War Backers Start Camp Near Bush Ranch ("Fort Qualls")

[sabra]

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050820/APA/508200935

War Backers Start Camp Near Bush Ranch
Associated Press Writer


CRAWFORD, Texas— A patriotic camp with a banner reading "God Bless Our President!" sprang up downtown Saturday, countering the anti-war demonstration started by a fallen soldier's mother near President Bush's ranch.

The camp is named "Fort Qualls" in memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Wayne Qualls, 20, killed in Fallujah, Iraq, last fall. His father, Gary Qualls of Temple, said his 16-year-old son also wants to enlist, and he supports that decision.

"If I have to sacrifice my whole family for the sake of our country and world, other countries that want freedom, I'll do that," said Qualls, a friend of the local business owner who started the pro-Bush camp, Bill Johnson.

...

Qualls gained attention last week when he went to Sheehan's camp, which has hundreds of crosses as a tribute to troops killed, and removed one bearing his son's name. But he said protesters keep replacing it; he has yanked two more crosses, saying the protesters' views are disrespectful to soldiers.

[benburch]

1. Good!

Let them have their say. I wager that we have more sticking power.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Solly Mack]

2. Perhaps Daddy Qualls should enlist and go sacrifice himself

for his beliefs...

How big of him to be so ready to let his family die for him...

[bribri16]

28. I hope someone hands out enlistment applications. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. A member of our group took a bunch of forms to Crawford

I am assuming he left them at The Peace House. Wouldn't be too hard to walk two blocks and give this guy the forms.

[TankLV]

46. Too bad he didn't to it before he had a chance to reproduce.

Defective genes and all.

[saigon68]

85. Marching to camp Qualls

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

67. No shit

This guy's a morbidly sick puppy.

[Webster Green]

3. He's ready to sacrifice his family for Cheney's bank accounts...

What a guy!

[earth mom]

63. Maybe he's protecting his own bank account too...

How many of these * supporters do so based on their "investments" in the stock market?

Money is their God not Jesus.

GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED
GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED
GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED
GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED
GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED

:puke:

[NeoConsSuck]

82. Bingo!!

Halliburton is doing quite well in this 'liberation'.

http://chart.finance.yahoo.com/c/2y/h/hal

[knitter4democracy]

83. What did I hear on the radio yesterday?

I think it was that 39% of Americans polled think that they are or will be in the richest 1% of Americans in their lifetimes.

Honestly, I just had to laugh. It's just ridiculous.

[earth mom]

86. Michael Moore talks about that illusion in one of his books.

He's right on the money-pun intended! He suggests that the sooner people give up the fantasy that they will one day be rich and/or rich and famous and instead live in reality, the better off they would be because they would then expect and demand accountability from their government and elected officials.

[knitter4democracy]

91. He's right, as usual.

We need to stop falling for the lie.

[0rganism]

4. "other countries that want freedom"

What the fuck does that mean?

Does Mr. Qualls think other countries to be incapable of securing their own freedom? Does he call what the Iraqis have now "freedom"? How far would he like to spread this peculiar brand of "freedom"?

[DIKB]

6. He's a freeptard

Most people don't realize that by invading Iraq, their people have LESS freedoms now. Iraq was one of the most progressive of the middle eastern nations. Women had more rights, could dress how they wanted, attend school, get jobs, etc. Now the Shi'ite majority, is trying to turn it into a theocracy, and deny them those rights.

We have hindered, harmed, hurt, and crippled the freedom of Iraqi women, and created a breeding ground for terrorists. Is this what he wants to sacrifice his entire family for ?

[Old and In the Way]

8. Too bad the myopic Right can't see beyond Sddam.

If they did, they mightunderstand your point exactly. We took down the most progressive, secular society in the ME and are allowing a regressive theocracy to tke irs place. Woot.

[Imagevision]

53. They didn'r figure Cindy to be this strong - that's why it took so long!

Cindy's a phenomenum that while Limbaugh-Hannity smear/machine only increases more support for Ms. Sheehan.

[leesa]

12. Paternalism gone berzerk...only Daddy America can provide the backward

darkies with freedom. Mr Qualls mustn't like his kids very much to sacrifice them so BushCo can make $$$$.

A good opportunity to hand out enlistment forms.

[0rganism]

19. and how do we know they want this "freedom"?

Oh, that would be because our president says so, and he would never just make shit up.

Gawd, these people make me want to scream, they're so fucking obtuse.

[SammyWinstonJack]

30. And how much did he care about Iraqis' freedoms before **

morphed 9/11/Osama/Saddam together to promote bombing the crap out of Baghdad? I'd wager he didn't give it a second though.

