I discovered Free Republic by pure chance on November 3, 1998.
I attended an Election Victory Watch Party in celebration of a candidate running for a United States Senate seat, that was held in a hotel ballroom in Schaumburg, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The winning freshman Senator was Peter Goslin Fitzgerald. He was part of a conservative group that preceded the Tea Party, known as the Fab Five in the Republican ranks of Illinois politicians.
One by one, the Fab Five were picked off by the Combine or Uniparty, leaving only Fitzgerald standing and victorious. He was the first Republican to win an Illinois US Senate seat in 20 years. Needless to say, and no surprise, as he was essentially taken out after 6 years by the systemically corrupt GOP RINOS. Fitzgerald was the maverick that John McCain could only imagine he saw in himself. I recommended Fitzgerald for Vice President, but nothing came of it, and I suspect he turned down any offer that may have come his way from the Trump team. I digress...
Back on topic: A fellow victory party attendant had taken a NEWSMAX yard sign and on the back scrawled Free Republic’s www URL.
Upon arriving back at my hotel room, or perhaps it might have been even later on at my domicile, I looked up this website. In short order, I was hooked, although I did lurk for almost 2 years before registering and posting “live.”
Lo and behold, here I am posting “live” with a 27-year relationship under my belt, communicating with a “mostly” outstanding online community. There is no escaping the cold, hard reality that there is also a component of turds in the punchbowl that seem to be increasing rather than decreasing here at Free Republic. Aside from that unfortunate aspect, I am all in “presenting” until death do us part.
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As to brass tacks, let the thread run on... for months on end if need be, and if anyone is so inclined, they can construct a new thread as they see fit.
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I enjoyed and greatly appreciated the rally threads, prompting me to attend 4 Trump rallies live. Going back to the Obama, Bush eras, I participated in 10 Support the Troops rallies live, traveling within Illinois, and across the country, visiting Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
And, motivated further, from political activism originating from this website, I served downrange in Afghanistan, and Iraq, for 40 months supporting our troops in the “War on Terror.”
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It’s been one hell of a ride, AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED!
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The Trump Train has no brakes, but the spineless backstabbing Republican choo choo train does. Enter sad trombone sound here.
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At your service, <> freepersup <> Cowboy Up! Eagles Up! freepersup!
Need some discussion of your interest, participation and willingness to continue our thread
If the time has come to close down shop - that’s okay. We’re all busy and spend our screen time where we are drawn
We can get news anywhere…here we come for that but more so the social connections - friendship
My post doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the recall about my real-life experiences, owing to the political activism-catalyst that is a primary component of my interest and participation here at Free Republic. WOOT! WOOT!
The Trump Train has no brakes!
You have had such a rich life … you capture every moment with enthusiasm and adventure.
Your spirit is so encouraging and contagious . After reading your posts I get pumped up
Thanks for being YOU and sharing that gift with us here