Free Republic Network Conference a Roaring Success! Participants post your comments here

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.

[habs4ever]

I'm delighted it turned out well, and a thumb in the eye to all the naysayers,and am especially pleased to hear OPH will make it home after all ;-)

[cyn]

thanks for taking the time to post this, especially the details of Sat's meetings -- that's very helpful!

[Auntie Mame]

Your report is wonderful! This is what I hoped this thread would turn into, each person's impressions and additions to the "story." And if you think of anything else, come back and post some more.

To add to your post, I'd forgotten to mention our own Freeper Carry_Okie who spoke at the panel discussion and brought his book for sale. His two beautiful daughters manned the book table and generally behaved like the troopers they are. Freeper Ginny bought two copies and surprised me with one as a gift. This book, which I've only flipped through briefly and read a few paragraphs, is crammed with information. I've already told two people about the part of the book that talks about the unintended consequences of the environmentalists who profess to want to save the fish, but through their clearing the rivers of log jams have actually destroyed spawning grounds. I've learned this much and I've only read two paragraphs of the book!

Oh, and we haven't mentioned Diotima and what an incredible job she did. She is one funny lady.

[Mo1]

Thank you so much for your report .. I listened to it last night and enjoyed it so much ..

I just wish I could have gone

[Auntie Mame]

Oh my gosh. Another mall? With limos?

Now she tells me. ; - )

I, too wish you could have gone.

Hopefully we'll be able to get enough individual freeper reports on this thread and others that you'll almost feel you were there, but not get quite as tired as we did. I literally feel into bed both nights, my brain was not used to having to work so hard. The bulk of the Freepers probably aren't home yet and if they are they're exhausted, so keep an eye out for follow-ups.

[Slip18]

I'll second that about Dr. Dio. She can be hysterical!

When needed, though, she sure can take hold of a ship. I was so proud of her!

[Auntie Mame]

You are more than welcome. Keep a watch out for more on-site freeper reports. Once the Freepers who attended start filtering home we should be having more reports. The speakers were so motivating I'm sure there will be a good turnout here and on other threads with Freeper reports. And everyone picks up different things so what might have slid by me might have been important to someone else and I'm hoping they'll jump in here and fill in the blanks.

[Auntie Mame]

am especially pleased to hear OPH will make it home after all ;-)

I can only report he was still alive and kicking as of about 11:30 p.m. last night.

He's really a great guy, but perhaps we'd better keep that between ourselves.

[xJones]

It is wonderful that you joined on 2002-05-21, and have become so active. You must be a real go-getter.

[BADJOE]

I really wanted to do that too.

But Willa wouldn't let me. : )

[Auntie Mame]

You are so very welcome. To expand a bit on the Leadership Institute's portion of the seminar, Matt Lewis told us the following (from my notes):

If you come up with a message and your opponent sues you, you've got a good message.

People think in pictures.

He suggested we read "Bad Boy--The Life and Politics of Lee Atwater."

Credibility--if you don't have it, nothing else matters.

He spoke about having the right person to deliver the right message. As an example, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to have a man debate a woman about abortion. Know your limitations. If you're that man and you're asked to debate a woman about abortion, politely decline, and suggest a woman in your organization would probably be happy to debate.

Whatever team is on the offense the longest, wins (i.e., think of Carville and Begala, they were ALWAYS on the offense).

How an audience judges you:

55% is how you look
38% is the vocal quality of your voice--tonal
7% are the actual words you speak !!!!!

We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions. Audiences judge us by results.

He suggested we study Ronald Reagan's speeches to learn how to be conservative and positive (most conservatives are conservative and negative).

In politics, perception is reality

Okay, I'll spare you the rest.

[Auntie Mame]

Oh, you could hear Rich Galen's speech? I know AnnaZ did an interview with him but we couldn't hear it. Was it good? What did they talk about?

[Libertina]

PING! I haven't seen pictures yet, Mama Bear, but it's a good After "FRiva" Report :) BTW Congratulations Sauropod on your Eagle award. Big BUMP to YOU!

[Auntie Mame]

Badjoe took WIMom and me to the blackjack table and talked the pit boss into letting us play $5 blackjack (it was a $10 table and empty of customers). He proceeded to teach us and the dealer helped. Joe gave each of us $50 in chips and he had $100. We played for about an hour, WIMom made a huge mistake and touched, yes, touched the dealer's coins. He had a fit! It is a very bad no-no. She was so funny, apologizing all over the place. Anyway, Badjoe ended up with about $5 more than he started and WIMom won about $17!!!! It was a lot of fun, but made me too nervous.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Thanks for being my eyes and ears.

[Mo1]

They talked about getting folks to run for office in their local area's and ways folks can get involved in politics

Here is the archive put up be Agitator of the show if you want to listen to it .. just scroll down and click on Friva Las Vegas

Friva Las Vegas!

[Flyer]

Houston bumps the FRN!

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[nutmeg]

Thanks, Auntie Mame... great report! Wish we could've been there. Hopefully we'll make the next FR conference!

nutmeg & zelig