Is Free Republic worth saving?

[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.

[Nervous Tick]

>> the guy is calling on conservatives to be more activist

He signed up *today* to take FReepers at large to task — most of whom he doesn’t know, or understand. And he’s tarring ALL of us with a VERY broad brush.

He’s a pathetic douchebag. Sorry.

[Slyfox]

You have no idea what Freepers do outside logging on and giving their opinions.

Maybe you presume that we do nothing but type on this site.

It is not your job to accuse us of sitting in barcaloungers all day.

This is a meeting place of like minds with a purpose that is out of your control.

[old curmudgeon]

Calm down.

You are off the track.

First, FR keeps those of us that do not have the time to read every paper in the US up to date on what is going on.

2ndDivisionVet is a good example of someone who has posted hundreds of articles that we never would have found on our own.

Also never forget that one strategy alone is not enough. Each of us works on the problem in our own way. Some march as you do, others write (don’t forget that the pen is mightier than the sword and oppressive governments realize that because shutting down free speech is always at the top of their list), and some of us too old or too busy to march contribute large sums of money.

So don’t think your way is the only way. It is a good way and effective, but it is not the only way.

For instance Rush does not march. Nor have I heard of Michelle Malkin marching. Maybe I slept through that day, but they do contribute very effectively in their own way.

I would also remind you that you have no idea how many freepers write or call their congress critters as a result of what they see here on FR.

So take a cool pill and go to bed.

[barmag25]

I agree. I may still be a noob but I would like to do more.

[doc1019]

OK, were is Viking Kitty when you need him. LOL!

[INVAR]

So you opened up a new account so you could post that without the risk of getting zotted??

Interesting.

So much for the plea for us to take a risk.

That said, what you describe in terms of malaise has happened on most Conservative/Christian forums. The Left has infiltrated it’s bots like sleeper agents and the Ruling Class Rino Political Judenrats did the same.

I’d surmise it is the latter that is working to collapse the Conservative forum and blogosphere more than the MarxoFascist Left these days.

Most of us work for a living, which makes it more difficult to do street-protests, and when we do them, they are at critical moments and often large in number. But it’s not anything that can be sustained like the Occupy crowd can - because we work to produce and cannot afford to take sabbaticals and let our businesses and employers hold down the farm on their own.

If ever Conservatives needed a forum like FR, it is now. Because they are few and growing fewer, while CINO-type forums are abundant and they are working to infiltrate the few stalwart forums left on the net.

Many things in the near future will make the need to meet at a place like FR, where Conservatives can sniff out and zot a Leftist and Ruling Class sycophant from their midst and continue to discuss and plan for what needs to be done to preserve what is left of our lives and liberties.

[skinkinthegrass]

ready the kitties....ibtz.
got a newbie here; already tellin'
offering advice to JR how "to improve FR."

[Beowulf9]

Just got home from work, 13 hour day. I have to work although I have plantar fasciitis and am on my feet for about 12 hours of that day. I am in pain all day and like an invalid by the end of the day.

Tomorrow I plan to lay around and rest, ie ‘not walk’ to get better to work the next time.

So how on earth could I even imagine protesting at a rally anwhere?

My informed vote is my protest. FR has informed me quite well, actually. It has for years. It has served that purpose well.

[DManA]

I logged in once. You think I’m lying? Go ahead prove it dink.

[Jim Robinson]

We still have a few active chapters, DC, Florida, Texas for example. One thing that has happened since we were very active is the tea party. Many of our members have joined local and national tea party groups and attend tea party functions rather than freeper functions and many of them are much larger than what we used to put together. The event we co-sponsored in DC with several tea party groups in 2009 was the largest ever. I myself have crisscrossed the country about a half-dozen times with the Tea Party Express in the last four years and attended well over a hundred tea party rallies in nearly every state of the lower 48. We’re still going strong and I won’t be a bit surprised if freepers turn out in large numbers as we approach 2014 and 2016. Hang in there. We haven’t yet begun to fight.

And we’re doing great financially too. Have never had a losing quarter in all of our 17 years and have never missed a payment, despite Obozo’s lousy economy.

[real saxophonist]

Look at the picture in my profile and look at the date. I bet I've been in this fight a lot longer than you have.

I still have my original Tyranny Response Team T-shirt.

And the people whose names you invoked would probably like to have those names spelled properly.

[DManA]

You can take money. As long as you are willing to say F. U.

[smoothsailing]

The Bat Lady

Since Dec 1, 2000

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Long time conservative, Watching liberties taken away during my lifetime, have been studing the Constitution since Clinton came to office and also started paying attention to politics for the last 8 years (1992). Never thought I would do that.

So glad to find the Freepers! Long live the Republic!

[fr_freak]

I think the comments on here demonstrate the principle that if you throw a rock, the dog that yelps is the one who got hit.

[Mr. K]

anyone who could not see the endless begging for money getting tiring just is not paying attentions

I understand Jim Rob never wants to “sell out” (presumably to ‘The Man” ) but geez, a little advertising would not cost you your soul. You just make it clear you control content and no one gets to dictate any terms or conditions to you.

WE LIKE capitalism around here.

And Jim Rob should be making millions from this site. How do Salon.com, HuffPo, and other piece of crap websites get to be worth millions? Koch Brothers , rush Limbaugh, Hannity... where are some rich benefactors?

Ford ads would not kill me, prepper supply stores.. wtheck?

[onyx]

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).

FReepers are absolutely the very best.

FReepers always come through in support for Jim and their forum.

Primarily due to the increase of costs and the Marxist's unconscionable economy, our FReepathons are taking longer to complete than in the "old days," and yes, I was here back then, too.

Thank you very much for your concerns, however I do not share your opinions of our "coach potato" membership.

P.S.
No more than 4-6 weeks ago, Rush Limbaugh himself, mentioned on the air, that Jim Robinson and Free Republic were the TEA Party before there was a TEA Party.

Just so you know.

[Yardstick]

All the clever comments you attach to the threads are less than useless.

Disagree. I think a well crafted snide comment is a huge morale boost and a clue to our guys who are out there making the arguments. There is value in the ferment created by a bunch of snarky smartasses. That said, there is also value in getting off the old duff and getting visible.

[Darksheare]

Logged in where?
Someplace that has blinking crap?
Yeah, that’s what we need!
Just like clownposse, trueblueliberty, truebluefreedom, as well as the promoforhomo bs that ilk pandered..
No thanks.
With ads comes the expectation by the advert company to control content.

By the way, mobile debice here.
Dink.

[PastorBooks]

“OK, were is Viking Kitty when you need him. LOL! “

I assumed you knew something I didn’t know. I’ve wondered about the gender of the Great Kitteh but never had the courage to ask. :)

[Billthedrill]

Well, perhaps. Some of us have been here for a very long time and have found that the long fight is the good fight, and that each contributes to it in his or her way, in his or her place, and within his or her own unique capacities.

I would like to see more street drama, yes. I would most especially like to see FReepathons not last the full extent of the quarter. I think, though, that we are very close to open violence now and that these are no longer the playful days of the late 1990's.

Welcome to FR.