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.

[Interesting Times]

At the risk of belaboring this ugly family feud...

It's too one-sided to accurately be called a feud.

We just want to do our work without being maligned and harassed...

[A Navy Vet]

"Wish I'd gotten the chance to talk with you more."

Yeah, me too, but the SO kept me on a short leash so I wasn't around as much as would have liked. I recognized the face at one point but didn't see your tag...next time. Keep the rubber down.

[A Navy Vet]

It would be a good resource if someone could compile all the notes from the various lectures and post them somewhere.

[diotima]

Lusty Wench.

hehehe.

[diotima]

We are working on that now, people have turned in their notes (Strela's are awesome) and we are pulling them together.

[conniew]

Entropy Squared posted some pics of the conference HERE.

Enjoy! :-)

[MrConfettiMan]

It's too one-sided to accurately be called a feud.

We just want to do our work without being maligned and harassed...

I don't know. From what I'm seeing around the forum, I don't think that's exactly a fair assessment, IT. The DC Chapter folks are clearly outnumbered by a large margin and you guys (at least some of you anyway) appear to be doing a pretty good job of harassing and maligning them. You give as good as you get.

[A Navy Vet]

Folks, this is from a man (a good man) who is fighting brain cancer for his life. As I have seen NO change in his cognitive abilities, his perspective is probably clearer and more focused than any of us due to his situation. Please hear his words.

Although I disagree with the DC chapter changing their name. Joe, take care you trend setter, you.

[uglybiker]

Okay, is this supposed to represent me and Bob? And why did you limit us with just taking over the world?

I'll let you two duke it out as to who gets to be Pinky.

As for taking over the world, I feel that it's healthy to set realistic goals.

[Angelwood]

BTW - You're welcome for the award. We paid for it out of our own pockets.

When the voting took place, I was under the impression that the "Chapter of the Year" Award was for the Free Republic Chapter of the Year -- not the Network Chapter of the Year. As such, I would have thought that the cost of the award would have been paid out of the donations made to Free Republic. I don't understand why the Network paid for the Forum awards. We will be happy to send a check to Free Republic for the cost of the award and Jim Robinson can reimburse you for that cost. Didn't you mention on the thread announcing the winners of the awards that the cost for each was about $80.00 and that you were seeking donations to help cover the costs of the awards? Please let me know if that is the correct amount.

By the way, when Taxman inquired about accepting the Network's generous offer to comp the DC Chapter's representative who would accept the Eagle Award, he was told that the offer had been rescinded.

[Interesting Times]

You might find it instructive to compare the number of posts by DC freepers reviling the Network with those by Network board members reviling the DC chapter.

[A Navy Vet]

Ulp, too quick for me. Any idea where you'll make them available and in what format?

[Interesting Times]

Thanks for the link and the (mostly) fine photos!

It was great to have a chance to meet you two in person. And your site, which I have now bookmarked, looks terrific.

It's a shame that WIMom rejected her new pirate name, though...

[MrConfettiMan]

Although I disagree with the DC chapter changing their name.

Hey, it was just a suggestion. Thanks for the kind words, my friend.

[MrConfettiMan]

Okay, I'll pay attention to that. If you don't mind my asking, who are the FRN Board Members? I honestly don't know.

[diotima]

The Network organized the Eagle Awards. We set up the voting system on the Network site because the vote system Jim has here wouldn't work. Nominations were taken from a committee (one of your chapter members was on this committee), the vote was taken (it was open to anyone who wanted to vote) and winners were announced.

We paid for the actual awards, which wasn't a big deal. It just seems unusual that you keep coming at us with these groundless allegations, when we have done everything we can deal with you graciously.

First you say that your speech wasn't allowed to be read, which was false. Now I hear the offer to pay your way was taken back which was also false. Where did you hear that? Again, who is spreading such horrific lies? I am the one who extended the offer to you that the Net wanted to comp someone from your chapter at the event. You certainly never heard from me we had taken this offer back. Did you think to check? I spoke to Kristinn on the phone months ago about this very issue. He could have called and verified the offer was taken back. No one said anything.

BTW, Sauropod was the person who got the free registration. He had registered before it was determined he would be the DC representative, so he will be getting a check for his fees back.

[Interesting Times]

Bob J, Diotima, skeet, The Shrew, RightOnline, Abner, Doughtyone, LurkerNoMore!, IronJack, Nick Danger, Seeking the Truth, DittoMom, MinuteGal and yours truly...

[Interesting Times]

Angelwood, during the brief period when you had access to the FR Network directors discussion forum, did you make copies of our private communications and subsequently provide them to others?

[MrConfettiMan]

Thank you, and the impact of your previous comment is not lost on me. The sides, meaning the number of people going tit-for-tat, appear to be about even. Forgive me, I assumed (me mad) one_particular_harbour was on the FRN BOD. I apologize.

[Interesting Times]

No problem. No, OPH isn't on the FRN board. Our attorney of record is Cleta Mitchell, a well-regarded Washington attorney who is also associated with the American Conservative Union.