Posted on 09/09/2011 12:49:05 PM PDT by ken5050
Among the victims on 9/11 was Barbara Olson, the beautiful and brilliant author and political commentator who perished when American Airlines flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Many here will recall that she was an avid Freeper ( her screen handle was "bko" )...and many who are new to FR may not have known it. It was because of FR that I had the very good fortune to get to know Barbara..indeed, the week before she died we'd spoken on the phone, to talk about actually meeting in NYC for the first time later that month. She was an absolute delight, and I thought I'd like to briefly share with all of you a little bit about my experiences with her.
The natural eveolution of political discourse in a decade, or have we so allowed our opponents to debase our society? We shall see over then next 15 months...
I still consider myself as a "newbie," even though I signed up in 2000. I had lurked for a couple of years before that, but even then I didn't begin posting until 2004. For those four years, FR was sort of intimidating and I didn't feel I was able to contribute to the discussion. The point being, things were pretty rambunctious, even back then.
Perhaps in these intervening years, we've come to realize a little more clearly the quality of our opposition, and now understand that we can't be nice guys. The other side doesn't play by the rules - never has, never will.
We cannot afford to be the party armed with a knife at a gunfight. Even to this day, we see threads whining and complaining about how "the media" doesn't treat our side fairly. Hellfire, when did they ever? It is stupid to ever expect them to change just because we complain.
You're correct, these political times are unpleasant. The trick is to make it more unpleasant for them than for us.
Thank you so much for sharing this. We all feel the loss but I am sorry it touched you so personally.
Thanks seek. I appreciate the ping. I remember those days on FR when bko used to post. She was such a great representative for us conservatives. What a tragedy. I don’t want to dwell on it because it makes me very sad. Tears come and anger rises.
Ken, thanks for the wonderful post. I am so glad you have such great memories.
She is now walking the streets of gold with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We miss you, Barbara K. Olson.
Oh my. I was standing in the rain with my sign outside the West Palm Beach offices where the recounts were going on. Oh the memories. Thanks.
Oh, cajun. My house was upside down.
Thanks - excellent piece. I used to read your reports. I guess I’m dating both of us!
Thanks for sharing, ken5050. You have a fond memory of a nice lady.
BKO was one of the best. Ken, thanks for sharing. And thanks for the Chappaqua reports also. They were good reads back then. The Freeper family is still strong.
I always think of Barbara Olson on this day especially. She seemed like a delightful person. I bought her book but I’ve never been able to bring myself to read it. Maybe I can put that on my to-do list.
I never got to meet her, talk to her, or converse with her on FR, but I did go to her memorial service. She was from here (Houston) and her siblings and many other family members still live here. The service was quite a while after 9-11, they had just been able to identify some of her remains and they were given to her family and they interred them after the service.
There were lots of great stories about her. She LOVED her high heels, and always wore them. Her little step granddaughters loved her dearly, and as she walked around in her high heels, those little girls were described as following her around like little ducklings. There was an excellent video tribute that was provided by Larry King. Another thing that stuck with me was that everyone loved her, even those on the other side of the aisle that she frequently sparred with on TV were crazy about her, and that says a lot.
Ken, thank you so much for posting this. It brings back so many bittersweet memories.
Two-thirds, I do remember that video. I wanted to reach through the screen and stop her.
I will never forget that day, and all of the people we lost, especially Barbara Olson. May God grant her eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon her.
That is a great post. Thank you so very much for sharing with us. I never encountered BKO on FR, but I recall vividly seeing her on TV interviews, and she was a shing light in dismal TV land. I HATED hearing that she had passed on to her great reward.
And thank you for becoming involved in the pajamas media process, before it WAS that. Invaluable information.
That is a great post. Thank you so very much for sharing with us. I never encountered BKO on FR, but I recall vividly seeing her on TV interviews, and she was a shing light in dismal TV land. I HATED hearing that she had passed on to her great reward.
And thank you for becoming involved in the pajamas media process, before it WAS that. Invaluable information.
Ditto to your words, SCB.
God bless her & her husband. Thank you for the post.
A few of the DC Chapter did get a chance to meet this remarkable woman. It was after the Annual Freep at the White House Correspondence Dinner, and we were in the bar, watching the dinner on TV. When it ended, we saw the Olsons as they came into the bar right beside us. We introduced ourselves as Freepers and it was as if she’d known us forever! So gracious and smiling and chatty! I was beside myself! She really was a little lady and needed those high heels! Ted was friendly, but it was Barbara who was the center.
It was a delightful encounter. After the terrible news of that day, and learning that she had died, that chance meeting with her now brings me to tears.
R.I.P., BKO.
It would have been a sin to keep that story to yourself - The perfect way to remember Barbara. Thanks, Ken.
Yes, Jane. Beautifully said.
Thanks for posting this story. Barbara was before my time on FR, but I’ve heard her mentioned from time to time. I tried to find some clips of her on You Tube, but haven’t seen anything other than clips related to 9/11. Do you know of any links to videos of her CNN or Fox work? I really want to hear her conservative voice.
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