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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.






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:  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.
Declaration of Independence 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:
  1. the children in the classroom;
  2. President Bush and Condoleeza Rice;
  3. the little girl above with the baseball glove
  4. 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
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To: dutchess
The Ohio group that met today kind of took over the late thread tonight

That's OK!! LOL -- my boyfriend kind of took over my computer! He has a new computer game he likes and is going to relive his adolescence with it, sigh. Ive no objections to people having their own party, and I never need to be welcomed in -- I'm good at crashing other people's parties when I have time! Party on!
301 posted on 01/21/2003 7:28:39 PM PST by FreeTheHostages
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To: Billie; WVNan; Molly Pitcher; dutchess; ohioWfan; mountaineer
Great pictures ... thanks Nan for telling me about them

Sounds like y'all had a great time
302 posted on 01/21/2003 7:29:28 PM PST by Mo1 (Support Free Republic and become a Monthly Donor)
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To: FreeTheHostages
Took over your computer!!!!!? That's grounds for getting kicked out into the street. Tell him to get his own computer. You need to be here. Does he realize how important Freeping is?
303 posted on 01/21/2003 7:30:46 PM PST by WVNan
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To: Mo1
Wanted to share our good time with you Mo. Wish you could have been there.
304 posted on 01/21/2003 7:31:41 PM PST by WVNan
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To: WVNan
Some day maybe I can run away for a few days ... just don't let the hubby know cause he'll be stuck with the kiddies .. *L*
305 posted on 01/21/2003 7:34:16 PM PST by Mo1 (Support Free Republic and become a Monthly Donor)
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To: Mo1
Actually Mo, we talked about you and your great sense of humor and the great job you and Brad's grandma are doing with the fund raising.
306 posted on 01/21/2003 7:34:54 PM PST by WVNan
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To: dutchess; Angelwood
"What a trooper you and the DC Freepers and all who joined them are!"

Seriously, you gots to stop saying that! It really does embarass me, sistah, because I really am a flunkie who doesn't go to all their stuff -- I went to the Saturday Freep by not the Sunday. Those are the unbelieveable guys. I post so much here in cyberspace and am so addicted to FR that I worry y'all think I'm important!! (Me, I just worry that my posting not interfere with activism.) The non-fungible people include the ones who went back out Sunday for a second day in the cold. Needless to say, I am currently hiding from them in shame. :) No really!

cc: Angelwood, who IS worthy. I am hiding from you!
307 posted on 01/21/2003 7:37:10 PM PST by FreeTheHostages
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To: mountaineer
Just had Mr. Aqua explain to me that the Browns are Cleveland's baseball team...are they a losing team?....sorry but I'm a southerner who doesn't have a clue here! :)
308 posted on 01/21/2003 7:37:48 PM PST by Aquamarine
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To: Aquamarine
Don't ask me, I'm a southerner too.
309 posted on 01/21/2003 7:40:48 PM PST by WVNan
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To: WVNan; Billie; mountaineer; Aquamarine; ohioWfan; dutchess
Thanks so much Billie and Nan.

Yeh, yeh...the Indians are my team!:-)

mountaineer, am so glad you arrived home all right. You sure had a full day. Great to meet you, hear about your work and plans, and I just wish you and Nan and K all the best...tough being a conservative R. in WV!

310 posted on 01/21/2003 7:41:05 PM PST by Molly Pitcher (Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
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To: WVNan
Well thank you Nan, I've found that laughter sometimes is the best medicine in life

Otherwise I might have been .. gasp ... a Democrat

311 posted on 01/21/2003 7:41:56 PM PST by Mo1 (Support Free Republic and become a Monthly Donor)
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To: Aquamarine; mountaineer
Well, actually, the Browns are Cleveland's football team, and they are a good team, but I suspect that mountaineer just might be a Steeler's fan, which is why I did not bring the subject up, since I was sitting right next to her, and didn't want to accidentally spill something on her! :o)
312 posted on 01/21/2003 7:42:37 PM PST by ohioWfan (Watch those Browns next year.....)
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To: ohioWfan; mountaineer
He said that....I got it turned around....told you I was clueless here. He!
313 posted on 01/21/2003 7:45:46 PM PST by Aquamarine
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To: jwfiv
A fine & powerful essay, jwfiv....much to think about, and I'll return to it again tomorrow, when I'm not so tired.:-)
314 posted on 01/21/2003 7:46:30 PM PST by Molly Pitcher (Demolish the Criminal Party!! NOW!!)
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To: Billie
Thanks for posting the pictures! You're the best!
315 posted on 01/21/2003 7:47:04 PM PST by dutchess (loved meeting new freeper friends today!)
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To: FreeTheHostages
Keep on posting, come out from wherever you're hiding and take a bow for the many ways you contribute to the cause. All of the DC Chapter members know your worth; and we all do what we can, when we can and contribute what we can. Everything is appreciated.

YooHoo, FTH, where are you?
316 posted on 01/21/2003 7:47:55 PM PST by Angelwood (Join the DC Chapter at the next Patriots Rally (I'm sure it will be warmer) -- FReep On!)
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To: WVNan
Does he realize how important Freeping is?

In his world, somewhere above feeding the cats but below playing the computer games.

He has his own computer. But generous soul that he is, he helped me get the nicest most spiffiest one. And since he works with computers for a living, he naturally prefers the fastest ones at home. Hence, he's often on mine. I can't complain because, well, he maintains it so well and he's good with the thing. He really is the nicest person.

Re Freeping, he has a theory that if you think about politics too much you become angry because of all you can't change. Hmmm. I think that may apply to him. But I don't want to change everything all at once. I just want to help. So I don't find it so frustrating. I think if he attended more Freeps he'd be LESS frustrated about politics. Well, I have talked him into attending CPAC with me next weekend. He'll enjoy that.
317 posted on 01/21/2003 7:48:18 PM PST by FreeTheHostages (he better stay away from Ann Coulter though!)
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To: Molly Pitcher
I started to tell you today that where K and I live is a hotbed of Republicans. I think it's the only Republican county in WV. and I have no idea why unless it's because we're so closely connected to ohio.
318 posted on 01/21/2003 7:49:20 PM PST by WVNan
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To: Angelwood
"YooHoo, FTH, where are you?"

Um, I've been hiding ever since I was given the "opportunity" to do the Saturday after-action thread. I just can't but I just can't tell YOU I just can't because you do SO MUCH.
319 posted on 01/21/2003 7:50:39 PM PST by FreeTheHostages (it all makes sense if you read it 5 times fast)
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To: Billie; WVNan; Molly Pitcher; dutchess; ohioWfan; mountaineer
LOL! There are five cute, fun-loving woman! Oh I'm so jealous I wasn't there -- and I didn't even get to eat lunch today I got so busy.

So many smart conservative women together -- that's positively *dangerous.* Shhh, don't tell the Freeper men, they like to think they're in charge! ;)
320 posted on 01/21/2003 7:53:26 PM PST by FreeTheHostages
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