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JoshLowry
07-29-2007, 02:30 PM
Woke up around 6:30 am and left to meet Bryan and Jesse of the Houston group at the local WalMart parking lot. We added "Who is Ron Paul?" to her car and then we all piled into her Focus and drove 180 miles to San Antonio. The trip was fun and while it rained on us a few times it eventually cleared up. When we got to San Antonio the sun was out and it shined bright for the rest of the day.

We arrived at about 10:00 am and went to the free parking garage that was included with the fundraiser tickets. I had knee surgery a little less than 3 weeks ago so we started a slow walk to the Cavalry Museum that was about 7 blocks away. The Cavalry Museum is across the street of the North Wall of the Alamo. We arrived and there were about 10 people setting up tents, speakers, and signs. There was also a huge Neopolitan Mastiff dog there that was named Astro he had a Ron Paul shirt on and probably weighed more than the three of us. Hopefully someone got a pic of him.

Going on throughout the day was a City Festival/Fair and the Buckhorn Museum was about 4 blocks down on Houston street. I returned here and hung out at the Will Call booth that was outside the Museum. The museum/saloon is a huge 30,000 sq foot building and the guy who owns the place is a big Ron Paul supporter. He also gave meals/drinks half off to Ron Paul volunteers, so a big thanks to whoever he is. Stop by if you are ever in town and check the place out.

http://www.BuckHornMuseum.com
http://www.stateofbrain.com/images/front.jpg


A little after lunch people started arriving and they brought lots of signs. One Ron Paul supporter was harassed at the Alamo for having a Ron Paul badge on and told he could not be on the sidewalk at the Alamo under a shaded tree, he could only be in the street or across the street. That story didn't go over to well with a few of us. About 25 people decided to go down to the Alamo so we marched down with Ron Paul signs overhead and passed out a bit of literature and informed those that were interested that he would be speaking at the Buckhorn Museum.

There will probably be a bit of footage from that march. More and more people throughout the day started showing up and everyone started gathering around 4:30 at the Cavalry. A band played, the press conference was threatened to be shut down after the whole sign holding march went, the Alamo Daughters got a little upset that we were holding political signs and marching around the Alamo. Didn't those guys fight for people who live in Texas?


By about 5:15 there were around 200 at the Cavalry and Ron Paul showed up. The color guard was there, ABC news was there, and so were a lot of rabid RP fans. It was very electric and I got to shake his hand, he gave a brief speech and they then had a press conference in front of the Alamo.

http://www.stateofbrain.com/images/san1.jpg
(Pic taken outside Alamo at 5:30 Press Conference)


He actually has a security detail now. :) He talked to the reporters who were there and then everyone made their way to the 6:00 fundraiser at the Buckhorn Museum. The fundraiser ended up attracting probably around 400 to 500 people. I am bad with crowd sizes but it was a great turnout for a $100 per plate adult and $30 pp student event.

The dinner was held first and the food was excellent although they ran a little low on certain items towards the end. Two bands played while we ate and the second band was actually asked to lower the volume a bit and they refused so they packed up instead. It was a bit awkward but luckily nobody made a scene out of it.

After the bands played there were two auctions, a silent auction and a live auction. It was quite fun with Houston vs San Antonio and Aggies vs Longhorn gear being bidded on to see who had more pride. One of the most bid on silent auction items was the $10 Guy Fawkes (V for Vendetta) mask that went for like 100 bucks.

The two most active live auction items were a .22 Rifle and a framed copy of the Constitution. Both were signed by Congressman Paul. The bidding was a great interaction with the crowd, the Rifle went for I believe $2000 and the Constitution went for $3700. Afterwords everyone made their way downstairs, the National Anthem was sang and everyone in the place was singing it the whole way through, it was a really neat experience. Congressman Paul made his speech at the top of the stairs to everyone in the Saloon, which was on the dot like the rest of them.

Highlight of the speech was when he mentioned the coming August 5th ABC debate and it would be hosted by George Stephanopoulos. Every single Texan in the room booed and hissed at the announcement of his name.

Dr. Paul grinned and responded with "I'll be sure to pass on the message." which had everyone erupt in applause and cheers. Look for it on vid.

