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I'm really sorry that you feel that way, and I'll grant that there are a few FReepers that may fall into the category you talk about, but that said, I think they are very few and not all that hard to ignore. I think the fact that you were able to post this, particularly in insulting the owner of the site, speaks volumes to refute your claim. I have found Jim to be most gracious most of the time. He has strong opinions and I think a bit of a temper, but he is entitled to his opinions as we all are and when his temper has caused him to act in haste, he is quick to make amends from everything I have seen.

I have seen widely varying opinions on this forum and an incredible amount of tolerance and as long as FReepers are respectful there are not usually any real insurmountable problems. Posts get pulled sometimes. We live with it. There is usually a good reason, but I haven't seen anybody get banned outright except for being a disruptor, and they should be banned. Of course, sometimes its kinda fun when Jim lets them stay long enough for us to play cat and mouse with them awhile.

And as far as being ineffective and doing nothing, I take that remark kinda personally. Free Republic has had a tremendous impact on me as far as getting involved and trying to make a difference. I doubt there's another group of people anywhere who are more committed to America than FReepers and there are many of us working hard, doing everything we can to help carry out the mission of this website in our daily lives. Or maybe you don't see it because you're not doing anything yourself right now. I don't mean that as a putdown. We all have our phases and there is nothing wrong with that. It's just that when you're actively involved in a particular effort yourself you are much more likely to be in touch with that effort.

Free Republic is more than just staging protests, although we still do that when called for. I have no doubt that some of the letter writing campaigns launched by FReepers have swayed decisions at all levels and have at times brought issues to the public's attention. And what about the incredible labors of love we see every day on the "Canteen", "Some of FR's Finest" and the "Daily Prayer" threads? Are you saying that is "nothing"? And what about FReepers like cascadians and tankgurrrl, who launched an effort here on FR to bring attention to the abduction of Alice Donovan by the two Kentucky prison escapees and carried out that effort so far as to get flyers posted throughout the area alerting anyone who might have any knowledge and keeping that information updated and networking everything that turned up here keeping police agencies and media informed for nearly 3 days before they began to cover the case and even getting out personally and joining the search party? Is that doing nothing? And what about all the FReepers who are working hard at exposing and combating voter fraud? There were FReepers all over the place working at the polls for this past election and many more are contributing a great deal of time to researching, exposing and fighting voter fraud. By your remarks, I take it you think that is nothing too.

And let's not forget the less obvious. This is the best place I know online or off, to relax and unwind, to vent, to laugh, to exchange ideas, to recharge our batteries, to make plans and to make friends. I sure am sorry you can't find anything here.