A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-25-07..."Bush Delivers SOTU Address...Dems Struggle..."

JohnHuang2 and dutchess | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and 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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, dutchess, DollyCali GodblessUSA, Aquamarine ~

Bush delivers SOTU Address: Dems struggle to bite Bush ankles
by JohnHuang2

No one can command the stage quite like Bush. If you want to know why the haters go sooooooo bananas over Bush, the crisp clarity of the words in this speech and the unsparing rock-'em-sock-'em way he delivers those words are two places you can start. Class. Grace. Poise. Strength. Confidence. Character. Conviction. Charm. Wit. Gravitas -- this is just a short list of the things his clown opponents lack, but Bush's got overflowing reserves of each. It drives the nuts at Dailykos . . . nuts.

The haters in the Press and opposition party have been ragging on Bush non-stop since the day he took office, especially after the November elections when he was declared a "lame duck." Yet, Bush delivered his sixth State of the Union Address with a new Battleground poll showing the 'lame duck' defiantly hanging on to a 61% likability rating and showing just a hair under 50% saying the war in Iraq was worth fighting. Even the usually laughingly skewed French polling firm Ipsos just released a poll showing 58% saying the lame duck is a strong leader and 58% saying he's decisive. The same poll shows 53% personally approve of the 'horribly unpopular' Bush.

It's easy to see why. On Iraq, Bush could've taken the easy way out. The 'Iraq Study Group' gave him the cover he needed to bail. Most of the establishment media and political bigshots expected he'd bail, especially after Rummy's resignation right after the elections. BUSH THROWS RUMMY OVERBOARD: AL-QAEDA MEASURING THE DRAPES IN GREEN ZONE. Even midway into his second term, they still can't quite get a handle on the guy.

After the losercrats finally won an election in November, all the talk was about "exit strategies" and "redeployment" and "drawdown" and "withdrawal" of troops from Iraq. Bush knew ahead of time that's where the conversation would be headed, but he had other plans.

If you follow the conventional wisdom, Bush was supposed to play defense after losing Congress and should've been holding press conferences pleading with the Press about still being "relevant," but if you know anything about Bush, you know he doesn't play that game. He saddled up and went on offense, naming a new CENTCOM chief and a new U.S. commander in Iraq, and ordering a buildup in the Gulf -- a second U.S. aircraft carrier strike group is headed toward the Middle East, to join the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower already there. Outrageously, all done without French approval. Or raising taxes. The hobbling and crippled lame duck then tells Democrats they can take their troop "withdrawal" talk, roll it up into another joint and smoke it. Before the Democrats could figure out what was happening, "Dumbya" had completely flipped the whole debate -- from withdrawal/retreat/drawdown to "troop surge." More troops are going to whack 'em and stack 'em -- go ahead and try to stop me. Overnight, Bush had moved the Democrats' default position from troop withdrawal to troop "caps." From drawdown to status quo. Now Democrats are saying 'stay the course!' Libbies oppose Bush's "surge" on the firm basis that it's Bush's. If you're looking for a textbook case of making your opposition look like complete jackasses, this is it.

"We need a bigger presence in Iraq," said Bush two weeks ago, making the initial announcement. As to time tables for withdrawal, he said: "At this point it would be a mistake. I don't believe we should tie our hands and the hands of the new Iraqi government. We don't want to send a signal to insurgents -- to the terrorists -- that we're going to be out of here at some date certain. I think that would be a green light to go ahead and just bide your time."

Oops, I'm sorry. That wasn't Bush, those were Brigadier General Hillary Clinton's words -- back in February of 2005. (Hat tip: Sean Hannity, on Hannity & Colmes.)

Hillary now says she likes the idea of a cap -- the one with the matching Che Guevara T-shirt.

So in the space of two years, Democrats have gone from urging more troops (so long as Bush was against the idea) to urging an immediate withdrawal (since Bush was allegedly for 'staying the course') to urging Bush to stay the course (so long as Bush is for more troops). The best way for Bush to dissuade Democrats from supporting "caps" on troop levels is to announce he's for caps on troop levels.

But hold on. Democrats say the war in Iraq ain't worth it because there's a civil war there and say we should urgently be invading Darfur because there's a civil war there. Clinton/Babs/Pelosi/Kennedy loved invading Kosovo because there was a civil war there. They loved bombing Bosnia because there was a civil war there. Invading Haiti was good -- civil war there, too. Bombing Serbia -- also good. Come to think of it, did a week ever go by without big neo-con warmonger Bill Clinton invading or bombing some country?

