Preach it, Writer !!! Good rant. :^DFree Republic is a forum that’s not for the meek of heart.
Hey ! I resemble that remark ! :^D
Posted on 06/02/2004 10:02:57 PM PDT by writer33
It was January 15, 2004. I was delving deep into my nonfiction book project on conservative thought through the eyes of those that serve or have served in the U.S. Military. A veritable compilation of conservative commentary on political topics of interest to Americans, such as National Defense, Terrorism, Abortion, Homosexuality, etc… You get the picture.
Soon, I found myself on Google, entering the words, “Conservative Political Forums.” A number of things popped up-The Rant Web, Conservative Politics-US, Conservative Discussion Forum, commonly known as network 54, and News/Activism Threads. I clicked on News/Activism Threads and found myself at Free Republic.
Quickly, I started reading the news articles and the comments that soon followed. I was awestruck. Flabbergasted, swept off my feet like a giddy bride on her wedding day. I had found heaven. It wasn’t long before I was sitting on the homepage: http://www.freerepublic.com/home.htm. There, I quickly registered, armed with my litmus test, and began to solicit for soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coasties, and veterans that serve or have served in the U.S. Military. Within a minute or two I had mail from a couple of interested parties. After answering their respective e-mails, I went back to the News/Activism Thread page and clicked on my thread to find it had been pulled.
The reason it the moderators pulled it, because it was a solicitation. Within five minutes, I had managed to get a little slap on the wrist from the moderators. The moderators, commonly known as Mods on Free Republic, had explained to me that you couldn’t solicit on the forum. (Here’s where I take a time out and explain that if I had simply read the rules when registering that this wouldn’t have happened.) Of course, it wasn’t long before I had help from fellow Free Republic Members-referred to as Freepers-giving me advice on how to go about getting volunteers for my book without an open solicitation.
So, I slowly began my arduous task of gathering my flock. Before long I had attained the goal I sought out to reach. On reflection, I realized that I hadn’t used my litmus test for conservatives I intended on using. Did I let that many people slip through without testing them, I thought to myself, or were there really just that many like-minded conservatives really out there? The answer hit me like a brick falling off a four-story building. These forum members were REALLY CONSERVATIVE. They understood the principles of conservatism and could quote ‘em back to you. A litmus test just wasn’t needed.
Now that I’ve been here four and half months, I can easily say that Free Republic is by far the most conservative forum I’ve ever been fortunate enough to be a part of. The forum has the finest minds I’ve ever seen. The deepest conservative thought can be found by simply reading the comments on posted articles. From men to women, black to white, soldier to veteran, professional to blue collar. They’re all here, illuminating a forum with the deepest of conservative philosophy. (Of course there is always an opportunity to find non intellectual philosophy as well.) However, the majority of the posters express their thoughts, exacting their ideas through grass roots activism.
Free Republic is a forum that’s not for the meek of heart. When you’re new, you’re under suspicion of being a Democratic Underground plant, referred to as a DU Troll. Once you’ve convinced the masses, a task not easily attainable if you’re a troll, then forum life will continue in its addictive state day in and day out. I can speak of this personally as I under went rounds of fifty-caliber ammunition when I first joined. Before long, I was gradually welcomed into the fold with special thanks to Rush Limbaugh.
If you try to fake it till you make it, you won’t make it-these people can sniff a clean liberal from two hundred yards away. So don’t fake it. My best advice is to lurk a while, better known as reading and monitoring, before actually registering and posting a thread. Here’s a hint, liberals: these people will check your registration date when they make a comment. If you’re liberal, don’t bother to plan on staying a while, because the moderators will ban you quicker than you can say, “What about my freedom of speech?”
I knew the first minute I had my feet to the fire that this was the place I wanted to be. Not only do they give you a reason for giving you a hard time, but they also give you a rhyme and make you like it too. And before too long, you can’t get enough of this addictive, premium, God-fearing, limited government, pro-tax cut, pro-military, All-American site. Remember. If you’re a liberal jumping into this forum to spew your hatred, it won’t be a lasting trip, much like a 150-pound man stepping into the boxing ring with George Foreman not making the second round before a knockout. This is a battle for heavyweight conservatives only. Don’t bother if you’re moderate, liberal, or a rhino. They can spot a rhino at three hundred yards hanging out with liberals over at fiscal spending. In other words, don’t waste your time.
After serving in the U.S. Army for six years, I can say that I’ve served with the finest individuals I’ve ever known. But after four and half months at Free Republic, I can say I’ve served with the finest intellectuals I’ll ever know. With Jim Robinson at the helm of this great forum, Free Republic, and its members, will continue its grass roots activism until the extinction of liberalism. That’s no small feat for a Republic.
Ping!
This desevers a Bumparooni!
You "penned" another great article. :)
That's where I come in.
Well done!
I think you guys will enjoy this one :o)
read later bump
THANKS TONS.
What's your book going to be about?
Thanks for the ping, Chris; Two in two days, both great!
Bump, Bttt.
ping
When you’re new, you’re under suspicion of being a Democratic Underground plant, referred to as a DU Troll.
***hehehehe
Goodness gracious, how can you say that? Good manners are specifically required when you sign up to enter at the FR saloon.
BTW, was your first flame really good for you, too? :D
Great post,writer!...I lurked a long time before registering...but still didn't realize what I was in for by entering some threads on the most contentious subjects..I had my third flame and felt like I belonged..;)
Preach it, Writer !!! Good rant. :^DFree Republic is a forum that’s not for the meek of heart.
Hey ! I resemble that remark ! :^D
Now, your next test is to join in a FReep!
(If the weather holds, the Arkansas Hog Wild FReepers will be joined by JimRob, Sheila and Chris at the Clinton LIEbrary today.)
Yes, thank you ! :^D
For a young Conservative soldier in Iraq check out thequestingcat.com. He has a relatively new soldier's blog.
"Goodness gracious, how can you say that? Good manners are specifically required when you sign up to enter at the FR saloon.
BTW, was your first flame really good for you, too? :D"
True. Good manners are required and yes, the flame was good for me. :)
"For a young Conservative soldier in Iraq check out thequestingcat.com. He has a relatively new soldier's blog."
Roger, that. And thank you.
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