Posted on 03/31/2006 6:21:38 PM PST by Chairman_December_19th_Society
Yup. Like cauliflower. I like it. Pretty.
Hi neighbor. The weather was great yesterday..here..too. Today..we are not that lucky. It's cool and rainy.
CM, I can't tell you how pleased I was to see that. I thought I was the only one in the world that questioned that "captivity". I liken it to the Italian Communist bimbo who was "captured", let go/escaped? and then got the driver of her get away car killed by the troops.
The whole scenario stinks to high heaven and the bashing of the US and our troops just makes it all the more obvious that something isn't quite right.
Most of FR shares your opinion.
I'm not so sure. She says her statements were coerced. She appeared in Germany wearing a desert camo jacket. I guess I'm taking a wait & see attitude on this one.
"I'm so happy to be free and am looking forward to spending a lot of time with my family. I want to express my deep appreciation to all the people who worked so long and hard for my release. I am humbled by the sympathy and support expressed by so many people during my kidnapping.
In the past few days, the U.S. military and officials have been extremely generous, and I am grateful for their help. Throughout this ordeal, many U.S. agencies have committed themselves to bringing me safely home.
My colleagues at The Christian Science Monitor have worked ceaselessly to secure my release, and worked with security consultants to do so. Many other news organizations, both inside and outside of Iraq, as well as many officials from Iraq and other countries, worked hard to bring about my freedom.
So many people around the world spoke out on my behalf.
Thank you, all of you.
During my last night of captivity, my captors forced me to participate in a propaganda video. They told me they would be released if I cooperated. I was living in a threatening environment, under their control, and I wanted to go home alive. So I agreed.
Things that I was forced to say while captive are now being taken by some as an accurate reflection of my personal views. They are not. The people who kidnapped me and murdered Alan Enwiya are criminals, at best. They robbed Alan of his life and devastated his family. They put me, my family and my friends — all those around the world — who have prayed so fervently for my release — through a horrific experience. I was, and remain, deeply angry with the people who did this.
I also gave a TV interview to the Iraqi Islamic Party shortly after my release. The party had promised me the interview would never be broadcast or aired on television, and they broke their word. At any rate, fearing retribution from my captors, I did not speak freely. Out of fear I said I wasn't threatened. In fact, I was threatened many times.
Also, at least two false statements about me have been widely aired: One, that I refused to travel and cooperate with the U.S. military and two, that I refused to discuss my captivity with U.S. officials. Again, neither statement is true.
I want to be judged as a journalist, not as a hostage. I remain as committed as ever to fairness and accuracy — to discovering the truth — and so I will not engage in polemics. But let me be clear: I abhor all who kidnap and murder civilians, and my captors are clearly guilty of both crimes.
Now, I ask for the time to heal. This has been a taxing 12 weeks for me and for my family. Please allow us some quiet time alone, together."
LOL...............I especially liked the "Veevaldi".:-)
The way he times it to the music......amazing!!!
Some of my favorite Beatles music, too.:)
Cute doggies.:)
I love to watch people who can feel the music and that guy (juggler) has it pegged. See how much fun he is having? Love it.
As I read through a bunch of other threads tonight (and for the past several weeks) I have to say I feel rather discouraged about FR. Such acrimony, such nastiness. On nearly every subject, on nearly every thread.
I think I will go eat my lunch left-overs & contemplate the meaning of life.
bbl
I know what you mean. I have read a few, too. That's why I was searching for stuff with a happier note.
Just checkin'
Sorry. I didn't think I'd be the 101 post. I'll go in the corner.
I fed about 500 of my friends today at a welcome home party for my wing. Many have been deployed throughout the last AEF, and are just now getting home.
The Chef I spoke about last night ran a great event, and I was glad to be able to help. At the end of the day, I gathered up a few dozen large pans, including my personal chafing dishes, and took them back to my unit and hand washed them. I'm not too good to scrub pots. That's always been my attitude. It's part of the job.
Apparently that made quite an impression on Chef, and he and I are going to have a talk next week, according to my sources.
It's good to have all of my friends back home, safe and sound. I'm proud of the accomplishments of my Wing, and I think I may have made a new friend. And I think he'll be a good friend.
I AM TRULY BLESSED!
/johnny
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