A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-05-02

Billie, JohnHuang2 and daisyscarlett | John Huang2

[daisyscarlett]

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

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: 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.

GROUP 7A: 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.

GROUP 8A: 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.

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

The Saudi Story -- The Sequel

by JohnHuang2

So lemme see if I get this straight: The Saudi Royals suddenly just rolled out of bed Tuesday morning and said, 'gee, we had no idea we were funding the fundies, but let's hold a 'We-Did-Not-Have-Charity-Relations-With-Those-Terrorists-And-We-Promise-Never-To-Do-It-Again' press conference in Washington -- all without White House prompting, right? No behind-the-scenes, 'are-you-with-us-or-with-the-terrorists?', 'get-off-the-fence' ultimatums from the Bush administration, eh? No reading of the riot act, huh?

Well, if you believe that, email me at elhombre63@yahoo.com. I've got some oil fields in Saudi Arabia to sell ya.

Besides, which is it? The 'Bush-Orchestrated-9/11-With-Help-From-The-Royal-Family' conspiracy kooks deny the White House had anything to do with this announcement. Yet they tell us the Royals and Bush are joined at the hips. (For residents of Palm Beach County, the Saudis Tuesday announced a major crack down on terrorist financing, the imposition of tough new rules on charities, creation of an agency to oversee them, an intelligence unit to secretly track charitable payments, among other reforms.)

"It's about helping ... set up systems that are effective -- policies, procedures -- so they can track not only donations that they receive but expenditures that they engage in," said Adel al-Jubeir, foreign affairs adviser to Crown Prince Abdullah, at the Saudi Embassy Tuesday in Washington.

For the anti-Bush zealots, no matter which faction/contingent or bloc, this Saudi brouhaha marks the best of all worlds. There's something here for every cabal. Yum-yum-delicious!

For 'Hate-America-Make-Love-Not-War' flag-burners, the controversy complicates at the most critical juncture anti-Saddam coalition-building for the Bush administration. Washington very much wants Saudi bases available -- or at least overflight rights -- in the event U.N. inspections fail. This dispute, Bush-haters hope, drives a wedge in U.S.-Saudi relations and strengthens the hand of anti-Western, pro-bin Laden hardliners within the Royal family, who want nothing with Washington and will glom onto this and say, 'Ah-ha! We told you so'.

For paranoid, black helicopter crackpots, the U.S.-Saudi fracas fuels their 'Bush-Knew-About-9/11-Before-9/11-But-Did-Nothing-In-Order-To-Protect-Big-Oil-And-Boost-His-Polls' fantasies/delusions.

For the 'Bush-Is-An-Idiot' media, the Saudi fracas gives them a chance to regurgitate pre-9/11 mantras, since discredited: Bush doesn't know what he doing; Bush is in over his head; Bush is too naive, blah, blah, blah.

For al-Qaeda terrorists, a rupture in U.S.-Saudi ties means Mission Accomplished. It would be everything they've worked so hard for. Quick: Why were 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers Saudis? Hmmm, was it just coincidence, or 'Divide-and-Conquer' strategy by Osama to turn his enemies against each other?

For Democrats in Congress, this rumpus, they believe, gives them an opening to attack the Bush administration knavishly on its strongest issue -- national security -- and guilefully appear to the "right" of Bush. See America? Who said we Dems are a bunch of wusses? Why, we're bigger hawks than Bush! Watch as we beat our chests loudly with our big fists!

It's a way to discredit Bush and discredit the War on Terror, they think.

To death and taxes, add a third certainty in life: D.O. -- Democrat Opportunism. Mention this Saudi hubbub, and liberals, on cue, switch into 'let-me-tell-you-why-Bush-is-no-good' mode. No surprise, of course, for no matter what Bush says or does, if Democrats aren't fussing and crabbing, they're nagging and nitpicking.

Bottom line: Dems, rejected by voters for being too soft-on-Terror, are exploiting the Saudi fracas full-tilt to gain back lost credibility.

But it won't work and the reason is simple: The inherent pandemonium of contradictions.

Compare the Democrats' 'don't-ask, don't-tell' position on Saddam with their stance vis-a-vis the Saudis. It's a maze of a contradictions. To illustrate, Dems will tell you that, on the one hand, acting unilaterally in Iraq is a no-no -- a big NO-NO. 'Build a coalition', they urge Bush. Consult our "allies". Seek U.N. approval. Be careful not to upset Arab sensibilities -- or risk inflaming the 'Arab Street'. Be mindful of Arab pride. Don't look like a bully, or act like you seek world domination. Don't act like a crusader. Don't spread our forces too thin, nor take on too many enemies at once. Iraq only diverts valuable resources away from the hunt for al-Qaeda. Oh, and don't bomb on Ramadan.

