Posted on 08/30/2013 9:01:53 PM PDT by The Bat Ladys Husband
My involvement with Free Republic began around 2000 when my wife began her vigil around the Texas governor’s mansion in support of GW against the challenge of Al Gore for the presidency. I generally provided the livelihood for the Bat Lady to be able to protest and surround the mansion against the leftists who were kept at bay across the street. While she was registered in order to post after action reports I was a lurker on the site.
Over the years we have attended rallies and protests and meetings. Other groups of freepers nationwide also held rallies, attended protests, and held vigils- activities that were organized and coordinated through the Free Republic site. After action reports were posted almost daily, report after report from across the country from different freepers describing their activities. Even the term "freeper" came to mean one who actively engaged the left to fight against disinformation. We considered ourselves patriots. While we did not risk our “lives, fortune or sacred honor”, we suffered the slings and arrows of a hostile left in the cause of freedom.
With a few exceptions, the “freeper” of today is merely a couch potato who is content to amuse himself by making snide comments and repartees about current news. Few even support the site monetarily. Free Republic appears to barely be able to keep its head above water and its so-called member freepers are such a non-factor of dissent that unlike in the early year, Rush Limbaugh rarely references the site (although he seldom mentioned it).
Early freeper were the ones who got up off the couch, made their signs and used the leftist tactics of street activism against the left itself. Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, and Jonas Goldberg are example of early famous freepers, but Free Republic also had the likes of Basil (Second Amendment Sisters), True black man, Jimmy Valentine’s Brother, Kristin, the entire DC freeper contingent and so many other activists making a difference for conservative causes.
At some point in time, a subgroup, “The Pajama Patrol” arose within Free Republic. What a sad day that was. The mindset of Free Republic turned to the couch potato mentality referred to earlier.
The most current after action report I have seen was my wife’s, The Bat Lady’s report on the May 2013 Tax Day protest. One of the protesters with us was a 90-year-old lady with her handmade sign. If she can do it, why can’t you?
All you new Freepers need to get up off your butt and get out and make a difference. Where are you at the Impeach Obama overpass events? Why aren’t you organizing anti-Syria bombing protest? Why aren’t you marching over Benghazi, the NSA, the IRS or ObamaCare? If you are there why aren’t you posting your reports to inspire and motivate others? You are not the only reader of FR in your city. Find the others and get together. Act in concert. After 13 years, the Bat Lady and I are still in contact with those we met on the front lines.
DC Freepers maintained vigils at VP Gore's house, and prevented code pink from vilifying our troops at Walter Reed every week for years. Freepers once actively protested the left and got Clinton impeached. Some even say we were the Paul Revere of the TEA party,
Is your barcalounger so dear or American Idol so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God.
It is time for freepers to rededicate themselves to the vision that Jim Robinson created. All the clever comments you attach to the threads are less than useless. It is time once again to become a large thorn in the side of those who do not strive for the American Ideal and be the activists we once were. If you cannot post an after action report “go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. …May posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
“It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Samuel Adams
In answer to my own question: yes it is worth saving if its members make a difference.
Grover Dill? Who’s that, your old boyfriend?
Barely keep its head above water??!!
$85k every three months is WAY MORE than necessary to keep this site above water.
I am appalled and amazed that you would even think that, much less say it.
Good grief, how much money do you want??? Would a million do or two million???
I am disgusted!!
I am thinking more like a gold or silver or bronze medallion next to your name when you post
Donating members get priority on threads... etc..
I think some updating is needed
This site is too important to risk
if it was funded with millions it cold do so much more
I understand, Jim, and I respect your opinion, that is why I donate whenever I can
But this site is too important
If it was better funded it could do so much more - a LOT more!!!
I think the criticism is well deserved. With all of the egregious transgressions this administration and this President have committed against the people and our Constitution, you'd think there'd be millions of us blocking the streets in DC in protest, but there aren't.
