Hello.
The kittens are what is known as an "in-joke" here in America.
On this site, we get a lot of disruptors and interlopers. People who show up ONLY to insult and cause trouble on-line.
The kittens are "The Viking Kitties" and are part of the culture of Free Republic.
Kittenss show up on the thread if the poster is doing something WRONG, or contrary to the culture of Free Republic. If someone is getting a lot of kittens, chances are , he or she, will have their account banned.
If you get banned, this is called a "Zot".
I haven't seen the horses before.
There IS a protocol to introducing onceself to Free Republic.
You say you have read the Introduction.
If I were you, i would take it seriously.
I would also make a Profile Page.
We've had aa LOT of disruptors since last summer, and we are all a little "trigger-happy". (It's an American tnhing. Goes with being a cowboy)
So relax.
Talk. don't bloviate.
Comment on different threads, be polite. Get to know US.
Don't post a lot of "Vanities", which is how you started HERE, and which is why you are getting kittiies.
(And some of uss wwon't like the contents of the Vanity.. which gets you more kitties)
Does this help?
Yes it does. Thank you. (wait I better go through a spell check on this one....NAAAAAAAAAAaaah, I'll bite the bullet)