A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-01-03..."Have you ever seen a more pathetic bunch?"

JohnHuang2 and Dutchess and Billie | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

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

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

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

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

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 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.

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: 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.

                     

Ever seen a more pathetic bunch?

by JohnHuang2

Not to beat a dead horse, but have you ever seen a more pathetic bunch? Speaking here of the liberal Democrats.

Nothing seems to go their way; Quagmirists keep hoping and searching for quagmire, but keep coming up empty. The huge Shi'ite pilgrimage to Karbala will get out of control and end in bloodbath, many leading Quagmirists gleefully predicted last week. Didn't happen. A critical meeting in Baghdad Monday put Iraq on track towards a transitional government in less than a month -- again, dashing the hopes of leading Quagmirists. If that wasn't bad enough, Saddam's birthday was also on Monday, but AFP reports "joyous crowds in Baghdad," in a blow to Quagmirist theory, "showed their scorn" for Iraq's deposed dictator, "mocking his birthday by dressing up a donkey as the fallen strongman and giving him a cake made of excrement."

Had enough? Well, there's more. Over the weekend, "documents discovered in the bombed out headquarters of Iraq's intelligence service" provided "evidence of a direct link between Saddam Hussein's regime and Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist," reports the Associated Press, citing the U.K.'s Sunday Telegraph. Liberals, jolted at the bombshell, attempted to regroup, cobbling up various cop-out defenses for Saddam (it's Bush who's chummy with al-Qaeda, not Saddam!), but then came Tuesday and another nabbing by U.S. forces in Baghdad.

Nailed this time? Some operative (name withheld) working under al-Qaeda big fish Abu Musab Zarqawi. Well, there goes the Lefty theory that Bush, under the spell of a 'Jewish cabal' -- Cheney, Powell, Rummy and Condi masquerading as Protestants -- concocted the whole Saddam-al-Qaeda connection to sully poor Saddam's good name and reputation and justify war on Iraq. Oh, and to give Bush a bump in the polls.

Amid reports that triumphant Bush is set to announce an end to hostilities this Thursday aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, Democrats -- frustrated, disheartened, dispirited, dismayed -- are lashing out.

Ba'ath loyalist Hillary Clinton *lost it* Monday night. In an angry outburst before a Democrat gathering in Connecticut, she bitterly accused Bush of everything but the SARS virus.

It's clear that Democrats aren't coping too well in the wake of the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime.

"Two weeks after Baghdad's fall, shock has given way to perplexity in the liberal world," writes David Lamb in a special report to the Baltimore Sun newspaper Sunday.

"Democrats," he adds, "seem at a loss to respond to the reality of a U.S.-run Iraq or to formulate a strategy that may help shape the post-Saddam Hussein era. Despite hand-wringing over the suffering of Iraqis," ... "there is little talk [among Democrats] about what role [liberals] may play in reconstruction. No Democrat dares mention the word democracy when [contemplating] a new Iraqi government. Even [liberal] columnists are uncomfortable asking whether the war may bring beneficial change to the Middle East."

"[Democrat] writers would be reluctant to express that idea, even if they believed it, which most don't," Mr. Lamb quotes a "influential daily newspaper" editor saying.

During the war, CNN and other Leftist outlets were "promoting false hope, giving the idea Iraq could win," Lamb writes, quoting a liberal economist. "But you could tell from Day 1 looking at the maps Iraq had no chance."

Liberal media journalists, said the Leftie economist, "don't think in a pragmatic way. They are full of wishful thinking. That comes after suffering one defeat after another for so many years, and that string of defeats hasn't yet come to an end, I'm afraid."

"And anger echoes," says Mr. Lamb, "over Hussein's discarded promise to make a valiant defense of his capital."

Oops, hold on a sec....Oh, no -- I did it again, FReepers! Mr. Lamb was writing about 'Arabs', not "liberals" and "Democrats." I know, I know, I said I'd be careful not to make such typos again....but ;)

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-28-03...Discovery of the Freeper Archives 04-29-03...Dear Mom and Dad 04-30-03...Martin_Fierro

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

[LadyX]

That is SO thoughtful and loverly of you, Meekie!

But...but... what special thing did Carlsbad drown in it??!!

LOLOL

[Billie]

He just makes me more proud that he's our President every day!

Me too! And the troops he commands really respect him.

I love our President. What a wonderful leader he is, and no wonder the troops respect him so. Couldn't resist taking this picture while he spoke tonight.