Prior generations of Americans would have risen en masse, years ago. Our generation sits quietly while His Heinous dismantles the fundamental building blocks of our nation, one by one. When there should be marches by tens of millions in the streets, there are tens of millions posting anonymously to websites and blogs.
And what has been the reaction to all that in Washington? Well, they've continued right along with their destructive agenda, like we're not even here.
Like the old adage goes, 'talk is cheap'. They're not going to pay attention to us, or take us seriously, until we're waving millions of pitchforks.
So you threw a bomb, and then went to bed. Sweet. Well, you clearly are a cut above all of the rest of us, so your needs DO outweigh common decency. Oh! Sorry! Was that snide?
My comments were intended to be snide and personal. I’m happy they came off that way. After spraying shrapnel into the crowd and then running away like you’re above the fray, it’s all you deserve.
And... debate? With a ghost? How?
Somehow I missed the rule that after you post a thread you must stay up and comment back to at least the 1st 50 posters. Had I known that rule I would have been sure to let hubby know about it and would have told him to wait until the am to post. Sorry! In all my years of posting I wasn't aware or it.
But then you must have missed the rule that says "no personal attacks" (including being snide I would assume.)
Someone posted a link to all my posts and I read a lot of just post after post by me. I have to say I went light on the personal attacks. Please I urge you to try this experiment on your own posts and with an honest eye, read them as if they were directed at yourself.
Are you spending time fighting your enemies? Or those who should be on your side?
Is our time here on FR to made snide comments to individual posters or gather info, provide info that will help in the struggle to get our country back.
Just today before the Presidents golf game he went to the American people with his case to go to war. In his remarks he said we were a Constitutional Democracy!
Now just suppose that 100,000 or 500,000 people took the time to call the Presidents hot line on Tues. (202-456-1111) and reminded him that we were given a REPUBLIC. Do you think that Valerie Jarrett would notice?
Now to be fair to Mr. Tick, I asked him a personal question as he asked us, how much does he donate to FR. I asked because as there are posters on this thread who look for trolls, I have noticed in other organizations that those who treat the fellow posters rudely are those who USUALLY don't give at all to the cause.
Mr. Tick freepmailed me that he is a monthly donor. He told me how much monthly and gave me permission to share that but I don't think it is anyone's biz. I also didn't verify that with Jimrob (he gave me permission to do so) as he took my word for it, I also will take his.
He did ask why I am not and berated me for my chintzy giving. Sorry I am a REGULAR donor, my choice to go quarterly. His choice to go monthly. And I thank God that he has the means to give more and here I would like to Thank you Mr. Tick for your giving.
I give what I can and at least with the economy I have not given less as times got harder. But I think one of my points is everyone to give a little if they use/utilize this site. And ya know what if it makes the owner rich.... YEAH! He deserves it.
What an exhausting thread, I need sleep! Good night all, and a wonderful & safe Labor day Weekend to all!!!
New fool is right. An Obama-like vanity lecture for all of the lazy FReepers out there. Doh!
This reads like an ‘I’m leaving’ opus.
.
I am just trying to think of new ways to make this more modern
it is 10 years old in its current state
There is not even a Facebook ‘like’ button so we can spread the word to more people and not just preach to the choir here.
No way, IMO Freepers are much meaner on an opus generally. Opus' are like we get one last shot at you before you leave and it'd better be good. Now I have seen a couple that remained cordial and respectful. Some opus' have been downright hilarious.
ibtz
It is an interesting phenomenon...;-)
And it can be credibly supported that it put 3rd quarter 2013 FReepathon to bed! Well done.
I think we all need a wake-up call every now and then - at work, at home, spiritually ... and in the public square. The thread did that.
Last thought, I am reminded of the great 'call to arms' speech by Churchill ... we should fight EVERYWHERE (including online from our barcaloungers)...
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air,
we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”
FReeregards!
YES!
You’re busy working to eat? Yeah, well so are we. Your tone sucks. Go start a church if you want to preach. At least there it will be an audience of the willing. Make sure it’s one of those really self-righteous churches and you’ll fit right in.
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Thank you, TBL. God bless you.
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