BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES! A plea to all FReepers... mostly new, a few old

FreeRepublic ^ | 11-7-04 | Red State Denizens & me

[cgk]

Now that the Election is over, and we've let the rest of the country know Loud and Clear where we stand, and who we stand behind... it appears to be a good time to get re-organized here on FR.

Perhaps it's the euphoria that isn't quite wearing off at the 5% mandate the President earned and was given voluntarily by all of us. Maybe it's the fact we picked up even more seats in both the Senate and the House. Maybe it's just knowing Sen. Daschle has been voted out.

Whatever it is... we need to get back to work. "W2" is just the beginning of our battle. If you've been over to DU lately... they're not exactly throwing in the towel, and neither should we.

HOWEVER - this seems to be a good time to remind everyone a couple of things. Flame away, I expect it, because I know I am by no means some kind of old-timer around here breaking my seniority out at every perceived slight. Then again, I've been waiting for one of those "since the 90s" FReepers to say this, and haven't seen it yet.

To those of you who found us after the Buckbeak/CBS Memo scandal... many of us (not all) do not consider FreeRepublic a Blog. Because the MSM has labeled FR as a blog, doesn't make it so. FreeRepublic is considered by most (from what I've read here since before the CBS debacle) as a Forum. A Blog has been commonly defined as a website hosted by one (or so) people - where they post their thoughts. An online diary. People comment or analyze on that person's thoughts sometimes. Sometimes not. Here on FR we comment on various articles, news events, editorials, and call out for action.

All that being said - because FR is not by common definition a "blog" - your every thought does not need, nor sometimes deserve its own thread. If you feel you really need to share something with everyone, it is best posted in the General/Chat forum.

Next... PLEASE PLEASE USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION! It can be found below, in its own link, and it is also found on the Main Forum page as a Handy little Box above all the current threads.

Hot tip: Searching for an exact title is less successful than typing in ONE keyword FROM the title of the article you're trying to post. Especially when people miss spelling errors in their titles, and change the titles of the articles. Searching for ONE word works, especially when it's by DATE.

We can all understand the excitement and confusion of Election Day, exit poll madness, and Arafat and his 72 lives.

There are pros and cons to duplicate postings.

• How many times have you clicked on an article you've never seen, only to see 2nd or 3rd in the comments "Already posted"?

• Suggested Solution: Notify the Admin Moderator or Sidebar Moderator about the Duplicate post by PROVIDING THEM THE LINK TO THE MAIN THREAD, so they can "lock" the thread and direct all future responses to the "Main" thread. This will help all of us from trying to follow news events on sometimes up to 8 or 9 threads. It stands to reason that if we help the Moderators out by providing the links for duplicates, things will proceed much more quickly and smoothly.

• Try not to abuse Topics when posting an article. If you want to get maximum exposure, it actually works if you post the thread where it belongs. I assume I am not the only FReeper who uses the Headlines page to gauge what the "Top Stories" are on FR. It's something else to see "Arafat Dead!" on every topic from "Breaking" (yes) to "FR" (no) to "California" (hardly) to "Anthrax" (source?). Not every story is breaking, especially those coming from unreliable sources. (Your own head comes to mind). Not every news story belongs in all 50 states. And no, not every thread from DU belongs in "News." (And if you're posting profanity-laced threads, clean it up please. We can all follow the original link, should we choose to expose ourselves to garbage.)

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  I'm sure there's more others would like to add to the Bonfire... whether it's to agree or disagree. Long-winded I know, but much of it seems to be overdue. This seemed like as good of a time as any to gather all the valuable informative links and resources of FR and stick it in one place.

  I honestly am just trying to help out those who are new, and who are still riding the W2 wave. Let's not get sloppy.

  :)

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  Recommended Bookmark/Starting Point:

  Your Headlines Page

  Main Forum

  Main FR Search Page

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[asgardshill]

Who the heck is "Buckbeak"?

I think cgk was channeling Harry Potter when this was written. Buckbeak is a mythical creature in that series of books. BuckHEAD is a Freeper.

[cgk]

Yes yes yes... thank you. It can't be said enough.

[billhilly]

Did you check with Tom Wolfe before using his book title?

[Erik Latranyi]

Because the MSM has labeled FR as a blog..

Who cares???

Because we try to be accurate and credible on this site and we do not want to be confused with the many blogs that have little or no credibility nor any concerns with accuracy.

[mlmr]

we should try our darndest best to make California a red state so that by 2008, we got more electoral votes to start with.


Before we do this we need to shore up the electoral college, and develop and pass legislation that ensures one qualified citizen, one vote.

[cgk]

Cripes. I deserve another slap for that. I've read them and you just reminded me of that fact.

[asgardshill]

Neither can the very valid points you brought up in this thread. Thank YOU.

[Dolphy]

No kicking:) I was just highlighting your point and post which I think is timely.

[NewLand]

It's a good post. I liked it! Keep up the work...we could use some fresh leadership on "the boards" around here, IMHO.

[ml1954]

Because we try to be accurate and credible on this site and we do not want to be confused with the many blogs that have little or no credibility nor any concerns with accuracy.

You don't really expect the MSM to make this kind of distinction, do you? I get your point but the MSM is savagely attacking all Internet news sources they don't control. It's a turf war.

[macbee]

As the GOP proved nationally, it will require planning and discipline. Let's "begin with the end in mind" (a GOP majority in Sacto in 2004) and work back from there.

We may want to start a new thread on this since we seem to be somewhat OT already.

[battlegearboat]

The bulkhead is the wall, the overhead is the ceiling and your boondockers are firmly anchored on the deck.

[Calamari]

Is this a vanity?

BTW nice bio page!

[cgk]

The only leader over here is 2... she leads me to the kitchen, to the yard, to her bookshelves, to the movie shelf, to the toyboxes, to the bathroom ... ;).

Just the way I like it.

[Erik Latranyi]

You don't really expect the MSM to make this kind of distinction, do you? I get your point but the MSM is savagely attacking all Internet news sources they don't control. It's a turf war.

Which is why we cannot let them define us as bloggers. We need to be clear and to communicate who we are and what we stand for.

Just like conservatives have done for the past 50 years, we need to educate the masses about our motives, goals and standards.

[asgardshill]

The bulkhead is the wall, the overhead is the ceiling and your boondockers are firmly anchored on the deck.

Boy, that brings back some memories.

(But they didn't call them "boondockers" in my day. Caesar's Tenth Legion wore only sandals) ;)

[macbee]

Buckhead (and the blogosphere) had a effect on SeeBS News rather similar to Buckbeak's on Draco Malfoy: arrogance resulting in a good thrashing.

[cgk]

I get your point, too (following along)...

I can always just be happy we're being "misunderestimated" while we continue to actively pursue our own Mandate.

;)

[macbee]

"an effect". Sorry.