A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-31-02

JohnHuang2 and Billie | 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

                     

Mondale's no shoo-in

by JohnHuang2

It was mid-afternoon Friday, the harrowing news had just crossed the wires: A plane crash in northern Minnesota had claimed the life of Sen. Paul Wellstone, his wife, daughter and several campaign workers.

Democrats were in a state of shock, not so much over the tragic deaths as the chilling implications -- for November.

Seeking a third term, Sen. Wellstone had been locked in a tight race with former St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman, a Democrat-turned-Republican widely depicted in the media as Bush's own 'hand-picked' candidate in a bid to retake the Senate, where Democrats hold a 1-vote margin.

Wellstone, though regarded by insiders as highly vulnerable, appeared to have leapt ahead of Coleman after a 'nay' vote on the Iraq war resolution -- 9 points according to Zogby. (Internal GOP polls still had the race a toss-up, with Coleman 2% ahead.) Conventional wisdom, ignoring Minnesota's long history of isolationism, held the vote would hurt Wellstone's chances, particularly after 9/11.

Top Democrats, after prodding Wellstone to change his mind, if only to save his seat, were breathing a sigh of relief.

Then came the news Friday afternoon. As Wellstone's body smoldered, frantic Democrats scrambled for a replacement, trial-ballooning a list of possible substitutes in the media, then settling late in the day on former Vice President Walter Mondale, who retired from national politics after a crushing defeat in '84 by then President Ronald Reagan.

Democrats, while publically mourning the death of Paul Wellstone and mouthing platitudes about his legacy, behind the scenes conducted ghoulish polls and focus groups as election lawyers scoured Minnesota law to see how much the party can get away with.

As these grave-robbers ferreted political advantage, Democrats decided on a four-prong strategy:

1) Cannibalize Wellstone politically, a la Gov. Mel Carnahan; play on voters' heart strings, ride on Wellstone's coattails.

2) Get a jump-start on Republicans now -- mount a full-tilt campaign on Mondale's behalf. Get the media bandwagon going. Don't wait for the funeral. It's the dead body, stupid! Use it.

3) Make the Mondale pick by Party bosses a done deal; get Wellstone's kids to say they back the choice. So what if they barely know him? Winning is everything!

4) Portray any GOP reaction to Mondale's selection as an 'outrage', an abomination, a sacrilege of Wellstone himself, his memory, his legacy. Scream bloody murder, feign indignation, anger and shock; don't worry, no matter how phony, the press will back you to the hilt.

Sure enough, there was CNN's Judy Woodruff Monday on Inside Politics, berating RNC Chair Marc Racicot. She lectured and she scolded. 'How can Republicans be so insensitive, so unfeeling, so inhuman, so cruel, so heartless, Marc!! How dare you criticize what-cha-ma-call it, uh, ummm ... Walter Mondale! You're not even crumbs off the table, compared to him!' (Exaggerating? Yes, but that was the clear insinuation by her line of questioning).

Terry McAuliffe, also on the show, sat there poker face. But over his head, a thought bubble hovered, which read: 'Thanks, Judy, for doing our dirty work! hehehe!'

So, now that the gloves are off, does Coleman have a ghost of a chance? The pincers are closing on Republicans, says the giggling media gleefully. Coleman beats Mondale? Fuggedaboutdit!, elated pundits laugh. Too many hurdles, too many mountains to climb, proclaims Conventional Wisdomism. Pulling Mondale out of mothball was a masterstroke, it's Missouri all over again, say Beltwayers. Mondale will lock the empathy vote, ride a tidal wave of sympathy to victory next week. For Democrats, this election is in the bag.

Oh, really?

Memo to Dems: Ever heard of not counting chickens before they hatch?'

I say, 'thou celebrateth too much.'

Walter Mondale, a washed-up 'has-been' in his twilight years, political prima donna? The notion doesn't square in a state that elected Jesse Ventura for governor, eschews machine politics and prides itself in nonconformity. Minnesota, which relishes the unconventional, is a horse of a different color. Those drawing analogies to Missouri don't know which end is up.

JESSE VENTURA
"THE BEST GOVERNOR
MINNESOTA HAS HAD IN A LONG TIME!"

Moreover, last time I checked, Walter Mondale isn't even a widow -- just a jaded retread who hasn't won statewide office in 30 years. Name recognition? Yes, but Coleman has it too, without the baggage: Norm is no 49-state flameout like Mondale. Name I.D. isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Another factor: The burgeoning Green Party movement in Minnesota. The Greenies were drawing considerable Democrat defections, cutting into Wellstone's support, which made the race all the more tighter.

Will Wellstone voters now rally behind Walter Mondale, now without even a fig-leaf of avant-garde populism to motivate them?

Don't bet on it.

Can Coleman lose? Yes, but don't bet on that, either. (Internal GOP polls have Coleman and Mondale neck-and-neck and less than 50% of Minnesota voters were old enough to vote in Mondale's last Senate race in 1972).

For Democrats nationally, moreover, having Walter Mondale as the Party's most visible face down the homestretch isn't exactly a terrific idea.

As Dem vultures swoop down and feast on Wellstone for political advantage, bear in mind that 'it ain't over till it's over.'

Anyway, that's...

My two cents...

THIS WEEK'S THREADs

10-28-02 Salvation
10-29-02 Patriciaruth
10-30-02 Halloween Party

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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[JulieRNR21]

Got the following via email:

Political correctness is taking its toll on Halloween.
Consider some old Halloween activities, for example:

WITCH BURNING:  Just singe one around the edges today and the
ERA types will be on you like stink on shit.  What 30
centuries of white male authors used to call witches, are
today respected as complexion-impaired, wardrobe-challenged
wom...  uh, womyn.

