A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...1-24-03...A Busy FReeper Life in the Rockies...

Billie and daisyscarlett

[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:  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.

                     

ONE OF FR'S FINEST

fivetoes
Freeper since 3/24/99
Loveland CO

Fivetoes, like so many others, found Free Republic through a link from Drudge. As he puts it "It felt like I came home." His screen name (fivetoes) comes from the fact that he only has five (toes) left. He was in an automobile accident in 1983 resulting in the amputation of his left leg at the knee.

Fivetoes grew up in Michigan and joined the US Marine Corps a week after graduation from high school in 1970. He left active duty as a sargeant in 1973, In his words.."One thing that I do not remember is being debriefed when I left the active service of the United States Marine Corps. I took an oath upon entering the service the defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. I believe that anyone who has taken that oath still has an obligation to live up to it."

Thank you for your Service to America in the United States Marine Corps, fivetoes. Hoo-yah!

Fivetoes is happily married to a "wonderful woman", Dorie. They have raised, and are still raising, ten (yours-mine-ours) children. When they married, Dorie had two, fivetoes had four and they subsequently had four more. Sort of like the Brady bunch, but more. Six have left home and fivetoes says it is sort of quiet around home now with "only" four kids there. Mr. and Mrs. fivetoes are happy in the knowledge that all six who have left home "were never in any serious trouble with the law and are leading productive lives."

Dorie is a stay at home Mom and she and fivetoes believe that that is where Mothers should be. "After all, it is the most important job on the planet." They get by on one paycheck and believe the Ozzie and Harriet life style should be a goal, not something to be ridiculed and used as an excuse to tear apart the family structure.

Since joining Free Republic in 1999. fivetoes' life has changed in many ways.

He became involved with the Tyranny Response Team and was the web master for a while. Protesting in the streets of Denver against the million moms was his family's first introduction to speaking out in public and "taking a stand against the leftists."

Fivetoes and his wife got involved with the Second Amendment Sisters Northern Colorado Chapter"

Every year fivetoes hosts a Bill of Rights Day Celebration in his home town of Loveland, Colorado.

Fivetoes and his family attend the Independence Day Celebration every year in Loveland and hand out pocket Constitutions and copies of the Declaration of Independence to the crowd of 20,000 plus. Just before the fireworks begin he leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

For the past seven months, he has been involved with Operation Infinite Freep in Ft. Collins, CO and recently in Loveland. His excellent reports (with photos) are here in one place.

Fivetoes also maintains the web site for the Colorado Chapter of Free Republic.

Fivetoes got tired of just complaining about the sad state of the nation and decided to get involved in politics. He volunteered to be a precinct captain in Larimer county a week before the county caucusses. He has been busier "than a one legged man in a hackey sack tournament since."

In His Own Words:

"One thing that I encourage everyone to do is to write. Write about issues that are important to them. It is easy to be a keyboard warrior on sites such as Free Republic and criticize the happenings in the world around us and the people in it. I enjoy serious writing as well as off beat humor and parody. Here is a sample of some of my writing.

Many people have identified with a particular writing of mine entitled It's All My Fault. It is my confession of responsibility for the sad state of the nation. I gave it at as a speech last year at the Bill of Rights Day Celebration in Loveland in 2001."

"Despite the obvious handicap, I lead a full life. I hunt big game, antelope, deer and elk in Colorado on crutches without the use of an ATV or government grant. I have found out that big game animals are not politically correct. They do not dumb down to give an old gimp an uneven advantage. This is one of the reasons I hunt. When I am out in the mountains it is me against the elements, in pursuit of elusive game. When I have harvested game, stood at the top of a hill and looked back at terrain I crossed to get to there, I know I did it without the assistance of a federal government program. (Gee, I wonder if I could get them to install an escalator 8-). It's a pride thing, that those who never take a chance or risk will never know. Note: The website definitely needs some updating.The Handicapped Hunter

My #1 Pet Peeve About Government:
"Too BIG! It's BIGness and it's handouts makes people lazy and unresponsible, and as a result strips them of their pride and makes them weak and unable to fend for themselves. The federal government knows this about nature and that is why there are signs that say 'Do Not Feed The Animals'. If you feed animals long enough they will come to depend on the handout and not take care of themselves."

"Live life to the fullest, This is not a dress rehearsal!"

~ fivetoes
01/03

CONGRATULATIONS fivetoes
ENJOY YOUR DAY AS ONE OF FR'S FINEST

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-20-03 Puddleglum 01-21-03 JWFiv Essay 01-22-03 FreeTheHostages Essay 01-23-03 "My Two Cents" by JohnHuang2

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

[daisyscarlett]

Hi Mixer. Good to see those colorful letters back, though I have no gripes with the new ones you posted the other day....'Pperciate that you have been busy at work and hope you can spend more time with us soon....

