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I've been here six years, and we were much more fringe during the Clinton years. FreeRepublic is pretty well administered these days to eliminate the over the top elements. Most these days are mainstream Republicans. It used to be more Libertarian elements, more radical religious elements, and even some anarchy elements. There is not as much of that these days.

I think the reason for that is we have PResident Bush although having a Republican Congress helps. I seem to remember in the 1970's, somewhat during the 1980's (with a Democratic Congress, despite Ronald Reagan and having the Senate for a little while) and the Clinton 1990's, we were on the fringe more or less, imagine a Republican Congress, yeah, when pigs fly! Well, we achieved that in 1994 although we still had Clinton for 6 more years so we were still somewhat considered on the fringe. This was the time for whar I call "Patriot Radio."

I remember in the 1980's and 1990's listening to small AM stations and shortwave stations, the only other venue was Rush, to where that was the only venue to get some of the truth out there as well as discuss things like Waco and Ruby Ridge and the allegations against President Clinton. You also had the "Black Helicopter Crowd" too, maybe there are kernels of truth in what they say but some claims they made, well they have the burden of proof. I think with the election of 2000 with President Bush, Patriot Radio took a huge hit and we also see a surge with Sean Hannity, Mike Savage and so on although Chuck Harder took a hit. Had we had a Gore Victory in 2000 or a Kerry Victory in 2004, we would have most likely seen Patriot Radio continue or come back depending on the scenario. God forbid if we get a Dean like Democrat in 2008, I expect Patriot Radio to make a comeback and the shortwave bands will be humming again. I used to listen to a group of ham radio operators on the Liberty Net (3950 Kc, LSB (Lower Side Band)) every Saturday night having discussions as well, but it petered out in the last few years.

I still like Sean Hannity but his comments about Free Republic took some wind out of my sails on him.