A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-26-03...Who is Jimmy Valentine?

FreeTheHostages; Billie | Profile written by FreeTheHostages

[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: 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.

TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband
poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son;
BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset);
WVNan's husband; ladtx Aunt Eva.

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

         

GROUP 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: 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.

GROUP 7A: 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.

GROUP 8A: 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.

                     

by FreeTheHostages

Jimmy Valentine’s brother says with smooth cool: "I Freep for the chicks, fresh air, and it's an easy way to get my picture in the paper." Hmmm, mystery is always cool. But this seems like more of the fog of war: we’ve seen the leftist chicks, JVb, and we just don’t believe anyone would want to meet them. Besides, surely there are easier ways to meet chicks than to stand for 3 hours in 8 inches of snow?

Jimmy Valentine’s brother admits to not being a "public person," but that’s not a surprise. Once there was a fictional hero of O. Henry’s, "Jimmy Valentine," a smooth-talking, suave safe-cracker who lived a sophisticated high life and never got caught - a fictional creature made famous by some old big screen movies. Why’s that important? Read on and I’ll reveal the mystery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s Hip to Love Your Country

Here’s a profile on a solid mainstay with the DC Chapter and one cool cucumber who thinks its cool to Freep. He observes that DC doesn’t have a lot of conservatives, and conservatives don’t always like to do grassroots activism, but in his opinion "taking a conservative point of view into the streets" should be the thing to do:

"For too long the socialists have had their way and have not been challenged. Protests don’t have a short-term impact, but as I witnessed in the late sixties and early seventies they do have a wearing effect. Also, in the United States it is not that big a deal for people to gather and publicly voice their opinions. But for people in other countries, the only time they can take to the streets is when the Government tells them to 'or else'."

"We all remember Tienanmen Square. As a result, when they see Americans in the streets on CNN, they think that the government is sending mixed signals and perhaps is not really 100% behind the War on Terrorism. So I believe it's important to challenge the socialists at every opportunity."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

? ? ? He’s Who’s Brother ? ? ?

Jimmy Valentine’s brother arrived at his Freeper name "after much thought." He considered the cynical Rick Blaine from Casablanca returning to the fight, or Will Kane from High Noon. Finally, he settled on "Jimmy Valentine’s brother" as "an inside joke with him as well as the DC Chapter." Is that clear to everyone?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jimmy Valentine’s brother has "the great good fortune to be married to lovely and beautiful Vivien Valentine," whom he has a penchant for referring to as "Jimmy Valentine’s sister-in-law." Which, for too long I confess, led me to believe that there actually was a "Jimmy Valentine" in the picture somewhere.

Is this getting clearer? No? OK, let’s move on then.

The point being, Jimmy Valentine’s brother may be a man of mystery, but he’s got a great wife.

"She lets me go play with the DC Chapter Warlord and Ringleader whenever they call a meet, but her parting words are always, ‘Wake me when you get home ‘cause I’ll be worried.’"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She needn’t worry. He’s good under pressure. For example, I was standing beside Jimmy Valentine’s brother when a whole bunch of ragtag leftists turned toward us and surged toward a U.S. Park Police line on September 28, 2001, near the Navy Memorial. (OK, actually, I was pretty much hiding behind him at that point.) JVB grew rigid, puffed out his chest, narrowed his eyes, and just beamed this look of intimidation at them while remaining perfectly still, except to calmly say to me out of the corner of his mouth:

"They talk tough but they’re chicken."

The unwashed gaggle of leftists receded under his gaze. He’s cool under pressure, and he has big broad shoulders, and my boyfriend will deny it, but he was standing next to JVb for security that day. too! (Hee hee. Boy, am I in trouble here. Next topic!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JVb being carefully low-key with his cool shades
Patriots Rally III - counterdemonstration
Waiting for the leftists

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keeping Cool In the Military?

