[dirtboy]

That low buzzing sound in the background is a score of AF worker bees madly re-posting this thread around the internet. Joe, I like FR, but I don't overestimate its influence, and I see no need for the GOP to try and control FR, continues its never-ending soap-opera status.

Instead of the GOP taking control, over the course of four years at this site I have seen FR go through changes in response to the political environment around it. We used to be defined by our common enemy, Clinton, and I worried what would happen to FR once Clinton was no longer in office. Then, JimRob decided that the conservative movement should fall in behind Bush during August 2000 because that was the only viable decision to make at the time, and he didn't want FR to be used as a platform for political sniping. Then, after 9/11, JimRob has become more supportive of Bush and his efforts to fight terrorism. Wars do that. However, I have at NO TIME felt that I was unable to criticize Bush and/or the GOP on FR without fear of censorship or banishment.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I have at NO TIME felt that I was unable to criticize Bush and/or the GOP on FR without fear of censorship or banishment."

Dittoes, DIRT...MUD

[justshe]

Good post, dirtboy.

I do NOT understand yet another thread like this, at this time.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

That low buzzing sound in the background is a score of AF worker bees madly re-posting this thread around the internet.

And the buzzing you heard beforehand was them putting poor ol gullible Joe up to it. Sad.

[billhilly]

Agreed. Because of the recent dust-up here that BadJoe had a hand in I learned of what they call TOS, or LP. I have just posted the following message there, and it will be self explanatory.

23. To: askel5 (#17) There is too much in this outdated article to quote from, although it does cover a little history. FreeRepublic has been a little bloodied recently, but then, so has the country. I spent a lot of time lurking on FR and then signed on "back in the day." These wars (cyber spats) come and go. FreeRepublic, for all its warts, is still the most vigorous and animated site around. I'll confess, I am not using my FR screen name. I signed in here a couple of weeks ago to see what all the fuss was about, and I have tried to be objective about what I see and hear. I have seen a lot of names from the past, many of which I have shared good times with on threads. I chose this name, PonyPatuty, because of an old Ronald Reagan story. It was about the little boy who had asked Santa Claus for a pony. His parents couldn't afford a pony for their cheerful little boy, but his father put some manure under the tree. The little boy ran all around the house and outdoors after seeing the manure, laughing and singing. Asked why he was so happy he replied, "With all this horse sh** there just has to be a pony around somewhere. In two weeks of looking I have been unable to find the pony. PonyPatuty posted on 2002-09-06 11:42:45 Reply

[mountaineer]

If FR is a GOP mouthpiece, bought and paid for, then the party's in worse shape than anyone thought. That particular tinfoil theory is a crock.