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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-21-03...The American Idea
jwfiv and Billie | jwfiv

Posted on 01/21/2003 5:59:29 AM PST by 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:  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.



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



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.



TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack



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 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1
GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc
GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf
GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma
      

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.




                     







We Are The World




The American Idea
by jwfiv

Always I've carried the memory of standing in our front yard, under the great tree, pondering the just-acquired information that my neighborhood was only a small part of a big, round planet, and there was a place clear over on the other side of it called India, which was full of first-graders just like myself.




A typical Grail Castle moment of wonder as
my world enlarged
that afternoon.

The thought I remember so clearly is:

"I could have been
born over there...
but, I'd still be me."






        I learned that my corner of the globe was called America, and grew up to know that we are a country of free individuals, and the story of America is the tale of a brave and hardy people creating a Nation that embodied an Idea unique in all the history of nations.
That idea being that the individual person is endowed by the Creator with those famous and notorious "certain inalienable rights".
In the New World, it is the common man and woman who rule by Divine Right, not the king, emperor, priest, pharaoh or caliph, as in the Old World.
Holy smokes, what a grand thought... how reckless and bold and daring, yet how grounded in a faith in the worth and goodness of Man.
Declaration of Independence This revolutionary American Idea means that to be an American is to be guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to understand that all people have the same right.....
all, everywhere.
From the first colonies, on through nationhood, Americans were from the European ethos, with its history and tradition of conquest and empire. This being a way not just of Europe, but most all of Man gone before.
For the Nation to be true to our Founding Idea, the Cornerstone of that City on the Hill, our task has been to honor and carry with us the best of the inherited culture, but also to unlearn the lessons and discard the ways of our forebears when they conflicted with our own charter.
The American ethos is a tradition and history of freedom and opportunity for every citizen...we don't colonize but liberate, and share, as best we can, not just wealth and comfort, gadgets and cheeseburgers, but, the Idea, so that all people in all nations may know their own inalienable rights, and be empowered to pursue their own destiny.
Of course, not all soil is good soil, and the Seed of Freedom will sometimes not take hold and flower unless the ground is turned over, and over, and over. It is said the Tree of Liberty is watered with the blood of patriots.
The generations must pass before this unlearning of the Old World's ways can be accomplished. This is so for us, as well as others, but, as Americans, we have a head start..



Three world wars, two very hot and one cold but no less dark and bloody, were waged in the 20th Century and the American Idea has proven triumphant beyond anyone's hope or vision, save a few optimists and visionaries, the beloved Ronaldus Magnus chief amongst them.






Another generation brings us to now, today, as the world turns over again before our eyes.
America finds itself in a war for survival, not just of our Nation, but of the Idea.
The Old Ways of Man can sense, and they bitterly resent, the global spread of Liberty, American-style, so they rear their tails, like scorpions, to strike our lives and poison our faith in That which sustains, inspires and transforms the world.
With this war on terror now upon us, we have a President who chooses to stand and meet the challenge.
The American Military wrote a new chapter in the history of warfare with its campaign to crush the Taliban and free the people of Afghanistan, and in the year since has been tracking and killing and caging their terrorist kin all over the world.




The President may soon again send our boys and girls and men and women in uniform into fierce battle...an imperative, as he knows the scorpions intend to strike a blow more crippling than September 11.
I believe this weighs heavy upon our Commander-In-Chief¹s caring heart.
No one devoted to the Idea will be glad at the necessity of war. But, in the tradition of the reluctant warrior, leader, prophet or ring-bearer, the task is given him, and he rises to meet it.
As the President said, we wage war not to conquer, but to liberate ourselves and our allies from the threat of death and destruction. In turn, this will bring liberation to the people of those threatening nations now ruled by the despotic and insane elites devoted to the Old Ways.
Our necessary battle is to keep our people safe and free, to free the people now in bondage...and, to keep the Idea bright and alive and available to all the world, so that, just like that American kid wondering under the great tree long ago, first-graders everywhere may be guaranteed the right to be whoever they are, whoever they want to become.
May God always bless America, and keep our President and troops and all our people safe from harm, and victorious in war.
(And, personally, may I add: I'm damn grateful for the American Idea...Thank You, Lord.)

