A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-31-02

JohnHuang2 and Billie | JohnHuang2

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest.....
......Every Day

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues;  salute
and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new
word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who
are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which
we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.  I
can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. The forum is read daily by tens of thousands
of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett

MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick,Leroy S Mort, Mark17

BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau

TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam,

dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony

BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang

TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx

MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law

BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

TOP: Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog

MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son

BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7,
AlasBabylon.
BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad,
Aomagrat

                     

Mondale's no shoo-in

by JohnHuang2

It was mid-afternoon Friday, the harrowing news had just crossed the wires: A plane crash in northern Minnesota had claimed the life of Sen. Paul Wellstone, his wife, daughter and several campaign workers.

Democrats were in a state of shock, not so much over the tragic deaths as the chilling implications -- for November.

Seeking a third term, Sen. Wellstone had been locked in a tight race with former St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman, a Democrat-turned-Republican widely depicted in the media as Bush's own 'hand-picked' candidate in a bid to retake the Senate, where Democrats hold a 1-vote margin.

Wellstone, though regarded by insiders as highly vulnerable, appeared to have leapt ahead of Coleman after a 'nay' vote on the Iraq war resolution -- 9 points according to Zogby. (Internal GOP polls still had the race a toss-up, with Coleman 2% ahead.) Conventional wisdom, ignoring Minnesota's long history of isolationism, held the vote would hurt Wellstone's chances, particularly after 9/11.

Top Democrats, after prodding Wellstone to change his mind, if only to save his seat, were breathing a sigh of relief.

Then came the news Friday afternoon. As Wellstone's body smoldered, frantic Democrats scrambled for a replacement, trial-ballooning a list of possible substitutes in the media, then settling late in the day on former Vice President Walter Mondale, who retired from national politics after a crushing defeat in '84 by then President Ronald Reagan.

Democrats, while publically mourning the death of Paul Wellstone and mouthing platitudes about his legacy, behind the scenes conducted ghoulish polls and focus groups as election lawyers scoured Minnesota law to see how much the party can get away with.

As these grave-robbers ferreted political advantage, Democrats decided on a four-prong strategy:

1) Cannibalize Wellstone politically, a la Gov. Mel Carnahan; play on voters' heart strings, ride on Wellstone's coattails.

2) Get a jump-start on Republicans now -- mount a full-tilt campaign on Mondale's behalf. Get the media bandwagon going. Don't wait for the funeral. It's the dead body, stupid! Use it.

3) Make the Mondale pick by Party bosses a done deal; get Wellstone's kids to say they back the choice. So what if they barely know him? Winning is everything!

4) Portray any GOP reaction to Mondale's selection as an 'outrage', an abomination, a sacrilege of Wellstone himself, his memory, his legacy. Scream bloody murder, feign indignation, anger and shock; don't worry, no matter how phony, the press will back you to the hilt.

Sure enough, there was CNN's Judy Woodruff Monday on Inside Politics, berating RNC Chair Marc Racicot. She lectured and she scolded. 'How can Republicans be so insensitive, so unfeeling, so inhuman, so cruel, so heartless, Marc!! How dare you criticize what-cha-ma-call it, uh, ummm ... Walter Mondale! You're not even crumbs off the table, compared to him!' (Exaggerating? Yes, but that was the clear insinuation by her line of questioning).

Terry McAuliffe, also on the show, sat there poker face. But over his head, a thought bubble hovered, which read: 'Thanks, Judy, for doing our dirty work! hehehe!'

So, now that the gloves are off, does Coleman have a ghost of a chance? The pincers are closing on Republicans, says the giggling media gleefully. Coleman beats Mondale? Fuggedaboutdit!, elated pundits laugh. Too many hurdles, too many mountains to climb, proclaims Conventional Wisdomism. Pulling Mondale out of mothball was a masterstroke, it's Missouri all over again, say Beltwayers. Mondale will lock the empathy vote, ride a tidal wave of sympathy to victory next week. For Democrats, this election is in the bag.

Oh, really?

Memo to Dems: Ever heard of not counting chickens before they hatch?'

I say, 'thou celebrateth too much.'

Walter Mondale, a washed-up 'has-been' in his twilight years, political prima donna? The notion doesn't square in a state that elected Jesse Ventura for governor, eschews machine politics and prides itself in nonconformity. Minnesota, which relishes the unconventional, is a horse of a different color. Those drawing analogies to Missouri don't know which end is up.

JESSE VENTURA
"THE BEST GOVERNOR
MINNESOTA HAS HAD IN A LONG TIME!"

Moreover, last time I checked, Walter Mondale isn't even a widow -- just a jaded retread who hasn't won statewide office in 30 years. Name recognition? Yes, but Coleman has it too, without the baggage: Norm is no 49-state flameout like Mondale. Name I.D. isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Another factor: The burgeoning Green Party movement in Minnesota. The Greenies were drawing considerable Democrat defections, cutting into Wellstone's support, which made the race all the more tighter.

Will Wellstone voters now rally behind Walter Mondale, now without even a fig-leaf of avant-garde populism to motivate them?

Don't bet on it.

Can Coleman lose? Yes, but don't bet on that, either. (Internal GOP polls have Coleman and Mondale neck-and-neck and less than 50% of Minnesota voters were old enough to vote in Mondale's last Senate race in 1972).

