A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-10-02

JohnHuang2 and Billie | Essay by JohnHuang2

[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:  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.

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

                     

With Bush At The Helm, All America Is Texas

JohnHuang2

Yesterday was another seminal lesson on how the best-laid plans in politics can be toppled over in a flash.

With the stroke of a pen, President Bush threw a bucket of cold water on Democrat schemes to turn a West Coast port dispute into a major headache for the White House in the run-up to Congressional elections whose outcome will shape the political landscape for the two years remaining in Bush's first term.

It was shaping up to become the Democrats' 'October Surprise', a sneaky election eve ploy to undercut the President, rally a demoralized constituency and shift political momentum and debate onto what Democrats regard as more amiable terrain -- the so-called 'kitchen table' issues -- and away from debate on Iraq, which has drawn the most rancorous divisions in the party since Vietnam two generations ago.

Their gambit fell like a lead balloon late yesterday when the President announced he would seek a court order to re-open 29 West Coast ports which account for roughly half of U.S. trade and whose shutdown has cost the U.S. economy big time moola -- a whopping $2 billion per day. The injunction, if granted, would suspend the shutdown for 80 days.

The intervention comes a day after the President appointed a board of inquiry to weigh the impact of the shutdown on the overall economy -- a move which rattled the President's enemies, initially at least, though few were prepared for the ultra-brass-nuts maneuver: Invocation of the Taft-Hartley act. The action came only hours after the board, headed by former Labor Secretary Bill Brock, reported it had "no confidence that the parties [involved] will resolve" the dispute "within a reasonable time." Bosses for the 10,500 member Longshoremen union were caught off-guard, so much so they offered to go back to work under a month-long contract extension.

Before yesterday's announcement, Democrats were doing somersaults, hoping to capitalize on the political backlash against the President as the effect of the shutdown of ports from San Diego to Seattle ripple through the economy, forcing the closure of factories and retailers, throwing thousands of people out of work with the Holiday season approaching.

Whether you agree with the President's call or not, one thing's beyond dispute: The way Bush has handled this wholly contrived affair has been nothing short of magnificent.

The episode offers a textbook lesson in out-maneuvering opponents -- decisively. It was a test of leadership, and President Bush passed with flying colors.

Union bosses, in over-playing their hand, gave the President a golden opportunity; that is, to illustrate the dangers to the economy posed by unfettered unionism -- especially unions run by unscrupulous hacks using workers as pawns in a game of brinksmanship on the eve of elections.

The implications on the wider debate in Washington over the creation of a Department of Homeland Security, now stuck in Daschle's Senate limbo, are palpable.

Here's an intrepid prediction: Daschle's ballyhooed title as "Senate Majority Leader" expires on November 5th. Mark my words.

Oh, one more thing: For those who still don't quite get it, even after yesterday, Bush's got a special message for you: All America is Texas, so don't mess with Texas -- America, that is.

Anyway, that's

My two cents...

It is with the greatest pleasure that I get to announce today that one of FR's Finest FReepers has agreed to join our Finest team as a regular contributor each week, bringing you one of the Finest essays you will ever read.

John needs no introduction to those who have been around FReeRepublic for more than a few days, but if you haven't yet read one of his "My Two Cents" Opinions before, you can catch up on the previous ones by clicking on the link below.

He was one of the first we profiled, and we were honored that he agreed to write our 9/11 Tribute. If you missed either of those, here are the links:

07-12-02 ... JOHN HUANG2, King of Ping
09-09-02 ... 911 WEEK, DAY ONE

We love you and are so excited to have you here every week!
~ Angel, Billie, Daisy, Lori

John wanted in the tub with the hostesses, but he wouldn't give up the typewriter! Louie was also a bit afraid we might lose our Nanny-Approved Rating. (Kidding, John!) :)

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

10-07-02 Angelique
10-08-02 COB1
10-09-02 Physicist

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 an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[lodwick]

The tagline is a field about the size of the To: field when we post. It will sit beside our screen name if JR brings it back as it used to be. The challenge is a great opportunity to DOUBLE your donation to FR. ;-)

[dansangel]

Great graphic, miss daisy!

Sorry I haven't been around much...I miss hanging out with you!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{daisy}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[WVNan]

Hi angel. Aren't we lucky to have such a great commentator at the Finest?

[dansangel]

Weather's perfect. No rain, no heat, no fog, no frost; y'all come visit us in Fresno!

Hi Amy! Hey, maybe that weather will last for a while....sounds like great FReeping weather to me!

{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[WVNan]

I don't remember anything like that. What is it's function?

[dansangel]

My two cents...
. . . Best value on the Internet!

Yes it is and we are so lucky to have it right here!

Take care and be safe on your trip!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}]

[WVNan]

Good day to ye Amy. Just checking out what's going on.

[dansangel]

Aren't we lucky to have such a great commentator at the Finest?

Hello Nan!

We are so blessed to have such a great commentator. I know .45MAN is very pleased...JH2 is one of his favorites!

Have a beautiful day! I need to get back to W-O-R-K...

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{WVNan}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[GailA]

I got him to go on the porch this morning, but no dice later on. It has finally stopped raining. Rocky is so small that his belly gets wet from trying to go in the grass.

[GailA]

Blackberry I HOPE.

[RikaStrom]

Hello Billie,

I have to tell you that I love your opening graphics.

RS

[WVNan]

Hi my Tennessee friend. I'm so glad to see you here at the Finest. That rain you had is up here in WV too, but we need it badly. Give the little fur person a hug for me.

[Diver Dave]

Hey.... a rare pic of our beautiful Queen wearing her crown.

Looks good, Louie.

Have you been practicing "the wave" Billie? Hope this doesn't mean ya cain't holler, "Yee Haw" occasionally. :)

[WVNan]

Hellooooo Houston! Glad to see you here. That little Freeper mutt of yours is so cute.

[Mixer]

Yes you did. I posted an email that I received that turned out to be a rumor. I should have checked www.snopes.com , the mother of all rumor sites, first and didn't. The whole thing was about gas which billie took a different way anyway....what a mess :- )

[JustAmy]

It's still morning here so ..... Good Morning, Nan!!

[JustAmy]

Thanks, Loddy
I was not looking forward to fixing a sandwich! I was sure you supplied enough breakfast for both Louie and me.

[lodwick]

The tagline was originally for our real email addys - but it soon evolved, some would say devolved, into a place for zingers, witticisms, or whatever we were moved to put there, if anything. Just another feature of John's software package.

[dansangel]

The whole thing was about gas which billie took a different way anyway....what a mess :- )

Pffffttttt! I'm afraid I did, too, when I first saw your comment!

snopes.com and about.com/urbanlegends are my two authorities when it comes to "chain mail." Maybe I'm mean, but it gives me great pleasure to send one back to the sender with the message: This is a hoax. Check it out here at http:........

Some people never get the hint though! And, it's amazing how many "pen-pals" you lose when you send out a request to not receive chain mails anymore as I am forced to do about once a year.

:-( Oh well.....

[Billie]

King of Graphics.....you know, you really do have too many ids here - wolf, saint, king, hooligan, prince (of gifs).....we just never know which Louie's going to show up. :)