MARCH 17, 2006: GATHERING OF EAGLES [Scroll down for more posts and video] Ok, guys ... that wasn't funny. I mean, well, it was sorta funny. But not that funny. True story: these guys wouldn't let me into the Gathering of Eagles rally. Seriously. They called me names. I tried to explain to them who I am and what I'm trying to do, but no go. Is it my fault I need to "blend" when covering ANSWER? One of the marshalls explained patiently to me that ... while I had every right to protest the war ... I needed to keep to my own side of the street. Sheesh. And when I said (patiently) that I'm really on their side to begin with I thought the cops standing around were going to arrest me. Crimminy. I had to high-tail it back into moonbatland. I mean ... would you mess with these guys?! Other than that, though, I was very impressed with the Gathering. I did manage to get in by another route. A nice job was done by all. If we're counting numbers ... and I haven't seen any "official" count yet ... I'd say that the Gathering of Eagles and ANSWER were about even. 25,000 to 35,000 each ... give or take. I sorta felt sorry for Medea Benjamin and Code Pink, though. I think that they managed all of 10. That's a one (1) followed by a zero (0). Period. But that's not even counting Cindy Sheehan. So, OK ... what ... eleven. Tops. As you can see, the American flag was displayed prominently and proudly. The ANSWER blokes had their own flags. You'll see those in another post. Check back. The Gathering of Eagles rally was spread out ... a sizable crowd near the Vietnam Memorial where the speeches were taking place ... a lot at the Memorial itself ... a very large crowd at the Lincoln Memorial (seen here) just opposite the ANSWER rally and "commenting" [loudly] on the speeches there ... a whole gaggle at the entrance to Memorial Bridge ... and more down in front of the entrance to Arlington Cemetery at the end of the bridge. This is a picture of the line waiting to get into the Vietnam Memorial. You can't see much of it. It was a huge line. Normally one can simply walk into the Memorial, but for the "event" some tents were put up to screen people. Wise. The ANSWER crowd scoffs at the notion that they'd desecrate the Memorial but I know those people and I know better. Some, true, wouldn't hurt a fly. But there's a sizable number of them who are dangerous. You've got to watch your step. There are other, smaller Memorials and statues scattered around the mall nearby and each one had a group of Eagles keeping watch. Good job. This is another dude who called me names after I took the photo. He ... curiously ... told me to "enjoy it". I'm not sure what he meant ... and I certainly hope he didn't mean what I think he might have meant. But ... OK ... here it is and I'm "enjoying" it. He's holding an American flag (fluttering on the other side of the multi-colored Peace sign in the hands of the crazy lady standing next to him). The things I put up with.