Rules for Funkeling. In order to score a Fair Funkle on Free Republic, a FReeper must observe the following rules:
1) The thread chosen must have been active within 1/2 hour prior to declaring an attempt.
2) The FReeper must delare a "Fair Funkle" attempt in his/her first post.
3) The FReeper must post count downs from 4 to 1 (the declaration post counts as the first post) at no less than 5 minute intervals.
4) It is the duty of any freeper seeing the declaration to post a "bump", thus ending the attempt.
5) The successful FReeper may, at the fifth and last post, declare in any derisive terms desired, "I did it! A Fair Funkle!"
6) Scoring of Fair Funkles will be by a jury of FReeper peers (the Funkle Committee), and will include: time intervals between count down posts, total time consumed and thread popularity prior to the Fair Funkle.
7) Scoring disputes will be decided by the Funkle Committee and may not be appealed.
8) The awarding of the annual Fairest Funkle Of Them All trophy will be decided by the Funkle Committee.
When I talk to myself for over a half hour with only 5 posts - you better believe I've gotten it - even without an upfront declaration.
You need to add an additional rule - bumping the FReepathon thread to different replies counts without prior declaration.