Ah, now mention Saudi Arabia, and lo and behold! Instantly! magically! 'See-No-Evil-Hear-No-Evil' Dems morph into "super-hawks". On Saudi Arabia, Dems say, 'to heck with Arab sensibilities! Take action -- now! Be unilateralist! To heck with Arab pride! Who cares about the Arab Street? To heck with consulting allies! To heck with the U.N. -- just do something, Bush! Bully the Saudis! Crusade into all their internal affairs! Oh, and while you're at it, go after Pakistan's Gen. Musharraf, too -- just keep your hands off Saddam!

Now tell me, does any of this make any sense? Imagine how it all looks to the American people. It's why Democrats have not a shred of credibility.

Don't take my word for it. Turn on the Sunday TV gabshows, and chances are you'll find big-talking Democrat Senator Bob Huffing-and-Puffing Graham of Florida lobbing his latest 'Bush-Is-A-Derelict' salvos. Gee, Bob, if your party's so tough, why are Dem trial lawyer fat-cats hankering for release of bin Laden terrorists from Gitmo? Y'all want a big Democrat-al-Qaeda family reunion, I suppose, eh? Behind every 'Bush-is-to-blame-for-9/11 lib, I suspect, lurks a bin Laden sympathizer screaming to get out.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents..

THIS WEEK'S THREADs

12-02-02 nicmarlo
12-03-02 jwfiv
12-04-02 Profile Pages #7

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

Time's Running Out! Get Your Pet Photos to Billie!

[Aquamarine]

You're are so right Billie. That looks like a layer of ice on those trees...not a good thing.

[WVNan]

Oooooo I love that picture. Glad you are enjoying the little snow. Don't worry you'll get more.

[Billie]

You're so sweet to worry about us, J - is it because you're afraid we won't be here to serve you coffee and breakfast? LOL

[MistyCA]

LOL! I have no doubt! I am looking forward to it! :)

Happy Holidays to the Troops and Veterans Everywhere!

[JustAmy]

The multibillionaire loved his three sons and asked them what he could buy each of them for Christmas. He stressed that MONEY was no object.

His first son said that he had always wanted a Jaguar. The father bought him seven Jaguars in different colors, so that he would have a different one to drive every day of the week.

His second son said that he always wanted a motorcycle, so since money was no object, his father bought him 30 new motorcycles, 10 dirt bikes, 10 hogs, and 10 touring bikes. This way the son would have a different bike to ride every day of the month.

His third and youngest son was only 8-years old, so the little guy said that he simply had wanted a Mickey Mouse outfit, so again since money was no object, his father went out and bought him the Democratic Party.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ta Da

It's great to see Silly Shelly again.

[Billie]

'Lo, Sistahs! I see neither of you made it here very early either - no wonder jw was worried - daisy posted the thread early, left, I didn't get here until after lunch, and I don't think either of you got here until mid/late afternoon! And WHERE'S John?! We need him to build a fire or something! :)

[jwfiv]

Well, I should have at least tried a guess...) Could almost picture his face while listening, but wasn't sure.

I feel a bit more of the Christmas spirit this season than I have for many, enjoying the color and the vibe...the FR Cafe has something to do with that, I think....and, the songs you send our way, too.

I can feel Santa catching me in the corner of his eye...better be good, better be nice...)

[Billie]

Hi, Misty - we usually have a couple of illustrations for John's essays - not that they need them - we just like pictures! Daisy said the article posting form was NOT cooperating with her last night when she put this one up though!

[jwfiv]

Oh no, if need be, I can brew up a good cup, and fry some bacon just right...it's the smiles I'd miss more than the fixin's...)

[MistyCA]

It's hard to make John's essays any better! :) sorry about the posting problems Daisy! At least you know how to do it! I am really determined to learn about tables and all that. One of these days I will get a nice profile page! Last night I tried to put a background on it but it wouldn't work. Maybe it had something to do with Daisy's problem too? Whenever I pushed the button to accept the chnge, the change disappeared. >(

[Diver Dave]

Howdy Nan. That'a a bluegrass song Yep - Got a Johnny Cash album (33 1/3) with that song on it among 7 or 8 of his albums.

[WVNan]

Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire was popular when I first fell in love with my hubby. Needless to say I loved the song too.

[WVNan]

Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire was popular when I first fell in love with my hubby. Needless to say I loved the song too.

[WVNan]

Oops! listening to Jayna Davis and posting at the same time. Never could pat my head and rub my belly at the same time.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi Billie. Thanks for the ping.

[Aquamarine]

Cute post. Good to see you. :)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good to see you, too.

[GailA]

Had tapes as well for those without a DVD player. Also had John Wayne, Little House, Bonanza, Lone Ranger, and some WW2 history as well all $9.99. There were 4 DVD's in the set, the tapes had 5 in the set.

[Pippin]

Thanks, Gail! :^)

[Mudboy Slim]

"What d'ya say, MUD, we send some of this snow to Billie and Meekie in Texas?"

I dunno if we'll have time...they're predicting temps in the mid-40's today and if it's sunny, too, we won't have much to share come the weekend.

How 'bout we just order up a good snowfall fer the end of January so that Billie and MnM can enjoy it when they're up in DeeCee fer the CPAC convention?!

FReegards...MUD