[Billie]

Better watch those boo boos.....Billie will give you the boo-boot. LOL

DON'T be putting ideas like that in her head - she's not getting off that easy - I have her agreement in blood, and Gizmo may disappear if she tries anything. :)

[Billie]

You fight dirty, pretty Billie, and your kiss is hard to resist. : )

So don't! See how I conveniently left off your last sentence. :)

[grantswank]

THE DAY DAVID TURNED INTO GOLIATH



Goliath roared atop the mountain. He stomped and screamed. He opened up his mouth to show a wagging tongue sucking in the wind. He set his foot astride that summit so as to quake the earth beneath his frame. Goliath threatened. Goliath forecast the end of a people. Goliath pronounced doom upon any who opposed him.

With that, Goliath muscled up his biceps, glared into the faces of his enemies to promise the skies his prowess over all. Goliath was the sum of all his parts. He would obliterate any opposition that dared to stand against his shadow.

David was but a youngster — trim, young, and handsome. He, standing in the valley, was certainly one striking profile to admire; but he certainly was no match for the giant of the summit. David was no match at all. Anyone with one eye that worked could conclude that David — idealistic and bronzed — was still not up to toppling the Goliath. No chance.

Yet it was but a fleck in time that David turned into Goliath, taking on the upper hand, toppling the braggart, standing in his place to hold Goliath’s head in his young hands. It was but in a flash that David stood not only as David but also as the giant of the summit. The entire world was forced to admit the real. No one could contest the David might. No one could argue with the David win.

Not too long ago the United States stood in the valley of this globe. There waved freedom’s flag. There stood the cause for all humans to breathe liberty. There also stood a nation determined to defend its place in the sun — against any Goliath who would do in not only the Twin Towers but all the metropolitan spaces of this country.

There stood the United States, still stunned by its own murdered as they went about their office duties in the center of Manhattan. There stood the United States, determined to get to the root of the madness that would undo a nation’s history. There stood the David of the valley, looking to right, then to the left, refusing to yield to defeat and fear, setting its face toward the sun, settling for nothing but victory over any Goliath about to separate its head from its shoulders.

Goliath strutted. He screamed. He threatened that he would scald the troops. He would spill his venom over into Israel, destroying the geography of the Middle East. He would bring down Armageddon. He would unleash worldwide terror the likes that had never been imagined.

Goliath would make meat of David. Goliath would embarrass any who stood alongside David. Goliath would muster the support of all Europe, especially the cheers of the French, the Russians, and the Germans. Goliath would amass the Arab alliance to twist David into wisps of straw. He would so stomp upon the earth that quakes would rattle from east to west, north to south.

Goliath would so open his poison cauldrons that blood well-known to his own soil would flow into neighboring nations so that they would beg for mercy from the muscled one. He would set loose his murder dens, transporting their horrors into liberty’s own quarters, captivating even those who had enjoyed the breezes of freedom. Goliath would dig his heels into every corner of the world, frightening every nation, lapping up the last vestige of civility for a despot’s last hurrah.

So Goliath spoke. So Goliath stared. So Goliath painted his frame on every corner of the mind.

Yet David would not recant. David felt freedom in his bones. David knew principle would win out over braggadocio. Therefore, David, though holding but a few stones and a sling, stepped up to the challenge. David did not quake. David did not flinch. David did not cower, no matter what the taunts, no matter what the betrayals of those thought to be allies.

David looked to the north. No nation there to support. David looked to the south. No nation there to support. David looked across the globe and found but a Poland, an Australia, an England and collection of other nations so principled. In contrast stood Goliath still, bolstered by the prance and preen of the United Nations Annan entourage, applauded by the jaw-sets of one country after another.

Yet David cared not for the nay-sayers nor the Judas players. David would not forsake the principles of freedom, morality and the human heart. He then stepped forward against what many said was all odds. And in that principled footage, David became Goliath.

At first there were those who thought it to be an illusion. They could not be seeing correctly. Reality was evading them, tricking them into a nightmare bearing. After all, Goliath was to send David into thousands of body bags, utter destruction, boiled skin, global gasses hanging in the atmosphere. Goliath was to have wrung the planet dry.

Instead, David turned into Goliath. David held his sword. David took his head in his hand. David climbed to the summit, standing in the morning breezes to look over the world in victory.

Instead of Goliath stomping the globe into powder, David became Goliath. And remains Goliath still.

[FreeTheHostages]

"Mixer"? Gee, you're right, that does sound familiar. Hmmmm.

[Aquamarine]

Hehe! Is everyone through swooning for the night? :) I can't stop smiling!

