The Back Alley Archives

About a month ago a website was started by a few Moms who consider themselves Patriots. Basically, it's an outlet for those of us closet conservatives to get together, vent about where our country is headed etc. Some are a little over-the-top with conspiracy theories, birthers, and survivalists (AA would like those ladies), but I've met some really neat (and smart) people on there too. I went to my first in-person meeting with about 12 others in Central FL and another one next week. I'm even contemplating starting a group in Kissimmee for those of us who try to avoid Orlando at all costs. It's all about getting involved with your local politics, schools boards, etc. Just trying to make a difference. It's also been a good sharing place for many who home school (not me).

Anyway, when Michele Bachmann announced last week that she was calling all citizens to mobilize and get up to Washington DC on Thursday Nov. 5th at noon to walk through Congress and say "NO" to the current Health Reform bill, the group got together and started getting buses, trains, cars etc. to get everyone up there. I talked to Bill and he said I should go so I am. I'm leaving tonight on a bus with 56 other ladies and getting into DC sometime tomorrow morning. Then coming back in the evening tomorrow and back on Friday a.m.

I'm quite excited although I wish I could bring Lainie...she really wants to go, but I can't imagine having to worry about her comfort on such a long bus ride as well as being uncomfortable myself. Next summer the Moms are planning another big rally in DC and I'm hoping to take the whole family to that one and also include a mini-vacation in our nations capital. Pray for my safe travels.

Not to sound silly, but we chartered a bus...will just one guy be driving the whole way? Is that allowed? They worry about pilots flying tired, wouldn't a bus driver be even more dangerous if he were tired? How do they deal with that?

That's awesome m7! The group sounds badass and the trip should be very very cool.

Google maps shows the drive at a shade over 13 hours, so I wouldn't worry to much either way. I wouldn't be surprised if they have 2 drivers so they can switch, though.

very cool al...that's called 'putting your money (or time in this case) where your mouf is"

very cool M7! Godspeed. Thanks for taking the time that the rest of us should be taking after a political vent session.

Forgot to mention...the group put together a design for you to print out on an iron shirt so we could make our own t-shirts. The design has the Capital Bldg. and then it says "Don't Make Me Come Up There - Mom" And then the date and website address etc. I also went ahead and printed out some pics of the kids and put them on the sleeves. I went ahead and made a long sleeve T and a sweatshirt. I'll let you know if I get on TV (that is of course assuming the media will give it any attention at all).

Just found out that they will have a 2nd driver take over after 600 miles...DOT regulations. It's all good. On the bus now and getting ready to go.

What kind of alcohol is being served? Betcha the hard stuff right?

None that I could see. Just had to stop because the other bus started to smoke. Having to wait for another bus. Hopefully we will just cut out some stops. Argh.

Lied. Just saw a glass of wine. :-)

Awesome, and well done. It's good to be vocal, active and engaged.

We are about 3 and a half hours out. Bus trouble put us way off schedule but they have been hauling butt and not stoping as much. I didn't sleep well but I expected that. If I ever do this again, I'm taking the train.

good luck today! Give 'em hell M7.

That's very cool. Have a great time!

I'm back and exhausted. It was a great experience although I will never take a bus up there again with a bunch of strangers. Some were nice, others annoying...that's to be expected, but with no sleep my patience was EVEN shorter.

The rally itself was cool...liked hearing Michele Bachmann, Mark Levin (one of my favs), Jon Voight and John Ratzenburger. They had tne entire Republican Caucas from house out there and many of them should have been booed because they supported the initial TARP that started all this crap, but meh. I left before it ended because I didn't need to hear what all these congressmen had to say (mostly just a bunch of rah rah stuff).

I was starving and went by myself to get something to eat...found a good Mexican joint and bar and ate what at the time tasted like the best burrito EVAR!!! Then I walked all over the place looking for souvenirs other than Obama shirts. Finally got to the Museum of Natural History and got it all done there. (They had a nice bathroom too which was quite welcome if you know what I mean :wink

One kind of cool thing that happened was for this woman I've met through this whole thing named Patricia Sullivan. She is running for Congress in District 8 (Alan Grayson's district). She is a stay-at-home Mom who put together the North Lake Tea Party group. Anyway, she's really neat and got to tell us about all these things that have been falling into place for her to run. Her campaign slogan is "Patriot not Politician". She realizes she is a long-shot but has a good family behind her and is quite determined. She ended up getting to meet with some very influential politicians and even got interviewed by Griff Jenkins at Fox. There's speculation that Alan Grayson may not run again because he is shooting for a spot in the administration, so that would open it up for her. She also realizes that if he does run and if she gets ANY kind of headway, it will get ugly for her...he is a very dirty player.

I was trying to meet up with Kevin (newsgator) but our bus took off from the Capital before he could get there. I was sad about that. He kept up with me through Facebook though. Wish I could have seen him.

Was John Ratzenburger in character as Cliff Clavin? Because I had no idea he was a conservative and that's the only role I've ever seen him in.

He had a really good speech and yes, he is a conservative. He basically said "these are not Democrats of John Kennedy and Tip O'Neil...these are the Democrats of Abby Hoffman and Saul Alinski..." This guy I was with said he wished our politicians would talk the way these actors and talk show hosts...stop being so politically correct and say it like it isa, etc.

Anyway, he was great...one guy in the crowd yelled out "Hey Cliff, you wanna beer?".