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!!

[McGavin999]

Hey, I haven't met any of them yet, let alone had them over for Thanksgiving. Besides, they all know I don't cook. When I first started writing to them I warned them that the only cookies they could expect from me would be baked by the little elves at Keebler :o)

[ValerieUSA]

Thank You
Arizona, McGavin999

[Brad’s Gramma]

Fawnn, Fawnn, Fawnn and Fawnn are the Fair Funkle Winners!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Just in:

$90 from Arizona

Thank you, Arizona!!

[Indy Pendance]

I didn't know you hung out on the fundraiser. How are you doing BG? We need to talk again, I really enjoyed it. Wow, I see lots of people I know here. Maybe I need to participate more. I figured, I'm a monthly, been one for a long while now, but just last freepathon decided to go 'public', but never really gave these threads too much thought. hmmmmm, there are probably others like me out there too. Well, I'm doing my part, a dollar a day, and posting fools quotes, great combo.

[Jim Robinson]

Thank you, zip!

Hope to be walking the streets of Columbia, Missouri sometine during the last week of May to first of June time frame. Haven't set the exact schedule yet, but we will be there. Hope to see you then!

[glock rocks]

Wow, the only time someone has a chance to win a fair funkel is in the wee hours, maybe. Is there a list of previous winners?

I think Fawnn is the undisputed champ, Just Another Joe is up there also. I've got a couple. I think Gabz has a couple. There are others.

List? Mercifully, no.

[Brad’s Gramma]

WHAT A LOSER!!!!!!!!!

[Fawnn]

Are you sleepy yet?

As a matter of fact, I am. (Waiting for daughter to phone on her way home from work, then maybe a little Leno, and then to bed ... at least for awhile. BUT, I sleep broken hours, so I have to warn you: It's difficult to predict what time I'll be back.) ;)

[Indy Pendance]

Well, for us novices, a list would be handy. Maybe one of you can put something together, you know, a Funkel Hall of Fame, with the number of times they've achieved fame! Watch out hollywood!

[Fawnn]

Only four? Think big, woman! ;)

[glock rocks]

That picture is sick.

I love it.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Yeah, he DOES, doesn't he? Hmmmmmm..........

[NYTexan]

I have a lowly one Fair Funkle.

But I'm gonna get LOTS more!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Keebler's good! That works for me.

Yes indeedie!

[Brad’s Gramma]

I hang out here alright. This is THE happenin' place to be! Indy, your quotes are awesome!

(you NEED to win a Fair Funkle though, ya gotta NOT let Fawnn win them all. She's sneaky. Late at night, when you least expect it......BAM!)

[Lady Jag]

[Brad’s Gramma]

HA! Well, if there's been more, I've been sleeping right through them! I do believe you have some competition this time around. You've gotta watch out for Joe, and now Indy, too.

[Tamzee]

I'm looking for 'fools' quotes, to honor the day.

Okay, here is a fool's quote - "When Communist U.S.S.R. was a superpower, the world was better off." -- Garafolo

OHHHHhhhh... you meant quotes ABOUT fools.... I thought you wanted quotes BY one ;-)

[Mo1]

YEP!