[daisyscarlett]

Hi there budge. Enjoyed your profile a couple of weeks ago. Always nice to see a former Finest profilee drop by...

[daisyscarlett]

Good morning T.O. Stay warm today...

[daisyscarlett]

Loved the snappy organ and piano music today. Thanks very much...(when is it the Beach Boys turn again?)

[jwfiv]

Wonderful profile today, love that red, white and blue...thank you, Miss Daisy!

A droopy but extreeeeeeeemely glad its Friday Good Morning to all you sweet Hostesses...I'm leaving lucky pennies on the counter for tips today...the coffee is extra good.

Fivetoes, very glad to meet you over the wire like this...a great story leads you to today...thanks for all the Freepin'...and, thanks for prompting me to be sure I don't take the Pledge of Allegiance for granted. Enjoy your day in the spotlight...good people here.

Semper fi.

[daisyscarlett]

A beautiful prayer you wrote yesterday for our active duty military in harm's way. May I offer one up today? It is not original, I found it on a google search.

In addition to ladtx's two sons, gatorgirl's husband, mama-bears nephew, we must add Eric to our prayer list as he has been notified of a call-up(though it is not certain if he has to go "over there").

Prayer for Those Who Serve

Lord Jesus, Savior of the World and King of Peace, watch over our sons and daughters in the service of their country. Protect them from the physical and moral dangers of military life. Keep them close to You and help them live in such a manner that is pleasing to You. Lord Jesus, give them courage to serve their country with honor and dignity. Be with them when they are in danger, strengthen them when they face hardships. Above all Lord, grant that when their service is finished they may return to us, sound in mind, body and soul. And Lord, for those who give the ultimate sacrifice with their lives for serving our country, please touch and minister grace and healing to their families.
Amen.

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you for the lucky pennies...I will put them in the tip jar and share them with the others....

[daisyscarlett]

Know you are busy getting all those kiddies fed and off to school. Hope you can join us soon....

[FreeTheHostages]

You're welcome! Have something to do here now I guess, sigh, but I'm coming by this thread this afternoon for afternoon tea. :) I'll even bring the cookies, some special ones for Fivetoes.

[daisyscarlett]

[daisyscarlett]

Loved seeing you last night on the thread. Come back soon!!!

[Fiddlstix]

Loved the snappy organ and piano music today. Thanks very much...(when is it the Beach Boys turn again?)

Thank you J
The Coffee & Donuts will be retiring as of tomorrow.
Don't worry though, it will be back next Freepathon J

[firewalk]

#46....that is so cute! Thanks for the smile & I hope you have a nice day (-:

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, you two!

Fivetoes, I have been following your weekly rallies in Fort Collins for quite awhile, even though I don't always get a chance to comment on your post-rally thread. It's a great job you are doing out there. You and your fellow patriotic, flag waving Americans are very much appreciated.

Daisy, thanks for the nice intro to our featured FReeper today. It is a pleasure getting to know him a bit better.

[LadyX]

daisyscarlett, thank you for your beautiful prayer.

In order for the military machine to function, each and every cog is essential to the missions.
Whether one is behind a desk in Payroll; in Supply, ensuring they have necessary clothing items and personal equipment; or in any 'support' rather than 'combat' role, each is making a vital contribution.
Each has set aside the freedom to make personal decisions for their life to serve the needs of the nation.

We here can be a powerful force in seeking God's protection and peace of mind for them all, not just those in harm's way, requiring only a few minutes of our time.
It is 'affordable' - no 'travel' necessary - no 'work' or 'dress' clothes required!

Please just pause each day to lift them and their loved ones up to Our Father ~ ~ ~

ohioWfan, your Eric is "our" Eric.
Knowing some of his history through your beautiful accounts as he went through training, makes that so.

[The Thin Man]

Congratulations fivetoes on being today's honoree. That's quite a family you got there!

Just another example of how FR is chock-full of interesting people.

daisy, after last night I was determined to find a spelling error and I think I found one. Good luck in finding it, hehehe.

[Billie]

Good MORNING!!!! Just like last week when Lori posted her thread profiling Pippin, it feels like one of our Sistahs has come home!!! I've been looking forward to today, seeing your wonderful profile of fivetoes again (always enjoy SO MUCH the preview before the threads are posted!)

Fivetoes, so very nice to meet you here and what a wonderful family you have - goodness, what a family! Thank you, daisy and fivetoes, for a most excellent read and excellent presentation! (Your photo is saved for the next military group) :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Alright ! Here is the jury duty adventure yesterday.

I've been called into the Dallas County jury system about a half dozen times - about THREE times the last 5-6 years. I have the routine memorized...

