A Few of Fr's Finest...Every Day....01-30-03...Our Union is Strong"

JohnHuang2;Billie;Dutchess | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

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.

                     

President Bush:

"Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it is God s gift to humanity."

"Our Union Is Strong"

by JohnHuang2

Some speeches are merely adequate to the task -- a memorable line here or there, maybe, but, beyond that, not much. Other speeches standout as above average caliber, those that rise to the occasion and beyond, marked by defining lines and phrases of exceptional quality and brilliance which won't easily be forgotten.

But the words and performance from the well of the House Chamber this week went beyond merely adequate or sufficient -- beyond merely *above par*, or superior, even.

Transcending expectations even of the President's staunchest supporters, what we saw and heard tonight was a vaulting tour-de-force of unparalleled splendor, unriveled clarity and authority, a sweeping political magnum opus of watershed dimensions, a torrent of passion and conviction, certitude and hope only a confident leader with vision and clearness could deliver convincingly.

This was more than a speech, more than a lively pageantry of elegant words, which, however kindling and inspiring at the moment, the spur fades swiftly, leaving no deep or lasting mark, no thrust over the grander human narrative, the course of history itself.

By contrast, this State of the Union Address, Bush's second, will be remembered not merely for choice phrases, polished words or classy lines, but as a momentous, rousing call to history, a crucial and decisive fork-in-the-road for the nation.

As a leader, Bush is exemplary, a man of unshaken faith, steely instincts, unflinching resolve and purpose, yet shrewdly circumspect and judicious, careful to weigh repercussions from policy well ahead of the pack, a knack which drives Democrat foes -- bewildered, baffled, befuddled -- up the wall in frustration. The number of times political rivals have mis-underestimated el hombre de Tejas could, quite literally, fill whole libraries.

Indeed, leading-up to tonight's address, the mis-underestimators, true to form, were at it again, describing the President as 'adrift', 'flagging', 'lethargic', 'on defense', 'under pressure', needing urgently to 'reassure' a skeptical public increasingly 'doubtful' of his leadership. The flurry of dour assessments seemed stubbornly immune to facts -- pre-SOTU polls showed overwhelming majorities giving Bush extraordinary high marks on leadership, management, decisiveness, vision and ability to make tough decisions. But implacable Bush-haters -- Washington Post "reporter" Dana Milbank springs to mind -- will not be deterred by mere facts.

So acute was the media desperation over the President's seemingly bullet-proof popularity that celebration greeted a recent Gallup survey pegging job approval at 58% in January, a 'devastation' 'collapse', a 'catastrophic' 'tumble' from December's 61%. The much-heralded 'collapse, never mind, fell well within the poll's margin of sampling error. Oh, facts are such stubborn things!

Another Bush trademark that sticks in liberal craws: A frank, straightforward honesty, a candid, down-to-earth genuineness and reserve rare in politicians, endearing traits which, much to elite chargin, has won him the trust and confidence of Americans across party lines -- a mystic bond defying all precedence.

Bush, his beliefs and personal strengths deeply rooted in experience, his values and virtues the outgrowth of a life rich in vicissitudes -- twists and turns, tests and challenges -- brings to the Presidency a soundness of judgment and horse-sense, a level of wisdom and insight, far beyond Bush's years in politics.

George W. Bush is living testament to the fact that, in a leader, Character Counts most of all.

Bush enters the 2nd half of his term unequivocally in total command of the stage, the agenda and issues framed primarily on his terms, a crippled opposition mired in muddle, floundering after stinging defeat at the polls last November.

Across the full range of issues, Bush spoke with ringing clarity and eloquence, a crispness and energy as only he can deliver, building his case forcefully, girding the nation for possible war.

Projecting from the dais tonight, a portrait of strength, triumph, resilience, confidence, hope -- defining traits ingrained in each of us, the things which make us uniquely American.

President Bush:

"In all these days of promise and days of reckoning, we can be confident. In a whirlwind of change, and hope, and peril, our faith is sure, our resolve is firm, and our union is strong."

Never has a President embodied the mettle and grit, courage and verve, sparkle and spirit, compassion and optimism of America and her people quite like George W. Bush.

Bottom line? What we heard this week was history-making, galvanizing, visionary -- greatness befitting a great leader.

Great job, Mr. President.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents..

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-27-03 Aquamarine...A Gem of A Freeper 01-28-03 "The Taxman Cometh" 01-29-03 snippy_about_it

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

[WVNan]

I'm not quite sure about the Romper Room label, but Mr. Do Bee seems appropriate.

[dutchess]

Here we go..any chance we can modify the montage Billie...???? All we have to do is add this and Daisy's Daschle and it's full circle!

[WVNan]

Gross! Do we have to have that face at the Finest? I'll bet he never has to avoid temptation. Temptation avoids him.

