Well, it’s always a good feeling when the end is in sight, but it starts all over again next time and it shouldn’t. The longer it takes, the shorter the time in between before the pins and needles begin anew.
I was thinking about how people complain about how much pilots are paid and then something happens like the Miracle on the Hudson and I think that Captain Sully earned every pay he ever received on that ONE day.
Now maybe John isn’t Captain Sully, but every time something happens, it’s John that pulls a rabbit out of the hat and makes this board run and as far as I know, there is no other place on the web like FR. When FR was cranking down during the debates, everyone was frustrated and maybe even a little angry, but John picked himself up and installed nginx from scratch before the election and this place has been humming ever since. And yet, there were only a few thank yous for John and as far as I was concerned, he earned his pay and then some because this place is home for so many of us.
I have seen people on their deathbeds post here almost up until the day they died because of the love they receive here and the support they got from so many loving and wonderful people. For some of these members, our FRiends, we are their only family. They are never alone as long as FR is here for them and I have seen it too often to think it’s an anomaly. Not only that, but they are not just passed over and forgotten. We remember them all and miss them so much.
I have seen others ask for prayers for strangers or friends and family members and the prayers are instantly and sincerely offered without hesitation.
These things have nothing to do with politics. So anyone who thinks that is all we are needs to think again. How many FReepers are second and even third generation?
How many people have found genuine solace after real trauma in their lives that just pour their hearts out because they know the class people on this forum will respond with warmth and caring they don’t get anywhere else?
I guess what I am trying to say is that this is probably the most special place on the web, bar none. And when it is gone, I doubt there will be a forum like this ever again. If that MUST happen, let it happen much later rather than sooner because so many of us, me included, have nowhere else to go. It has been my lifeline since the day I signed up. And that’s the truth.
Dearest MestaMachine,
You speak from your heart and in such amazing depth. I love your Captain Sully and John Robinson analogy. One was heralded for his action on one day, yet when John fixed our problems, our FReepathon was underway.
You’re right that FR is unique because it’s Our Home, aside from politics. You only have to look at Amy’s Place, The Canteen, and our many prayer threads to see that. Like Jim says, “FReepers are absolutely the greatest,” and FReepers always come through in support of this forum. It’s just taking longer and longer to meet our goals and I suspect much of the blame is the Marxist’s economy.
It’s frustrating, I know, and I share your concerns. I think we all do. I don’t have an easy answer. Everyone should know that we hold four quarterly FReepathons and it would most assuredly be nice, were everyone to contribute right away, so that it wouldn’t take 8 months out of 12 months to raise the needed money to finance Free Republic.
In the end, FR is worth it. We’ll keep our FReepathons open and going for as long as it takes. We’ll never surrender.
We’re never going to let FR go over a financial cliff!
God Bless and keep you and every patriot here!