Free Republic

I remember that vividly. We passed through Detroit early on Sunday morning. It was a hot and sunny day. My family and I were on our way to Ottawa for a family vacation/business trip for my dad. By Sunday evening, we saw the gas station where we filled up on fire and the neighborhood that seemed so sleepy and quiet was ablaze.

Two days later, Mother and I were sitting in the lounge of the hotel in a long narrow room with writing tables and leather couches. Long elegant windows were to my left. The hotel staff began moving furniture out without saying a word as I carefully penned my undying love to my teenage boyfriend (he was a cutie). Mother sat reading a novel as I wrote. The staff finally got to her couch and my writing table and we looked up to ask if we should move. They said how sorry they were but they had to make room for President De Gaul’s reception line. We therefore moved on.

Dad returned from his business meeting that evening and said, “We won't be able to return home through Detroit, the border is closed,” and “I have the two of you booked for a trip to see an Indian Reservation some 150 miles out of Ottawa.” Mother and I looked a little surprised, and Mother asked, “Whatever did you think we would find of interest there, dear?” Dad replied, “Being out of the city because they are threatening to assassinate De Gaul if he insists on coming to Ottawa with his “Vive Quebec Libre” speech. She turned to me and said, “I think you'll find the crafts interesting and we'll find the fresh air invigorating.”

We finished our trip to Ottawa and headed east to cross at Niagara Falls (which was really cool, but unplanned). I had to wait to mail my next testimony of undying love to the love of my life until we reached Watertown, because the damned French were bombing mail boxes.

Ah, yes, the summer of ‘67. I never did get to see the Worlds Fair Exhibition in Montreal, but I lived history and a couple of weeks as an ex-pat in Canada.

This is the first time I've ever written “What I Did Over My Summer Vacation”. In 1967, nobody cared. ;-)

“The Army says a Muslim soldier from Fort Campbell who won conscientious objector status but then was charged with possessing child pornography...”. Another recent story says he was not planning to attack Ft. Hood, but a nearby restaurant frequented by Base personnel. The other story goes on to say he had a great deal of ammunition with which he planned to shoot any survivors of the explosions.

So, tell me, just what WOULD his “conscience” object to? This excuse of a human being had child pornography and no problem with the killing of innocent civilians and their children who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I've heard some crazy things in my 62 years, but this goes way beyond “selective judgment”. Conscientious Objection,” my ass.

Of course, Silly. They don’t poll graveyards, they just vote the people in them. Such a silly question.

“Here’s the difference between you and ‘I’.” That’s the one that is like nails on a blackboard to me. I hear it constantly on the radio, television, newscasts. It’s right up there with “irregardless.” I can forgive most errors, but those are the two that literally cause me discomfort.

If I were her, that designer would never be on my list again. If that's a zipper in the back of her gown it is the worst job I have ever seen in my life. Like hems, zippers should be invisible to even the finest scrutiny. Wow! That was the first thing I was taught when I was an 11 year old girl and all through my tailoring courses into my 20s, I would have been forced to rip that zipper a dozen times if that were all the better I could do. I did better work than that at 12.

...and I swear they take those unflattering shots of her derriere on purpose.

Unless this gives the Cadet time to heal, pursue his claim in court and regain his strength for any residual physical harm, I would tend to be very disappointed. Having said that, I do not see how he can pursue his academics with that kind of injury and the trial will take a great deal of time. Leave of absence is how I will view it. I hope someone in Houston will keep track of this, as without Drudge, I sure wouldn't have heard. Local FReepers need to keep a watch.

Let’s hope this 8-12 month mentorship program will allow our Cadet to heal, pursue his claim in court and return with full health and complete attention to his career at West Point.

Speaking from experience, I can say the police will take whatever report someone comes in and files. You can walk in and make a complaint against your neighbor, and he will be arrested on the basis of your claim if he is unable to provide an explanation of merit to the arresting officers. It’s up to the courts to sort it out from there. They are off the hook. Unfortunately, once in the system, it’s hard to prove a negative and a security tape is not running 24-7 in the vicinity of the majority of incidents.

Our Cadet, unfortunately, was unable to speak for himself at the time, and the police simply wrote down what those who were still able to speak had to say. I cannot tell you how often that occurs. You would be shamed to know. He has the great blessing of an involved lawyer who knew where to dig and had the impetus to do so (i.e. money). I do not wish to abuse the police in this instance with the possible exception of posing for photos over the blood of our Cadet with a celebrity. That shows a lack of class from start to finish.

