A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 8-07-02

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

TOP: spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68

MIDDLE: FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM: usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

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

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

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.

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.

ONE OF FR'S FINEST

GailA
Memphis TN FReeper Since 7-01-98

"Tennessee Activist Extraordinaire"
As many readers of FR Forum know, the state of Tennessee has been involved in a fight over the imposition of a state income tax for the past few years. This is not only a monetary issue but it is also a fight to keep constitutional rights protected because the Tennessee Constitution expressly prohibits an income tax. GailA has worked tirelessly against the imposition of this income tax.

"What Did GailA Do?"
She did many things. She collected and disseminated information from several sources including the five major newspapes in Tennessee and the internet. She not only posted this information on the FR Forum, she also distributed it to the media of Tennessee including the talk shows. She posted articles constantly on FR Her editiorial comments and discussions were calm, accurate and pointed. She read articles posted on FR regarding income tax and budgetary problems and solutions of other States and made this information available to the local media and talk show hosts.

The imposition of a Tennessee State Income Tax was voted down recently but GailA and her fellow FReepers and other citizens of Tennessee continue to fight on for Conservative causes and to watch-dog the "State Congress Critters" so that unnecessary spending is curtailed and no new taxes are proposed.

Tennessee Income Tax Protest Nashville TN August 2001

GailA supported and attended the anti-Income Tax rally which was held in the state capital, Nashville, in August 2001. Over 5000 people attended this rally including several FReepers.. GailA enjoyed this experience immensely and she carried a sign which prominently mentioned www.freerepublic.com. Read all about the tax protest here.

THROW AWAY THE KEYS

On April 11, 1989 GailA and her family suffered a horrific tragedy. Since that time, GailA has created and maintained a five page WebSite which is linked here above and is also linked on her Profile Page. One of the goals of this Website is to "Keep Convicted Murderers Incarcerated". GailA frequently posts articles on the Forum and conducts discussions about convicted murderers up for parole.

Sidebar: During the Presidential Election, GailA solicited the aide of then VP Gore, a native of Tennessee, to help prevent the early release and parole of her son's convicted murderer. His response, reminescent of "No Controlling Legal Authority", was that "he couldn't constitutionally help her". WND ran stories on this rather cold-hearted reply and it undoubtedly cost Mr. Gore some valuable votes in his bid to carry his home state of Tennessee in the election.

"Gore Free Tennesee by George"

During W's campaign GailA did everything she possibly could to aid in the election George W. Bush Specifically, GailA worked at Bush Campaign Headquarters in Memphis for about six weeks, stood outside polling places carrying W signs and, as she puts it, "ran her mouth off" on local talk radio.

In Her Own Words:
"FR has made me broaden my horizons, made me think, made me stronger and made me want to be more like our Founding Fathers. We can no longer just let the socialist and marxist keep making the rules which take our freedoms away from us. I want America to be a better place for my 8 1/2 month old grandson. I want Matthew to grow up in the America I once knew. Where our military was honored not spat on. Where our mom's didn't have to work to supply the taxman with ever increasing amounts of money to squander on those who refuse to work. Or to line some crooked pols pocket, all the while they cry you don't give your fair share to their socialist programs. I remember when those programs didn't exist. Family helped family. Now nanny government doles you out a tiny bit of help that leaves you with a damaged pride."

GailA, you are One of Tennessee's Finest and you are One of America's Finest and we are proud to present you today as

ONE OF FR'S FINEST

This tax battle has been going for 3 years. Tennessee is one of only 7 states that do not have a State Income tax. Republican Governor, Don Sundquist, running for a second term in 1998 and largely unopposed vowed to the public that there was no need for an income tax. Many State Democrats had been pushing this issue over the last decade. Within weeks of his re-election, Sundquist turned completely around and said that things were now so bad that we really need an income tax. He always used the term "Tax Reform" to cover the real issue.