The Democrat response to the President's speech was to wheel out a real-life talking anus -- Sen. James Webb -- presenting the Democrat plan for victory over insomnia. This guy could put Al Gore to sleep.

Other than singing, 'Imagine there's no Bush,' the Democrats' plan for "victory" in Iraq is: A symbolic resolution expressing symbolic opposition to the troop surge and having a bunch of symbolic hearings to symbolically hold the President "accountable," along with symbolic letters of disapproval. And continued funding for Bush's "failed" war -- which really miffs the Democrat activists: The media, Hollywood, George Soros, Cindy Sheehan, Dailykos, and the al-Sadr army.

Addressing the cut-'n'-runners, Bush said this tonight: "It would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory."

Bush is a good man making the best of a bad situation he inherited, making the tough calls in a war against an enemy that kills for virgins and caliphates. If I had to bet, I'd say history will be kind to this President.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

01-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-22-07 Military Monday 01-23-07 I Believe 01-24-07 Warm Fuzzy Wednesday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[dutchess]

I pledge allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
One Nation, Under God,Indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for All.

[dutchess]

It's Thursday and that means another JohnHuang2 tell it like it is essay at the Finest!!!! ENJOY his take on the State of the Union Address!!!!

[dutchess]

Goodnight. Hope you enjoy John's ever so bright commentary. See you all in the morning!

[MEG33]

Hat's Off For a great essay and presentation!
Woke up in the middle of the night and had a
good laugh at the Hillary tank picture..!
I really liked the President's speech as did
the majority of Americans polled..

[The Mayor]

January 25, 2007

Valuing Others

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Luke 19:1-10

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

As a young person, Robert had many things working against him—poverty, a broken home, a violent neighborhood. He skipped school often and was difficult to handle. But when a friend was shot to death, he considered it a wake-up call. Determined to change his life, Robert worked hard to bring his grades from failing to top marks.

Yet the school counselor did not believe in him and told him that no college would accept him. But Robert proved him wrong. He graduated from college and pursued a career in education. He chose that career because, as he says, “Teachers saw me as a non-entity”—a person of little value. He didn’t want that to happen to others.

Jesus views everyone as significant. Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus could have ignored him, but He saw him in the tree and called him by name.

It’s important that Christians acknowledge others as people with value. Brennan Manning writes, “A Christian who doesn’t merely see but looks at another communicates to that person that he is being recognized as a human being in an impersonal world of objects.”

Do the people we interact with know that we view them as valuable to us and to God?

Burdened people everywhere
Need to know what Christ has done;
They need to feel God’s love and care—
It was for them He sent His Son.  —D. De Haan

Love people and not things, use things and not people.

Bible in One Year:   Exodus 12-13; Matthew 16

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good morning Dutchess and John.

Awesome essay John.
Thanks for posting it Dutchess.

[DollyCali]

Sorry that things in my life are not permitting as much participation as I would like but do post when I have a few minutes.

Great Job on the Essay JH2 & welcome back. We have missed your wit & insight!

Great Presentation Dutchess &

Thank you Pookie and as usual your toons are used here & there & everywhere at FR for various "emphasis".. like this...

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Dutchess and JohnHuang
I enjoyed reading. Thank You!

Addressing the cut-'n'-runners, Bush said this tonight: "It would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory."

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Aquamarine; Dutchess, The Mayor, DollyCali or GodBlessUSA and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews AnnaofDC......niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son DebWisconsin.............nephews TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw varina davis...................grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband jackv...............................son

[Aquamarine]

Excellent job you two!

Addressing the cut-'n'-runners, Bush said this tonight: "It would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory."

In case any libs are still wondering what the word victory means:

Victory
Defeat of an enemy or opponent.
(n.) Success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle.
(n.) The state of having triumphed.

In the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq, victory is defined as "An Iraq that is in the lead defeating terrorists and insurgents and is providing its own security." ...

The V sign hand gesture is considered a Victory sign .... which produces Peace.

[MEG33]

Happy John Huang Day!

[Billie]

It's Thursday and that means another JohnHuang2 tell it like it is essay at the Finest!!!!

Yes it is, and he does! And dutchess hay-elped! Running out of ways to say yay, good job, nailed it, great graphics, wonderful, funny, hilarious, best ever, so here goes:

yaygoodjobnaileditgreatgrahpicswonderfulfunnyhiliariousbesteveryadayada!

