Our 2nd Quarter FReepathon is Underway!

Click to donate via FR secure server ^ | April 1, 2004 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

Woo hoo!! Are you ready for another FReepathon!?

It's time once more for us to raise the funds that are necessary to keep Free Republic on the air.

People have asked me if the $60,000 settlement with the City of Fresno means we won't have to have a fundraiser this time. Well, I wish it could be so, but, unfortunately, it's not.

First of all, we did not actually receive $60,000. After legal fees, mediation fees and other expenses directly related to the suit, we netted approximately $34,000. Of that, we distributed over $10,000 to the members of the Fresno Chapter who were in business and their businesses suffered due to the city's libel and also to the members who met with us regularly on a weekly basis. Then, due to the fact that the city was late with their press release and no media picked it up, we paid approximately $2,000 to run ads in several valley papers announcing the city's retraction.

The approximately $22,000 left over will be used in our operations. We plan to use about $4,000 to upgrade our equipment and $10,000 or more will go for taxes. I plan to use part of the balance to beef up our insurance coverage and also will look into a health insurance plan. The remainder will be used for travel and other expenses. I still hope to visit as many chapters as I possibly can over the next year or so, but obviously won't be doing so in a motor home (you had to have been there to get the inside joke). We'll be traveling in our trusty old FReepermobile van. She's an 11 year old Mercury Villager with 150,000 miles, but she's got good rubber, purrs like a kitten and is pretty good on gas.

So, as it turns out, the settlement has strengthened Free Republic and also has strengthened the conservative position in the City of Fresno. As a result of our suit, the controversial loony peacenik chair person of the Fresno City Human Relations Commission who committed the libel against us and has also caused much turmoil within the city and the city council has resigned "to pursue other interests." Also, the loony liberal President of the Fresno City Council who made some ridiculous comments belittling the suit and the settlement in the Fresno Bee was voted out of office just a couple months later.

So, as I've said before, the settlement is a win, win, win position. It's a win for Free Republic, a win for the City of Fresno, and, ultimately, a win for the taxpayers.

At any rate, we thank all of you who participate on Free Republic and support our efforts and we look forward to another exciting election cycle.

Hope to see y'all either on our road trip and or at the Free Republic George W. Bush Inaugural Ball II in January!!

Go GWB!!

[Mo1]

Oh great ... Big Thunder Boomers are rolling in here

[backhoe]

My regards to you both, and this is a good place to post one of my favorites:

Sam & Eagle-

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, Quilla!

[RottiBiz]

Just in:

$10 from Michigan
$100 from Sweden
$20 from South Carolina
$20 from California
$20 from Virginia
$50 from Georgia
$25 from Texas

Thank you all very much!!

[glock rocks]

LOL. My boss and I were discussing April Fools this morning for a while. When we finished the conversation, I added "Oh, by the way, I'm going take off early today" and he smiled at me. As soon as he left my office, I was outa there :o)

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, cweese!

[ValerieUSA]

Thank You
Kentucky
Never Never Land
Utah

[Mo1]

Thank you very much, BulletBobCo!!

Just in:

$30 from Montana
$50 from Never Never Land
$10 monthly from Alabama
$10 monthly from Minnesota
$25 from Colorado
$50 from Colorado
$40 from Alabama
$20 from Ohio

Thank you all very much!!

[Mo1]

Thank You LowOiL

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, #3Fan!

[rarenmrepublican]

A dollar a day? How did you wrangle that back from Richrdson's tax increases? You've motivated me to make a pledge, but since I live in the poor southern section, I can't be as generous. VIVA BUSH.

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, arasina!

[Jim Robinson]

Just in:

$50 from Texas
$50 from Virginia
$50 from North Carolina
$50 from South Carolina
$50 from New Hampshire
$20 from Never Never Land
$50 from Minnesota

Thank you all very much!!

[Mo1]

Just in:

$30 from Georgia
$30 from New York
$10 from Montana
$20 from Missouri
$20 from Oregon
$40 from Ohio
$10 monthly from Massachusetts
$50 from Illinois
$50 from Texas
$20 from Utah

Thank you all very much!

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, BabaOreally!

[Trueblackman]

OH GOD NO :~)!!!!

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, Tamsey!

[Mo1]

That's one of my Favorites ... Thanks Backhoe

[RottiBiz]

Thank you, NormsRevenge!

[Mo1]

LOL .. Go Glock GO!