The numbers game

An estimated 300,000 people protested the Iraq war in D.C. Then the pro-war demonstrators flexed their muscle.

WASHINGTON - Military families and others defending the war in Iraq took their turn Sunday to demonstrate on the National Mall, if in much smaller numbers, and counter the massive protest against the war a day earlier.

About 100 people had gathered before a stage set up on the eastern portion of the mall as the noon rally began. A large photo of an American flag served as a backdrop for the stage, and country music blared from speakers while other banners and signs proclaiming support for U.S. troops waved in the breeze.

The Freepers were slightly disapointed.

"We're hoping for more folks," said Kristinn Taylor, a leader of FreeRepublic.com, one of the sponsors. "People have been fired up over the past month, especially military family members, and they want to be heard."

Earlier, Taylor said organizers were prepared for 20,000 people to attend the pro-military rally, billed as a time to honor the troops fighting "the war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world."

Lets see.. help me here with the math.. 300,000 anti-war protestors showed, the Freepers were hoping for 20,000, and 100 showed up. That makes it what.. um.. 3000 to 1?

I wonder if the Freepers played that "Arlington" song.. you know.. the one the glorifies dying and getting planted in the national cemetary.. It really is creepy.

Hmmmmm...