Well, why didn't you say so. It's hard to make friends with a speechless, naked person. I can see you've had time to come out of your shell. Now, just keep your pants on and learn to say “Hi,” first. It has a much better outcome...wait a minute...I think you did say hi...I was just simply unable to find a hand to shake...wait a minute...that came out wrong. Nevermind. ;-)

I have a question. What is the difference between a guy in a raincoat exposing himself to young girls and women (and I guess today young men — sheesh) and Mr. Wiener's exposing himself to a young woman (minus the raincoat with technology)? For the life of me, they used to put these guys in jail, if they caught them.

In my freshman year of college, I was walking home from the sorority house to my dorm (had to live there the first year) and a guy comes out of the bushes and opens his raincoat. It was dark, so didn't see anything, but I burst out laughing -- couldn't help it. The guy was wanted by the police. I assume they caught him because he wasn't around anymore. I suppose Mr. Wiener will get counseling, a few nights on the couch at home and go on with his life. To me it's the same thing, however. It's pathetically funny, he's a loser and a leach and he is a sick puppy. Sorry, I can't see any difference. Correct me if I'm wrong.

It's up to all of us. If you see something, say something. Without that video, our Cadet would have had a long road with a doubtful outcome. It takes all of us to keep this a level playing field for EVERY ONE. As I said in my first post of this article — color doesn't phase me in the least, but by God, fairness does.

The Security Team were agents of Patti LaBelle. The attack was above and beyond necessary force. The seriousness of the injury was probably unintentional, but that's the difference between a professional and a bouncer. It's the degree of force used and knowing what and who you're using it against. Damages are LaBelle’s. Jail time may be the Security Team's, but the Cadet deserves justice. After all, he's going to fight to preserve it.

Knowing what those young men have to do to play football in their “spare” time would indicate he wasn't a jimmy jackaround. The Security Team could do with a little of the same training and a few less stops for pizza and wings.

I just believe fair is fair. When I saw this, I knew it was time for the Marines to land. This Marine’s mama wasn't going to let this go without a much closer look. You know what they say, “Army keeping the world safe. The Marines keep the Army safe, “ or some such. I always get my metaphors and jokes mixed up. It's part of my charm. ;-)

Appears our Cadet will be getting the second look I feel he deserves. Good on West Point! Good on Houston Police Department! Hope his head is on the mend. He's a keeper that Cadet of ours.

Hell, he dropped it on the second punch, tried to recover it and dropped it because his equilibrium was affected. C’mon. I think this was a beat down so over the top it can't be ignored. By the way, I'd say the same thing if our Cadet had been black and the perpetrators had been white and the “celebrity” was Lady GaGa. This stinks.

Had I seen any evidence of the Cadet acting “unbecoming”, I wouldn’t have posted anything. Even if he had flunked a Breathalyzer, I would have looked for aggressive behavior and, if found, would have let it pass, felt sad and hoped the price wouldn’t have been too great (as most of these guys and gals who enter the military academies would rather die than fail). I didn’t, however, nor is there any evidence of intoxication, and to think his career might be over because of Ms. LaBelle’s perceived slight, or her guards overzealous performance of their duties, or the unthinkable ”racism” makes me nauseous.

Well, some of the commenters on the Houston Chron. said they witnessed it and in no way did our Cadet start the action. From what I could see, the security pushed him back while he had his ear on the phone and Cadet simply stiff-armed security as if he simply bumped into him (which is a reflexive football response [seen it on my Marine {former football quarterback} many times]). May have uttered, “WTF - watch out” thinking the security guard stumbled into him, but no guard got hit in the face on that tape, nor did our Cadet do any more than try to hear on the phone. He may have had more than the two drinks he claims, but his attorney said he wasn't drunk and assume they'd have had to take his blood at the ER for treatment.

Well, some of the commenters on the Houston Chron. said they witnessed it and in no way did our Cadet start the action. From what I could see, the security pushed him back while he had his ear on the phone and Cadet simply stiff-armed security as if he simply bumped into him (which is a reflexive football response [seen it on my Marine {former football quarterback} many times]). May have uttered, “WTF - watch out” thinking the security guard stumbled into him, but no guard got hit in the face on that tape, nor did our Cadet do any more than try to hear on the phone. He may have had more than the two drinks he claims, but his attorney said he wasn't drunk and assume they'd have had to take his blood at the ER for treatment.

That’s what I thought. I’m hoping it isn’t the case, but it sure sounds like it. His career was ended because he wandered into the wrong place with the wrong people. I can hardly stomach it.

I hope he makes her wish she were dead. This is horrible.

I guess just to be on the safe side. The police report didn't help because the police were so “star-struck”. Watch the whole video. Posing for photos with her while this kid's blood is running over the pavement. He was shoved into a concrete pillar and hit his head on the curb. Gives new meaning to “kicked to the curb” and an Army Officer in training, during time of war, as well. What an up-standing crock of crap.