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.
Like posts 49 and 52?
And isn’t it about time for some updating?
Maybe let users CHOOSE if they want their donation status displayed (gold, silver, bronze...etc) vanity sells too...
And higher level donors get priority.
I would GLADLY buy a Free Republic TV-shirt and mug.
I never post on here about what I have done but that does not mean that what others have posted here is of no value. I suspect that many others do the same as I do.
Yes absolutely Free Republic should continue.
I am proposing a discussion about strategies to keep this thing up. You are just throwing poop.
That said, I will never stop biting the ankles of the little scumbags; never let the mooching mice enjoy the fruits of their victory in peace. I will tilt at windmills and always remain optimistic that the nation can somehow be restored. My heart rules my head, what can I say?
Free Republic is a lot more than a site for "snide comments" as you insinuate. Free Republic is a place where relevant news from numerous sources is thoroughly analyzed by thousands of people daily and gets widespread dissemination. That is an important role.
You seem to think Free Republic should be a control center for street rallies and marches, etc. Sure, FR can still serve that function, and likely WILL serve that function in the future. August in an election off-year is not exactly the prime time for that kind of activity. Remember, most conservatives get up and go to work every day. We don't have the luxury of the Democrats, who can always have their union thugs bus in the welfare rent-a-crowds.
So keep your pants on and quit being such a wet blanket. Sheesh.
All true. The quote and your reply.
I understand what you’re saying.
Our once very active Tea Party group is slowly turning into a Study Club.
We still meet every week, but most of them don’t want to hit the streets like they used to.
I think it’s because many of them got bummed out when Obama was reelected. I’m hoping they’ll get over it very soon. We’ve got work to do.
You are the one who wants blinking annoying ads crapping on the format.
Not me.
(I only have two [2] days' FRSeniority on her!! LOL!!)
BTTT
Thanks so much, dearest Jim!
Less than $1.7k to GO!!!
If you haven’t yet made your Donation, tonight’s an ideal time!!!
Thanks very much everybody!
God bless and keep you all.
You want to ban him for telling people to get off their asses and protest?
How much per year do you contribute, oh holy one?
What do you think we do besides work?
Do you know anyone else’s life here?
Nope.
And neither does the OP.
I’ve explained many times that if we go commercial we’re going to have to drastically change our operating policies. And we’d have to scrub our archives of any and all potential copyright infringements. Hell, we’d probably have to scrap the entire thing and start over. I have no burning desire to be rich anyway. We enjoy being able to live fairly comfortably and pay our bills. Don’t need more than that.
Our loyal FReepers are the very best and always come through for FR.
No. You are the one who wants to keep Jim from making any money. He’s worked very hard. He deserves some compensation.
We need ACTION. Simply joining with a group of fellow patriots on an overpass to express your resentment over what's happening to our country, is a step in the right direction.
Oh, so you are “concerned”!
See post 74.
Have you considered that his comment might have been a bit tongue in cheek?
FR was never primarily a site for organizing protests. It is foremost an online community. JR makes a good point when he says the Tea Party has subsumed a significant chunk of what FR used to do in terms of in-the-streets activism. FR should be applauded as a forerunner, not dissed as a bunch of couch potatos.
I didn’t call for banning him, newbie.
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