For Democrats nationally, moreover, having Walter Mondale as the Party's most visible face down the homestretch isn't exactly a terrific idea.

As Dem vultures swoop down and feast on Wellstone for political advantage, bear in mind that 'it ain't over till it's over.'

Anyway, that's...

My two cents...

THIS WEEK'S THREADs

10-28-02 Salvation
10-29-02 Patriciaruth
10-30-02 Halloween Party

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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     5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning, hello, Welcome and BOO!

It's time for another wonderful read by our 'King' (King John, King of Ping).....

Trick or Treat!

Thanks, Dutchess, for sending this adorable graphic to me!

[lodwick]

Wisconsin sunrise

[Aquamarine]

LOL! How cute that picture is!

Another well written article today John. I hope that whole fiasco backfires on the demos!

Beautiful sunrise Loddy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

[ladtx]

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on OCT 31. God bless them all.

1968 CW2 Steven I. Cavin -- 54 SIG BN, Age 23, Norfolk, Virginia
1968 WO1 Paul R. Driscoll -- 54 SIG BN, Age 22, Monument Beach, Massachusetts
1968 1LT Milton D. Pate -- A/2/17 CAV, Age 23, Galveston, Texas
1968 1LT Ronald A. Wolter -- A/2/17 CAV, Age 21, Carpentersville, Illinois
1969 CW3 Paul R. Getz -- A/228 ASHB 1 CAV, Age 40, North Las Vegas, Nevada
1969 WO1 Michael D. Rosenthal Jr. -- B/229 AHB 1 CAV, Age 25, Metairie, Louisiana
1969 CPT Murray J. Wyman -- B/229 AHB 1 CAV, Age 25, San Jose, California
1972 CPT Steven D. Howard -- 18 CAC, Age 31, El Dorado, Kansas
1972 CW2 James M. Stever -- 18 AVN, Age 28, Visalia, California
1972 CW2 Ronald L. Vanlandingham -- 18 CAC, Age27, San Antonio, Texas

In memory of CPT Steven D. Howard, 18th CAC: KIA Dinh Tuong, South Vietnam

On the morning of 10/31/72 Steve and I and a couple of others conducted a Protestant religious service at our chapel in Can Tho (our Chaplain had DEROSed). This was the birthday of the pilot scheduled to fly this mission and Steve volunteered to take his mission so he could celebrate his birthday. The mission was to fly a CH-47 from Can Tho to Vung Tau to pick up troops from our compound that were there on an in-country R&R. There were some troops there from Dong Tam who needed a ride, so Steve volunteered to take them too. On climb-out from Dong Tam, at about 500 feet, the aircraft was hit in the aft pylon by an SA-7 anti-aircraft missile. All on board were killed. I was the unit recovery officer and coordinated the recovery. Steve was a devout Christian, a good man, and a fine officer. The Bible tells us in John 15:13 that, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Steve had this greater love.

Les Scates CWO3 US Army (Ret.)

18th Corps Aviation Company (CAC) Unit patch

CH-47 -- The type of aircraft CPT Howard was flying at the time of his death and 9 others.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE

SCOUTS OUT!

[lodwick]

Good morning friends - thank you all for yesterday's festivities and fun. If we must get older, then doing so in the company of friends is the best way to do so. A blessed day is wished for all passing this way. JL

[habs4ever]

Oh, you are soooooo scary...;-)Hey, have you, as a Texan, noticed that Walt "The Owl" Mondale is starting to look a whole lot like old Lloyd Bentsen?? Please, let's hope HE stays in retirement ;-)

[lodwick]

Salute!

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!!!

You mean I can post today?

Fr's not acting up?

YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!

[ValerieUSA]

Happy Halloween Morning Fine FReepers

[Pippin]

Hi, Valerie!

[Diver Dave]

Booooo!!!

I'll bet that scared ya. Y'all better say "Yes" or I'll post my picture and then you'll run and hide.

Congratulations JH2. Another masterpiece.

For those who haven't done so already, click on The King's "My two cents" button above for some very enlightening and entertaining reading from our King of Ping.

Now, where's the coffee?

[ValerieUSA]

Howdy
Isn't it great to have FR running smoothly again?

[Diver Dave]

In memory of your fellow Vietnam heilcopter pilots...

[lodwick]

The Difference Between The Liberal and Conservative "Debate" Over The War On Terrorism:



Question: You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, a dangerous looking man with a huge knife comes around the corner and is running at you while screaming obscenities. In your hand is a .357 Magnum and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?

Liberal Answer:

Well, that's not enough information to answer the question! Does the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that is inspiring him to attack? Could we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? What does the law say about this situation? Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me? Does he definitely want to kill me or would he just be content to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for a few days to try to come to a conclusion.



Conservative Answer:

Shoot the son of a bitch! Then take your family to a baseball game, eat some hot dogs with apple pie, sing the national anthem, go to church and praise the Lord for one more day of freedom.

[JustAmy]

Wishing you a very Happy Anniversary!!

[BigWaveBetty]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

[lodwick]

Nobody ever tells me these things.

[lodwick]

Major props for doing whatever you did to right FR - thank you!

[WVNan]

Are we there yet?

News for the crews. OhioWfan and her son, Eric are coming to WV to go with me to see our President in Charleston. This may turn into an adventure because I am counting on connecting with Eternal Vigilence for our tickets. Do I have faith or what? OWF should be here in an hour or so. I'm soooooo excited.