A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-20-04 ~ RDB - Once.. Twice... Three Times

Billie

[Billie]

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

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and 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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine, deadhead ~

rdb3's grandfather on the left, in 1951, and his father at right, 1973

I believe that I was an "ooops" baby; when I was born, my parents already had six children, with the oldest being a freshman at Ohio State and the youngest in the second grade. However, I do think my Pop was happy that I came along AND that I was a boy because his name hadn't passed to my three brothers. I don't think there's any way in the world that I was "meant" to be. But, nevertheless, here I am!   ;-)

rdb3 at two years, 1974

The youngest of seven, rd has always been extremely close to his parents. He was born and raised in East Cleveland, Ohio, but spent nearly every summer in Arkansas. His father owned a delicatessen, along with numerous coin-op businesses, such as laundromats and car washes. His mother worked in the Cleveland Public School System for over 30 years.

My father pitched briefly in the Negro Leagues for the Cleveland Buckeyes. By the time he got in, the color line had already been broken in the Majors, and since he was in Cleveland, he got to meet legendary Indians players like Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and my favorite: Satchel Paige. There's an 11" X 18" black and white picture of my father and Satchel Paige in their respective uniforms over the mantle at home. And he won't even let me scan the picture! One day it will be mine, but I can wait; Pop has to pass away first.

I was able to escape the Cleveland Public School System. I was in the 8th grade at the time. Father Juhas and another recruiter liked how I planted quaterbacks deep in the soil, never to be seen again until the next spring! Next thing I know, I'm at St. Joseph High. I received a tremendous education there. Also got to play football with Desmond Howard and Elvis Grbac, and Eric Riley in basketball. Clark Kellogg is also an alum. He is a commentator on CBS' NCAA broadcast for college basketball. Matter of fact, they retired his number at my school, but his number isn't in the rafters. They put his number on both sides of the half-court line on the court. Different, isn't it?

rd graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. (As a matter of record: six of the seven siblings hold degrees. Not too shabby, huh!) He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Information Technology/Systems. As he will tell you, "I'm a geek's geek. I'm elated to be back in the Information Technology field. My expertise is well-rounded (Linux, AIX, C/C++/C#, Java, Oracle, RHCE, among many, many others)."

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You can also find rd every week in our Military Monday threads - Vet Group 4. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne @ Ft. Bragg, NC, from 1990-1993. Thank you for serving, rd!

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For more on what makes rdb3 tick, about his politics and his Christian beliefs, he has this to say:

While I'm firmly planted on the political Right, I no longer consider myself a conservative because the definition of that term is murky. I'll admit that my political stance is hard to pin down, other than the fact that I'm a vociferous anti-Leftist. I also have no problem admitting that I detest Democrats and what they stand for on a level that would seem inhumane. However, I would be a political vagabond because I don't have a political home. Go figure. No matter how one looks at it, just know that I relish the autonomy gained by sprinting away from that God-forsaken plantation mentality. I take my faith in Christ seriously and without doubt (non-denominational/Calvinist).

Married for seven years, together for ten (with one stepson), rd says his pretty wife, pictured below, "still gives him butterflies!"

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There's way more to this guy! You could check his profile page and see much more than revealed here. He's been a FReeper since December 2, 2000; he flies three flags on his page - Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas:

           

He plays the bass guitar and the violin. His musical taste is very eclectic (just don't play country around him, he says!). He writes short stories and poetry and has an artistic side, as evidenced by the Dark Knight drawing below, which he did six and a half years ago in CIS229 class at SMU.

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And last, I love to cook. BBQ is almost religious to me (if you can pick up a brisket with a fork and remove it from the grill, then it is no good, or, if you need sauce with your BBQ, then it is no good).

That's about it. Nothing special. I'm a regular man.~ rdb3

A "Regular Man"...
...And Today's Finest!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-19-04 Military Monday

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

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

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at
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[rdb3]

Thank you, potlatch!

[The Mayor]

It was a joy to watch both teddy and hitlery.

He looked ready to cry and she an arrogant pus !

Goin to bed, see ya tommorrow.

[potlatch]

You are quite welcome, rdb3! LOL, I was just laughing, no way can you 'expand' your screen-name like mine!!! Mine's suppose to 'bump' too, and I don't see it doing that!

[potlatch]

Cindy, we need a Lone Star ping on this thread, for another Texan.

[Libertina]

See you all at CPAC tomorrow! :)
CPAC Here we come!

[Calpernia]

Boy I can't wait to see John and Aqua's 2 cents!!!

Tell me you are covering the Dean misery and SOTU!?

And, let's lay low on those awful Kennedy screen captures. This is a wholesome thread after.

Bring your own popcorn!

[Kudsman]

Good night. I'm not far behind ya either. Just checking out some of Bela Pelosi's delusion first.

[JohnHuang2]

Tell me you are covering the Dean misery and SOTU!?

You bet'cha! Thanks ;-)

[fourdeuce82d]

Rock on Romeo Delta Bravo Tree

spent a lil' while with the AyTee DooCe back aroun' One Niner Aite One/One Niner Aite Tree.

Pushed me out the door 32 times...I utilized my Airborne skills, my preternatural agility, my "Oh Sweet Jesus I think I'm going to die" motivation...

And I hit the ground every time. Didn't miss it once. *grin*

Prayers/happy thoughts to you and your family.

[rdb3]

HOOAH! Death From Above!

[CindyDawg]

Cindy, we need a Lone Star ping on this thread, for another Texan

Sorry, I'm late:')

[Gracey]

LOL. Is that your potlatch coming undone...post#160.

[Gracey]

Oh my. Just did some math. Looks like you started jumping at 18 and all those years when you couldn't even drink or be a legal adult.

Thanks for serving our country and at such a tender age.

One of these days it would be interesting to hear how/what influenced your political leanings... and also, what you think we can do to influence other blacks away from the "left" side of the political spectrum.

[Billie]

Didn't get back last night and wanted to say hello and thank all those I missed after leaving yesterday afternoon.

rd, I can almost taste that brisket - thanks for sharing the way you cook it!

katy, have added your son to my prayer list and alerted the others to add to theirs. We have so many of our young men and women serving our country now, and they are in our prayers and thoughts every day. God Bless them all.

Watching teddy and hillary during the SOTU speech last night was too funny! We'll hear more about it right here on Thurday - John's Two Cents - betcha!

Thanks again, all! So glad you joined us yesterday.

[FreeTheHostages]

[Billie]

Wednesday Thread - Celebrate Life

[potlatch]

Thank you Cindy, for your helpful ping list!!

[potlatch]

Hi Gracey. Autoresponder made that 'potlatch bump' for me!!!

[potlatch]

You will both get a kick out of Calpernia's 'popping gif'!!

[potlatch]

Love your gif, Billie!! You are TOO smart! I only saw a closeup of Hillary once, but Teddys head was about to wobble off in a negative sort of way, LOL!!