Skip to comments.
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-21-03...The American Idea
jwfiv and Billie
| jwfiv
Posted on 01/21/2003 5:59:29 AM PST by 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.
|
|
![](http://d21c.com/billie/FRfinest/eaglewithstars.jpg) 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.
<![](http://d21c.com/billie/FRfinest/vet6a.jpg) |
|
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: spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE: FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797 BOTTOM: usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack
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 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE: T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM: YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1
GROUP 2A: TOP: Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE: 4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM: Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc
GROUP 3A: TOP: mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE: Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM: gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf
GROUP 4A: TOP: porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE: RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM: USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma
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.
|
|
We Are The World
The American Idea
by jwfiv
Always I've carried the memory of standing in our front yard, under the great tree, pondering the just-acquired information that my neighborhood was only a small part of a big, round planet, and there was a place clear over on the other side of it called India, which was full of first-graders just like myself.
A typical Grail Castle moment of wonder as my world enlarged that afternoon.
The thought I remember so clearly is:
"I could have been born over there... but, I'd still be me."
I learned that my corner of the globe was called America, and grew up to know that we are a country of free individuals, and the story of America is the tale of a brave and hardy people creating a Nation that embodied an Idea unique in all the history of nations.
That idea being that the individual person is endowed by the Creator with those famous and notorious "certain inalienable rights".
In the New World, it is the common man and woman who rule by Divine Right, not the king, emperor, priest, pharaoh or caliph, as in the Old World.
Holy smokes, what a grand thought... how reckless and bold and daring, yet how grounded in a faith in the worth and goodness of Man.
This revolutionary American Idea means that to be an American is to be guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to understand that all people have the same right..... all, everywhere.
From the first colonies, on through nationhood, Americans were from the European ethos, with its history and tradition of conquest and empire. This being a way not just of Europe, but most all of Man gone before.
For the Nation to be true to our Founding Idea, the Cornerstone of that City on the Hill, our task has been to honor and carry with us the best of the inherited culture, but also to unlearn the lessons and discard the ways of our forebears when they conflicted with our own charter.
The American ethos is a tradition and history of freedom and opportunity for every citizen...we don't colonize but liberate, and share, as best we can, not just wealth and comfort, gadgets and cheeseburgers, but, the Idea, so that all people in all nations may know their own inalienable rights, and be empowered to pursue their own destiny.
Of course, not all soil is good soil, and the Seed of Freedom will sometimes not take hold and flower unless the ground is turned over, and over, and over. It is said the Tree of Liberty is watered with the blood of patriots.
The generations must pass before this unlearning of the Old World's ways can be accomplished. This is so for us, as well as others, but, as Americans, we have a head start..
Three world wars, two very hot and one cold but no less dark and bloody, were waged in the 20th Century and the American Idea has proven triumphant beyond anyone's hope or vision, save a few optimists and visionaries, the beloved Ronaldus Magnus chief amongst them.
Another generation brings us to now, today, as the world turns over again before our eyes.
America finds itself in a war for survival, not just of our Nation, but of the Idea.
The Old Ways of Man can sense, and they bitterly resent, the global spread of Liberty, American-style, so they rear their tails, like scorpions, to strike our lives and poison our faith in That which sustains, inspires and transforms the world.
With this war on terror now upon us, we have a President who chooses to stand and meet the challenge.
The American Military wrote a new chapter in the history of warfare with its campaign to crush the Taliban and free the people of Afghanistan, and in the year since has been tracking and killing and caging their terrorist kin all over the world.
The President may soon again send our boys and girls and men and women in uniform into fierce battle...an imperative, as he knows the scorpions intend to strike a blow more crippling than September 11.
I believe this weighs heavy upon our Commander-In-Chief¹s caring heart.
No one devoted to the Idea will be glad at the necessity of war. But, in the tradition of the reluctant warrior, leader, prophet or ring-bearer, the task is given him, and he rises to meet it.
As the President said, we wage war not to conquer, but to liberate ourselves and our allies from the threat of death and destruction. In turn, this will bring liberation to the people of those threatening nations now ruled by the despotic and insane elites devoted to the Old Ways.
