~ You keep posting the same graphics, day after day after day. I've sampled it a few times, and it invariably takes five minutes to load. If it's a permanent welcome to veterans, couldn't you save some bandwidth and space for Jim Robinson by directing newcomers to add on to an existing thread? Updated, say, once per week?
====>With a screen name such as yours, I can assume that years have given you wisdom. Think back to WW2 or to what you learned in schools and movies of the WW2 era. The USO played a big role in the war effort by providing morale boosting efforts for the troops. One of those efforts was to open Canteens across the Country where servicemen and women could escape from the war for a few hours. A place where they could dance, socialize, and forget. A touch of home. A connection back to what America stands for.
These threads operate the same way with the blessings of Jim Robinson AND the blessings of the USO National Charter. Most deployed troops have either direct Internet access time rationed to them, or know someone who does. These threads can be read and printed out by them to share with others stationed with them. A new thread is started each day so they do not get to long for our troops to print out and post for others to read. On some ships deployed NOW fighting terrorism, the threads are printed out and posted where ALL can see them. They remind our deployed Forces of what they are fighting for. They remind them that there are many here at home that are proud of them and support them NO MATTER WHAT.
~ What on earth would be part of such a thread that would be coming from an encrypted FEMA Website with its own security certificate? One that is missing an accurate internal name, for that matter? Such a security alert is a red flag, to me, from long experience. Again, this may be a threat to Jim Robinson's efforts.
====>Apparently one of the graphics used in the opening of today's thread was linked from FEMA. I am not sure which one it was. Graphics are linked from many different sites every day. They do play an important role in these daily threads. All the cartoon dolls are a reminder of nose art and pinup art that was common in previous wars. They serve the same purpose here in this war effort.
~ Beyond all this, doesn't this entire enterprise far better belong in General Interest, rather than News/Activism? Do Jim's distinctions mean anything?
====>This does fit as News/Activism, specifically as Activism. Each day we actively support the Brave Men and Women who are fighting to defend our FReedom.
I suppose I am perplexed by just what kind of virtual-edifice complex is going on here. (Seeing, on this go-round, an 8th-grade kid asking a soldier to "kill Osama bin Laden for me" -- the loss of innocence is the dismaying cherry on the cake, really.)
====>Here in a way I do agree with you. The loss of innocence is dismaying. However I am constantly reminded that the loss of innocence was caused by a madman ordering 4 commercial aircraft to crash into the World Trade Center and the pentagon, killing thousands if innocent Americans. In a way it is comforting to know that even children understand that pure evil must be not only confronted but destroyed.
Perhaps other can better explain the concept of the Canteen and our daily efforts to support, entertain, and connect with our Troops. But no matter what, I do wish you a delightful day filled with God's blessings.