Posted on 12/30/2010 7:05:50 AM PST by exit82
Today is my 12th anniversary as a Freeper.
I came across Free Republic in the summer of 1998 as a lurker, troubled by an increasingly lawless President Clinton, and what was happening to our country. I lurked for about four months, reading every day and being amazed at the group of talented and knowledgeable people on this site.
When Jim Robinson put out the call for people to come to Washington, DC to attend the March for Justice Rally on October 30, 1998, I came from NJ on my own, not knowing a soul there, because someone was finally calling for the impeachment of President Clinton. Four thousand plus people from all over the country showed up that Saturday. That call was about the first Internet call for a political gathering--the equivalent then of a flash mob meeting today, albeit much slower in execution.
This is my 19th thread and my 16,000th post. Many have far more than me of both--good thing, too. In 12 years of posting, I have come across the finest group of Americans I have ever known-- a community of kindred spirits--alike in our love for America, its founding documents, and its exceptionalism, and as different from each other as we are in our individual points of view.
So to all of my fellow Freepers who helped to educate me and to whom I have conversed over these 12 years, I say thank you. To Jim Robinson and to John Robinson, I say thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a Freeper, and for providing a home on the Internet where conservatives can gather. I am not a model Freeper, so to those with whom I have disagreed, or have been short with, I ask your forgiveness.
I wrote a vanity titled "We Have Found The Enemy, and The Enemy Is Us" on February 2, 2008 at a time when it became apparent that the Republican primary was going to be decided in favor of John McCain. That disheartened me, but I think I am most proud of what I said that day of all my posts. More of it came true than I would have dreamed.
But more importantly, it contained a warning for the future of what we , as conservatives who love this country, would face not only later in 2008, but in the future years as well.
A turning point in history has been reached by America. I think we all feel that. The new Congress, with its Republican-led House, and a lessened Democrat majority in the Senate, will begin its work on January 5, 2011. This will either be the high water mark of progressivism and socialist thought in America or it will be the high water mark of conservatism and a return to limited Federal government. It could go either way. We all sense it. A country as big as ours cannot turn on a dime. A historical shifting point, like the one we are living in today, is realized over time, maybe over years. The years of 2011 and 2012 will be even more critical than 2010, even though without the historic rejection of Democrat policies that took place in November, 2010, the future that could be realized could not even occur.
Election Day 2010 proved, in my opinion, that an Angel still rides in this whirlwind. The idea that is America, and the freedom bequeathed to us by our parents, the WW2 generation, does still exist in the hearts of our countrymen. However, it must be fought for and protected by each of us.
And we must teach our children and grandchildren that great legacy we have received and of which we are now the guardians for future generations. It is our time to sacrifice for freedom.
In 12 years so much has occurred, and Free Republic has played a role, that I cannot recount it all here. Some of it is recounted in the vanity that follows. History was influenced because of us, and the future will be also.
I want to wish you all and your families, and posterity, a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2011. May God bless us, every one.
Alot of good, familiar names on that Memorial Wall a few of which I didn't know had passed. Sobering.
Yep, did you happen to see 5 Democrats lose their House Seats here in Illinois to good Conservative Republicans?
I know, I know ... there's also that alleged "Republican" Mark Kirk that won Hussein-Obama's old Senate Seat but he's not much of a Republican ......
Happy New Year!
Interesting FReeper name! How did you come to decide on it?
Happy anniversary!
Thanks, lonestar. A Happy New Year to a fellow Class of ‘98 member as well!
I liked your screen name when I saw it in 1998. I thought it was clever, and very, very Jersey. After all, what ois more Jersey than asking someone “What exit are you?” ;)
Because I lived in Toms River at the time, I became exit82.
I believe there is an Exit109 Freeper as well.
Happy New Year to my inspiration!
You’re one of the few that I can’t call a newbie. Congrats for your longevity. If I had signed up 4 days earlier, I’d have had a 3 digit freeper number. But now we can’t see the freeper #’s any more. I wonder what caused that to change? Probably Ash or GreenEyedBlonde...
See posts 40 and 54 on this thread also.
Yes! And a couple of them were REALLY good friends of mine whom I still miss terribly.
ANY progress is better than no progress US!
Illinois is definitely a tough nut to crack for sure but when I started here in Texas it wasn’t much better here. Now we have republicans holding every state wide office, a 19 to 12 majority in the senate, and a 101 to 49 majority in the house.
Congratulations.
Thanks, old FRiend!
A Happy and healthy New Year to you.
We may yet pull Freeper protest duty in front of the White House once more.
I’ll bring the kids and we’ll make some noise.
Great! When we can't shout anymore, the kids can take over until we catch our breath. Sounds like a plan ;)
Great to "see" you.And happy 11th to you.
13 this year. This is my third username
September 3, 1998 here. And less than 1000 posts!
I use them sparingly...
Another Class of ‘98!
You’re like E.F. Hutton—when you post—people listen!
Nee boo hah!
Thanks—great to hear from another Class of ‘98!
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