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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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THIS WEEK'S THREADS
01-20-03 Puddleglum
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Opinions by our own 'King of Ping'
The guy's good, folks!
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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
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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.
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To: GailA
Oh, is it Ming's birthday? I'm falling down on the job here. MING....
241
posted on
01/21/2003 5:10:48 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: daisyscarlett; Molly Pitcher; WVNan; dutchess; mountaineer
Well, daisy......I actually am an axe murderer, but try not to let on in public.......
242
posted on
01/21/2003 5:13:11 PM PST
by
ohioWfan
(Freeper Friends are cool!!)
To: WVNan
I realized after I posted that question "Is mountaineer witty...." that it was a dumb question as I would just bet everyone was talking like crazy and over each other etc. So exciting to meet well informed, like minded conservatives, I would bet. I have a couple of conservative friends but they do not go online and know so little of what is going on.
243
posted on
01/21/2003 5:14:09 PM PST
by
daisyscarlett
(Sisters, sisters..there were never such devoted sisters!)
To: WVNan
You are so right Nan......it was hard to try to follow ALL the fascinating conversations going on at the same time!
244
posted on
01/21/2003 5:14:23 PM PST
by
ohioWfan
(Freeper Friends are cool!!)
To: daisyscarlett
daisy......why do I see Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in drag in my minds eye when I read your tag line?
245
posted on
01/21/2003 5:16:00 PM PST
by
ohioWfan
(caring, sharing, every little thing that we are wearing......)
To: WVNan; daisyscarlett; Mama_Bear; Billie; Molly Pitcher; dansangel; ohioWfan; mountaineer
WVnan...you are ONE BEAUTIFUL LADY! And it is because of you that this happened.
and...sistahs...I'll embarrass Nan for a moment but she gave us all a blessed little angel which we are all going to keep close to our computers...What a wonderful person she is...(Okay blush NAN!!!)
246
posted on
01/21/2003 5:17:12 PM PST
by
dutchess
(what a wonderful freeper day we had today!)
To: dutchess; WVNan; daisyscarlett; Molly Pitcher; Billie; LadyX; mountaineer
AMEN, dutchess!!! WNAN is BEAUTIFUL!!!
247
posted on
01/21/2003 5:19:25 PM PST
by
ohioWfan
(caring, sharing, every little thing that we are wearing......)
To: ohioWfan
oops.....that would be WVNAN.....didn't mean to leave the Virginia out! :o)
248
posted on
01/21/2003 5:20:47 PM PST
by
ohioWfan
(caring, sharing, every little thing that we are wearing......)
To: WVNan
The address was wrong?? Never would have known it. We knew we were in the right area, and when we saw the arches, we just assumed it was the right place!
I think it was neat how we all connected so easily...of course, it helped that some of us had met before, just not all together!
Sure want to encourage K. to sign up, and post on Finest, for example.... She would be most welcome!
249
posted on
01/21/2003 5:23:40 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
To: ohioWfan; dutchess
BLUSH! You all are surely Irish, for I've never heard such blarney. The angels are to watch over you all and remind you that somebody somewhere loves you very much.
250
posted on
01/21/2003 5:24:02 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: GailA
Happy Birthday Ming Thank you. She will be pleased when she sees these nice birthday greetings I've printed out !
251
posted on
01/21/2003 5:24:34 PM PST
by
MeekOneGOP
(9 out of 10 Republicans agree: Bush IS a Genius !!)
To: ohioWfan
Where do hide the axe??? LOL! Remember...we did discuss we are EXACTLY what we purport to be! Sheesh! Stick to the story will you??!!
252
posted on
01/21/2003 5:25:54 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
To: WVNan; mountaineer
The angel is here, Nan...Thank you soooo much for a precious memento of the day.
Has mountaineer checked in??
253
posted on
01/21/2003 5:27:45 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
To: Molly Pitcher
You guys found it, but K and I were driving on out US 40 looking for 6999 E. Main. We couldn't find it so we turned around and went back, hoping that the rest of you would come to that McDs. I was really concerned until dutchess showed up. I was thinking, "man I've given them all the wrong address and they will be all over the place looking for us." LOL.
254
posted on
01/21/2003 5:27:49 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: ohioWfan; daisyscarlett; Molly Pitcher; Pippin; Billie; dansangel; FreeTheHostages
"sisters sisters never where there such devoted sisters"...
LOL...We DIDN'T see White Christmas this year....That's what I've been missing! Poor Mr. D. I'll probably make him watch it tomorrow... thanks for the nudge!! He's more the Star Trek, James Bond, Steven Steigal guy so this will be painful for him!)
We DID learn today that Molly and I are HOBBIT impaired and got advice from our new found "friends" HOW TO DO IT RIGHT", My interest was perked up the other day with all the hunky guys...(I think Molly admitted that she thought it was a cartoon too!)
255
posted on
01/21/2003 5:28:34 PM PST
by
dutchess
(so whats the best way to become a hobbit???? do we lurk first????)
To: WVNan
Re Ming birthday wish: Thank you so much !!
256
posted on
01/21/2003 5:28:35 PM PST
by
MeekOneGOP
(9 out of 10 Republicans agree: Bush IS a Genius !!)
To: Molly Pitcher
No she hasn't and I'm worried. She had a fair distance to cover. Was her drive as far or further than mine?
257
posted on
01/21/2003 5:29:14 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: Molly Pitcher
Well, on the Dose I said I was an 80 year old Chinese man.
You just never know for sure with the Internet! hehe
To: WVNan
I was really concerned until dutchess showed up. I was thinking, "man I've given them all the wrong address and they will be all over the place looking for us." LOL.(((((Nan))))) That was worrisome for you.
259
posted on
01/21/2003 5:30:42 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
To: WVNan
It seemed like it was a little further, but not really sure...
260
posted on
01/21/2003 5:31:28 PM PST
by
Molly Pitcher
(Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
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