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!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

HA! I read the one about the kidnapping of the Dilbert doll!!!!

Sounds like our very own Snuggles!

[Indy Pendance]

Quoting Fools would be so appro..... Who, what to choose is the problem.... There are just so many; so many fools, so little time (that's mine, unless someone important said it before me)

[Jim Robinson]

Thank you very much, LucyJo!!

[glock rocks]

Heck, in Wyoming, they'd probably put numbers on their sides and let you bet on em.

[glock rocks]

Thank you LucyJo !!

[Mo1]

Playing name that picture huh ???

OK .. who is this?

[Fawnn]

There was once a Fair Funkler named Fawnn
Who could Funkle from dusk until dawn
Her talent 'twas so rare
Alas, none could compare
When she smiled and purred: Just bring it on! ;)

[Brad’s Gramma]

THANK YOU, Lucy Jo!!!

[Jim Robinson]

Just in:

$50 from Minnesota
$10 from Vermont
$20 from California
$10 from Arizona

Thank you all very much!!

[NormsRevenge]

Snuggles gets a bad rap. :-\

[glock rocks]

#666

HAHAHAHA

reno?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Me? ME? 4:00 a. o'still dark out m.?

I don't THINK so!

[Mo1]

Just in:

$50 from Minnesota
$10 from Vermont
$20 from California
$10 from Arizona

Thank you all very much!!

[Indy Pendance]

Montana looks good to me!

[ValerieUSA]

Janet Reno on post #666!

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOLOLOLOLOLLLL!!!!!!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[ValerieUSA]

Thank You
Minnesota
Vermont
California
Arizona

[NormsRevenge]

[NYTexan]

Mirror Mirror, Please tell me true
Can I keep Fawnn from stealing my prize?

NYTexan, Blow smoke up the flue!
You have no hope 'cause Fawnn is most wise!