WINDOW WAXING:  These days you'll only set off the light-,
noise-, motion-, and aroma-sensitive burglar alarm, and
quickly exit in cuffs and revolving lights, if you're lucky
enough not to leave prime filet of leg with the neighbourhood
rottweiler.

TRICK-OR-TREATING:  This obviously would be prosecuted as a
violation of federal RICO [racketeering] statutes, except that
most of the perpetrators are juveniles, and thus have the
civil right to thumb their noses at the law and be back on the
street before the candy runs out.

And then there are the treats themselves:

Candy should be dispensed only with balancing doses of
Ritalin, soft-bristle toothbrushes and an effective (but
fluoride-free) dentifrice.

Apples should be organic, Alar-free, union-packed,
washed in genuine American Zephyrhills water, and
X-rayed before being handed out.  Any worms should be housed,
fed, read their rights, then returned to their native soil,
or, if they so choose, given refugee status in yours.

Certain traditional Halloween games are not politically
correct:

That icky old "autopsy" game in which you blindfold
little kids and tell them a plate of spaghetti is guts
and a bowl of peeled grapes is eyeballs will cost you
your homeowners insurance because of the choking hazard, and
due to the risk of suits for emotional damage.

Pin the tail on the donkey, with a real pin?  Uh uh, cruelty
to animals, or their depiction, is a no-no.

Bobbing for apples is permitted, as long as there's an
equal (and not separate) opportunity to Jane for them, too.

Jill-o'-lanterns are encouraged, after 1999 they will be
mandatory.

And, finally, costumes:

Ghosts are out of date.  Casper is clearly a dead, white male,
probably European, and full of hot air to boot.

Fairy princess costumes might offend both gays and feminists.

Frankenstein monster costumes will offend transplant
recipients, not to mention employment-producing
neck-bolt manufacturers.

Dracula outfits will bring stern warning letters from
the Transylvanian consulate.

Those neat masks with jaws rotted away, eyes bulging on
distended optic stalks and massive, oozing wounds will
get you in trouble with lawyers who specialise in representing
accident victims on contingency bases.
Which is to say, all of them.

Disney costumes.
Sleepy and Dopey will anger the vertically-impaired,
Cinderella the adoption agencies, and Aladdin the
Arab-American lobby.

Uncle Remus?  You might as well wear your robe and pointy hat.

A cowperson?  Perhaps, but don't pack a gun.  And don't even
think about punching a cow.

So there you are.  The scariest thing about Halloween these
days is that you're not allowed to offend or scare anyone.

And if someone scares you, you can't scream.  In some
communities, any auditory emissions over
75 decibels is a zoning violation punishable by a fine and/or
jail term.  Whether you can react instead with a sullen but
non-denominational moment of silence will be considered later
this term by the Supreme Court.  Until then, do so at your own
risk.

[Billie]

Saying Booooooooooo! So glad to see FR humming today. Please let it last!

[Billie]

Hi, Pumpkin!

[Billie]

I didn't think there was ANYTHING you Texan's wouldn't eat. : )

I think you're confoozing us wit' Loozianns. They eat redbirds, blackbirds, duck, boudan(sp?) sausage....all kinds of things my mama never cooked! LOL

[Billie]

Hi, Julie - the good thing about these guys is they don't even need costumes or masks to scare anyone.....:)

[FreeTheHostages]

Yup. I'm quite certain Carville's an extraterrestial.

[lodwick]

Isn't that the truth, Julie? Thanks for bringing it here. Good job and Happy Halloween!

[humblegunner]

Happy Halloween, Y'all!
Hey, Lodwick, may I shoot your pistol???

[lodwick]

Outstanding pic of the dim/lib/leftist/losers - you may consider this one stolen. Thanks for throwing it up here. ;-)

Nice to see ya back here.

[LadyX]

Is it true you were out trick-or-treating dressed up as Davey Crockett, hg??

Rika Strom reported you knocked on her door looking like this:

[blackie]

Don't feel cheated; the quality of time spent is more important than the quantity...

Death To all Muslim Extremist's !!

Snuff Saddam, NOW !!

The RATS Are In Disarray...Eradicate The Rodents !!

Fire Democrats, Hire Republicans !!

GWB Is The Man !!

The Second Amendment...
America's Original Homeland Security !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Let's Roll !!

Molon Labe !!

[lodwick]

Absolutely! The pistol is safely home and yes! you can cap to your heart's or wallet's content.

Can't wait to see all you HATS again - it WILL be before the Springfield Break. Trust me on this one. ;-)

[Salvation]

Thanks for the welcome, Billie.

Are you going to run a thread on Election Night?

[humblegunner]

Is it true you were out trick-or-treating dressed up as Davey Crockett

People always think that.. truth is I dress that way all the time!

Boo!

[LadyX]

Let me get this right - -
People always think that.. truth is I dress that this way all the time!

You go around every day without benefit of clothing?!
Oh my!!

[humblegunner]

I ain't that boney!
Maybe if I took up jogging....

[humblegunner]

it WILL be before the Springfield Break. Trust me on this one.

I hope there will be shrimp and Lodwick cocktail sauce!

Just exactly where does one get "Alantic prepared horseradish"???

[LadyX]

Great galloping ghosts!!

Quickly - put this on before your Mama sees you!!

- - - - -

[Pippin]

There's a thought, With two live ex Dem presidents haunting him, GWB doesn't need no dead Dems bothering him!

[Pippin]

Thanks Loddy!