From Excitement to Horror: Columbia's Last Flight Online (New York Times)

New York Times and Free Republic.Com | 9 Feb 03 | Tom Kuntz

[MamaLucci]

You did FR proud with that thread, leadpenny. WTG!

[Neets]

Not to fear...check out the Admin Moderators posts on this thread....and although they are keeping a watchful eye out for disruptors, it's important that we do the same and post a ZOT alert whenever we notice a disruptor

Hey, mods...lighten up a little

[cgbg]

FR makes the Times. I must be dreaming.

In twenty years you will be dreaming if there is a New York Times left to quote on Free Republic! ;-)

The Old Gray Whore is running out of tricks.

[leadpenny]

Thank you, but I believe it's all of the FReepers, who come through on these kind of threads, with their vast knowledge and expertise, that do us proud.

[MamaLucci]

Absolutely. :)

[IndyTiger]

After lurking on FR for about two years, I joined up last fall. When I first heard the news about the Columbia, FR was the first place I turned to. Breaking news and commentary that just can't be found anyplace else.

It's great to see FR get some notice like this. Thanks for posting this article.

[Kip Lange]

The revolution wasn't televised; it was FReeped. ;-)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Wonders never cease. Thanks again, Leadpenny, and all who were on that thread.

(To new Free Republic readers sent here by the NYTimes mention of this website:

1. Yes, this is the number one live news site anywhere.

2. FR has the best corps of citizen reporters in the world.

3. But there's SOOOO much more. Come on in. Stay awhile. Get an education unlike anything you can find anywhere. Allow the truth to seep in. At first you may be offended to learn that everything you have always believed as fed you from the same sources through the years is - well - not true. But if you can possibly swallow your hurt pride and just open your mind and READ and THINK - the blinders will fall off - and the TRUTH will, indeed, set you free!

[leadpenny]

Isn't that the truth? I've often said that the internet and Free Republic were invented just for me.

[leadpenny]

Nicely said.

[netmilsmom]

DU got nothing on us!!!

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I've often said that the internet and Free Republic were invented just for me.

I've been wondering lately why other web sites haven't duplicated the FR model. It's really quite brilliant in its simplicity. Perhaps it really can't be duplicated, because it requires a large, geographically-dispersed user base of intelligent, well-reasoned people who are willing to pay money to keep ads away. And we're all already here, so who would drive a similar site? Liberals? HA! They'd probably demand that tax dollars pay for it!

[StriperSniper]

Good job. :)

[leadpenny]

I like it when FReepers answer their own questions. LOL.

[dennisw]

The NYTimes is reduced to copy 'n' paste from FR. LOL! They just picked up what was on Opinion Journal (Tarranto)

And mega-props to leadpenny!

[brityank]

Thanks for the yoeman's work you and all FReepers did then and since in keeping us informed. If you want to peruse a technical discussion of the event, aftermath, and preliminary conclusions, you will find no better thread than the one started by bonesmccoy and with comments/analysis from some very knowledgeable FReepers here:
Observation on TPS damage on Orbiter
[Opens in new window]

Thanks to you all, and especially Jim for maintaining the forum.

[Jim Noble]

This is very good news.

We also, FWIW, have the absolute best technical discussion thread on the loss of Columbia, as I predicted we would on the afternoon of 2/1/03.

Bravo, JimRob!

[Angelwood]

A routine thread turns out to be an important piece of history. You and the others on the thread did a great service and deserve recognition. Glad to know you, leadpenny.

[Budge]

Since the NYT tried to sue JimRob and FR for "illegal" use of 'their' material, do you think you should sue the NYT for 'illegal' use of FR's material?

Naw, nevermind. FReepers aren't that petty. :)

[cgbg]

I've been wondering lately why other web sites haven't duplicated the FR model. It's really quite brilliant in its simplicity. Perhaps it really can't be duplicated, because it requires a large, geographically-dispersed user base of intelligent, well-reasoned people who are willing to pay money to keep ads away.

When Jim started this there were many other discussion groups of all sorts around the web.

I think Jim deserves a lot of credit for expanding the site as needed to keep it running smoothly.

By attracting a lot of people who actually work for a living Jim now has posters almost everywhere where anything is happening.

Since most of those folks would _never_ talk to a reporter for fear of losing their jobs FR can get a lot of information from the worker bees who make the country work while the reporters are spun by the PR brigades found throughout all major institutions.

We can't be spun--and thanks to Jim we can no longer be silenced!

P.S. You could be standing next to me in one of "liberal hells" we know as "Eastern cities" and you would never know it because I never talk politics or religion with strangers. I guess we really do need a "secret handshake". ;-)