Our necessary battle is to keep our people safe and free, to free the people now in bondage...and, to keep the Idea bright and alive and available to all the world, so that, just like that American kid wondering under the great tree long ago, first-graders everywhere may be guaranteed the right to be whoever they are, whoever they want to become.
May God always bless America, and keep our President and troops and all our people safe from harm, and victorious in war.
(And, personally, may I add: I'm damn grateful for the American Idea...Thank You, Lord.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From St. Matthew, Chapter 7:
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, JWFIV!
An outstanding, from-the-heart essay!
MORE! MORE!
Photo credits to Diogenesis and his "Gotta See This" threads for the following photos:
- the children in the classroom;
- President Bush and Condoleeza Rice;
- the little girl above with the baseball glove
- and our Pledge Graphic today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
THIS WEEK'S THREADS
01-20-03 Puddleglum
|
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
|
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: essays; freepers; fun; military; patriotic; surprises; veterans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220, 221-240, 241-260 ... 341-347 next last
To: ST.LOUIE1
Whatever Louie...(((((HUG)))))
221
posted on
01/21/2003 4:25:45 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: WVNan
Hi, Nan! Heard you had an exciting day!
222
posted on
01/21/2003 4:26:57 PM PST
by
Pippin
(Pippin: Warrior Hobbit!)
To: ST.LOUIE1
Hey there....Okay...I've gotton over you calling me whiney and ....okay maybe I can be and I just want to give you a great big hug!!!!!!
{{{{{{{LOUIE}}}}}}}
223
posted on
01/21/2003 4:27:59 PM PST
by
dutchess
(dutchess thinks woofie is pretty special....(even though he provokes sistah wars!))
To: ohioWfan
Meeting earlier sounds like a plan. Also during daylight savings time, so we have more daylight by which to drive home. Or.....rent rooms at a motel with a pool and spend the night having a pajama party. Ohhh, I haven't been to a P.J. party since I was a kid.
224
posted on
01/21/2003 4:28:03 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: Pippin
Hi Pip. We had a lovely day. Wish you could have been there.
225
posted on
01/21/2003 4:29:20 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: dutchess; WVNan; ohioWfan; mountaineer; Molly Pitcher
Hi FReeper FRiends!
I have to get dinner, but am anxious to get back and read more from you.
Nan, of course it will be fine to send me the pics - they sometimes have to be cropped and resized when they go through a scanner anyway! Can't wait!
Dutchess, I will try to write you FReepmail tonight! Glad everyone made it home safely. And yes, jw's essay is awesome!
226
posted on
01/21/2003 4:29:23 PM PST
by
Billie
To: dutchess
Hey there....Okay...I've gotton over you calling me whiney and ....okay maybe I can be and I just want to give you a great big hug!!!!!!
{{{{{{{LOUIE}}}}}}}
LOL!! Love your hug. : )
(dutchess thinks woofie is pretty special....(even though he provokes sistah wars!))
ROTFL!!!
To: Billie
Hiya Billie, thanks for the ping
To: Billie
K. didn't have time to send the pics after she got home. I don't know how late she will be getting the pics to me.
229
posted on
01/21/2003 4:38:21 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: Pippin
You're welcomed...
230
posted on
01/21/2003 4:46:15 PM PST
by
MeekOneGOP
(9 out of 10 Republicans agree: Bush IS a Genius !!)
To: Billie; LadyX; dutchess; ohioWfan; mountaineer; WVNan; dansangel; All
Well let's see...in no particular order we discussed our FReeper histories (diverse)...the Fall of 2000 (Hard, but with the right outcome) ....the good news that Nan's husband is gradually getting better (prayers continue)...looked at ohio's family pics and wonderful drawings (so glad she brought them)....
talked about a screenname for K (she'll find one).....Ohio and W. V. politics (hopeful to not so hopeful)...career plans for mountaineer (hmmmmm)...2nd Amendment stuff (YES!)...taking pictures, and how we looked (uh oh)...Paris and French people (well, you can guess)...the OSU game (!!!)..the last time dutchess and I met (Sept. 2000)....and what a tremendous site JimRob has here (HURRAY!!)
