A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...04-29-04...With 6 months to go, how's the race for the White...

JohnHuang2; Aquamarine; Billie | JohnHuang2

[Aquamarine]

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.

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

With 6 months to go, how's the race for
the White House shaping up?

by JohnHuang2

There is no denying the man has had a rocky couple of months. Terribly rocky. The news on Iraq has been dreadful. Book after book has hit the stands, accusing Bush of not concentrating enough on the terror threat before 9/11 and of concentrating too much on the terror threat after 9/11. Public hearings by the 'non-partisan' 9/11 commission, featuring such esteemed non-partisans as Richard (Osama) Ben-Veniste and Jamie Gorelick, had non-partisanly ruled the airwaves for weeks with charges that Bush, pre-9/11, was too inattentive to Richard Clark who urged preemptive war and, post-9/11, was too attentive to Paul Wolfowitz who urged pre-emptive war. To top it all, that Prime-Time press conference two weeks ago. Bush blew it -- he showed just how woefully out of touch he is with Noam Chomsky and the New York Times. The press -- neutral at all times, of course -- neutrally blasted Bush for refusing stubbornly, even after repeated opportunities, to apologize and take full responsibility for what Osama had done.

Nope, like I said, there is no denying the man has had a rocky couple of months. Terribly rocky. The man just can't seem to get a break. Did you see him on Good Morning America Monday? He looked awful. Host Charlie Gibson threw this question at him: "Senator (Kerry), you have said a number of times . . . as recently as Friday with the 'Los Angeles Times,' (that) . . . you did not throw away the Vietnam medals themselves. But now this interview from 1971 shows up in which you say that was the medals themselves that were thrown away." Kerry insisted he only threw ribbons, no medals. And that there's no controversy here and that the controversy was whipped up by "Republicans" and Republican surrogates, like the Boston Globe and ABC News. Gibson, reminding Kerry he was at that anti-war rally on the steps of the U.S. Capitol 33 years ago, took issue with Kerry's latest firmly-held version of events. "I saw you throw medals over the fence and we didn't find out until later..." No you didn't, Kerry shot back. Pressed further, Kerry eventually relented. Yes, he threw medals, after the ceremony, but those medals were not his, Kerry explained. They belonged to somebody else. Yep -- just like that SUV in his driveway.

Then, on Tuesday, came more news from Iraq. There were reports of heavy fighting in Fallujah and in the southern city of Najaf, with up to 64 Iraqi "insurgents" killed, raising the April death toll for Iraqi "insurgents" to well over 1,200. The news was more than heartbreaking for Kerry. (No word on whether the media plans public release of images of enemy war dead, fearing the damaging photos might portray the Great Satan as winning)

Clearly, Kerry's in trouble.

Don't take my word for it. Have you seen the polls? Two months ago, in a two-way match-up, Gallup pegged Kerry's support at 55 percent, Bush's at 43 percent. Then came the torrent of damaging news for Bush, which damaged Bush into a 5-point lead over Kerry, 51%-46. Or a 6-point lead, 50%-44, with anti-consumerism advocate Ralph Nader riding high at 4 percent. The Kerry camp, unable to blame the Supreme Court, blames the Kerry collapse on Bush and his $50 million ad campaign. (This is the same Bush whom Kerry says suffers a terrible "Credibility Gap" so wide that people believe everything Bush says about Kerry in campaign commercials). Bush's ads are to blame, say the Kerryites. Oh sure. And we're supposed to believe the Dan Rather-Peter Jennings-Tom Brokaw-Judy Woodruff $500 billion 'Iraq-Is-Vietnam' ad campaign against Bush had nothing to do with Kerry's drop in polls -- right? Yeah, right. Give me another one.

(To be fair, Kerry says the reason his poll numbers stink is because people just don't really know him yet. That getting to know him will take time. This is true. There's the Kerry who's for the war. There's the Kerry who's against the war. There's the Kerry who can't decide -- no doubt about it, getting to know all 3 Kerrys is going to take some time).

The steady stream of bad news for Bush has been nothing short of disastrous for Kerry, the presumptive Democrat sacrificial lamb, sucking the oxygen out of the Kerry campaign. All 2 or 3 molecules. Take the latest book, Plan of Attack, by Bob Woodward. The book has rocked Washington with explosive revelation after revelation. High among the staggering disclosures are that Bush started planning to invade Iraq days after taking office -- oh wait, that's O'Neill's book. No, Woodward reveals that Bush started planning to invade Iraq days after 9/11. Oops, that's Clarke's book. No, even more shocking, Bush started planning to invade Iraq almost a year after taking office, weeks after toppling the Taliban and winning the war in Afghanistan, says Woodward. More mindboggling still, Bush wanted the war planning done in secret, rather than being prudent and making it public on Al-Jazeera, whose pro-al-Qaeda bias is so despicably blatant, you'd think you're watching CNN. (For the record, the Pentagon has stacks of 'just-in-case' plans to deal with any enemy. It's called contingency planning. Democrats were stunned to learn Saddam was an Enemy).

Scandalously, not only was Bush engaged in the reckless act of planning the war before launching the war, but Bush, accused of affiliation with a militant group called 'neo-cons', planned for war even while pursuing a diplomatic solution just in case diplomacy failed. (Bush had a back-up plan. OMG -- Bush is out of control! Get me a drink!)

But the baffling revelations didn't stop there. Other shocking disclosures in Woodward's book include information that the President has advisers, and that these advisers advise the President and that these advisers don't always agree on everything. And that the President makes the final call. (For Washington, the most striking disclosure in the book: Bush surrounds himself with advisers who have made a career of Saddam-bashing. Bush apparently tolerates this sort of behavior!)

Democrats, who accuse Bush of ceding too much power over U.S. foreign policy to . . . the U.S., have seized on the Woodward book as proof that Bush had planned for war all along. Democrats have also seized on news of violence in Iraq as proof that Bush had not planned for war enough. (Violence in a war zone. What a concept).

Meanwhile, the Washington Post, which accuses Bush of lacking skillful use of language, says the reason Bush remains popular and war support hasn't crumbled, even in the face of setbacks, is because of Bush's "skillful use of language." Dana Milbank reports that "With skillful use of language and images, President Bush and his aides have kept the American public from turning against the war in Iraq despite the swelling number of U.S. casualties there." (Hubby to wife: 'Martha, I would turn against the war and root for al-Qaeda if it weren't for Bush's skillful use of language.')

He adds that "Political strategists and public-opinion experts say a good part of this resilience of public support for Bush," whom the Washington Post says lacks basic oratory, "and the Iraq war," which the paper calls a Quagmire, "stems from the president's oratory." (Especially his oratory at that press conference, which the media called a debacle marking The End of support for Bush. *The End* has since been rescheduled, pending the next book!)

Experts say it all has to do with Bush's rhetoric. Specifically, the lack of nuance in his rhetoric. So, say experts, if Bush were to use more nuance -- in other words, talk more like Kerry -- Bush would be hurt and people would vote for Kerry who will give them all the nuance they don't want. (Are these experts brilliant, or what?)

But all this could turn on a dime, writes Milbank. "Though the administration's words and imagery have helped to keep a majority from turning against the war, strategists" -- you know, the guys who make a living off of being wrong -- say that majority could easily turn against the war "if Iraq's stability deteriorates further with the June 30 handover of power." (In other words, in Milbank's brilliant formulation, a majority could easily turn against the war if that majority finds out there is a war. Now why didn't I think of that?) "War support could also fall sharply if Kerry were to sharpen his criticism, as he did in a television ad last week," adds Milbank. So if Democrats want war support to "fall sharply," all they'd need do is put John Kerry on TV sharply criticizing the war. (Honey, quick! Wake up the kids! John Kerry protesting a war! That's never happened before!)

Ominously for Bush, "It is likely that Democrats' challenges to Bush on Iraq will grow more fierce," notes Milbank. (Democrats are set to scream really, really loud against the war on TV). "They have intensified (criticism) in recent weeks," he adds, citing Ted Kennedy's "speech earlier this month." (Ted Kennedy's speech did wonders for the anti-Iraq-war side. Although it caused support for war to swell, that's just temporary -- just you wait and see! People just need to get to know Ted Kennedy better. And his dazzling military strategy).

I hope I've made everything clear now ;-)

Anyway, that's...

My two cents.. "JohnHuang2"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-26-04...Military Monday 04-27-04...Missouri - The "Show Me" State 04-28-04...Zell Miller

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

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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[ST.LOUIE1]

(((((((PIPPIN!)))))))

: )

[dutchess]

I definately need a new digital....the quality is poor...hopefully some of my Ohio/WV friends have better pictures....BUT LOVE YOU all...

For all the other finest out there...

We combined a freeper get together with a Rally for the President. Kudos for Nan for putting this together.


Bottom row: OhioWFan, MollyPitcher, Dr.Deb, DollyCali. Top Row...left to right: Mtntop3 (a newbie who brought his lovely wife...welcome!), the lovely WVNan, the equally lovely mountaineer (the pink blurry thing is a "flip flop with Kerry's picture on it with a list of his flipflops...THANKS AGAIN NAN!)...ME and last but not least...Common Tator

Anyway...it was a great day...After a touching invocation by Nan..we had a great lunch...then OhioWFan sang a beautiful rendition of God Bless America... (she has an awesome voice). She promised not to talk about Eric. When done with her song...we pummelled her with questions about Eric and his experience and perceptions for atleast 45 minutes. She brought an album, many blown up pictures...and helped us feel confident from our young soldiers perspective that we are doing the right thing.

Next was CommonTator. I have read many of his posts on FR but never had the chance to meet him. What a background and insight. So good to have met you Ray...

My also first chance to meet DollyCali and Dr.Deb....lovely wonderful gals. It was also great to meet Nan's special friends and our newest WV members mtntop3's wife. Thanks for joining us.

[dutchess]

Hey...I had the awesome pleasure of spending the day with your lovely soul sistah...cousin...Nan. What a wonderful person. I'm just glowing having her outlook rub off on me. :o)

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for finding this section for me, I can't read as much as I used to.

Looks like it was as I imagined, an absentee mother. Explains alot to me.

[Pippin]

HOWDY WOLFIE!!!!!

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for pinging me to this photo, dutchess. What a bunch of good looking patriots! Isn't it wonderful to get to meet FReepers in person? I will be seeing Jim, Amy and the Fresno crowd tomorrow for our "Support Our Troops" rally. Wish you all could be with us.

Welcome to FR, mtntop3! Glad you found us.

[Aquamarine]

Don't think his essay is an exclusive here, we just make it a little more attractive to read. Hopefully people who wouldn't normally read a long article will read it this way...then be glad they did.
Billie created the coin background and border, that's why I always include her name when I illustrate John's essay.

[ST.LOUIE1]

AhhhhhhhhRooooooo!, PIPSTER!!! LOL

Cool 'rant' today. : )

[Pippin]

Thanks! :O)

[Aquamarine]

Hey Mama Bear. Wrote ya back late last night...at least I think I did. lol

[Aquamarine]

What a great looking 'down to earth' group of American's. You are so lucky to get to hear Common Tator's views in person. He has great insights on politics.

[Mama_Bear]

Wrote ya back late last night...at least I think I did. lol

Yes, you did. Thanks Aqua, you are always so good about answering your mail. I, however, exist in a perpetual state of behindness and have lost complete control of my mailbox. I hope to get caught up by this weekend........one can hope anyway. :-)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hit and run smacks, hugs and squeezers ! Gotta go! LOL

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040426-N-3228G-006 Marine Corps Air Base, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Apr. 26, 2004) - Lt. j.g. Justin Hane, left, assigned to the "Skinny Dragons" of Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4), trains with instructors in the 2F-87 Operational Flight Trainer, a full motion P-3C Orion aircraft flight simulator, at the Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two Training Facility. Aircrew personnel from VP-4 and other Hawaii-based P-3C squadrons routinely train at the facility to maintain mission readiness. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class William R. Goodwin. (RELEASED)

040426-N-2038L-005 Port Everglades, Fla. (Apr. 26, 2004) - The crew assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Trenton (LPD 14) "man the rails" as a commercial tugboat pushes them closer to the pier as they prepare to moor in Port Everglades, Fla., for Fleet Week 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class William Lovelady. (RELEASED)

040425-N-0905V-004 Pacific Ocean (Apr. 25, 2004) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Mighty Shrikes" of Strike Fighter Squadron Nine Four (VFA-94) flies past the island of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) after receiving a "wave off" just prior to landing. The Bremerton, Wash.-based aircraft carrier is underway for her first time since completing a successful Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection. Vinson and embarked Fleet Reserve Squadrons (FRS) are conducting training and carrier qualifications off the Southern California coast. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris M. Valdez. (RELEASED)

[Mama_Bear]

Hi, louiewolf! Sorry I missed you, but thanks for leaving the 'hit and run' smaaacks, hugs and squeezers. You made my day, as you so often do. SMOOOOOOOCH!

[LadyX]

Oh, how delighted I am you are close enough to enjoy Sistah Nan's company now and then!
It was one of the best times of my life when we met in July and spent most of 20 hours together.
She indeed is the most special of persons, with wisdom and knowledge, but her caring and loving personality is the awesome part.

This is the picture of us 'when we were very young,' courtesy of deadhead, and in a frame and matting I made and gave Nan:

Loveya, Sistah Nan - - -

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, dutchess. You are TOO kind!

What an awesome time we had, though!

btw, I linked your post and pic to the Dose. I kinda like it. I think I look better a bit blurry. ;o)

[ken5050]

Billie rocks!!!!!

[Darksheare]

If I get any lighter, I'll either be invisible or float away.
*hmm..*
*LOL!

[jwfiv]

Thank you, Miss Aqua ... love the pic of Kerry flipping the coin ... I love watching him flip out, in general, or, at least, reading about it, cuz I can't stand his image and voice on the tube.

Thank you, JH2 ... your aim is on target, as usual.

Finest Two Cents greeting to all y'all Freepers ...)