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!!

[Fawnn]

See the picture in #637. ;)

[Brad’s Gramma]

Remember that old show, Name That Tune? How about this one! NAME THIS BABY!!!!!!!

[PeteFromMontana]

Proudly paid, Thanks Jim!

[Tamzee]

I'm still trying to figure out how he got elected to the Senate all these years

One word... Massachusistan ;-)

[Fawnn]

Texas Termite, of course! ;)

[Indy Pendance]

One year, I was in college, and went to the University to do computer work. This was way before home computers were the norm.... Anyway, it was April 30, and I drove 45 miles one way, on the weekend, to work on an end of the year project. Back then, computer time was scarce because there was only a handful of computers for the entire engineering school. So, I arranged a babysitter (I was a late bloomer), and headed down to college for a day of work. It was a perfect April day in Wisconsin, about 50°, sunny, and just plain great. You know what I mean.

So, I'm holed up in a computer lab for 6-8 hours, diligently working on my project and finally finished my goals for the day. I packed everything up and headed for my car. Being the weekend, I was lucky to get underground parking. What a benny!

Well, as I pulled up the out ramp, lo and behold, there was at least 8 inches of snow that fell. Of course, being cooped in a computer lab, with no windows, I had no idea! I had to stop at a gas station to call the sitter, because this was pre-cell phone days. I finally made it home really late, as I recall, it was after 10 pm.

The next day, Sunday, my kids and I made the largest snowman I ever saw. I had to get a ladder out to create the head. We couldn't lift the snowball that far up, we had to pack the snow to form it. It was perfect packing snow though. I also remember, May 2nd, the snowman was a small pile of snow. by the end of the week, everything was back to normal.

If you all want, I'll tell you about my 8th grade snowstorm experience, and my being pregnant at 7-8 months for the first time snowstorm.

[NormsRevenge]

Those sea storm photos remind me of a couple of cruises I went on..

Here's a baby picture.

Fataki, a two-week-old Somali wild ass, explores her new surroundings Thursday, April 1, 2004, at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park in San Diego. Fataki, which means 'firecracker,' is the 19th Somali wild ass to be born at the Wild Animal Park since 1985, according to a zoo spokesman. (AP Photo/The San Diego Zoo, Ken Bohn)

[Mo1]

More like Kennedy's Union Boys

[Mo1]

Thank You PeteFromMontana for supporting Free Republic

[Brad’s Gramma]

DING DING DING!!!!

We have us a winner, Ladies and Gentlemen! Never mind the fact that said winner saw the picture on the same thread I saw it on, no sirreeee...we have a WINNER! HAHAHAHHAA

[glock rocks]

Missy just walked in... said

Logan's cute!

[Indy Pendance]

A little bit of fun

[Brad’s Gramma]

I want to know! Speak up!

[LucyJo]

The check will be sent in tomorrow's mail. God bless, and thanks for all that you do.

[Indy Pendance]

I figured from the rules, the only way you'll win is 4 am. Guess I'll have to set my alarm. I'm one of those puzzlers.

[Mo1]

WOW ... Look how big he's gotten

[Fawnn]

Like I wouldn't recognize his picture otherwise! (And, for your info, I read the other place AFTER I saw the picture here. I'm not very good at juggling tonight. I told you that I'm tired!) ;)

[Brad’s Gramma]

Missy KNEW it was Logan? My my my.....we have us a very popular baby!

[NYTexan]

A primer before you lay your head down:

Mirror Mirror, grant me the wish I lust
A Fair Funkle is the prise I have sought!

New York Texan, Your whim is a bust!
Fawnn will prevail until you are taught!

[NormsRevenge]

A two-year-old male African cheetah exhibits lighting speed March 19, 2004 at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. Racing at speeds of up to 70 mph the cheetah, named Majani, chases a mechanical rabbit lure as part of the Park's environmental enrichment program. Starting this spring, the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park will be the first zoological facility in North America where the public can witness a cheetah run.
REUTERS/HO/SAN DIEGO ZOO/Ken Bohn