[Ben Ficklin]

"We don't like people like you."

It is great that you and your group have your opinions. It is great that you and your group have the time and the money to promote your opinion.

But, there is a problem.

When Bill Clinton was in office, a large group of people with very divergent opinions, but all right of center, came together in opposition. There was harmony at the Free Republic.

Now that Bill is gone those diverging views are not so unified. But that is ok. The problem arises when a subset of the divergent views tries to imply that they speak for all of the divergent views.

The Free Republic exists only because Dane, as one of many, contributes. The Republic Network exists only because it piggybacks on the name of Free Republic. Dane is the taxpayer and FRN is National Public Radio.

If FRN wants to go out and attack Ted Kennedy, thats great. If FRN wants to go out and attack Bush, thats dishonest and you should seriously consider changing your name.

[Bob J]

If FRN wants to go out and attack Ted Kennedy, thats great. If FRN wants to go out and attack Bush, thats dishonest and you should seriously consider changing your name.

Huh? No where did diotima indicate she was speaking on behalf of anyone but herself. The fact the reporter included her title is perfunctory. That you cannot distinguish the difference is your problem, not hers.

The irony is you unfairly accuse her of speaking on behalf of the participants on this Forum when it is you who seems to be demanding group think and setting the parameters for others public opinions.

[Interesting Times]

If FRN wants to go out and attack Ted Kennedy, thats great. If FRN wants to go out and attack Bush, thats dishonest and you should seriously consider changing your name.

No, what is dishonest is your claim that the FR Network leadership is "attacking" President Bush, rather than honestly reporting the concerns we heard expressed by conservatives at CPAC.

And your claim that any criticism of the President is dishonest is, frankly, ludicrous.

By the way, are you familiar with the form of punctuation known as "the apostrophe?"

[diotima]

Actually, I left out a word which was NEED. It should read, we don't NEED people like you.

Congratulations for completely missing the point of this article.

Please offer quotations from the article posted above that states where Bush was attacked by people claiming to speak in the name of Free Republic?

I was asked directly what the sentiment was on this forum was and I answered it. There are people on this forum, and they are getting louder that are not happy with all of the moves this adminstration makes. THAT IS A FACT. I am sorry you are so troubled that everyone doesn't march lock-step with your opinion here, which by the way, is exactly what you are accusing us of, I believe.

I disagree with bullying and strong arming and the nasty treatment you think is appropriate for those who disagree with you. No one is going to change their position on the President because you and others like Dane, insult them.

Free Republic Network uses the FR name because that is exactly the way Jim wants it.

[Bob J]

We don't like people like you.

It is revealing that you changed the wording of this qoute.

Suggestion, when you put something in qoutes, make sure it is the exact qoute from that person. Otherwise, you look like you're spinning and lose credibility.

[Interesting Times]

Diotima was obviously saying "We don't need people like you pretending everything is peachy keen," and left out "need." Not "We don't like people like you."

[ConservativeGadfly]

Ben, my friend, I was there and I, too, was quoted in the article. Believe me when I say that this is not news to the White House. They are well aware of the discontent in the base and work to correct things all the time.

But the fact of the matter is that what Dio said was exactly right. It didn't say, "therefore he should be flayed..." or "if only Dean would swoop into 1600 Penn Ave and save us...." She and I both said that there are rumblings on the right. To deny that would be deaf, dumb, blind and stupid.

I hear it in countless meetings, phone calls, emails and conferences. So do I deny that I'm hearing these things and just say that all is roses and jelly beans? Or do I say that yes, there are problems, but at the end of the day, Bush has done good things for conservatives and that the national security issue will dominate.....