Posted on 01/06/2011 4:04:05 PM PST by Leigh Patrick Sullivan
Ten years ago today saw the creation of what I consider perhaps the most important online web forum in Canada.
January 6th, 2001 saw the launch of The Voice of Principled Conservatism - Free Dominion.
At the time, our nation was mired in a seemingly endless reign of Jean Chretien's majority Liberal government. The national media gave us a choice between the far-left (CBC) and the slightly left (CTV) as far as news and political commentary. We were stuck in perpetual political correctness and left-wing dogma run amok.
The internet was no different. For Canadians on the political right, places to gather and exchange ideas were few and far between.
Connie Fournier changed all that with an idea and a keyboard.
I joined the forum around the same time as I launched my blog in 2005. In the six years since, I have engaged in debates, shared chuckles, been privy to some fascinating thoughts and ideas, made a few friends (and frienemies).
Heck, even Connie and I have been known to have a few disagreements on some matters.
I will even admit to learning a few things on political subjects from some of the regular, and not-so-regular contributors, and more than once got an idea for a rant on my own site.
In it's first decade, FD has had it's share of controversy, most notably being the focus of Human Rights Commission witch hunts. Expected and certainly not surprising, as members regularly dare to throw political correctness on the scrap heap and exercise free speech - unacceptable to the usual liberal suspects out there.
You gotta love that.
Free Dominion has become something of a touchstone for rightwing and moderate Canadians. It has helped to make it okay not to be a typical liberal Canadian robot. It has given a real, new media voice to many conservatives that, for so many years, did not have one.
It has even reached beyond our nation's borders, attracting avid members and casual followers from the United States and beyond.
To Connie and Mark Fournier, my most sincere thank you. Cheers to Free Dominion on a fantastic first decade. May you - may we - continue to push the boundaries, speak the truth, and piss off the tinfoil hat wearing crowd for many more years to come.
Does Canada have any conservative cable news stations, similar to Fox News?
happy Birthday
Happy Birthday and congrats to Free Dominion!
Everyone else in Canada...
not so much.
Yeah, they're cool too.
But...
A serious country would bring back normal Mackintosh Toffee bars.
Ping
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