(George was the one that told Dr. Paul he isn't going to win and would be willing to bet every penny on it.)

http://www.stateofbrain.com/images/san2.jpg
(Pic taken inside Buckhorn Museum and Saloon before Congressman Paul's speech)


I took two pictures in this thread with my cameraphone so they aren't the best. There should be some good video footage sooner or later. After the event had died down and just about everyone had trickled out Bryan and I got to talk face to face with him for about 10 minutes. We got to talk about the forums and how active and awesome you guys are doing and he said that he had actually heard of them before when talking to other people. Who knows maybe he will stop by someday, don't keep your fingers crossed though. ;)

Like I said there should be some good footage but wanted to give a little report and show what few pics I took. I'll try to document my coming Iowa trip a bit better come August 3rd. Keep on spreading that word, we are supporting the right guy! Get signed up for Call Iowa and Mail Iowa!

Operation San Antonio: Success. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/gfx_RedWhiteBlue/icons/icon14.gif

DisabledVet
07-29-2007, 02:49 PM
AWESOME!!! Good job San Antonio.... !!!

DeadheadForPaul
07-29-2007, 02:54 PM
thanks for the pictures and account!

glad to see there were a bunch of people there

RP 08!

Matt Collins
07-29-2007, 03:12 PM
I was corresponding with Michael Badnarik this weekend and he mentioned that he would be at this event. Did he speak at all or have any public statement? Did anyone see him?

LibertyEagle
07-29-2007, 03:16 PM
Way cool, Josh! Thanks for the report.

JoshLowry
07-29-2007, 03:17 PM
I was corresponding with Michael Badnarik this weekend and he mentioned that he would be at this event. Did he speak at all or have any public statement? Did anyone see him?

Yes he was there for most of the day. He also had one of his books in the auction.

I got to shake his hand but he didn't speak to any crowds.

PatriotOne
07-29-2007, 03:22 PM
Fantastic pics (esp for a camera phone). Glad to hear he has security now. Is it that guy in the second pic with the beige jacket/blue tie? Or perhaps the blue shirt/red stripe tie guy?

ctb619
07-29-2007, 03:24 PM
Fantastic pics (esp for a camera phone). Glad to hear he has security now. Is it that guy in the second pic with the beige jacket/blue tie? Or perhaps the blue shirt/red stripe tie guy?

They both look equally intimidating.

JoshLowry
07-29-2007, 03:29 PM
Fantastic pics (esp for a camera phone). Glad to hear he has security now. Is it that guy in the second pic with the beige jacket/blue tie? Or perhaps the blue shirt/red stripe tie guy?

Both of them. I kind of watched how they did all day. They both seem to take their job seriously.

The one on the left I did get to speak with and he seems like a very professional but down to earth guy. Good vibes.

PatriotOne
07-29-2007, 03:37 PM
Both of them. I kind of watched how they did all day. They both seem to take their job seriously.

The one on the left I did get to speak with and he seems like a very professional but down to earth guy. Good vibes.

Handsome guys. I'll be sure to take some extra time getting ready for the next Wa State rally :cool:

kylejack
07-29-2007, 03:39 PM
Both of them. I kind of watched how they did all day. They both seem to take their job seriously.

The one on the left I did get to speak with and he seems like a very professional but down to earth guy. Good vibes.

Hm, I thought the guy on the right was Jesse Benton.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hQ9NMbONSWU

ctb619
07-29-2007, 03:42 PM
Hm, I thought the guy on the right was Jesse Benton.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hQ9NMbONSWU

Isn't Jesse Benton bald?

amberj
07-29-2007, 03:44 PM
Here are a bunch we took when we were down there. Hope you enjoy. Follow the jump.

San Antonio Photos (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/24/photos/)

-Amber

DeadheadForPaul
07-29-2007, 03:46 PM
Both of them. I kind of watched how they did all day. They both seem to take their job seriously.

The one on the left I did get to speak with and he seems like a very professional but down to earth guy. Good vibes.

