Posted on 07/06/2005 6:24:51 PM PDT by Bob J
I have a long history with Jim and Free Republic. My registration number is 39, I started the first official FR Activism chapter in Los Angeles. I helped organize the March For Justice, Judgement Day Rally and House Managers Rally in '98 and '99. Badjoe and I created "FReepstuff" to sell merchandise and help pay the bills to keep FR solvent in some of our darker days. I created and supervised the "Forum Advisory Board", a group of dedicated FReepers who advised Jim in it's formative years. I started the Free Republic Network, to help develop FR activism which was critically responsible for the nationwide rallies in Nov '00, the "Rally For America" in '03 and the "March Against Terrorism" in '04. (I list these things only so the newbies don't fly out of the rafters and swamp me with scurrilous accusations and innuendo)
I have believed for some time that the only way conservatives would ultimately win this war for the hearts, souls and minds of Americans is through a commanding media presence. Some time ago I began talking with another FReeper, Agitator, about developing a media company to do just that. Almost three years ago we began beta testing an internet radio concept we eventually called "Radio Free Republic". We started with only one program which aired once a month, "Unspun with AnnaZ". The stable grew until we were webcasting programs three times per week!
It was obvious that if we were going to continue and expand our influence beyond FR we were going to need a much longer term business plan.
Enter RIGHTALK.com.
We debuted RIGHTALK in October of last year. The going was rough at first but today we have over 35 programs hosted by such conservative luminaries as Paul Weyrich, Grover Norquist and Paul Rodriguez. We've just recently added Rich Tyler from Gingrich Communications and soon Freedom Alliance and the Heritage Foundation will be joining us. I beleive our programing is as good or better than anything you find. Our business plan next calls for us to expand into satellite, cable, syndication and eventually television.
I write this post for two reasons. One, I'd like to encourage FReepers to help support our effort by checking into RIGHTALK.com everyday and listen to at least one show (they're all one hour long so it's easy to listen in while you FReep) and to encourage your like-minded friends and relatives to do the same. I do apologize for the blatant self promotion but, the halls of BK court are full of people unwilling to throw a few plugs their way.
Second, I am reminded of many of my friends who also were instrumental in building activism early in FR and although still active FReepers, have expanded and moved on into other areas were they can further serve the cause beyond FR. Gene MacDonald created Ocents.com, abner and Victim of Circumstance fly patriotic ballons at US Flag Balloon, Nick Danger and Interesting Times created a conservative website/organization development company (very instrumental in the Swift Vets success I might add), and others.
As RIGHTALK stands on the cusp of it's first big effort outside the control room with the "Voices of Soldiers" Truth Tour in Iraq, I'd like to encourage and reinforce to each and every FReeper that you can make a difference, you can make things happen and make important contributions outside the comfy confines of the Free Republic website.
Just think it up and do it.
Thanks for your commitment to freedom. I can't wait to listen.
You can listen now, all our programs play /replay 24/7 on five channels!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for doing this as this is one more area conservatives need to be active in.
I also promise to pass the link along.
Best Regards,
Joe
After the first paragraph, I thought this was going to be an opus.
Glad it wasn't.
I note for the record that there was a previous "tour" for talk show hosts a month ago. My colleague, and a solid conservative, Jerry Agar was invited on that one. And he reported back from there -- straight truth -- to his audience in Kansas City.
Fine work, Bob. Your final line says it all.
Congressman Billybob
Man, did you ever leave a hell of a lot out of that trip down memory lane!
Looking forward to seeing youse guys in Las Vegas this week.
I'll be returning your call tomorrow - if I don't see you personally first.
It just tickles me that RighTalk is taking off.
You know you are over the target when the left starts their BS.
I'm proud to say I knew you before you became a Media MegaStar!
Click below to listen. Streaming MP3 audio will automatically open in your default media player. Or you can choose to save each segment individually by right clicking with your mouse and choosing "save target as".
LESSON I
LESSON II
LESSON III
LESSON IV
LESSON V
LESSON VI
LESSON VII
Segment III
Jerry was recently promoted to hosting the afternoon drivetime show on KMBZ 4-7PM.
Most of us have enjoyed the RighTalk adventure. I hope other similar efforts are in the hopper.
Damn you beat me by a few numbers 81 Bob (gay) J.LOL inside joke.
Mike Gallutia was a big help for me when I first started in computers.We still communicate quite often.
Actually, at one point, RadioFR was broadcasting live programming 4 days a week
and, I forgot, RadioFR began in the fall of 2001, so that makes it over 4 years ago. Time flies when you're having fun :)
Thanks John. I should mention CBB webcast a great show on RIGHTALK for a time!
Looking forward to it! We'll be in around 3-4.
CK! Good to see you kicking around!
I was trying to short date us some...heheh.
Always glad to see the ole salt with a "heart of gold."
Probably can't IRC anymore though. LOL
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