Posted on 09/11/2004 3:55:36 AM PDT by BigWaveBetty
We remember. We always will.
To those who were injured and to those who perished, America will hunt down every last one of the terrorists.
To all who loved those who were injured and who perished, may God bless, comfort you and keep you strong.
The following are Remarks by Debra Burlingame as prepared for delivery at the 2004 Republican National Convention:
I'm Debra Burlingame.
My brother, "Chic Burlingame," was captain of American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon.
To those who knew him, Chic was a legend. U.S. Naval Academy, class of '71.
A fighter pilot. And navy reservist who volunteered for the Gulf War. His military experience trained him to be ready for battle.
But I'm certain he never expected to see action in the cockpit of his commercial jet. I know that he and every one of those pilots put up the fight of their lives that day.
Losing Chic on 9/11 was the most difficult thing my family's ever faced. But burden was lessened by the things that ordinary Americans did to help us.
I want you to know that we were aware of what you did. We saw the spontaneous memorials -- the cluster of candles on a front porch, the sign outside the Wal-Mart that said, "Pray for the Families." We saw the flags on the office buildings, on store fronts and kids' bikes.
We saw the websites. We read your letters. We received the pictures your children drew.
I'll also never forget the huge flag that was unfurled at the Pentagon, just a few yards away from where the plane went in. I especially remember it lit up against the dark sky in the wee hours of September 12th -- Chic's birthday.
My heart fell into a million pieces as it brought back the sweet memory of my brother as a nine-year-old Cub Scout, selling American flags door-to-door.
I am deeply honored and grateful for the privilege of standing before you so that I can thank you for these tender gestures and for the endless generosity which helped us carry on.
May God bless you.
Stay Safe
CAMP Kerry has become Noah's Ark. Two consultants for everything. While the newies have moved in, the oldies are still in place. Like chief of staff Mary Cahill stays put. Doesn't look nice to have a public beheading. The candidate is angry. Not at the Bushies. Not at his team. Not at his campaign. At himself. With himself. He's blaming himself. It's like he thinks he should've said, "Look, I got shot at. The other guy didn't. End of story. I won't talk about this anymore."
The Republicans are focused. The Democrats are going into therapy.
________________________
More hypocrisy from the left:
ABC Sports star Al Michaels sure likes to put the political back in "political football." So CNN "Crossfire" hosts and Democratic strategists James Carville and Paul Begala want to penalize the apparently Republican-leaning Michaels for unnecessary roughness.
During his play-by-play of the New England Patriots-Indianapolis Colts game in Foxborough, Mass., last week - a special Thursday edition of "Monday Night Football" - Michaels somehow discovered an opportunity to stick it to John Kerry. When co-announcer John Madden marveled at the seesawing of the score - "This is what you call a flip-flop," he said - Michaels retorted: "You're in the right state for that."
By which Michaels meant Massachusetts, the home state of the Democratic presidential nominee, who's constantly being accused by President Bush's campaign team of "flip-flopping" on the issues.
"These announcers are getting to think they're some kind of political commentators or pontificators," Carville told me. "But the football fans watch football to hear about football. If Al Michaels wants to give his political opinions, tell him to come on 'Crossfire.'"
Begala, meanwhile, told me: "I hardly ever watch ['Monday Night Football'] anymore. It's the television equivalent of Sominex. And they have had all these right-wingers on: Dennis Miller, Rush Limbaugh and Al Michaels - and all it does is drive viewers away." rest of story
But it's still okay to collect pay as a political commentator on CNN while actively working on the Kerry campaign, eh, boys? No free speech for you, Al Michaels!
See that little bay indentation just above and left of the top "H"? The "2 AM Thu" one.
That's us. This is getting scary. Just went out to get plywood, but they're out of the little clip things....they shipped them all to Florida last week. Also all the stores here are smack out of bottled water, etc. Those went to Fla. too.
It looks like we'll probably be evacuating tomorrow night. Unfortunately all our family lives in the path, albeit farther inland. Hopin' and prayin' here in south Alabama!
Storm prayers headed your way, TO.
Prayers headed your way Timeout. My parents have a condo (part of The Beach Club)on Ft. Morgan. My mom really isn't stressed about this, which suprises me. I think she just figures that what will be will be. I'm still thinking it'll be closer to Pascagola.
We think so too. Every movement Ivan has made the last few days has been to the west. Doesn't help us much if landfall is Pascagoula. Mobile will still get hit...hard...being in the east bands.
Is your Mom living at Ft. Morgan? If so, you MUST tell them to evacuate if it comes near here!
Good grief! Prayers for you and your family.
No, Mom & Dad live in Houston. The condo was originally purchased for investment, but she loves it so much out there, that it's going to be a second home once they retire.
How far in do you think the storm surge will affect if it does hit Mobile? As far as Foley?
Foley should be OK from storm surge. In Camille, the storm surge (70 ft waves) took out everything within 3 to 4 miles of the coast. That's the best I recall as a teen at the time.
Foley is more like 10 or 15 miles in. But it would be hit hard. There's nothing but flat, barren land between Foley and the coast...nothing to slow down the storm.
BTW, saw the Kitty Kelly interview on Today. Interesting to know her "journalistic standard" is basically that she doesn't "report" it unless lawyers have told her she'd win in court. Nice.
Thinking of you....and will pray hard that you and yours stay safe...and that Fl sends you some left over bottled water.
Can you screw the plywood on over your windows? How close to the coast are you? Prayers your way.
I think he and Begala won't leave CNN because they like the paycheck too much...
Carville sorta slipped up, too, when Timmy asked him if he would manage Hillary's campaign and he replied, in 2008 I will be 64 and too old. So looks like she is running in '08 whether or not Kerry is elected.
Bush is out campaigning already today while Kerry is no where in site...he is either lazy or in poor health....W is campaigning the socks off him plus he still puts in time at the Oval Office.
I am extremely tired of this National Guard story. Who gives a rat's patootie? In the community I grew up in, if you were a "child of privilege" you took advantage of it during Viet Nam. No biggie. In fact, I am proud that W at least went in the Guard. In my town, if Daddy was rich or famous, the draft board simply did not draft you, either because Daddy was on the draft board and/or paid off the draft board, either in money or kind. No need to join the Guard cauz you weren't going to be drafted.
When Clinton ran in '92 more than one Liberal buddy told me, when I expressed dismay that he was a draft dodger-"Anyone not smart enough to get out of going to Viet Nam is not smart enough to be President."
Rant over...
Good rant - thanks.
Since wars began, those smart enough, or rich enough, have figgered out how to avoid involving themselves in the mayhem if they wanted to.
And being in harm's way for four months certainly does not automatically qualify one for the Presidency. Shoot, I have a relative who served four years in Viet Nam-shooting and getting shot at-and I do not even trust him to vote correctly (he backed Perot in '92) though I will say, he hates Kerry and definitely will not vote for him. In fact, Kerry is the cause of him having nightmares about the War all over again.
Maybe you should board up and head for Michigan (Ryder Cup)!
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.