Posted on 08/18/2002 5:18:22 PM PDT by 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.
Repetition is ALREADY in the wrong hands. That's one very important reason that I have made the financial and intellectual investment in this forum that I have.
Your "logic" contains a fatal myth of equivalence; using the tools of your enemies (especially when they are as effective as they are) does not turn one into one's enemy. Your example would seem to suggest that there is no difference between the Allies and the Axis powers during World War II because both used firearms.
A tool is not an ideology any more than a hammer is inherently evil because it can be used to crush a child's skull. Tools are simply tools; no more, no less. And, since our enemies are using repetition as a tool to bash us, I say its high time we pick up our own hammers and start swinging back.
If you truly feel that we are all fascists, I would suggest that you might be more comfortable posting in a different forum.
Interestingly enough, one of the tactics Matt recommended conservatives learn to recognize is changing the subject.
So tell me, are you intentionally trying to divert this thread from its original topic?
I'll agree that the thread's progression certainly is evidencing a new, improved uniformity of thought and tactic.
Whether that's a good thing or not remains to be seen, I suppose. Perhaps they'll turn themselves loose on the leftists one of these days instead of working so hard to ostracize, belittle, attack and silence the likes of you or me.
No ... I'm outraged and in shock that the notion abortion is a "women's" topic was floated by one of the speakers.
That's not shooting yourself in the foot where the Right to Life is concerned, that's putting a gun to your temple.
The entire object is to get elected in order to move your ideology forward. Meanwhile, you're rendering yourself irrelevent to the entire debate you find so ultimately important by pushing away any voters who agree with you 90%.
I think we can consider the point made.
Belaboring it further here will greatly undermine your claim that you aren't intentionally usurping our discussion about the conference.
It's sad you choose to put it this way, but perhaps you've swerved into the truth here.
Why don't you go start your own thread about the silliness of FRN's workshop last weekend?
Maybe Matt's onto something...
I was under the impression it was made yesterday. Had strela and OPH resisted the urge to get in a personal dig, I'd have never been back to the thread.
Frankly, sounds like the conference was a success. I'm happy for the Network and trust it's a harbinger of future sucessess. I realize full well you think I'm somehow always out gunning against the Network but I think that may be more the product of overactive imaginations exacerbated by too much time in private forums where paranoia and emotion run a little wild.
As I told Sauropod earlier today, it's a conference I'd have like to have attended even if I've found the actions of some FRN leadership of late hard to understand. (Might have even given me the opportunity to mend some fences with the likes of OPH who makes it his business to dog me mercilessly on any and all issues of late.)
My apologies for failing to stroke everyone when the one comment caught my eye yesterday, cruising through the thread.
Nice try.
The WWII analogies are specious. Carville and Begala are professional liars. There is much to learn from them, but this does not mean they are to be emulated for their prevarication any more than the German's were to be emulated for gassing Jews. A tool is a tool. But 'Zyklon B' is not fresh water.
Yes, the Matt Lewis quote was out of context, but the discussion centered around the comments of the attendees, not the Matt Lewis quote. Nobody hijacked the thread.
I think it's possible you should have been listening more than talking at the conference.
For future reference in personal attacks:
Yes, I voted my conscience: Constitution Party.
No, I am not a member but a registered Independent.
Dittos there.
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