Dallas uses the 'one day/one trial' system. You report for duty and if you aren't picked that day, that's it - you are dismissed. If you do get picked, you serve that one trial. I think Dallas instituted the system and others followed later?...

Anyway, my number was 765 and I played the old 'hurry up and wait' game I learned so well when I was a kid and Dad was in the Air Force, lol ! I got there at 7, way earlier than the 8:30 report time they scheduled. To get downtown, I always leave early to beat traffic. Even at that time, it was backed up. This gave me time to get a breakfast in the courthouse cafeteria. They have pretty good grub, too, actually. I also was able to overhear the morning conversation of the Sheriffs deputies while I had breakfast. It was kind of interesting, but that's another story, lol...

Finally around 11:30, they posted my number/group to report for a Competency hearing/trial. The trial was to begin @ 1:30, so we were free til then. Lunchtime!

There was a 20-25 minute delay getting started, however. We were left hanging in the hallway. I'll explain the delay shortly.

Finally we are called in. The judge explained that the DA and the Defense attorneys were in agreement on all the issues..."so you might ask, 'why do you need us here then?'..." He explained that Texas state law requires a jury for ALL competency hearings, regardless. Basically, it sounded like this is to protect from folks being put in mental institution without the peoples consent. (Oh, both of the attorneys were very competent lady attorneys too, btw).

This gets a little involved (long-winded) so this is gonna be the 'nutshell' version...

The defendant, a Mr. Rhoades (not sure of the spelling since I never saw them write the name) was charged with a felony crime, but there were some problems proceding with the case. He was being held in jail, and was being given his prescribed medicine for his psychiatric disorders, but he was refusing to take it, or wasn't taking the full amount. As a result, his problems were not getting better, but were getting worse. In the jail they cannot MAKE you take your meds, the judge and the attorneys explained. So they were unable to procede with the case because this guy refused to take his medication. It's kind of a Catch-22 situation. The guy had stopped taken his psych meds and commited a felony crime (detail of that was not given), landing him in jail. His psychological condition was not such that he could even talk to his attorney about the case to help her to help him. His speech, in short, was gibberish and communication with him was impossible. He refused to take his meds so the trial couldn't begin because of his impaired psychological/mental condition...

Well, as I said earlier, both attorneys were in agreement that the defendant was incompetent to stand trial and would not get better without getting him on board again with his meds. This was related to us by testimony from an expert psychiatrist that gave us background info on the guy. He had been treated for psychological problems by MHMR prior to the felony. It was his opinion that with being admitted to Vernon (a local Dallas mental treatment facility), he would be given attention he needs and they could give him the necessary doses of medication to get him stabilized 'within the foreseeable future'. This would enable him to gain his mental function again. He described the defendants' behavior in some detail. He described his condition as a type of 'schitzophrenia'. Mr. Rhoades was very incoherent in his speech, making it difficult to communicate with him, etc. Mr. Rhoades believed he was "God and the devil" all at the same time. It was strange. He had attempted to assault one of the police shortly after his arrest.

Anyway, that is the basic stuff. Regarding the delay now...

When we first got into the courtroom, the two lady attorneys were at their respective tables, with the chairs on this side and facing the prospective jurors. Next to the defending attorney was an empty chair, also facing us. The judge gave us the background of the case, and explained about the empty chair. He said that the reason for the delay was due to the defendant having caused somewhat of a disturbance prior to us being called in. Mr. Rhoades was in a room next to the courtroom and he could hear what was going on. They felt like if he were to be present in the courtroom that he was very likely to cause a disturbance then as well. I have a feeling they were right, too !

After we heard the testimony from the expert witness, the attorneys on both sides urged us to rule on verdict #3. The choices were:

1) The defendant is competent and should stand trial.

2) The defendant is incompetent and is UNlikely to regain competency.

3) The defendant is incompetent and is likely to regain competency 'in the foreseeable future' with psychiatric care.

Well, the whole process of the above took right at one hour from the time we walked into the courtroom, seated a jury and came to a verdict and were dismissed. Oh, yeah, once we were sent to deliberate the case and come to a verdict, we discussed the case for about 10-15 minutes and we were unanimous with verdict #3.

'And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it', lol ! Thanks for listening!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program !...

even though i proofread this, it's likely there are errors. apologies in advance...

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Ms. Daisy, fivetoes.

GREAT presentation and selection as FR's Finest... today.

I especially like that part about taking the oath to defend the Constitution. Come to think of it, my discharge papers said nothing about giving up that duty.

Salute to you fivetoes and thank you!

[Budge]

I work for Socialist Security, oops! I mean Social Security! ;^)

Uh oh, I may be in big trouble now! :)