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




From St. Matthew, Chapter 7:

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.





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

Thank you, JWFIV!

An outstanding, from-the-heart essay!

MORE! MORE!


Photo credits to Diogenesis and his "Gotta See This" threads for the following photos:
  1. the children in the classroom;
  2. President Bush and Condoleeza Rice;
  3. the little girl above with the baseball glove
  4. and our Pledge Graphic today.





THIS WEEK'S THREADS

01-20-03 Puddleglum

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




TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: essays; freepers; fun; military; patriotic; surprises; veterans
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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.


1 posted on 01/21/2003 5:59:29 AM PST by Billie
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To: All

Donate Here By Secure Server

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Thanks Registered

2 posted on 01/21/2003 6:01:08 AM PST by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
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To: ST.LOUIE1; Mama_Bear; daisyscarlett; dansangel; dutchess; Aquamarine; Diver Dave; JustAmy; ...
Good Morning, All. Hope you enjoy today's Finest! With many thanks to our Guest Writer today for this excellent contribution!


3 posted on 01/21/2003 6:03:37 AM PST by Billie
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To: Billie
Good morning Billie and everyone.


4 posted on 01/21/2003 6:06:24 AM PST by Aeronaut (Your message imprinted here)
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To: Billie
Good Morning Everybody.
You Know The Drill
Click the Pics
Fun Fun Fun

Click The Logo For Fundraiser Thread Click here to Contribute to FR: Do It Now! ;-) I Get Around California Girls

Coffee & Donuts J

5 posted on 01/21/2003 6:08:56 AM PST by Fiddlstix (Tag Line Service Center: FREE Tag Line with Every Monthly Donation to FR. Get Yours. Inquire Within)
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To: Aeronaut
Good morning, Aeronaut. Always glad to see your early morning flyover. All is well. :)
6 posted on 01/21/2003 6:12:02 AM PST by Billie
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To: ST.LOUIE1
Good halo!! I always worried about you sitting on a lower branch: this is the perfect solution.
7 posted on 01/21/2003 6:13:53 AM PST by FreeTheHostages
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To: Fiddlstix
'Morning, Music Man. We doing Beach Boys today? :)
8 posted on 01/21/2003 6:14:12 AM PST by Billie
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To: jwfiv; Billie
That was great. Our necessary battle is to keep our people safe and free, to free the people now in bondage...and, to keep the Idea bright and alive and available to all the world My boyfriend says one shouldn't think about politics too much -- one gets angry. But I don't get angry thinking about this country. I really don't. Billie, your simple and true graphics presentation went perfectly with this!
9 posted on 01/21/2003 6:17:33 AM PST by FreeTheHostages
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To: Billie; jwfiv
Very good essay Jwfiv.

You are right about the majority of the people of the world seeing only our Golden Arches, MTV, Hollywood and soap opera news. They don't see the liberty and the sacrifices made for that liberty and the true desire of our people to see the rest of the world to enjoy that same freedom. We are more than what the rest of world sees outwardly and you have distilled that into a solid essay.

10 posted on 01/21/2003 6:17:42 AM PST by ladtx
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To: jwfiv

11 posted on 01/21/2003 6:18:18 AM PST by FreeTheHostages
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To: Billie
'Morning, Music Man. We doing Beach Boys today? :)

LOL. Sure thing J

12 posted on 01/21/2003 6:18:55 AM PST by Fiddlstix (Tag Line Service Center: FREE Tag Line with Every Monthly Donation to FR. Get Yours. Inquire Within)
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To: Billie
Hi Billie and all. What has poor Louie done? Why is Louie being ostracized? Good morning Louie. Perhaps it is your deodorant.
13 posted on 01/21/2003 6:20:34 AM PST by Temple Owl
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To: Billie; All



I signed the national "I SUPPORT THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF" petition
to support our President's actions in the war against
terror and want you do the same. Click below to
stand with our Commander In Chief:

CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION



Jane Fonda, Oliver Stone, West Wing's Martin Sheen,
Gloria Steinem, Rev. Al Sharpton and others have taken
part in a national effort to "Resist the war and repression
that has been loosed on the world by the Bush Administration.
It is unjust, immoral and illegitimate."