The one of the left was standing near Dr. Paul during the Greenville speech and was looking through the crowd. I figured he was an advisor/campaign staffer but that makes sense now b/c he intimidated me lol

kylejack
07-29-2007, 03:48 PM
Isn't Jesse Benton bald?
Did you click the link? Its an interview with a man claiming to Jesse Benton who has hair on his head. Are you saying he's some kind of impostor? :)

JoshLowry
07-29-2007, 03:50 PM
Hm, I thought the guy on the right was Jesse Benton.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hQ9NMbONSWU

Could be right, I only spoke with Carl (One on left) . Didn't get to meet the other person. He seemed to shadow Dr. Paul all day long.

ghemminger
07-29-2007, 03:52 PM
Thanks for the info!!! This forum ROCKS!

Bloody Holly
07-29-2007, 03:54 PM
great pictures. Thanks for sharing. :)

PatriotOne
07-29-2007, 04:00 PM
Here are a bunch we took when we were down there. Hope you enjoy. Follow the jump.

San Antonio Photos (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/24/photos/)

-Amber

Thanks Amber! Looks like a great time was had by all :D .

JoshLowry
07-29-2007, 04:01 PM
Here are a bunch we took when we were down there. Hope you enjoy. Follow the jump.

San Antonio Photos (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/24/photos/)

-Amber

Amber do you have the pic that Chad took of me and Dr. Paul? He took it with ya'lls camera before you got upstairs. Could you send it to my email? josh.manuel@gmail.com

Thanks!

Dave
07-29-2007, 04:03 PM
Could be right, I only spoke with Carl (One on left) . Didn't get to meet the other person. He seemed to shadow Dr. Paul all day long.

The other guy in the photo IS Jesse Benton. Kent Snyder is the one who is follicle-challenged.

ctb619
07-29-2007, 04:08 PM
The other guy in the photo IS Jesse Benton. Kent Snyder is the one who is follicle-challenged.

Thanks for clearing that up.

As a side note, I noticed on the RP website that they now list a "Security Director" in the Contact section.

ghemminger
07-29-2007, 04:13 PM
Some you tube vids already up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrzvQ6T6M3g

jacmicwag
07-29-2007, 05:04 PM
Josh - you get around pretty good for a guy with a gimpie knee. But I'm jealous - your post is getting tons more reads than mine!

qednick
07-29-2007, 05:05 PM
Wished we'd known who you were in the crowd (what you looked like) so we could've at least shake hands or said hello or something.

JoshLowry
07-29-2007, 05:08 PM
Josh - you get around pretty good for a guy with a gimpie knee. But I'm jealous - your post is getting tons more reads than mine!

That's cause you posted your thread in General Politics and Other!

Thanks again for the ticket!

Kuldebar
07-29-2007, 05:14 PM
Great post and update, thanks for being real world!

scrosnoe
07-29-2007, 05:51 PM
Josh, thanks so much for the first-hand report and pictures!

Thanks to all who helped with this event! Great work!!

I do so wish i could have been there to see friends and make new ones!

awesome energy :) :) :) :) :)

qedtanya
07-29-2007, 06:01 PM
I was corresponding with Michael Badnarik this weekend and he mentioned that he would be at this event. Did he speak at all or have any public statement? Did anyone see him?

He was there but did not make a speech. He is a HUGE supporter of Dr. Paul's and a generally great guy (I talked to him a few times - he donated a book and DVD to our auction that I was in charge of).

V-rod
07-29-2007, 09:15 PM
Wish I could of made it. Oh well, I hope some event like this is held again in the next few months here or in Austin.

JoshLowry
07-30-2007, 01:06 PM
Forgot to mention that DjLoTi got a shoutout from one of the bands about RonPaulRadio.com at the fundraiser.

Grey something... Wish we had a list of the bands that played so we could further support them.

Bryan
07-30-2007, 04:34 PM
I was corresponding with Michael Badnarik this weekend and he mentioned that he would be at this event. Did he speak at all or have any public statement? Did anyone see him?
He was there- I introduced myself and talked for a few minutes. Great man of course.


Wished we'd known who you were in the crowd (what you looked like) so we could've at least shake hands or said hello or something.
I was thinking the same thing... We'll do better Jan '09 when we're all in DC. :)

angelatc
08-30-2010, 11:32 PM
bump for 3 years ago seems like yesterday.

Elwar
08-31-2010, 07:56 AM
My wife and I worked the door at that event. :)