Posted on 10/26/2004 1:54:02 PM PDT by Clump
I am fairly new here, so I am just wondering what it was like at FR in 2000.
Sorry for this stupid vanity. I thought it was going to post on a general chat thread. Please refrain from throwing darts.
It was tense at times. It was the need to vent that led me to stop lurking and join at that time. We also got the big picture of what was going on in terms of protests, etc... across the country. It was nice to know you aren't alone.
It was nuts. I would not have made it if it were not for fellow Freepers.
it was before the beeber i think
It was nuts. I would not have made it if it were not for fellow Freepers.
The media was just as bad, but they have been chastened this election by the Dan Rather forged memogate. Dubya had been ahead until the stupid kiss at the dme convention. Bush had to fight back and the debates helped, but it really started with the "Major league Clymer" incident at North Central College.
During the recount, many of us organized local protests when the dems were tyring to steal the election. The DC area Freepers set up shop across from Algore's mansion chanting "Get out of Cheney's house".
No... there was a significant amount of FReepers who weren't exactly sold on GWB, and the stakes were nowhere near as high. In general, we were confident of a GWB win, as he was starting to open up the polls until the non-story about the DWI broke in the final week.
Was the anger towards the MSM as strong?
Not really... FR is pretty antagonistic toward the MSM in the best of times, after all, one of the best servies FR provides is a reality check on the MSM. And while it was obvious the MSM was biased and pulling for Gore, it was nowhere near as bad as the overt cheerleading this time around. Certainly the calling of Florida early (before the pnahandle polls closed) caused an uproar.
Were concerns of voter fraud as high?
I'd say no. There were concerns, of course, but we had not experienced such a massive amount of fraud since Kennedy/Nixon, and many of us weren't alive (like myself) or old enough to remember that election. Having the Gore team try to steal the election in Florida (and other states) made 'rat fraud a serious issue rather than just an accepted built-in handicap in the system. This year's "win at any cost" mentality inherent in the "ABB" crowd has put a much higher emphasis on vote fraud, especially since the 'rats have telegraphed that they're going to do it big time by threatening anyone who challeges fraudulent votes with a disenfranchisement lawsuit.
Back in 2000, we had to go through ten routers to access FR, uphill both ways!
Generally speaking, there was a lot of overconfidence. I remember being totally stunned on election night. Shortly thereafter I freeped Joe Liebemans house!
As a result of 2000 many here are more cautious, and some are outright doom and gloomers! Welcome aboard.
I used to dream of using a router... I had to deliver TCP packets by messenger pigeon!
+09/26/2000 +host:www.freerepublic.com
LOL!
It was during the protests that I came in. I was on an e-mail list where someone suggested getting rallies together. I volunteered to help in my city. Next thing I knew I was in charge and had no idea what to do. I remember calling the GOP for some help and they were a little leery about it, but took my number in case anyone wanted information. I started getting phone calls, then someone asked if I was helping out the Freepers. I got together with the Freeper working on our city Bush rally and we made something big out of it. I never would have gotten things done right if I had to do it myself. That was when I became a Freeper. I even wrote a little essay about those rallies that I called -- The Truth About Republican Thugs. :-)
Your statement on vote fraud is right on the money.
You had a pigeon? You lucky b*^*(*d. I had to load my backpack full of packets and hike them through the swamp to the closest dial-up.
As for myself I am much calmer today then around this time in 2000.
I am in NY so its hard to get overmotivated. I was stunned to have to deal with Hillary winning and then the whole Bush fiasco. I feel much more relaxed now.
I am thinking about taking the rest of the week off of paying attention to the news and the polls. Of course I have been saying that for the last two weeks and it hasn't happened yet. Thanks for some perspective. Now I understand the mindset here a little better.
I used that until 1997. Between 1997 and 1999, I used a heliograph.
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