A very satisfying glance backward
**July 20, 2005 - SHOWDOWN: THE LEFT VS. THE WEB
(My description: the evisceration of Dan Rather's primetime career and Free Republic)
Excerpt (rest at link above)
"I have decided to leave the 'CBS Evening News,'" Dan Rather announced on Nov. 23, 2004. The venerable anchorman's retirement had been in the works for months, CBS explained. He was 73 years old and it was time to move on. Maybe so. But Rather stepped down in the midst of CBS' internal investigation of the so-called "Rathergate" scandal. Most industry observers drew the obvious connection.
In the weeks and months ahead, many writers would credit the blogosphere for bringing down Dan Rather. And bloggers did play a crucial role. But the citizen journalist who broke the Rathergate story was not a blogger. He was a Freeper – a registered poster on the FreeRepublic.com message board, who called himself "Buckhead."
This was FR's front page when I joined in 1998
(Pronouncements from the Loonybin) 5.19.11: Janeane Garofalo discusses FreeRepublic.com and Freepers
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OOh, how things have changed format wise, from the front page layout to "CLOSE YOUR TAGS!" screams and rants, dozens and dozens of well-earned ZOTS .. but NOT an iota in purpose, principles and mission!
God bless you and keep you healthy, Jim and John and crew. Thank you for NEVER relenting on your devotion to and defense of the Founders' vision for this great nation, and for creating, maintaining and inspiring this safe haven for patriots everywhere who cherish freedom and our precious Constitution, and "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all."