[JustAmy]

Military Rules for the Non-Military Personnel

Dear Civilians, We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation have many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas we would like your assistance:

1) The next time you see an adult talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem ... kick their ass.
2) When you witness firsthand someone burning the American Flag in protest... kick their ass.
3) Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these Veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these Veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a Disabled Veteran kicks their ass.
4) (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDU's), telling others that you used to be "Special Forces," and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay if you were still seven. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.
5) Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, "Do you fly a jet?" Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass kicking (children are exempt).
6) If you witness someone calling the U.S. Coast Guard non military, inform them of their mistake...and kick their ass.
7) Roseanne Barr's singing of the National Anthem is not a blooper...it was a disgrace and disrespectful. Laugh, and sooner or later your ass will be kicked.
8) Next time Old Glory (U.S. flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her...of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass kicking.
9) What Jane Fonda did during the Vietnam War makes her the enemy. The proper word to describe her is "traitor." Just mention her nomination for "Woman of the Year" and get your ass kicked.
10) Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans and we all bleed the same regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command, is to include our Commander in Chief. The President (for those who didn't know) is our CIC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives" meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. The military member might direct you to Oliver North. (I can see him kicking your ass already.)
11) "Your mama wears combat boots" never made sense to me ... stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore, could kick your ass!
12) Bin Laden and the Taliban are not communists, so stop saying "Let's go kill those Commie's!!!" And stop asking us where he is!!!! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me ... if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers; let me know, so I can go kick their ass.
13) Flyboy (Air Force), Jar Head (Marines), Grunt (Army), Squid (Navy) etc, are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. That could get your ass kicked.
14) Last but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of sailors and troops far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked.

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



Heh Heh Heh
Whew ..... got it posted before she got back.

[FreeTheHostages]

WHOO HOOOOOO!!! I notice no one -- OK, only a few lone lunatics -- on Free Republic uses the phrase "Bushbots" derisively anymore.

[FreeTheHostages]

I've only begun to swoon. He's cute too!

[FreeTheHostages]

Nice one. I think #1 is very relevant to the place where I live.

[JustAmy]

Isn't it wonderful to see how much our military respects their President?
Thank God for President Bush .... a man of high principles and strong faith.

[FreeTheHostages]

Thank God for our military. Those young kids on the deck, and the older guys too, they all just looked, well, so damn respectable. !

[Aquamarine]

Are you going to draw that picture of W?

[Aquamarine]

That is a great story Grant!

[JustAmy]

Ditto!!! You have to appreciate our Military. They are awesome.

[Billie]

There you are again. ;)

[LadyX]

Wonderful list, JustFrank - thanks to JustAmy for stepping away and giving you a turn!

By the way, re your # 11:

"11) "Your mama wears combat boots" never made sense to me ... stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore, could kick your ass!"

My children delighted in telling their friends,"YEAH - my Mom DID wear combat boots!"
Come to the house and meet her!"

Hahahahaha - no contest - they came - they saw - LadyX conquered..:))
(When you've lived on Parris Island with thousands of Marines, you learn how to cope!)

Most weekends when the boys were teens, our living and dining rooms were wall-to-wall boys, hanging for the weekend.

Of course, Mom's Rules applied.

Bring your own sheets, blankets, pillows and towels.
Thou shalt help clean the swimming pool before you can use it.
No girls allowed after midnight, and before then we have Super Spy on the prowl - their sister, Jennifer, then a preteen.
(We retreated to our bedroom, where we had another tv set, having faith in Jennifer's blab ability)

Thou shalt do KP - and after you cook your breakfast in the morning (I worked every other Saturday), you will leave the kitchen spotless.
NO TOWELS OR CLOTHING WILL BE LAUNDERED HERE.
Take 'em home - or don't come back.

Their parents asked how we could stand them around all the time.
I loved knowing what mine were doing, and enjoyed their kids - who HAD to behave in my house and actually loved the discipline!
To try Mom's patience was to be 'uninvited'..:))

It was a wonderful time, and when I occasionally needed a ride home from work, The Fellas would come to pick me up (9 miles away) on their motorcycles. Mom rode with son, Steve, on his, and the others (minimum of four) created a 'convoy bodyguard surround' to take a hit from cars that would reach Mom over their first dead bodies.

It was a great time - - - and my two, at least, turned out to be fine men - as did their best friend who used to live next door to us.

[T'wit]

Warm and fuzzy huggaboos to you, Billie! Wish I had time to spend every afternoon here, rockin' slowly in my rockin' chair, sippin' fresh lemonade and chatting with y'all.

[JustAmy]

Fresno's Rally announcement!

Hope to see many local Freepers in Lemoore on Sunday!