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!!

[ValerieUSA]

Thank You
Pennsylvania, Texas
Arizona, Never Never Land
New Jersey

[CholeraJoe]

The middle of Montana is the most remote place in the lower 48. The stretch on the Missouri along the breaks is beautiful in the summer. Petroleum county, Montana has 648 people and over 1000 square miles.

I don't live there.

[Mo1]

Thank You Aeronaut for being a Monthly Donor !!

[Fawnn]

Incoming is always good news!!!

[Mo1]

$90 from Alabama
$20 from Never Never Land

Thank you Alabama and Never Never Land!!

[NYTexan]

If It's a 3 seater you can have the window seat!

[Ciexyz]

Put me in for $10. Every little bit helps.

[Mo1]

Just in:

$100 from North Carolina
$10 from California
$20 from Illinois

Thank you North Carolina, California and Illinois!!

[CholeraJoe]

Nope. The buffalo (not cow) skull is mandatory.

[Mo1]

Thank You Landru !!!

[Indy Pendance]

The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.
-- Benjamin Franklin

[Mo1]

O M G ... that's grossssssssssssss .. *L*

[Mo1]

Thank You ladyinred !!!

[Indy Pendance]

A fool boasts of those who fear him; a wise man's pride is those who respect him.
-- Philip R. Breeze

[Indy Pendance]

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to speak out and remove all doubt.
-- Abraham Lincoln

[Indy Pendance]

Every fool finds a greater one to admire them.
-- Bioleau

[CholeraJoe]

You can sit next to me on any flight, Fawnn. I usually get upgraded to first class in seat 1-B, last aisle seat before the cockpit. The flight attendants usually comment on my boots. When I tell them what I'm wearing them for, they treat me VERY well.

[Mo1]

Just in:

$50 from Pennsylvania
$100 from Indiana
$10 from Never Never Land

Thank you Pennsylvania, Indiana and Never Never Land!!

[Jim Robinson]

Thank you, Ciexyz!!

Just in:

$10 from Pennsylvania
$10 from Texas

Thank you Pennsylvania and Texas!!

[AJ504]

Ok, I don't know how this will affect your totals... but as a monthly donor... I will raise my monthly from $20 to $25 a month.

Honestly, I think this makes a great difference!