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When you wake up, will you tell this puzzled FReeper:

~ 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?

~ 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.

~ Beyond all this, doesn't this entire enterprise far better belong in General Interest, rather than News/Activism? Do Jim's distinctions mean anything?

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.)

The 8th grade kid seems to have a grasp of reality that not many can claim. I'm sure they saw with many of us the killing of fellow Americans on 9/11 and feels as though someone needs to answer for that.

As far as innocence goes, that was taken long before the knowledge of Osama bin Laden. The public school system as young as 2nd and 3rd grade is teaching our children about same sex relationships, our children are bombarded daily with raunchy programming on tv, music and every form of entertainment. There is nowhere they can go without being assaulted with material that challenges their innocence. Not to mention the leader of the previous administration making the conversation of "blowjobs" all day, every day commentary. To go further, we've gone through years of scool shootings. Yea I think this 8th grader has it right.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree with you,GB. Especially the last line about the child who wrote "Kill OBL". It is sad when our children loose their innocents and their childhood. Although, I go along woth the child's sentiments! Have a great doy and may God bless you today and always.

I suppose I am perplexed by just what kind of virtual-edifice complex is going on here.

Hello Greybird. Welcome to the USO Canteen FReeper Style. This part of your post cracks me up! hahahahahaha

The Canteen is not just a daily thread on FR. It's a 'place' that exists in cyberspace where active troops and veterans can come for a brief respite and enjoy a taste of home and be supported by people here who love and respect them. Many who wear the uniform of one of our country's military services have found a haven here, a home-away-from-home, that they visit as often as they are able.

The troops' own emails on Mondays express their gratitude far more eloquently than I am able. Perhaps you should read some of the Monday Mail Call threads to get their perspective on what the Canteen is to them. Snow Bunny and her vision for the Canteen are helping so many troops and veterans in ways many can not even imagine.

I also want to address what you term as the 8th grader's "loss of innocence" by asking a solder to "kill Osama bin Laden for me." I was a public affairs officer in the Air Force for 20 years. I served in the theater of operations during Desert Storm and the child's letter asking a soldier to "kill Osama" doesn't suprise or dismay me at all. During ODS, we were able to receive "Any Servicemember" letters, and my unit received countless letters and pictures from kids urging us to "kill Saddam Hussein." Osama is the face of the enemy to American kids just as Saddam was a decade ago. (BTW, an 8th grader is 13-14 years old, and not an innocent child.)

I hope you have a nice day, Greybird.

Jen

~ 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.

RA, or anybody else out there, can you please address this question?

I got the security certificate alert too when my browser started to load the thread. My first thought was it probably has something to do with a graphic someone has linked on the page. Am I correct, or even close???

I seriously doubt it's anything sinister, as Greybird is suggesting.

When you wake up, will you tell this puzzled FReeper:

~ 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.

...I think!

It is obvious that you have not checked in very often since if you had, you would recognize that the OLD Canteen use to use the very same opening everyday.....it has changed and is new and different every single day! That is partially what has drawn so many of us to it.

You are welcome to come and hang out with us and see what we are all about....or lurk. The Canteen speaks for itself. If it is not "your thing" then there are plenty of other places for you to go on this forum or others.

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.)

Just think, if in the next 4 years, some GI comes through and knocks off Osama, then the 8th grader won't have to become a light weapons infantryman right out of high school. That'll be the class of 2006, for anyone keeping track.

-archy-/-