[DIKB]

5. I kind of

agree with them :wow: If they're willing to put their money/blood where their mouth is, go for it. That's one less repuke vote in the next election.

[LibDemAlways]

7. The protesters' views are "disrespectful"

to soldiers? WTF? How better to respect the men and women in uniform than to bring them safely home to their families before more die needlessly in this immoral, illegal war of aggression and occupation.

The Bush Crime Family, who are sending them to Iraq for oil and to carry out the warped PNAC neo-con agenda, are the ones being "disrespectful" to the troops.

Qualls wants to send another son off to this quagmire? The man is, as my dad would say, "off his nut."

[54anickel]

10. To the troops- no, but to this father - yes in a way they have been

disrespectful by replacing the cross with his son's name on it after he's removed it.

I can't believe the guy wants a "debate". It would be nice if they could have an open discussion sharing different viewpoints. What's this debate BS?

[Lisa]

24. perhaps there are other family members/friends who disagree with him

I guess he thinks that, as the soldier's father, he should have the ultimate authority in deciding who mourns his dead child. But there may be other relatives, or friends of the young man, or his comrades-in-arms, who would like to see his name included.

[PSPS]

9. "A patriotic camp"

Whenever I see such framing, I always suspect a stenographer at work. I wonder if a bush staffer actually wrote this piece for Ms. Brown. AP is certainly under Rove's control.

[raysr]

11. I'm sick of

hearing about the "troops".

[OKthatsIT]

13. Send the 'recruiters'...make them fight their own wars

[Straight Shooter]

15. Wow. Mr. Qualls sure impresses me with his Abraham-like attitude.

Not. :eyes: He's trying to score points. What a loser.

[napi21]

16. I find this father's statements unbelievable!

I have 2 sons. One was in the Navy for 15 years, and served on the Nimitz in the Gulf during Gulf I. Thank God, he's not active duty now, and because he's 40, probably won't be activated. The other son never wanted anything to do with the military!

I find it very hard to understand how anyone could have endured the death of a son in a war, and say he'd gladly sacrifice his other son!

I guess I could understand this happening during the Civil War here in the US. People were fighting for their own beliefs, lives, and children. This father must really believe Shrub when he said Saddam was going to come get the US. I can't think of any other reason, and I don't think that one is a good enough one either!

[earth mom]

64. Sounds like his kids are disposable.

:puke:

[PSPS]

17. Bill Johnson

> said Qualls, a friend of the local business owner who started the pro-Bush camp, Bill Johnson.

Hmmm. Want to bet there's been a large deposit lately in Mr. Johnson's bank account?

[Joanne98]

62. Bingo! Selling your child's life to help Bush!

[President Kerry]

84. Hey! Mr Johnson may be just exploiting a legitimate business

opportunity. :sarcasm:

[never cry wolf]

18. Right on!

Darwinism and the "theory" of evolution at work... So sorry of your progeny and genes stop after this young generation, Mr. Qualls... There are more intelligent examples of the species ready to fill the gap.

Sorry if I sound cold, but that's the way it is.

[shanti]

21. good way of putting it!

darwin's theory at work. :-/

[shanti]

20. sorry, mr. qualls

but you're a moran. i have no other word for your ignorance. :-(

[Robb]

22. It does raise an interesting question...

...About the son's cross, and who's got "claim" to it.

Stumper.

[Gregorian]

23. "God Bless Our War!"

The ultimate hypocracy and arrogance. Damn them all to hell. I am embarrassed to share the same country with these animals.

edit- I think it's safe to say that the country is now as divided as it could ever be. Now is the time where we split into two groups. One half gets to have anything the individuals want, and the other half gets what the group wants. The individuals can have war, no trees, pollution, crime, no government, all Ashcroft singing all the time, and Freeeeeeeeedom. The other half gets a coordinated, educated, thoughtful, considerate, productive group. Oh, and we have better music.

[Imagevision]

65. Repukes - "we don't care! - we don't care"!! as they chant;

"support the troops".

[DeepModem Mom]

25. kick

[whatelseisnew]

26. Large counter-protests?

Large counter-protests were held in a ditch near Sheehan's site a week after she arrived, and since then, a few Bush supporters have stood in the sun holding signs for several hours each day.
Bill Johnson, a local gift shop owner who created "Fort Qualls," said he wanted to offer a larger, more convenient place for Bush supporters to gather.

[HuffleClaw]

27. "If I have to sacrifice my whole family ...

EEP.

words cannot describe my horror at such a statement from a father.

