I think I found free republic through drudge report. I had a HP desktop with a dial up modem. Slow as all get out! I didn’t join til about when Elian Gonzalez was sent back to Cuba.
Mostly lurk, but realized early on I was reading things on FR that wouldn’t be broadcast on the news for another day or two. That is still the case today.
As far as former Freepers, I always admired Registered and his graphics. ‘SoreLoserman’ went mainstream during the recounts for Bush and Gore.
My first freep was a bookstore in Shaker Heights, Ohio where HRC was pushing It Takes a Village. I met Commontator and DollyCali there. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting LS. He did an awesome presentation at our local 9-12 group years ago.
I was reading the news at Drudge (it was New Year’s Eve and FrogDad was watching television), saw this link - got caught up in the commentary and sat crying. There really WERE people out there who felt the same as me.
A few days later someone pissed off Drudge and he removed the FR link. I would have missed what has been a huge part of my education and life had I not found it when I did.
I loved Registered’s “History of Free Republic”
Miss Hobbit Holes and Carlos’s cookbook.