Based on his deportment on the street, I kinda assumed Jimmy Valentine’s brother has had lots of combat experience. So I was surprised to learn the details of his military experience:

"Drafted in 1967, Basic Training Fort Bragg, AIT Fort Lost in the Woods. Served two years active duty, 18 months stationed in Karlsrhue, Germany as part of the 7th Army and later 7th Corps, Combat Engineer MOS 12B30, demolition and landmine warfare specialist. Primary mission was to delay Communist Bloc advance if the balloon went up by destroying bridges and laying minefields. Regularly went camping in the mud and was roused in the middle of the night for alerts. Never heard a shot fired in anger and consumed massive quantities of excellent German beer; survived Ocktoberfest Munich 1968. Rotated back to the US July 1969 for active duty separation prior to first Reforager exercise. I did not attend Woodstock. I did not take the brown acid that is not me with the lamb. Million dollar experience that I wouldn’t pay a buck for. Eleven out of fourteen of my college fraternity brothers had active duty experience."

What a hip quote, huh? Keeping cool drinking beer, camping in the mud, speaking German. Hmm, not exactly the high life. And yet, this would prepare one to deal with the leftists that visit DC nowadays!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How Can He Really Be Cool With
Such a Perfect Attendance Record?

Good question. The mystery deepens. TRUST ME that Jimmy Valentine’s brother goes to, like, every single frigging DC Freep! He must have had perfect attendance record or something. He followed the many Clinton scandals, lurked on FreeRepublic, and attended the March for Justice Rally in October 1998.

Jimmy Valentine’s brother didn’t officially "take to the streets until April 21, 2000 (Easter Weekend), when Elian Gonzalez was snatched by Janet Reno's thugs."

"I'll never forget that day. Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder declared on national television that the INS did not require a warrant."

He lets his guard down and adds:

"My brother (there’s the brother again!)called me on the phone spitting mad. We decided to go down to the White House because we knew someone would be protesting. Sure enough the DC Chapter was there on the job."

Outside the White House - familiar meeting ground, huh? - he first met up with bmwcyle, ironman, kristinn, angelwood, and the usual suspects. After that, he became a fixture at the White House Saturday Freeps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Among his favorite Freeps:

"My brother and I went to the Judgment Day Rally. I continued to lurk while my brother registered."

(WAIT!! Are you teasing me or is there *really* a brother??!! Arghhh. Sigh. I’m so gullible they call me 'Einstein' behind my back at the DC Chapter, I’m sure of it. I promise I’ll get to the bottom of this by, well, the bottom of this profile.)

JVb also views as "impressive" the "Thanksgiving weekend at 34th and Massachusetts" (hint: the words "Get Out of Cheney’s House" were spoken there). He liked that Freep because:

"It was the most spontaneous gathering of people - people who were tired of the nonsense of the Clinton-Gore Administration and their cute legalistic ways."

Well, it was certainly cool to be at that Freep! But what about the brother? Sigh, perhaps if I were a more aggressive interviewer (like dansangel), I’d know more about his cool name by this point in this piece. Bear with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some High-Brow Philosophical Thoughts
From this Man of Style

Jimmy Valentine’s brother is a big fan of the late Balint Vazonyi and Thomas Sowell. He believes in the
"[p]reservation of the Constitution as written and not interpreted by the Courts," especially with regard to the commerce clause. He also believes in the Declaration of Independence. On the conclusion of "America’s 30 Years War: Who Is Winning?", Vazonyi provides the contrasts between the Anglo-American and the Franco-Germanic views of the manner and organization in which people live and work together successfully. JVb likes this analysis:

"At their simplest, the Franco-Germanic philosophical position may be characterized as attributing to human reason an unlimited capacity to comprehend, evaluate, and arrange the affairs of our world. The proper sequence in charting the future course for humanity calls for the theory to be developed first, and for people and events to conform to it. By contrast, the Anglo-American position regards human reason as bounded by limitations and in need of moral guidance as it attempts to provide for the future. It is observation, experience, and lessons learned that form the basis of society’s choice in organizing its institutions."