[Moochy]

57. No kidding

It's a "brave" front thats for sure. I guess he's channelling his rage and sorrow the only way he knows how. Incredibly sad to see this, I wish that someoene could reach out this guy, and see if he's still human.

[DoYouEverWonder]

29. Looks like Qualls has a lot of support

Look at the turnout. Look at the crowds beating down a path to his tent.



Oops, what do you mean there's no one there?

Maybe Qualls could honor his son by learning how to spell before he make a big statement?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

33. The operative word being "Dense."

[Maestro]

51. Hahahahahahaahahahahaha!

Okay, was that photoshopped? That is hilarious. I bet it could be true. There is some freeper trolling around here by the name of Freshharbor who can't spell either. Look here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=21703&mesg_id=21703

[ovidsen]

73. Oops...

I think "Freshharbor" had his name changed to "name removed". Darn. I was looking forward to seeing his treatment of the English language.

[Maestro]

81. He was asking why we wanted to DU a poll on Cindy Sheehan.

He spelled poll, pole. What a dumbass!

[tinfoilinfor2005]

56. Look at the turnouts, look at the crowds...

Look at the spelling! hahahahaha Morans.

[daleo]

69. A quotation from the New Testament should convince Iraqis it is a crusade

What is it with these illiterates? Can't they run a sentence through a spell checker before committing it to big block letters?

[phusion]

70. Is that photoshopped? :)

Where do these people come from?! :eyes:

You would think if you're going to make a huge sign you could learn how to spell the words...

[orleans]

87. i don't think so

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4407456

[ovidsen]

72. Please tell me that was photoshopped...

I mean... "providense"?

Are they really that illiterate?

That is SO sad..... even sadder than the crowds they are not attracting...

[DoYouEverWonder]

76. According to DUer Brainshrub

who took the picture, there was no manipulation of the image. Believe it or not this is real.

[orleans]

88. check out this link

i don't think it was photoshopped
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4407456

[warrior1]

31. copy cats

not an original idea in their fretard heads.

[City Lights]

38. My thought exactly!

Why did it take Cindy Sheehan to bring these "patriotic" ** lovers out of their holes? If they support ** and his war, they should have been camped out in support from the day ** arrived.

[highplainsdem]

32. If Gary Qualls had any honor or conscience whatsoever

he'd want to sacrifice himself before sacrificing his young sons for this cause he claims to believe in. If he's able-bodied enough to protest antiwar protesters, I'm sure there's some use for him in Iraq.

[davsand]

35. My knee jerk reaction to this was horror but then I thought about it.

I can respect that we all don't agree on political policy, but I simply CAN'T get my head around the idea that anyone is willing and happy to send kids off to die.

Then I looked at that story again.

This man lost his son over there. I can't imagine the pain of that loss, nor could I face adding to that loss by telling that man to his face that his kid died senselessly.

We help nobody by adding to the hurt that is out there.

If he doesn't want his kid's name on a cross then FINE. Let him remove the cross and get on with his life as best as he can after such a horrible loss. If he needs to feel his kid died for something noble and worthwhile, then let him take personal comfort in that. I don't think it is up to me or anyone else to argue it with him.

Please realize there are people who see this entire debate on Iraq as a political thing--they see it as a matter of support or criticism for policies enacted by dubya. Maybe in the case of that dad in Texas it is the only way he can stay sane in the wake of his son's death...

We DO need to remember every one of the people killed in Iraq--both ours and theirs--and we need to resolve that the deaths will end. Beyond that, however, I'm personally uncomfortable with the tone of some of the posts in this thread. That man lost his kid, and is entitled to some respect for that even IF you don't agree with his politics.

I'll climb down off the soapbox and shuffle off to my corner now...


Laura

[peekaloo]

37. well stated.

Thank you.

[highplainsdem]

39. Laura, that was well stated, and I'd agree IF

Qualls hadn't phrased his statement exactly that way. Or if it had been something he said on the spur of the moment (before he realized it sounded as if he viewed himself as a patriarch disposing of property), and not as part of a deliberate political statement.

And although I wish that the realization which so many parents who lost children in Iraq may eventually have to face -- that their children died for lies and selfish misguided policies -- wouldn't add to their pain, I really don't know of any way to shield them from that without keeping quiet about the deception and mistakes, which makes so many more pointless deaths more likely.

[TankLV]

47. Sorry, dying for a LIE, no LIES never will get a pass or respect from me

But you go ahead and give us more "opposing views" - i.e. LIES.

WE'LL stick to the truth - HOW DO YOU ASK THE LAST PERSON TO DIE FOR A LIE!