[LadyX]

Now that I've gone through the rest of the thread, Arne, I return to say how thoroughly I enjoyed your thoughtful reply #169.

It is regrettable so many are not aware of the extent of the silent 'warfare' always being conducted.
You describe well the cooperative intelligence efforts among many nations, keeping their fingers on various pulses and peering into the truly 'dark' places.

Some of the European nations who allowed the influx of large numbers of Arabs and Muslims have a serious public relations problem, and must appear to drag their heels about assisting in a war against the Dragon in Iraq.

Hopefully, even the French will regain their memory of how we saved their collective, um - ''selves,' will do, in the past.
Not only that, but we physically rebuilt much of Europe after World War II under the Marshall Plan.
( Oh - that money wasn't ever repaid? and was forgiven? And the interest would make the sum owed us what?! )

Our politicians who leak vital information or 'demand to know all things right now' are despicable. They have to know full well through past experience and/or recent briefings the nature of the gray world and who and what they imperil in so doing!

And that is not even mentioning their influence upon blank slate minds in the country, shaping thoughts and attitudes for tomorrow, after our comparative wisdom is lost; or at least so obscured we cannot recover as a Republic.

There thus is the danger of a "Would you like free cake with your guillotine appointment, Trevor?" mentality, the populace 'managed' by the new mindset of the keepers of the dying flame.

As for your script for our Secretary of State for the 5th, it expresses well the thoughts and feelings and tone I would like to see projected.

Choose the time - choose the battles - Act, not React!!

[Radix]

How do you do that?

[LadyX]

Thank you for the kind comment, dansy.
Sorry it took so long to respond, but I was making a reply to Arne.

Do believe I broke the '25 Words or Less' Rule to smithereens..:))
Got wound up and couldn't stop.

[LadyX]

Just resurfacing, Nan, after a long-winded blatheration.

(see, jw - i can make up words, too..:))

[dutchess]

How do you do that?

I'm not sure what you're asking...Just posting the picture...I can teach you...morphing it is another story but there are GREAT teachers here. If you want answers to specific questions feel free to freepmail me (hit on private reply). If I can't answer I'll pass it on...

Here's a challenge..the morph Kerry/Herman Munster picture was on the State of the Union Live Thread from a few days ago...you should be able to go back there. Do you know how to upload them???? If not freepmail me...I'll help you through it!

[dutchess]

You two are just BAD!!!! LOL.... I did a double check of my "knee socks" today to make sure they matched LOL!!!

[LadyX]

If You outdid Yourself, could You stand You??

Enquiring minds want to know!

It's a masterpiece, it is, and you are hereby accorded a Masters Degree.
It will be suitably engraved after I figure out the precise wording.

[WVNan]

Uh oh. Serious time.

[LadyX]

Wait a minute!

Kerry there looks like a Rich Man's Abe Lincoln!

Picture the beard....
compose a Gettysburger Address or something - with French fries, please.

[WVNan]

ROTFLOL..no mismatched shoes like a certain MP?

[WVNan]

May we play now or do we have to wait for midnight?

[LadyX]

"Uh oh. Serious time."

Not for long.
It's tough trying to maintain the 'dignified Lady' part.
Louie contends the "X" part prevails rather often..:))

And then there is the Madcap Maggie persona - - do we have a Resident Shrink who will not shrink from the challenges presented in helping me keep them all straight?

( I think dutchess is worried about us, Nan! Keep a low profile for a while 'til she goes to bed?

Let's see if this will snow her:)

[dutchess]

I did the mismatched colors once too...but the uneven heels was REALLY BAD! LOL!

Actually how that one happened...I had the exact color pair with pumps and high heels and grabbed one of both...Never noticed until I walked out of my car and into a meeting into our hospital...LOL...and enough people noticed that I couldn't slink back home LOL

[LadyX]

"May we play now or do we have to wait for midnight?"

Is that a trick question, Sister?
Trying to get me in trouble again?!

[LadyX]

It just struck me, dutchess, that Fox had to put the word Live on Kerry's picture so we could be sure!!

The frozen expression and waxy complexion allows doubt...

[WVNan]

You know Maggie, when we were twenty we didn't care what the world thought of us. At thirty we started to worry about what it thought of us. Now we realize it isn't thinking of us at all.

[dutchess]

My next most embarrasing moment...I was a counselor...did a client session while the state accrediation people were waiting in the lobby. I walked out with my client (after a particularly good session)...said goodbye...and introduced myself to the state folks..

My secretary, now deceased a politically incorrect abrassive type person...kept pointing to my leg...coughing....kicking her bottom drawer......well turns out I was dragging the leg of a panty hose, about 2 feet worth...

The moral of the story...alway empty your pants of used panty hose before you put them on the next day LOL!