Posted on 10/20/2008 7:42:32 PM PDT by dware
I found Free Republic in 1998. It was the Clinton era, and I was fired up about Bill perjuring himself. I was so passionate about the issue that I started my first website with GeoCities. After finding FR during a Jeeves search, I quickly began coming here for information the lamestream media wasn't providing. Then I found something more.
I started out slow, visiting every now and again, lurking, reading what seemed at the time a TON of information on the Lewinsky scandal and everything Clinton. Before long, I found myself on FR for hours, constantly refreshing the latest post page to see what was new, and whether or not anyone had responded to my own latest post.
Since then, I have spent four elections with everyone here. It would have been five, but I missed one due to the death of the man that taught me everything I know about God and America - my Grandfather. He was a FReeper, even though he never had the chance to find out. In addition, he was a Navy Veteran and General in the Lord's Army. In plain words, he was a statesman, a freedom fighter and a true American hero.
In 2000, I found more friends here. Ones that supported my campaign first for the House of Representatives in New Mexico, and went on to support my new fight - the 2nd Amendment. I found it interesting that those here on FR, those that love FReedom the most, also happen to be gun owners.
On September 11, I turned here for news but more importantly, for the company of those that were feeling the same way as me. I remember reading the FR threads and stopping long enough to look to the TV screen, and hear the reporter mention the blast they had just heard at the Pentagon. At the very moment of the blast, they thought is was a bomb. My fears of the contrary were confirmed through reports pouring in here.
Over the years, I have continued to turn to FR despite the occasional heiatus (I'm sure someone here will correct my spelling). When I am not posting, I am lurking. When I am not lurking, I am most likely at work.
I have sought and found comfort here on many occasions. In 2000, after I lost my campaign, but went on the protest trail with fellow FReepers. "Get out of Cheney's house!" SoreLoserman and the rest were the battle cry of the time. I remember every Saturday from November into December, setting up our spot at the corner of Louisiana & Lomas in Albuqerque. Us NM FReepers were even in the local news on a couple of occassions!
In 2004, when it looked as though John F*n Kerry was going to win (10 points ahead of W in October. Sound familiar?) I was teaching at the time. The next morning I went into class and told my students a Kerry joke I had read here on FR. While most of my students laughed, I was even more surprised when the Dean of Faculty took it and used it.
In 2006, when the Republicans in Congress lost a sure thing, I was here. I kinda felt like that pic of Daschle after they lost yet another presidential election. Defeated. Unfortunately, it was also the same year I lost my wife of fourteen years to divorce. I guess in a way I felt as though I too had lost a sure thing. I knew for a fact that I had lost any chance of seeing my Social Security money.
Recently I returned to FR. I have been posting more frequently lately. Responding in even more cases. Sometimes it's to plug my own blog (KillTheBailout.com). Other times, it's just to vent.
This time, however, it serves a purpose. To say thanks to my brothers & sisters in arms. To let the family know I love them, and to let you know I look forward to many more elections right here, where I know I can find the truth at any given moment. Or a laugh at the moose and the cheese and shower.
Anyhow, thank you JimRob. Thank you fellow FReepers. Thank you oh wise and powerful Internet. And thank G_d for the "bloggers and personal" category...
dware
Added to the blogroll!
I went through so much ice cream that I gained about 10 lbs. I was glued to the news.
...as a CS major, I love your tagline! :)
I know how you feel, I picked up a link to FR from Drudge’s site in the 1990s. I was lurking when former President Clinton was facing impeachment, through 9/11, and till just a few years ago, when I started posting.
Among the most memorable was reading the posts when Dan Rather was busted right here on FR over the forged NG documents.
I was hooked from the first day I visited FR. There is so much information, and so many intelligent people here.
I’ve made some dear friends here also.
Wish we could have an annual FR convention, where we all get together in person and plan our strategies for the future of the country, maybe even have a fundraiser for this wonderful site (an auction with donated items to bid on, proceeds going to the site).
We could have booth/displays set up for state affiliates, special interests like gun rights, right to life, and support our military. Heck, a few of us would set up a gardening booth, bring some of our flowers for sale to benefit FR).
It would be a great thing, we could raise lots of money for FR, meet all those we’ve corresponded with for so many years.
Wonder if this could ever happen?
Hi Guys!
Once a FReeper, alwats a FReeper!!!
A fellow geek, eh? I’m in good company.
Sounds like you have some “community organizing” to do right here on FR!
Hardly seems like that long does it FRiend.
We may have need of FRiends in the future.
Welcome back to the fellowship.
I have no doubt, FRiend. And I have a feeling the powder will be dry.
Thanks for adding me to the blogroll.
I would love to help.
I’ve been involved in organizing conventions for organizations with as many as 600 attendees, working with tourism commissions to set up discounted room rates, and getting businesses to donate catered meals, etc. Also have helped with setting up and securing auction donations from manufacturers, etc.
We should do this, and I am on board if there is any more interest from other freepers.
Those were the days.
Yep. I even remember back to when I used to post nearly half of the articles in any given day. Almost no vanities ... yay! ;-)
1998 was indeed a good year, as I found and became intrigued with this site and joined after lurking for awhile. Nobody does it better than Jim Robinson, and when I try to visit other conservative sites, I end up back here in a minute or two because I just don’t like the format elsewhere, too crowded with distractions. This helped me get through the blessed end of the Clinton era (CompuServe prior to FR), and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.
Then, living through the WTC attacks on 9/11 and the War and all the other world events while immersed in the wisdom and camraderie that came from this forum was truly amazing.
Great vanity. Thanks for being here.
Goodness, ever since you mentioned this, I have been going over too many ideas for it. From an FR Speaker's Circuit to the full on Annual Convention. I believe there was a cruise at one time or another. But I think the idea of a convention would fair better. Perhaps hold them at first in Democrat stronghold states. Garner some media attention, and help out LOCAL candidates, etc. etc. etc....
You have some good points.
While it would be hard for me to travel great distances right now, maybe we could organize regional groups, that could all come together for a regional meeting once a year.
Much like our state wildlife agency does in this/many states. Local, regional organizations could meet during the year, then come up with suggestions on what issues, races, to concentrate on.
Then, all these local/state affiliates could send a rep to a national convention once a year to hash out the important races, issues, like voter fraud,etc.
Then we’d come up with a major strategy, and concentrate all the freeper energies on the most important.
We have so many talented freepers, and could come up with freeper funraisers to pay for these conventions. Freeper cookbook sales, other items, auctions (hey we have gun dealers, antique dealers, gardeners, so many fields that could contribute auction items. The ladies could hold freeper bake sales, I’d get hunting /fishing guides to donate guided fishing/hunting trips. These could all be auctioned off for expenses to these meetings/conventions. And, even money to pay for advertising for political campaigns.
We have so many educated, devoted, and hardworking freepers with so much to offer. It’s one thing to be on a forum and talk about what we want, but the organizing could bring all our talents together, and get things done, build an army (with equipment and armor) to actually be in the fight to take back this country.
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