[MEG33]

Artwork by OhioWFan..Love it!

[Texagirl4W]

Ms. Ohio, you are so bad. I'm very busy these days and don't get a chance to read these every day. But I always try to read John's comments on Thursday.

[MEG33]

Grin! Good to see you!

[Aquamarine]

LOL. Good one!

[Aquamarine]

Hi Billie. Did you lose your power during the ice storm?

[Billie]

Hi Billie. Did you lose your power during the ice storm?

Not off for a long period. Just little blips as far as I know. Just enough not to want to keep the pc powered up. Sun is shining today and I'm happy about that! Everything okay there?

[Billie]

Artwork by OhioWFan..Love it!

A work of art! We should make sure that gets in Dubya's Presidential Museum. :)

[Aquamarine]

Not off for a long period. Just little blips as far as I know. Just enough not to want to keep the pc powered up

Oh that's good, didn't see you post for a few days so was worried.

It stayed in the 30's here all day with sunshine. No frozen percipitation but very blustery. We're supposed to get some snow next week.

[Texagirl4W]

Too bad the dorks at SMU don't want him there. I wish I had 100 acres in my back yard. I'd give it to him and let his library be built there.

[MEG33]

Welcome To This World
Precious Piper Jane!

[MEG33]

;)

[LUV W]

Sweet, Megs! Thank you. This is the first that I have seen her, too.

[DollyCali]

Beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DollyCali]

well if someone can make a fortune by putting a crucifix in a vile of urine than oWf should do the same

lol

[LUV W]

Thank you so much. Hopefully I am reposting, though...it seems that I got her birth date wrong. DUH...hit too many numbers. *sigh*

[MEG33]

I hope you get to hold her soon!

[LUV W]

Piper Jane
Born 01-22-07
7lb 2oz
19 1/2 inches

[LUV W]

We're going to see them the weekend of the 3rd of February, so I will...but it's sooooo long from right now! LOL!

[MEG33]

I know, I know!

[DollyCali]

A day here & a day there,,,what does that have to do it the great scheme of things...?

I know, I know,... try telling that to parents!

lol

[LUV W]

LOL!

I just hate making a dumb mistake like that, though!

I got in a big hurry to get it posted.

[jaycee]

This artwork is by a great artist!!! Love it. Best picture of Nancy that I have ever seen~~~~~~~~~

[Aquamarine]

How sweet, she's perfect! Is that your new granddaughter?

[GodBlessUSA]

Piper is a beautiful sweet angel (((Luv)))

[LUV W]

Yes, she's our first!

Thank you so much. We pretty much think we'll keep her! LOL!

[LUV W]

Thank you GB!

I think she is too....and there are a few other pictures, too. That one was just the best one.

[stopem]

Awww Thanks for sharing!
Lord Bless that sweet precious one!

[stopem]

I too try to post as I can today.

Comcast failed to tell me that they were pulling the plug on our email as Timewarner cable took over.
Had to go thru 2800 emails that was on Comcast server and send change of email addresses to friends, biz associates, etc etc . What a headache!

[ohioWfan]

MEG, I am HONORED that you would choose to post my artwork on the Finest thread!

I spent a great deal of time and effort on it (and had the grandest time doing it!), and I agree it should be in the Presidential Library.

The only pay I ask is a private luncheon at the ranch with the President and First Lady, and several hours in which to discuss with them all the things I've been wanting to tell them for six years.

That's fair, isn't it? ;)

[DollyCali]

oh no! that sounds awful. There are many reasons I chose Gmail when I went to cable.. It does avoid nightmares as you described.

well, grab a nice glass of merlot, get a nice herb bath & snuggle with your "buds" here

[ohioWfan]

OH! What a little DOLL, LUV W!! No WONDER you're so proud!

[DollyCali]

okay.. now that you are a famous artist, I hope you will remember your "friends"?

maybe an autograph & let us kiss your ring?

[MEG33]

It was perfect! Absolutely fair..LOL..


;) Your artwork is much admired..Please continue to use your great talent!

[Texagirl4W]

I certainly wish I could grant your wish.

[LUV W]

Thanks! I have one more to show in a minute!

[LUV W]

~Stevie Wonder~
Isn't She Lovely
Piper Jane

[GodBlessUSA]

T.G.I.F. at the Finest