[Guenevere]

I left this thread & FR last Wednesday when Kay died.

With her passing I knew a good, decent, caring lady & dear friend had left FR......one of the last friends I had on the ATRW thread.

And as I left, I couldn't quite articulate WHY I needed to go..

....other than the strange but clear sensation that FR had been overcome by certain people

....Peach for one ...

..who had an agenda and this agenda ran counter to the express mission statement of Free Republic's founder, Jim Robinson.

I naively thought many of you didn't realize Peach and her friends talked one way on ATRW ..(usually all sweetness & light)...

..yet argued with & insulted others...(usually pro-lifers, strong conservatives, etc.) on other threads.

Naively, I thought....

If they-(ATRW)- just knew!!!...

You see, for years, I was under the impression...(wrong now, I know)...that I had friends at ATRW--(there may still be a few)- who I could share ideas, recipes, happy moments, life lessons, spiritual happenings...

..and that it all fell on like minded ears and hearts.

I was so wrong.Before I left last Wednesday, I had tried, in recent days, to alert you to what she was saying to and about Jim Robinson.

Essentially, I got no response from you all....other than one or two who expressed a nice sentiment or two.

At the time, I decided that most of you on this ATRW thread, are so enamored with the 'it's OUR thread, and we won't let anyone tell us anything bad'...and watched you continue with the recipe, gardening, jokes, life goes on comments, etc.....and ***I understood at some level some at ATRW need & cling to a place where they can express life as it happens***

But what I didn't understand and what stunned me was Jim Robinson, who owns and operates this conservative forum received no support or encouraging comment from any of you....that I read ????!!

And after reading this weekend's thread, I realize it's not the 'ostrich in the sand, just leave us alone' thread I supposed it was.

Instead, it is much much worse.

Some of you know....you KNOW because I've read your posts on that thread, and saw what you posted afterward on ATRW... what has been said and what is being said by Peach, OhioWfan, PukinDog, and others.....YOU KNOW AND YOU EITHER DON'T CARE....OR YOU'RE MAD AT JIM ROBINSON...

.. INSTEAD OF YOUR PEACH!!!

I find that astounding....insulting....and utterly ridiculous.

Goodness knows, even though I've been at FR for 8 years, I'm just a nominal player....if that.

I give my comments, and I'm usually passionate about my beliefs

.....maybe I try to influence folks on life issues, school issues, church issues....

...but I'm not one of the creative forces at this site.

Many of you consider it a true tragedy that Peach was banned....

..and most of you will not even bother to read what she wrote against Jim and other conservative Freepers.

You consider her influence, participation and contributions to FR over the years...

... to outweigh her insults, personal attacks and ugly words to others.

So be it....

..Jim Robinson is the webmaster.

If he allows her back, that's his business.

I know he didn't want to ban some of these folks.

...but they pushed him and pushed him and pushed him.

And last, if not least....

...I realize now I didn't leave ATRW.....

IT LEFT ME A LONG TIME AGO!

After reading this weekend's thead, I Freepmailed Mr. Robinson to let him know I support him and hope to work toward the coming election.

So, making this crystal clear!!...

I support, praise, respect, admire and honor Jim Robinson for the vision of setting up this website and making a difference in our very troubled world.

God bless you Jim Robinson

[Iwo Jima]

I agree with everything you said.

Peach was/is a mean, hateful bully who called people names at the drop of a hat, accused people of being on drugs/drunk.off their meds, etc. just because they disagreed with her. She called people liars but she was the liar.

I first noticed Peach in the Terri Schiavo episode. Peach really wanted that poor woman dead and positively enjoyed that whole sorry business.

Peach was also not very bright and could not engage in debate without resorting to personal attacks and lies. FR is so much better off now that she is gone.

[MozartLover]

Is it a crime to be “mad at Jim Robinson?”
I have given money to FR over the years and I feel I am entitled to express an opinion or two that may run contrary to the status quo.

I have been following Peach’s posts for a while and while she expressed her views strongly, she did not stoop to the level of “you are such an idiot” or “up yours, asswipe” as did the owner of this site.

Thanks for the post, Guennie, you’ve helped me make up my mind.

I’m out of here.

[prairiebreeze]

Please do not ever post such a rant to me again.

Thank you.

[wagglebee]

Thank you for your post.

I have NEVER participated in any of the ATRW or Day in the Life of Bush threads for the simple fact that the ones I’ve read don’t really seem to have a lot of substance.

Of course we all agree in the absolute importance of the war on terrorism, but that isn’t the ONLY conservative issue we face. And I for one have a difficult time reconciling the liberalism of many of the participants.

For 34 years we American abortuaries have killed more people EVERY SINGLE DAY than the terrorists did on 9/11/01, I WILL NOT subscribe to the mindset that one act is terrorism while the other is merely a “choice.” This runs totally contrary to the principles of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” that the Founding Fathers risked their all for.

And to Jim Robinson and everyone else, I offer the observation that the destruction of Dan Ratherbiased and the crushing of Harriet Miers’ SCOTUS nomination is proof that FR can and does have an impact on the conservative movement. This forum is more than just a bunch of like-minded people “preaching to the choir.” And in the timeless words of President Ronald Reagan, “Trusting in Him, believing in each other, working together, we will rebuild America — the land of our dreams and mankind’s last great hope.”

[ohioWfan]

I stood up for the character of a friend.

I will not apologize for that.

I'm sorry you're so angry with me, Guennie.

I thought you knew who I was, and of my character and integrity, as well as my strong pro-life stance that has never, ever wavered.

I guess we can all be wrong about people. I certainly was wrong about you.

And I'm sorry about that. I would have stood up for you under the same circumstances.

[Molly Pitcher]

Guenevere...

All these years you come and gone and returned again to FR and ATRW..often so distressed, and unhappy....

Peach is gone, and yes, I'll miss her. But I also am grateful to Jim Robinson for this site, and while I don't understand his recent actions, I'm going to continue sending in my monthly pledge! Is not THAT support???

And can't I hold both those opinions simultaneously??

Guenevere, your unhappiness has often worried me. Maybe I should have expressed this sooner, and in other circumstances. I remember some happy times we had and some laughs. I remember your taking the initiative on the cruise, and always, always, I'll be grateful for that to you.

But Peach is gone, so what good does it do to come here today, and bring it all up again?

Your post last Wed seemed to show more self-understanding...

If FR brings you so much sorrow and anger, it's best to stay away. Go in peace, please.

[Redleg Duke]

Guen, I hadn't seen that side of Peach. Thanks for informing me, instead of leaving and leaving me in the dark.

I am going through challenging times right now, both Jack and I, and ATRW is one of my major support groups. We can't let Peach and her ilk destroy it or run us off.

I would say that ignoring the flamers and destroyers on this forum is the best reaction. Give them the rope and they will hang themselves.

[onyx]

Why did you ping me to your rant? Just last week I accepted your apology and offered you one in return for “our dust up.” Are you bi-polar?

Peach is my friend! Deal with your hatred of her elsewhere and don’t ever again ping me to such ugliness.