The guy is an idiot and a very poor example of s father.

Damn right get off your damn soapbox!

[davsand]

71. WHERE, exactly, did I say I agree with him?

Is dubya a lying sack of shit? You betcha. Does the asswipe need to be called on it? Yep. EVERY day 24/7. Does THAT dad (bear in mind I am making the mind leap here that the guy's story is real--ok? With this Neo-con bunch you can't just assume truth.) Anyhow, does that Dad deserve to see his kid's name in some anti war display when he's made the point that he doesn't want it there? No. He deserves some humane treatment.

Part of Cindy Sheehan's message is "Don't politicize my son's death." You remember that--right? HOW is the use of that guy's kid's name in an anti war sponsored memorial ANY freaking different than shrub using Cindy Sheehan's son?

We are ALL over the regime in charge because they have used a WAR for personal and political gain. We have protesters flocking to Texas because we feel the asswipe in charge has lied and USED our military in a dishonorable fashion. We are morally outraged by this all, yet here we are USING names of dead soldiers--against the family's wishes--to illustrate how much our government has misused our military.

Does the rank hypocrisy escape you?

I want no part of this illegal war, but I also want no part of a protest movement that acts the same way we are protesting.


Laura

[5thGenDemocrat]

74. Well, I guess that settles that

Don't dare express a view differing from TankLV because to do so makes you, prima facie, a liar and, additionally, precludes any right you have to state said opinion here at DU.
All hail the omniscient and all-powerful TankLV. Blessed be his self-righteous name. Amen.
John
Why don't you get off your soapbox, sporto? Your opinion is no more or less valid than anyone else's here. Now you can jump down my throat if it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

[shanti]

50. cognitive dissonance

in his mind, he MUST believe that his son died for "something".
allowing his other son out there to die for the same cause only verifies his original belief.

i wonder how parents of deceased vietnam era soldiers felt about this. did they feel that their sons' deaths were justified after we basically pulled out and "lost"? sounds like crazymaking stuff to me....

[slay]

36. Do Republicans ever have an original thought?

Not only do they speak the typical BushBot rhetoric, but to copy Cindy just with a reverse message is pretty freakin lame. I pity these poor people who waste their lives worshiping a HATEFUL FOOL like George W. Bush.

[tabasco]

40. The pro-war group that hates us for our freedoms.

They hate Cindy's right to peaceably assemble and protest. They want to live in a world in which everybody loves the fuhrer and does what he says. But for some reason, they are not flocking to volunteer for the fuhrer's wars?? The Army will be close to 10,000 recruits short this year. Why is that chickenhawks??

THIS SHOULD BE THE FLAG OF FORT COWARD:

[rocktivity]

60. and right next to it

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[IndianaGreen]

41. Lance Cpl. Qualls died for nothing!

This mirrors the Vietnam quagmire so much it is uncanny! Many Vietnam vets convinced themselves of the righteousness of the war, and to this day argue that Vietnam could have been won had the military not been restrained. Ask them what it would have taken to win the war and you will get a scenario that entailed butchering every living creature living in North Vietnam.

It would take a butchery similar to what the British did in 1920 to crush Iraq's insurgency. The British used poison gas and concentration camps to put down the Arab rebellion. Are we willing to join them in the pantheon of war crimes?

"If I have to sacrifice my whole family for the sake of our country and world, other countries that want freedom, I'll do that," said Qualls, a friend of the local business owner who started the pro-Bush camp, Bill Johnson.

Many Germans felt the same way about the Thousand Year Reich. How about enlisting in the military for starters, a-hole! The military will love to take an old fart like you and put you behind the wheel of a Humvee.

The war in Iraq is not war for freedom, either ours or theirs, unless one considers a Shia Islamic Republic to be freedom.

[oda]

42. Disrespectful to soldiers?

That is a load and a half. Sheehan is all for bringing the troops home, if anybody is disrespectful it is the administration.

[meganmonkey]

80. The bush administration certainly is disrespectful

to the lives of the troops, and to the rest of us americans for letting this country go down the tubes while spending all our money on an illegal, corrupt war.

Welcome to DU, oda, I wish it was on a happier note...

:toast:

[rocktivity]

43. And what makes Camp Casey LESS "patriotic" than Ft. Qualls?

Check out http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4412585">this thread, and write letters of complaint to [e-mail] and [e-mail]

:headbang:
rocknation

[go freedom]

44. A patriotic camp....

Why are the pro-war people "A patriotic camp...?"

Damned liberal media.

