Prince returned to his hometown of Holland to give a speech criticizing government spending and regulation that drew a standing ovation from more than 700 people. The event, part of the town’s annual Tulip Time Festival, had to be moved to Hope College’s basketball arena because of the high demand for tickets.
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This is interesting because you just don’t hear of Erik Prince doing too many of these types of events. This might be an indicator that he is wanting to get more public and more vocal, either to push some politics, correct the record or sell books. It’s probably a little of everything, and controversial figures like him sell big time at speaking events. Who knows, but one thing is for sure–the crowd liked him, and they wanted more. Now if he started a blog, complete with a facebook/twitter page, well then he could really get vocal. (hint, hint) lol –Matt
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Blackwater founder slams big gov’t in Mich. speech
By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN
April 6, 2010
HOLLAND, Mich. — Blackwater Worldwide founder Erik Prince said Wednesday his values of hard work and personal responsibility “have gotten me a few detractors along the way, and I’m OK with that.”
Prince returned to his hometown of Holland to give a speech criticizing government spending and regulation that drew a standing ovation from more than 700 people. The event, part of the town’s annual Tulip Time Festival, had to be moved to Hope College’s basketball arena because of the high demand for tickets.
Holland, about 30 miles west of Grand Rapids, is in Michigan’s most reliably Republican county. Home to many residents of Dutch descent, the area is known for its strong Dutch Reformed faith and conservative values.
Although 60 people outside held signs protesting Blackwater’s actions in Iraq, many inside said Prince’s speech inspired them. They said they were glad to hear his side of unflattering news reports about the North Carolina-based company, now called Xe Services.