It was mainly through these official and unofficial chapters that the Free Republic Network was able to help organize rallies in over 250 cities during the run up to the Iraq war and during the Election debacle of 2000. Free Republic Network member “registered” created or assisted in creating the “Sore-Loserman” and “Dem Crying Baby” graphics (among hundreds of others) and FRN board member “doughtyone” created a website where the graphics could be hosted, downloaded and printed into posters. That was one reason those posters/graphics were everywhere overnight.
Those were the glory days of FR activism. We had energy and vision. But FR activism succumbed to infighting and turf wars. Almost all of the good people just faded away, not caring to spend their time fighting those who were supposed to be allies. Now FR activism is relegated mostly to sparsely attended weekend confrontations with the useless, unimportant cankles at Code Pink.
From defeating Al Gore and insuring a military victory in Iraq to shouting down aging hippies. How sad.
BTW - The first FReepers to meet Jim Robinson and family in person were myself, BadJoe, Willa Johns and Clinton's a liar...we drove up to Fresno on July 4th, 1998 and met Jim in a park for a little bbq. Afterwards we went back to his house and FReeped from Jim's computers where I believe the famous “pool poopy” thread originated.
Thanks, I incorporated some addtional details you provided into the “Chapters” entry.
From searching around, it appears the thread resulted in an obligatory underwear or poo-related post every Friday night thereafter.