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Free Republic | August 18, 2002 | Auntie Mame

[Auntie Mame]

Dear Freepers:

I just returned from the First Annual Free Republic Network Convention in Las Vegas.

The Free Republic Network Cruise last October was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life. The Free Republic Network Conference I just attended was the most informative and inspiring two days I've ever had in my whole life.

The Free Republic Network is stretching its muscle, not by talk, but by action. The Free Republic forum is liberty's college. The Free Republic Network is liberty's workplace.

If you attended, please use this thread to post your observations, comments and highlights of the conference. I will give mine below. But before I do, I'd like to take this time to thank Bob Johnson and the FRN board for putting on this conference. It's hard for me to find the words to adequately describe how great this experience was--and how much I learned.

[Interesting Times]

Not only are you ineffective, you Askel5, are personally counterproductive.

Maybe. Depends on what she's trying to do.

For example, she now has you talking about her and her opinions instead of the topic of the thread...

[TheRightGuy]

Not everyone who buys our products is 19 and has 20/20 vision

I wish I was that age and knew what I know now ...;^)

[Cyber Liberty]

Askel, you go on and post whatever you feel like. It's up to the casual observer to determine if you're doing so in the right place.

If you want to get into a knock-down, drag out argument over your pet issue on a thread where tactics are being discussed (as opposed to content), then you're only proving Muth's points about the fact that there is a segment of voters who will prove a waste of time and treasure because they're impossible to ever fully satisfy.

[Cyber Liberty]

I like the way you said it better....

[Harrison Bergeron]

"Why study them and their enthusiasm if they have no "ingenious tactics or brilliant insight"? "

One word: Defense.

They are professional propagandists, not brilliant politicians. That we are forgetting this is another reason for that fear I mentioned. Anyone can use repetition to get a message out, but it's a training tool, not a reasoning tool - it works equally on pigs, dogs, and humans. When it gets into the wrong hands as a political tool, and it always does - we have fascism. But, like socialism, I guess it just hasn't been tried by the righ people yet, right?

[Auntie Mame]

These people are unbelievable! I almost feel sorry for them. Too bad they can't be bothered to pull up the conference audio archive and listen to what Chuck Muth actually said and address his comments. I'd be curious if they even have a response and a solution, because what he speaks of would solve the entire abortion "problem."

Instead, they'd rather stand on street corners and proclaim: "Abortion is murder. You're going to hell."

What a bunch of losers.

[Interesting Times]

So howdja like that fundraising speech? Lots of good stuff there, I thought.

I was hoping it would have more stuff that chapters could use for their own fundraising as opposed to techniques for candidates, but some of the information does translate and the lady was obviously a pro.

However if we start working to develop local candidates, as Chuck Muth, Carry_Okie and others have suggested, the info suddenly becomes very relevant.

[Askel5]

I've become convinced that you are actually pro choice, since you don't want to think things through and say them in a way that you can stop a single abortion. You antagonize and alienate people who are sympathetic to your issue to the point where people begin to despise the pro-life movement because of the level of your hyperbole. Not only are you ineffective, you Askel5, are personally counterproductive.

I'm not arguing abortion. I'm arguing a point that I find is VITAL. I have a hard time accepting the fact that folks are "thinking things through" if they really believe it's wise for men to shut up and accept the LEFTIST notion that abortion is a "Women's Issue" ... thereby conceding the question right off the bat.

Ludicrous.

If you have a problem with "crapping on the thread" ... I suggest you make ALL of your personal attacks by FReepmail instead of disparaging me on the thread.

[Interesting Times]

Harrison has already agreed to drop it. Askel is considering her options. I suggest we just stay with the conference discussions and avoid getting sidetracked.

[Auntie Mame]

One word: Defense.

Defense is for losers.

[Interesting Times]

Anyone can use repetition to get a message out, but it's a training tool, not a reasoning tool - it works equally on pigs, dogs, and humans.

Absolutely -- tactics are value-neutral.

When it gets into the wrong hands as a political tool, and it always does - we have fascism.

That strikes me as a bit over the top. It's only true if the fascists, and nobody else, are using the best tactics.

But, like socialism, I guess it just hasn't been tried by the righ people yet, right?

Whatever. Mind if we get back to the FRIVA discussion now?

[Harrison Bergeron]

"Does it surprise you in the least that we are looking to the slogans and agit-prop of fascists, national socialists and communists for "sending a message" these days? "

Based on the out of context quote from the Matt Lewis seminar, I've got only circumstantial evidence that this is the case. However, the defensive rebuttals the rising chorus of boos only serve to amplify the point you are trying to make.

[Interesting Times]

Be so good as to respond to 257.

[Harrison Bergeron]

"...tactics are value-neutral. "

Value neutral conservatism. No thanks.

[Askel5]

So ... if all I do is oooh and aaaah over the sit-rep, I'm "on topic". But if I criticize in the least anything that's reported, I'm "off topic" and diverting the thread?

[Askel5]

then you're only proving Muth's points about the fact that there is a segment of voters who will prove a waste of time and treasure because they're impossible to ever fully satisfy.

You know what would satisfy me? An admission by the GOP that the Right to Life is a NON-ISSUE. Barbara Bush was right ... it's long past time the Pro-Life plank was removed. There is no reason for the Party to pretend it's at all interested in maintaining a wholly hypocritical "pro-life" position.

Instead of squandering its moral capital for wholly negligible legislation -- packaged with the right slogans so as to "sound good" and make folks feel they accomplished something -- the GOP should concentrate its efforts on issues they can "win". Issues like the Economy, Security and Prosperity which not only mean something to its party members but have an across-the-board Market Appeal.

[Slip18]

Here is another tidbit I wrote while listening to Chuch Muth:

Politics is merit based. How hard you work and how much effort you put into it is more important than your education.

[Interesting Times]

Value neutral conservatism. No thanks.

Your word-twisting is becoming irritating.

I said tactics are value-neutral, not that conservatism should be. Computers are value-neutral too, but I notice that you're willing to use them.

Do you have any more important opinions on a lecture you didn't hear, or can we move on?