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Free Republic and the New Media
Self | 09/12/2004 | Chris Davis

Posted on 09/12/2004 4:54:35 PM PDT by writer33

It all started in 1988. President Ronald Reagan’s second term was ending, Americans were ready to launch the presidency of George H.W. Bush, and in Sacramento, California, a “loveable little fuzzball” stepped behind a microphone, replacing Morton Downey, Jr, and giving us his brand of conservative truth. It was astonishing. It was exhilarating. And it was unheard at the time. Before 1988, Americans had been treated with the nightly news from the “Big Media.”

The “Big Media” owned the airwaves of our televisions. Every morning, noon, and night we were fed stories, pictures, and commentary from a leftist press. A media content in spreading the truth that served its purpose, giving us little tidbits of salacious information, but not reporting the full story. Facts had been withheld to give the unaware their view of the world and how it should be. Their mission: Save the world by keeping people ignorant of the truth. And just like the song, “Along Came Mary,” along came Limbaugh.

Limbaugh perforated our eardrums with common sense and startling commentary. His sharp wit and sarcastic humor brought a smile on our faces. His love of country and support of our troops spurred a belief that was held in the majority of Americans’ minds. America loved it. They loved Limbaugh. They loved the truth. In fact, America loved the truth so much they gave him his own television show in 1992. This opened the door to audiences that had never heard from Limbaugh before. A chance to spread “a disease caused by casual contact.” A chance to open American eyes to the “Big Media.” CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN hadn’t seen the like of it. They were in shock and awe. They were furious. They were overwhelmed at the number of stations Limbaugh overtook. They didn’t know how to respond to this “loveable little fuzzball.” So they did what they always do: Manipulate the facts and distort the truth about Limbaugh. Before long, his books were on shelves, spreading more conservative views on topics of interest to Americans, topics such as National Security, Feminism, Abortion, and Liberalism. Now, even more Americans had become aware of Rush Limbaugh. Suddenly, the “Big Media” had to compete for the attention of the American people. As Rush said before, “There wasn’t any of this fifteen years ago. I know. I was there at the creation.” He was. And we are forever grateful.

Through all of this, a cable news channel was created. Fox News, a channel that reported the whole story. They were young and brash, and in 1996, they gave a young, fire-breather his debut on Hannity & Colmes. Sean Hannity began to slice and dice liberalism on a cable news network. His efforts in broadcast journalism led him to his own radio show on September 10, 2001. Not only does he reach millions on his television show, but is second only to Rush Limbaugh in talk radio with nearly 400 stations across the nation. As conservatives, we were starting to get a stranglehold on the old monopoly of the “Big Media.” We were fighting mad and it was showing.

And there would be more to follow. More talk show hosts to come. More conservative news, exposing the truth of the spin in the “Big Media.” There would be the internet, the new age of conservative news, opinions, commentary, and information throughout the globe. Soon, a gutsy, young journalist would risk it all and shake the foundations of the White House from the internet. Matt Drudge risked his entire reputation, career, and livelihood by breaking the Monica Lewinsky story. This no nonsense conservative uncovered what no “Big Media” would uncover. He would expose the corruption and debauchery under the desk in the Oval Office.

Matt Drudge was the beginning of the internet and the new media. Now, Americans of all stripes of red, white, and blue could access news. In the last year, Drudge has had nearly three billion visitors to his site, which is broadcast every Sunday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. eastern standard time. Drudge began the wave of the conservative future. No longer did conservatives have to call in to their favorite talk radio program to express their frustration of the liberal media. No longer did they have to sit idly by their televisions throwing pillows at the television while ranting and raving at the blatant media partisanship. Now they had a new outlet. They had a forum called Free Republic.

Through the brainchild of Jim Robinson, a forum was created where Americans of all flavors could rant, rave, and could even continue the pursuit of conservatism while crushing the socialistic tyranny of the “Big Media.” In a statement on their website, Jim Robinson states, “In our continuing fight for freedom, for America and our constitution and against totalitarianism, socialism, tyranny, terrorism, etc., Free Republic stands firmly on the side of right, i.e., the conservative side.” And in that statement, sums up the mission of conservatism and Free Republic. Now we’re dangerous to the “Big Media.” Now we’re available to everyone. We’re in homes, in offices, and in laptop computers. We’ve become an infectious disease that will debilitate the Democratic Party and liberalism’s veined effort to garnish power. We’re putting a stranglehold on a defunct enterprise known as CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN.

From Anchorage, AK to Miami, FL, we’re spread across the United States in search of one crushing blow to end the “Big Media’s” tyranny over the news, to stop the lies, and end the oppression of facts from news commentary, such as 60 Minutes. We’re here to mobilize and stop the incestuous relationship with the Democratic Party and their socialistic tendencies. In a nutshell, we are here to end liberalism’s final, desperate grip on a media that has become so partisan they’ve lost all objectivity. Free Republic, this group of “amateurs” has put their testicles in a vice and tightened ‘em down.

But the media doesn’t know the full power of Free Republic. The media doesn’t know it is made of up individuals across the globe. “Amateurs” of all walks of life, willing to make the leap in refuting liberal terrorism in the press. From housewives to airline pilots, from ministers to talk show hosts, and from architects to engineers, comprise diversity so great that the media’s group of so-called experts can’t keep up. We even have our own range of military personnel from every branch of service, willing to battle lies and distortions within the media elite. And as much as we hate to admit it, we have lawyers that lurk, lawyers that Freep, and lawyers that make sure no lawsuit is left behind.

