A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-06-03....Arkansas Hog Wild Freeper!

Billie

[Billie]

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.

                     

In Our Spotlight Today....

Budge

Budge, right, shown with L.D. Brown prior
to the FR House Manager's Dinner in 1999.

Hard to know where to begin when talking about FReeper Budge, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Budge joined FR on March 28, 1998, and started making a difference immediately.  Check out his profile page, for example, and you'll understand what I mean. He's been involved in FReep after FReep after FReep; and the many links on his page will testify to his dedication to America, Conservatism, and FR.  And how many FReepers do you know who have their own Freepmobile? (AKA "The Money Pit")  :)

"Freedom on the Move"

Budge tells me he was born in 1934, and raised along the Texas Gulf Coast.  He moved to Arkansas in 1984 to be near his sister who recently succumbed to cancer. It was his sister, as a matter of fact, who gave him his name -- and the name he chose for his FR screen name. As he tells it:

"My sister couldn’t pronounce 'brother'; it came out 'Budge' and has stuck with me all these years."

"My Dad was a professional musician, organist, pianist; and along with my mother, they did their best to teach me right from wrong and the American way of life. They taught me to respect the Flag, respect everyone who deserved it, and to respect myself."

"I lost my Mom when I was in high school, and Dad did everything in his power to keep me on the straight and narrow until his death in 1986. I am forever grateful to both of them, as well as my sister for this."

"On Halloween night, 1957, I got drunk and walked into the side of a moving freight train, resulting in the loss of both arms and my left leg, not to mention other injuries. About the only thing I remember from that night was awakening in the emergency room with a Priest giving me the Last Rights. I told him, not too politely, that I wasn’t going anywhere."

"After my release from the hospital and before I was fitted with prosthetics, my Dad had to feed me, bathe me, take me to the bathroom.   It was his unselfishness in caring for me that helped in making me quit feeling sorry for myself quickly, and gave me the determination to become independent. I looked forward to the day I would get my new arms."

"When that day finally arrived I asked the prosthestist where I would go to learn how to use them.  He told me I already knew more than anyone could teach me, which was true. As a result I was constantly experimenting with the best and easiest way to complete simple daily activities."

"Before long I was working with other amputees, teaching and consoling them. A very rewarding experience, which I still do to this day, though not as often as I once did."

"I registered to vote (finally) when JFK ran for President. Since he was a Catholic, and I planned to vote for him, I registered as a Democrat -- against my Dad's advice! It was then that I began to really pay attention to politics. It didn’t take long to realize that what most politicians said and what they did were two entirely different things. My party, the Democrats, the party that was touted to be for the little man, was turning into the party for the lazy man. The man who didn’t want to work but felt the government owed him a living. My party was letting me and the rest of the nation down, leading us down a path to Socialism. They are getting closer to it every day."

"I had gone to work in radio in the late 1950’s and stayed in it off and on until 1998, when I decided to retire. Retirement lasted almost a whole month! :) I applied for and got a job as greeter at the local Wal-Mart where I still work today."

"Photography was always a passion of mine, and when I wasn’t in radio I took pictures for a living. I loved to travel taking scenic pictures, and a number of them were actually published. But when money got tight, I'd go back into radio."

"I was never in the military but honor those who are or have been. I did enjoy the years I spent in the Coast Guard Auxiliary when Dad and I owned a fair sized Chris Craft cruiser."

When Budge moved to Arkansas he met Mike Galster, the local prosthestist. It was through Mike that he learned of the tainted blood and how many lives were destroyed because of the Clinton greed for money. It was then that he became actively involved in doing all he could to expose the Clinton scandals; his profile page is filled with links of that involvement here at FR.

A note:  As with so many other FReepers, Budge also mentioned that when he discovered Rush Limbaugh, he was amazed how much they thought alike.  : )

Budge attended the Impeachment Day Rally in October of 1998 -- his very first visit to D.C. His second visit was in May of 1999, when he traveled to D.C. for the House Managers Dinner and rally. He also organized a special tour of the White House (then the “Pink House”) that was attended by twenty-seven FReepers. Below are photos taken during those trips.

Budge and Jim Robinson, Impeachment Rally, 1998

Budge and Physicist, Impeachment Rally, 1998

Budge and Congressman BillyBob, House Manager's Rally, 1999

Freepers' White House Tour

Finally, the last two photos were taken before the 2002 elections. In the FReepmobile, are Budge and Don Friovinai as they were leaving for the 2002 Clinton FReep. The Battman is pictured in the second photo with Budge during the FReep.

Recently we, the Hog Wild FReepers, have begun a fight against voter fraud. Thank you, Sweetliberty, for spearheading this battle!

Freepers Against Vote Fraud



Enjoy Your Day, Budge!
Our FIRST Finest FReeper in 2003!

THIS WEEKEND'S THREAD 01-04,05-03 Week in Review

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

[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest FReepers.

The Christmas tree is down, and the noisemakers are put away. Are you feeling blue because the holidays are over? Well, chin up. Jnuary is crammed full of opportunities to celebrate.

