history of these bells that I won't go into here. Let it suffice to say that it's not just some cheap knock off of the Liberty Bell) Every now and then someone would walk up and ring it.
Jim Gilchrist was our last speaker. After he spoke, he walked over to the bell and rang it and the crowd formed a line behind him and rang it as well. While this was going on a gentleman travelling with the Minuteman Caravan got up and sang the national anthem. It was an experience to be singing the National Anthem and hearing that bell ringing at the same time. It just sent shivers down my spine. (Yea I know I sound like a dork but you had to be there.) Several people, whose names I didn't get, pitched in to help pick up trash and fold up the chairs. Thanks to all of you. These folks were great. Two other people that were instrumental in our success yesterday are Beverly and Curtis Collier of US Border Watch in Houston. Beverly and Curtis arrived Friday afternoon as the stage and chair rental company were leaving the chairs and the stage in the wrong place. They were also the first ones on site Saturday morning and probably the last ones to leave. They worked tirelessly and I can't thank them enough.
We didn't get the media turn out that we had hoped for. Media that I know for certain were there - CBN, Aljazeera , and the Houston Chronicle. I think NBC and the Waco Tribune were there as well but I'm not positive. (Update - the Orange County Register and the Fort Worth Star Telegram were also there.)
Things I learned from my first stab at organizing a rally:
For every 100 people you expect - at least 1 port o john and bring extra toilet paper.
People are eager to help, just tell them what you need done.
Call the company that rents you chairs, tables, stages, podiums or whatever everyday, at least once a day for a week before your event. Make them write down everything...in triplicate.
ALWAYS carry your rain gear with you. You just never know.
Just because the police chief is supportive, that doesn't mean his officers are.
If you are the point of contact, don't expect to get anything done because you will be on the phone all day.

Other than those minor items, it was a great rally. Many people came up and told me it was the best one they had been to and I was happy to oblige. There's talk of doing another one in the late summer or early fall. I can't wait!

Oh I almost forgot. ZERO GOONAGE. Not one masked marauder, reconquista Che wanna-be or drum-playing chicken dancer. Not even a drive-by one finger salute. Sweet. (Update - According to the Fort Worth paper there was a counter protest at the Crawford Peace House. The Houston Chronicle called it a press conference and I think that's probably closer to the truth. I drove past the Peace House 3 times during the rally and I didn't see anyone there.)