The organization is calling itself NION (Not In Our Name),
and already more than 200,000 have joined the celebrity
elite in this brutal attempt to undermine our President's
policies.

Using the Internet, and major media outlets, they are
openly and viciously attacking President Bush by stating
that their goal is to "resist the policies and overall
political direction that have emerged since September
11, 2001."

As Americans who love our God, and country, this is
outrageous!

* * * * A CALL TO ACTION! * * * *

We are tired of the celebrity elite stealing away our
voice on key issues that affect our nation by proclaiming:

NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE LIBERTY-LOVING CITIZENS OF
OUR GREAT NATION TO RISE UP AND SUPPORT OUR
PRESIDENT IN THE FACE OF THESE DAMAGING
ASSAULTS BY CLICKING BELOW:

CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION

Through this national effort, Grassfire.net wants to
deliver more than 100,000 signed petitions as quickly
as possible to the White House, key leaders in Congress,
and to the NION advisory board.

Here's how YOU can help ...

* * * ACTION ITEM #1 --SIGN THE PETITION

We are calling on every American to sign our
national "I SUPPORT THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF"
petition.

Click below to sign:

CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION

And after signing, we are asking you to forward this
message to 20-30 of your freedom-loving friends--urging
them to stand with the President and against the
liberal-minded message of Jane Fonda, Oliver Stone
and others by signing the petition as well!

Thank you for lending your voice in the growing chorus
of support for our Commander In Chief!


Grassfire.net
Real Impact. Read Feedback. Real Results.

P.S. Just one year ago, political leaders from both
sides of the aisle as well as the Hollywood elite
rallied behind our President. Now, just one year
later, the radical left is undermining the President
while our servicemen and women are defending our
way of life!

To counter NION's efforts, we are asking you to help
us double, even triple their efforts as soon as possible.
Please join the thousands of others who are urging
Congress to support the Commander In Chief, today!


+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

CLICK BELOW TO SIGN THE
"I SUPPORT THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF" PETITION: CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION

14 posted on 01/21/2003 6:27:41 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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To: Billie; jwfiv
Mornin' y'all. Good essay. Now who's got the coffee?? *YAWN*

15 posted on 01/21/2003 6:37:35 AM PST by sweetliberty (RATS out!)
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To: Billie
Hi, Billie!

Where Am I in that graphic?

I could be on the branch with Louie! :^)

16 posted on 01/21/2003 6:52:40 AM PST by Pippin (Pippin: Warrior Hobbit!)
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To: Billie
I have lib "friends" who actually wanted to go to DC to participate in the "protest." They actually believe W wants this war to make up for his dad's loose end. When they said they wanted to go it made me sick. After reading this, it makes me sad for all the children in the world they are letting down.
17 posted on 01/21/2003 6:54:41 AM PST by Lee'sGhost (Edwards sucks AND loves peaceniks: (excuse my French))
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To: jwfiv
A beautiful and moving essay, JW!
18 posted on 01/21/2003 6:57:55 AM PST by Pippin (Pippin: Warrior Hobbit!)
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To: Lee'sGhost
I'm gonna ((HUG)) a ghost again!

Good Morning, (((((LG)))))!

19 posted on 01/21/2003 6:59:05 AM PST by Pippin (Pippin: Warrior Hobbit!)
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To: FreeTheHostages
(((((FTH)))))0
20 posted on 01/21/2003 6:59:54 AM PST by Pippin (Pippin: Warrior Hobbit!)
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