Immediately grassroots organizations and conservative talk hosts jumped on the issue. Brave legislators like Marsha Blackburn, Mae Beavers, and Donna Rowland went against their own Republican Party chief the Governor by opposing his plans and keeping the public aware of developments. Whenever something was cooking, they and others would alert the talk hosts who would let their listeners know. Those listeners then hit the Internet at sites like FR to inform other Tennesseans. It worked just like the Minutemen of Revolutionary days.

The horn honking started the first year when the Legislature decided to meet on a Friday night after everyone had gone home to pass the income tax. Through the above setup, the talk hosts hit the air and suggested that protestors circle the Capitol and blows their horns to express taxpayer outrage. It worked beautifully. The Legislature cowered in the face of the public and backed down.

For 3 years this went on at various times. The pro-taxers would develop a new plan to push an income tax and the people would return to protest. All that Governor Sundquist ever got was a sales tax increase this past July after shutting down governmnet for a week. Most were not happy with any tax increase but at least it beat the income tax.

Our work is far from done. The Republican candidate for Governor in 2002 is a staunch conservative Van Hilleary. Sundquist loathes Hilleary because Hilleary also came out against the income tax. Hilleary has sworn and will sign in blood if necessary that there will never be an income tax in his administration. He has further taken the stand that he will push a repeal of this July's sales tax increase. His solution is to cut government spending. Sundquist by the way, has apparently been asked NOT to attend any of the Statewide Republican Unity Rallies.

The Democrats are running the former Mayor of Nashville, Phil Bredesen. He is a multi-millionaire, from New York, with a Harvard lineage. Despite the fact that he raised property taxes 3 times in 8 years while Mayor, he is using weasel words and politicalese to fool the people. A typical Bredesen response is "I do not think an income tax is the solution at this time." That leaves a lot of room for future changes. A large part of Nashville detests the man as we pay our property taxes to fund his insider deals and monuments (Football Stadium, Arena, New Library, and deals with the likes of Dell Computers, Gaylord Entertainment, and HCA). Bredesen by the way made his millions off of the health care industry.

The Democrats are trying to sell Bredesen as the "new" Democrat who is business friendly and that he is a great manager. Of course they look past the fact that he left Nashville $900 million in debt by some accounts or that his only proposals so far have been on yet more new spending! Just this week, Bredesen who earlier said that he opposed the July sales tax increase, attacked Van Hilleary's ideal of repealing the increase as "irresponsible."

So, our fight continues. Bredesen is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is rumored to have already promised cabinet positions to many pro-income tax legislators. He has the support of some RINO big business elites who don't mind a government handout at the expense of the average taxpayer. Of course, the media portray Bredesen as some type of "super genius" while poiting out that Van Hilleary is a current Congressman just like Don Sundquist was at one time. They insinuate that if you could not trust Sundquist then somehow you cannot trust Hilleary. What tripe! The Democrats are trying a replay of the 2000 Presidential election where their candidate (Gore/Bredesen) is painted as the philosopher king while the Republican candidate (Bush/Hilleary) is portrayed as a bumpkin and son of a successful father. Did not work in 2000 and will not work in TN in 2002.

People can make a difference by forming these loose networks. It helps to have some local conservative talk hosts (Nashville: Phil Valentine, Steve Gill, and before leaving, Darryl Ankarlo, Knoxville: Halloran Hill, Memphis: Mike Fleming). They do simulcasts and setup remote broadcasts in front of the Capitol as place for all to rally. It helps to have some principled lawmakers inside the machine. Marsha Blackburn has become such a hero that she is now headed to the US Congress in Washington. It is the folks like Gail who get in the trenches and like Paul Revere, spread the alerts and warnings. It is sites like FR that allow those messages to spread across the State. We are to the point that when an alert goes out, protestors can be at the Capitol within 10 minutes. With advanced warning, really dedicated folks like Gail can make the drive from Memphis and other areas to man the lines and express the voice of the people. The liberal media will always label us as rabble rousers but then that is what King George called our founding patriots!

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