From our makeup, we are Americans: Conservative Americans. Americans united in one common goal: We won’t stop till the mission is complete. For we are the new media. We are the new truth in America. We are the amateurs that have rocked the status quo. These merry bands of amateurs, known as Freepers, have shown their expertise at exposing the truth. This forum called Free Republic will supercede the admonishment of the liberal media and conquer all those that oppose us. After all, we are the best in the world. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “Free Republic is made up of some of the finest minds I’ll ever know.” And for that, I am forever grateful for their expertise. I am forever grateful for this new media.


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet; Conspiracy; History; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: freerepublic; media
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To: TigersEye

I found him in Austin, TX. I can't remember what station, but I was flipping channels one night and there he was. It was the same episode where he was talking about Clinton's dog when suddenly Chelsea's picture popped up on the screen.


141 posted on 09/13/2004 1:56:44 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: MeekOneGOP

Nice picture.


142 posted on 09/13/2004 1:57:12 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: blackie

You're words are far too nice.


143 posted on 09/13/2004 1:58:27 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: writer33

I love your piece. I posted this on another thread this morning, but I have to admit that it kind of bugs me when the traditional media keeps lumping us in with all bloggers. There is nothing wrong with a blog, but Free Republic is a lot more than that. It's a powerful interactive news service that runs on the engine of it's members. There is nothing that rivals it and it has proved that news is more than something we just have to read, wring our hands over, and accept. Around here, it's a contact sport


144 posted on 09/13/2004 1:58:45 PM PDT by Route66 (America's Mainstreet)
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To: DaveMSmith

"That one big arrogant eye of CBS has been replaced by a million eyes."

That there's a mighty accurate statement. And thank you for the nice compliments.


145 posted on 09/13/2004 2:02:12 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: Grampa Dave

Thank you, Grampa. I appreciate it, even if you're a focus group now. :) Hehe!

And you're dead on. This is why we need to keep it funded.


146 posted on 09/13/2004 2:03:27 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: writer33

I'm just an observer giving an account.


147 posted on 09/13/2004 2:03:28 PM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: writer33
Thanks. I borrowed that a while back.

148 posted on 09/13/2004 2:06:09 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: Aquamarine

Thank you, Aqua Man! And now it's off to the Hall of Justice! We've got liberals to vanquish! :) HA! Just kidding!

Seriously, thank you for the nice compliments. I really appreciate 'em.


149 posted on 09/13/2004 2:06:40 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: The_Victor

Thank you, The_Victor. I really appreciate the nice comments, even if you are from Texas. ;-) Hehe. Just kidding!

Thank you from one Texan to another.


150 posted on 09/13/2004 2:08:06 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: MEG33

"Son"...You said it well....;)"

Thanks, Mom! :) I appreciate the comments.


151 posted on 09/13/2004 2:10:38 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: VRW Conspirator

"Let the games begin."

And that about sums it up. Of course you know I owe Rush Limbaugh for most of my success. This is a lot of Limbaugh Echo syndrome, but it wraps it up in a nice little bundle.

Thanks for the dittos. Megadittos back at you, VRWC.


152 posted on 09/13/2004 2:13:44 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: writer33

I may have started something here!.....;)


153 posted on 09/13/2004 2:14:32 PM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL on issues of national security for two decades)
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To: Route66
"... Free Republic is a lot more than that. It's a powerful interactive news service that runs on the engine of it's members. There is nothing that rivals it and it has proved that news is more than something we just have to read, wring our hands over, and accept. Around here, it's a contact sport..."

Who knew there was ANOTHER contact sport you could do in your pajamas!????

;-D

154 posted on 09/13/2004 2:15:13 PM PDT by Judith Anne (Let's have a FReeper pj party election night!!!)
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To: shezza

"Now stories are broken on FR hours/days before the OldMedia can even dispatch a reporter to the scene. Now expert advice is available within minutes of a thread being posted. Now the commentary is brilliant, insightful, and frequently hilarious, and from someone other than a talking head."

Well, said. This sums it up very nicely. This is now what FR is all about. It isn't a bunch of ranting right wingers out for revenge. It's become a far more useful tool and the Old Media is beginning to see it.


155 posted on 09/13/2004 2:15:50 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: IPWGOP

Rack 'em up, this party's over. ;-)


156 posted on 09/13/2004 2:18:07 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: writer33
It's become a far more useful tool and the Old Media is beginning to see it.

Wonder how they'll try to shut us up? They already did, with the excerpting requirements and lawsuits...what villainy is next?

157 posted on 09/13/2004 2:19:04 PM PDT by Judith Anne (Let's have a FReeper pj party election night!!!)
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To: Straight Vermonter

Perfect picture for the essay.


158 posted on 09/13/2004 2:19:05 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: MEG33

So we can blame you if something goes wrong, then. :)


159 posted on 09/13/2004 2:21:27 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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To: Conservative Coulter Fan

Here you go, ping!


160 posted on 09/13/2004 2:24:10 PM PDT by writer33 (Try this link: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/books/electivedecisions.shtml)
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