I prefer the FR I enjoyed years ago to the echo chamber it has become more recently.
I ALWAYS donated to the former but will not to the latter.
What do we accomplish when we are consumed with PREACHING to the choir?
Just checked myself and have been here since February 1, 2001. The best thing about this site is that it is independent as a conservative site.
WOW...takes me back to the days of protesting with the likes of Race Bannon in front of Joe Lieberman’s house in New Haven, CT during the 2000 election.
Thank you Jim Robinson for starting FreeRepublic and giving us like-minded people a home to gather in.
I’m A+bert.
Although I’m not of the class of 2001, or earlier as far as membership I was lurking in that era, regardless I wanted to add some food for thought for everyone on the matter of the advertisements on site.
The advertisers do have clout as to what will be presented at the site they advertise, and I do mean language, metaphors, pictures, etc.
If FR goes with advertisements the advertisers will demand their own code of language governing metaphors, innuendoes, pictures, etc.
In other words I fear we lose some of the personality that is FR if advertisers are accepted to the site.
Just a thought.
Best political site on the net. Period.
I’m posting to see when my sign-on date was.
Besides the serious threads, I've especially enjoyed the fun ones, in particular, PJ-Comix's DUmmie FUnnies (of which I am the co-host), as well as the ongoing give-and-take with martin_fierro and mikrofon.
I fully support FR's "pro-life, pro-family, pro-limited government" conservative philosophy. At the same time, I recognize how good conservatives, equally holding to that same philosophy, may differ on strategy when it comes to the presidential election this fall. I believe it's a difference in strategy, not philosophy, that is at the heart of the recent difficulties here.
25 Sep 1998
Turned onto FR by Drudge;to Drudge by Mary Matalin.Recruited by Canteen and was active there for many years. Mostly lurk now.Went to DC with FR in Dec 98 where I was proud to meet JR.
A local friend of ours told us to look up Free Republic in ‘98 or ‘99. He was a lurker back then so we lurked until 2004. My husband printed out the Sore Loserman sign then enlarged it for use at local Freeps (Omaha)during the 2000 election. We got lots of comments and the occasional ‘bird’. Good times, good times.
I learned to post on FR and to this day, I can barely work any other board because they don’t work ‘right’ ;-)
In Florida I was witness to all the goings on and as a result had a firsthand view of the political machines behind the candidates. Back then as now, the left was intent on gaining power REGARDLESS the founding fundamental principles of our country that it would have to compromise doing so. At the time I was sure I was on the right side.
Today I remain on the right side; however, feel the GOP has left the right side and like the left is more interested in gaining power and willing to compromise fundamental principles to gain it.
I see nothing noble in a hollow political victory premised upon compromising fundamental principles. I see no victory in electing and empowering a man with no principles when the power comes at the expense of the fundamental principles that established the very country whose fundamental principles he should be sworn to uphold and protect.
FR was the conservative resistance then and remains the conservative resistance now.
I agree with Jim completely.
November 6, 2000.
-PJ
Fatima and Kathy in Alaska's music/theme threads.
I was introduced to Free Republic during the Sore Loserman fiasco by a Navy shipmate. I used to get here every day. Lately I’m lucky to get here once a week.
I miss debating with The Cruiser, Non-Sequiter and WhiskyPapa.
No ads please.
I lurked back then, but didn’t join until 2004.
A lot of useful stuff about Saddam Hussein, OBL, and other emerging threats were posted here.
JMJJR
Since Oct 17, 2000
I was turned on to FR by the late Freeper and co-founder of the TRT, labgrade (RIP Al), I lurked 98,99 and signed up just before the 2000 election.
Got my monthlies coffee cup !
Not sure how I found it, but WhiteWater was my initial guide here. I found a good group interested in something that had nailed me in Upstate NY - the unelected stakeholders who had more say in my town and property than I did - the UN and Agenda 21 through the EPA.
Disagree on accepting ads. Several have said it would make no difference, but it would and the tone would change. Also for those in Rio Linda - NPR and PBS are not ad free - they advertize repeatedly in favor of the great Goliath FEDGOV and the funding it provides from our tax dollars. No thanks!
If anything, some type of optional recognition on threads and posts of those willing to put their money where their mouth is, or make it like the news sites where anyone can comment but only Contributors can initiate threads. JMHO.
Many thanks to you and the rest of the knowledgeable FReepers for your clarity and wisdom. Blessings.
They're gone in the misty recesses of time now, but anyone who thinks the forum is less genteel these days probably doesn't remember the Toiletman threads. Trolling was an art in its infancy in those days. Flaming wasn't. If he didn't need therapy after that it's because he didn't read them all.
Class of 98 here.
I like ad-less site and do think it gives Jim freedom.
I miss a lot of the people who are gone.
I love the passion that was brought to bear fruit and win some big issues, such as sore/loserman, Rather lies, chads, lies on election night TV, and the fact that we have been a burr on the bottoms of the political class. We have spawned dozens of independent sites and have helped the conservative cause immensely.
I still miss a lot of the people who are gone.