• Jan 6:  Organize Your Home Day. If you made this a New Year's resolution, begin now. The firt Monday of January is dedicated to clearning the clutter from hearth and home.
• Jan 13:  Nation Clean Off Your Desk Day. Okay, if you can't manage at home, maybe you can do it at the office. The second Monday of January is dedicated to clearing the decks for another year's worth of aperwork.
• Jan 22:  National Compliment Day. You're supposed to compliment at least five people. Makes them feel good -- and science has proved it makes you feel good, too.
• Jan 27:  Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. A day to celebrate the joy that bubble wrap brings to our lives. Go ahead and pop some with friends and co-workers.

~ Chase's 2002 Calendar of Events (Contemporary Books/The McGraw-Hill Company)

Thanks for coming today - YEA! We're back to normal - a FReeper in the Spotlight today! We also have a birthday today! With congratulations and best wishes to our Finest FReeper and Our Birthday Angel. :)

[Fiddlstix]

Good Morning Everybody.

You Know The Drill
Click the Pics J

Coffee & Donuts J

[Billie]

Happy Two Year FReeper Anniversary, Spunky!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie and all.

[Billie]

Happy Birthday, Dansy!

[Diver Dave]

Gooooood Mornin' FR's Finest...

Selecting Budge as the first FR's Finest... of 2003 is an excellent choice.

Congratulations Budge. We've communicated a few times in the past and now we get to meet you big time.

Again, Congratulations. Keep up the good work!

[Mudboy Slim]

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Good to see you, Billie!! As much as I love the holidays, I agree with a post you made a coupla days ago wherein you looked forward to a Return to Normalcy!! Plus, I've got boucoups credit card bills to pay back...LOL!!

Now, on another issue...

"Is AG Ashcroft Now a Co-Conspirator in the Coverup of Clinton's Treason?!"

Or is Ashcroft simply an Incompetent BOOB?!! Either way, it is High Time Ashcroft RESIGNS and is replaced by someone willing and able to do the job he was hired to do!!!

Quite Sincerely...MUD

BTW...I've been asked--very nicely, I might add--to take this debate elsewhere, so please make yer replies to me on the linked thread, and not to the FReeper's Finest thread. Still, this issue ain't going away and if we don't get an Attorney General willing and able to uphold Justice, it could cost Dubyuh his reelection bid in 2004 as the Medyuh certainly can make a strong case that Ashcroft is Complicit in the Coverup of Clinton's Crimes!!

[Mudboy Slim]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWW!!!!!

Way to go, Budge...I can't think of a better FReeper to lead off a new year of FReeper's Finests!!!

It's been great getting to know you online, my FRiend, and I look forward to getting to make yer acquaintance in person as some future FReeper event!!

Utmost FReegards...MUD

[g'nad]

g'mornin' Miss Billie as I look out the window:

The snow clinging to the trees under a pale grey sky...
the cold steel waters mirror the blanketed heavens...
a small oasis of pale blue in a sea of monochrome moving towards the sunrise..
the birds flying hard, beating fast into the West wind,
as if they were fleeing the dawn...
under a silent snowfall...

Thanks for bein here...

[FreeTheHostages]

Way to go, Budge...I can't think of a better FReeper to lead off a new year of FReeper's Finests!!!

What Mud said! Although I don't yee-haw.

[ValerieUSA]

Bubble wrap appreciation day falls on my brother-in-law's birthday. Could that be significant?

Good Monday Morning Fine FReepers

[Angelwood]

Happy Birthday to Dansangel. It is also tgslTakoma's birthday this 6th day of January. Best wishes for a great day to both.

Congratulations on being one of FR's Finest, Budge! FReep On!

[MinuteGal]

Congratulations on being honored today. It's SO well-deserved. You are an inspiration to all. You deserve the end slice of Dansy's birthday cake!

Leni

[dutchess]

Congratulations Budge on being selected the first "finest" of 2003! Can't think of a better selection! Enjoy your day!

Great tribute Billie. Wish I could do that :o)

HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY SPUNKY and a Happy Birthday to you Dansy!!!!

Would love to visit but work beckons! See you all later!

[Diver Dave]

Happy Birthday, dansangel and tgslTakoma

[Billie]

[iceskater]

I've got boucoups credit card bills to pay back...LOL!!

You and me both. I am not looking forward to the bills from my trip. Between Christmas presents and shopping I had to ship a box of stuff home since it wouldn't fit in the luggage. Plus, we probably couldn't have carried/toted all the luggage w/all the stuff even if we could've got it all packed. Oh well, that was our first vacation in a couple of years. And we had a great time.

[Budge]

Oh WOW! What can I say but, "What an honor!" Thank you, Billie!

P.S. Ever see such an ugly mug? :)

[nicmarlo]

Pingaroo and congratulations, Budge!!! Wow, what an incredible life you have had....and I know how active you still are. Glad to get to know you even better, Budge!