[TankLV]

45. Dumb shitheads - just don't ask US to sacrifice OUR lives for YOUR lies!

If they want to be stupid pod idiots and die for a lie, more power to them.

And another bonus - more proof of evolution and the theory of natural seletion. I just hope they don't reproduce before they die.

[warrior1]

48. Do you think that the city council

we call to have them removed like they did with Camp Casey?

[Desertrose]

49. thanks for this mess, bushco

&^#@$% the so called president & co for doing this to our country. Cutting us right in half and pitting one side against the other and letting US do the damage to ourselves while you rob us blind. You f**king b**tard. You don't give a shit about anyone but your own and and your mega rich pals.

on edit: no intended harm

I do agree with Laura above that we don't need to add to the pain already out there....I can't imagine any measure of sanity I would have left if I lost my son or daughter....so in that respect I can understand....but this is so damn sad to be so pitted against each other because of a pointelss war based on lies in the first place!

:cry::grr:

[Straight Shooter]

52. I just want to say "Welcome to DU" to oda and go freedom

:hi:

I read Qualls' statement last night, and, reading it again this morning, I am just as appalled. He can go sacrifice himself by going to Iraq. The U.S. has quite a few senior citizens there who were torn from their families and homes to "serve." Or, Mr. Qualls can gather all his money, sell his home and all his belongings, and donate the proceeds for the troops to have more armor. If he wants to sacrifice, let him put his money where his fat mouth is.

Like I said before, he's just trying to score points. Loser.

[niallmac]

54. Qualls has no qualms

I think I'd rather sit next to the lady who says 'my son wanted to live. i wanted him to live. Why did he die?' instead of next to the guy who says 'my son is dead and he's ok with that and I'm ok with that and I've got some more if you want.'
Doesn't social services usually step in at this point?

[Moochy]

55. The Right of the Paterfamilias

He's just claiming his right as Paterfamilias.

He has the right to send his children to their deaths! It's his authority as head of the Roman household! If it was a good rule 2000 years ago, it's good now. :eyes:

He should take some viagra and find another willing handmaiden, the front needs more grist for its mills!

[Maggie_May]

58. I hope he is ready to inlist

his 16 year old son that way he will be ready for bush's Iran war.

[Roland99]

59. Fucking idiots. "God Bless Our President!" (And no one else)

Fucking idiots.

[henslee]

61. B R I N G__ I T__ O N !!!!!

[yurbud]

66. Where is Camp Jenna or Barbara Bush?

My post on the discussion of this story on the Yahoo board (an easy way to slip the left point in where righties will see it).

http://news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=m&board=37138445&tid=appeacemom&sid=37138445&mid=47898

Until the President sends one of his own kids, it undercuts the argument that Iraq is a critical battle for our safety or freedom, or Iraqis democracy.

But not as much as the government documents, Downing Street Minutes, and even former Bushies

Oil privatization timeline:

http://www.gregpalast.com/iraqmeetingstimeline.html

Downing Street Minutes that show Brits knew Bush knew Iraq no threat:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/

Latest Bushie to imply Iraq threat was lies, Colin Powell aide:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/19/powell.un/index.html?section=cnn_lates t

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[daleo]

68. He loves Bush more than he loves his own children

"If I have to sacrifice my whole family for the sake of our country and world, other countries that want freedom, I'll do that...""

Amazing.

What could cause a man to dismiss the natural urge to protect his own children?

[yurbud]

75. right has co-opted religious type devotion

"I would martyr my whole family for the Lord (Bush)."

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[go freedom]

77. Round 'em up and send 'em to eye rack. n/t

[Bleacher Creature]

78. Notice that the story NEVER mentions the number.

It seems that this is always the case, and when they do mention it, it's usually only a mere handful of people. This is such a bunch of crap. It's a media driven attempt to create tension and controversy where there is none.

[VegasWolf]

79. Camp Chickenhawk! nt

[truthisfreedom]

89. uhh... other countries that want freedom? someone should ask Iraqis what

they want next time, before we start liberating our soldiers from their lives.

[buddysmellgood]

90. We need to make our own ads in support of Fort Qualls.

Slogans like:
More children for Bush
We need more lies.
Can we have our freedom back once it's done marching?
We support this war until we have accomplished...? well whatever, we support war.
Fight, kill, fight, kill.

[Tesha]

92. I'm willing to sacrifice this whol guy's family.

> If I have to sacrifice my whole family for the sake of our country
> and world, other countries that want freedom, I'll do that,

I'm willing to sacrifice this whole guy's family for the good of the
rest of the world. Darwin awards, and all that...

Tesha