WE CAN SAVE OUR COUNTRY: FAMILY OF STRANGERS, LOVERS OF LIBERTY, MEET IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

May 1, 2002 | WillaJohns

[WillaJohns]

It doesn't get much better than this: Early evening on the restaurant patio, sunshine filtering through the leaves of the mimosa trees, big-chested chirping birds occasionally swooping down to snatch an invisible crumb from the ground, smiling food servers, excellent cocktails and appetizers, and wonderful Freeper friends gathering and talking and laughing.

The cool breeze finally drove us inside, where warm good cheer kept us engaged for far longer than we had planned. This was a group of almost perfect strangers, joined by our love of country, our passion for liberty, and, of course, Free Republic.

Attending the Freep Meet were: Badjoe, Morganadana (from Kansas), seenenuf, EveningStar, VeggieTodd, AlanChapman, LedZep75, Gubamyster, Hassanbensobar, and yours truly.

We discussed naming our chapter. Some suggestions: "FLOC" = Freedom Lovers of Orange County; "LLOC" = Liberty Lovers of Orange County; and "FOOC" = Freepers of Orange County (we dismissed this one out of hand, I wonder why?).

Goals: Get more people to read Free Republic. Email interesting articles posted on FR to our friends.

We talked about having meetings once a month, perhaps on the first of each month so that the day would rotate and although some people can't make it on a weeknight, they might be able to make it on a weekend.

THANK YOU OC-FLYFISH FOR THE "DUMP DAVIS" BUMPERSTICKERS. An idea about these bumperstickers was brought up and will be discussed below.

Please feel free to add on to this report. There was so much going on and different perspectives and thoughts from others is welcome.

Reminder: The Orange County, California chapter of Free Republic will be holding its quarterly meeting July 13, 2002. Please mark your calendars if you haven't already done so.

[WillaJohns]

Regarding "Dump Davis" bumperstickers. An idea was brought up at the meeting that might bring a lot of Democrat voters to the Simon camp and your input would be appreciated.

Consider this scene: You're a die-hard Dem voter, your parents voted Dem, their parents voted Dem, you're a union member and you'll always vote Dem, that's just the way it is. You're not happy with what Gov Davis has done to California. You're driving down the road, traffic is backing up, and soon you're going five miles an hour on the freeway. The bumperstickers on a car in front of you catch your attention. One is faded, old and maybe torn. It says: "Clinton/Gore 2000" the other says "Dump Davis." Or maybe there's just one bumpersticker on the car in front: "Democrats for Simon." What do Freepers think about becoming a democrat (at least on your car) for the length of time it takes to get rid of Davis? Think it will help some die-hard Dems take the plunge?

[WillaJohns]

Comments fellow Freepers?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Sorry I was unable to attend.

Sounds like you had a good session!

[WillaJohns]

I missed you! Next time, okay?

[WillaJohns]

A fellow angel told me you live in Orange County. Hope you don't mind but I've asked to have you put on the OC Chapter information freepmail list to be informed of future events. Please plan to come to the July 13, 2002 meeting. Your presence is wanted and needed. : - )

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OK

It doesn't get much better than this: Early evening on the restaurant patio, sunshine filtering through the leaves of the mimosa trees, big-chested chirping birds occasionally swooping down to snatch an invisible crumb from the ground, smiling food servers, excellent cocktails and appetizers, and wonderful Freeper friends gathering and talking and laughing.

Now who would want to miss a meeting with this great description!

[nycgal]

Sorry that I couldn't make it tonight, but will be with you July 13.

How about FROC? Free Republic (of) Orange County

[WillaJohns]

Thanks for checking in here. Yes, see you in July.

How about FROC? Free Republic (of) Orange County

I like it! Seenenuf, what do you think?

[backhoe]

WJ, one thing I've been trying to put forward is this: all of us, when lauding, promoting, or referring to Free Republic to lurkers or browsers or the curious, ought to make a point of showing them- perhaps by emailing the link to it- the bump list.

With the admonition, "See how much you have not been told about? Now think of what you may have missed, because it simply was not talked about...."

Another is sending links to stories here to various online letters to editors, and opinion makers, using mass bcc emails.

[fire and forget]

I'm in Newport Beach and would love to attend the July 13 meeting. If you'll FReepmail me the time and place, I'll be there, absent an unavoidable conflict.

Thanks.

[seenenuf]

Good morning - FROC made me smile. Just like I was last night, with our brain-storming for the perfect name. FROC is in the running for lst place - for sure. Thanks for the great post.

[seenenuf]

CALLING ALL O.C. FREEPERS! My thanks to 'fire and forget', for this opportunity to ask Orange Countians to go to the home page of FR, click on 'my profile' and make sure you have at least included your state and county location. Adding your city helps. We hope you want to be included, for all future FReeps and fun. If you add your city, it helps determine what is a central location, in our BIG county. ALSO, if you add an e-mail address, then you can get more detailed info quicker. LURKER's - It's time to REGISTER. Jump in, the fun is fine! Next KNOWN date for OC FReepers is JULY 13th. Be there!

[Bob J]

A BIG FReepers of OC,CA BUMP!

[Corin Stormhands]

Clinton/Gore 2000

? Just a little friendly editing...

[B. A. Conservative]

Here is a topic you guys can discuss and work on.

[Dutchy]

Nice little report on O.C. Freeper meeting.....Nice job, WillaJohns.....

[M Kehoe]

Comments fellow Freepers?

Yes. I have always found that meeting other FReepers is a good thing.

5.56mm

[WillaJohns]

Thank you, backhoe. These are some very good ideas. I've never bcc'd an FR article in a letter to the editor. That's a great idea.

[backhoe]

Thanks for looking.... you always wonder if that kind of stuff does any good, given the volatile nature of things from the 'net. But I have noticed that Hannity- one of those I send links to- seems to use a lot of subjects I see here on FR. As do other talk show hosts.

At the very least, maybe it gets FR a few more hits and potential members from those who read the letters to editors online.

[WillaJohns]

Thank you kindly. It was invigorating to meet my fellow freepers. I especially was heartened with the youth and enthusiasm our group has. We all, working together, really can save our country.