What a timely quote. Can anyone recall some recent "Franco-Germanic" wishful thinking in recent world events?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It Is Hip to Freep With JVb

That quote was important, even though it has forced me to my word limit, and regrettably left me without room to discuss the existential and ontological status of Jimmy Valentine, the presumptive brother of Jimmy Valentine’s brother. (Maybe, Jimmy Valentine exists and doesn’t come to the DC Freeps because Jimmy Valentine’s out dating the good-looking leftist chicks, and that would explain why the leftist chicks we see at these protests are just remarkably, amazingly not good-looking?) WHATEVER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One thing I can clear up for you for sure: Jimmy Valentine’s brother is definitely a brother type: solid, responsible, always there. And I’m sure that if the Hollywood people ever met him, they’d be forced to agree that it’s hip to Freep with such a cool relative of Jimmy Valentine.

Forget Jimmy Valentine...
Just give us his brother!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-24-03 Hall of Fame #3 03-25-03 deadhead

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

[Billie]

Good morning, Meekie. Didn't they later dispute the 'rumor' that the Elite Republican Guard was moving to 'meet' our troops? They would be foolish to come out of their bunkers and meet our troops face to face in the open, and I thought I heard on this morning's news that it wasn't true.

[Billie]

LOL1 Ok, I want to SEE the real Jimmy Valentine.....will the REAL Jimmy Valentine please come forth......with photo? :) I've seen your brother, and he ain't too shabby! :)

[Billie]

Great photo! Now I have another question.....I'm surprised that you could post the photo 'from' Community WebShots server! I didn't think they allowed it! (They 'used' to, but then I believe they quit) Happy to know we can view them again) :)

[FreeTheHostages]

They won't let us post, but we've always been able to link. We can "a href" but we cannot "img src."

[Aquamarine]

If that annimated graphic slows the thread down too much just have it removed.

[FreeTheHostages]

Hmm, see, that's all you know, and you're on the double inside-inside track. This is a very tightly held secret!

[FreeTheHostages]

"it's kind of a public spot for such a private fella"

Thanks for saying that. JVb wanted me to put in lots of self-effacing things about how "many others work harder," etc. etc., but I took that out of the final draft. ;)

[FreeTheHostages]

LOL!! Bravo!!!!! Good job, good job.

[Billie]

Jimmy Valentine signed up 1999-01-03.
Location: So. Anne Arundel Co.

There really is a FReeper with that screen name, and he is a very active FReeper - I found by doing a search on the name.

FReeper Jimmy Valentine, our apologies to you if you are a bit confused - please know this profile/take off on Washington DC Freeper JVb's screen name is no reflection on you. :)

[Billie]

:)

Hi, bmwcycle. Give him a hug for us, will you? :)

[Pippin]

YEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

HOWDY (((MEEKIE)))!

[LadyX]

In the early 1940's there was a weekday nightly soap opera on at 7 p.m. entitled I Love A Mystery!

Used to listen to it as a little girl helping an elderly neighbor lady weed her flowers, the radio in a window where we could hear it.
I still do love a mystery, and your presentation of this enigma is indeed intriguing, FTH!

You, Bro of JV, are simply outstanding as one of the Awesome D.C. Chapter Freepers, held in the highest of regard by all of FRdom.

Getting down to brass tacks here, in the relentless approach tactic of FreeTheHostages and dansangel, enquiring minds wanna know:

Is this really a picture of you and tha Missus?

Your answer doesn't actually matter -
at least one of us is hereby according you
The March Braveheart Award.

(A copy will proudly be posted on the wall of the Freep Mail Room this very day.)

[Aquamarine]

I asked for post 63 to be removed. It was a little too annimated intensive.

[Billie]

Hi, jw - Free's writeups are always fun to work with - I love doing the layouts for her profiles/essays! Sometimes funny, sometimes not - but always entertaining!

[Pippin]

HOWDY BILLIE!

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL 73 DEGREE DAY IN BALTIMORE!

[Billie]

Well, you think that poster makes you a great detective, huh? Silly man, Free already used that in his bio. :)

[RaceBannon]

Bump for the DC heroes!!

[Billie]

What I want to know is......is the 'brother' going to show today......or not?!

[Pippin]

HEY! JVB is in my neck of the woods!

I'm in northern ANNE ARUNDEL county!

Hi, JVB!