That's MY report!
231
posted on
01/21/2003 4:46:25 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
To: SheLion
Hi, ms.Lion. : )
I was reading posts from yesterday's Finest and saw that you were here. It's great having you back! : )
To: Billie; lodwick; All
233
posted on
01/21/2003 4:49:55 PM PST
by
MeekOneGOP
(9 out of 10 Republicans agree: Bush IS a Genius !!)
To: Aquamarine
Aqua, that is a lovely graphic. Thank you!!
234
posted on
01/21/2003 4:52:06 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
To: Billie
No we wouldn't want Mama Bear to miss a BEAR especially such a pretty one.
235
posted on
01/21/2003 4:54:22 PM PST
by
GailA
(Throw Away the Keys, Tennessee Tea Party, Start a tax revolt in your state)
To: WVNan; dutchess; ohioWfan; Molly Pitcher; mountaineer
Can't wait to see the pics...know you gals had a great time. Glad to hear everyone was "nice" and evidently not an axe murderer among the bunch! Is mountaineer as witty in person as she is on the threads?
236
posted on
01/21/2003 4:54:40 PM PST
by
daisyscarlett
(Sisters, sisters..there were never such devoted sisters!)
To: MeeknMing
Happy Birthday Ming
237
posted on
01/21/2003 4:58:20 PM PST
by
GailA
(Throw Away the Keys, Tennessee Tea Party, Start a tax revolt in your state)
To: Molly Pitcher
Well my dear, I don't think I can add anything to that. Sounds like a full report to me. Except that I gave everyone the wrong address for the McDs. In my defense however, the internet had it wrong too. We all found our way to the only McDs in Reynoldsburg. dutchess was the first one I saw. It was funny because I got out of the car just as she was walking toward the door. She stopped and looked at me with a big question mark over her head. Then I looked at her with a big question mark over my head. Then I asked, "are you?" and she said, "are you?" and we both said, "yes" and we ran and hugged. "She said I'm dutchess and I said, "I'm Nan". She is younger and prettier than any of us have imagined. I had never seen a picture of her. Folks, she's beautiful. Then We went in to get a cup of coffee and to wait for the others. mountaineer came in and pegged us immediately. She is also younger than I had her pictured. What can I say. Everybody is younger than me. mountaineer is also beautiful and tall (everybody is tall to me). Molly and OhioWFan came together. They pulled in just as we sat down with our coffee. Ohio saw me and started waving like a kid from the van window. So then I got to meet Molly. How to discribe Molly.....hummm....she's perky and bright and funny and cute, and thin (I hate her. Not really LOL). Just for the record, my friend K. who lurks is also pretty and a rock solid Christian conservative. With the exception of the old lady, this was one good looking group of ladies. You will see when the pictures go up.
238
posted on
01/21/2003 5:02:42 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: daisyscarlett
Hi daisy. Yes, mountaineer is witty, as are all the ladies. The worst problem we had was all of us wanting to talk and having so much to say we talked all over each other LOL. We did have a lot of folks in the restaurant looking askance at us. I told our waitress that we were going to be there for a while. She was very nice about it and we tipped her well.
239
posted on
01/21/2003 5:08:07 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: MeeknMing
Hey meekie... I'm curious...is your new governor a GW conservative...someone we should watch... I was so focused on national politics this year that I didn't pay much attention to state stuff
THAT BEING SAID...loved it that YOUR Sheila Jackson Lee is threatening (or has ) to propose a repeal of the congressional approval on the war against terrorism....
Regardless, we need to propose something to get rid of her!!!! (Not a personal threat lurkers...just to get someone to vote against her!)
240
posted on
01/21/2003 5:09:21 PM PST
by
dutchess
(dutchess thinks woofie is pretty special....(even though he provokes sistah wars!))
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220, 221-240, 241-260 ... 341-347 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson