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Is Free Republic worth saving?

Posted on 08/30/2013 9:01:53 PM PDT by The Bat Ladys Husband

My involvement with Free Republic began around 2000 when my wife began her vigil around the Texas governor’s mansion in support of GW against the challenge of Al Gore for the presidency. I generally provided the livelihood for the Bat Lady to be able to protest and surround the mansion against the leftists who were kept at bay across the street. While she was registered in order to post after action reports I was a lurker on the site.

Over the years we have attended rallies and protests and meetings. Other groups of freepers nationwide also held rallies, attended protests, and held vigils- activities that were organized and coordinated through the Free Republic site. After action reports were posted almost daily, report after report from across the country from different freepers describing their activities. Even the term "freeper" came to mean one who actively engaged the left to fight against disinformation. We considered ourselves patriots. While we did not risk our “lives, fortune or sacred honor”, we suffered the slings and arrows of a hostile left in the cause of freedom.

With a few exceptions, the “freeper” of today is merely a couch potato who is content to amuse himself by making snide comments and repartees about current news. Few even support the site monetarily. Free Republic appears to barely be able to keep its head above water and its so-called member freepers are such a non-factor of dissent that unlike in the early year, Rush Limbaugh rarely references the site (although he seldom mentioned it).

Early freeper were the ones who got up off the couch, made their signs and used the leftist tactics of street activism against the left itself. Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, and Jonas Goldberg are example of early famous freepers, but Free Republic also had the likes of Basil (Second Amendment Sisters), True black man, Jimmy Valentine’s Brother, Kristin, the entire DC freeper contingent and so many other activists making a difference for conservative causes.

At some point in time, a subgroup, “The Pajama Patrol” arose within Free Republic. What a sad day that was. The mindset of Free Republic turned to the couch potato mentality referred to earlier.

The most current after action report I have seen was my wife’s, The Bat Lady’s report on the May 2013 Tax Day protest. One of the protesters with us was a 90-year-old lady with her handmade sign. If she can do it, why can’t you?

All you new Freepers need to get up off your butt and get out and make a difference. Where are you at the Impeach Obama overpass events? Why aren’t you organizing anti-Syria bombing protest? Why aren’t you marching over Benghazi, the NSA, the IRS or ObamaCare? If you are there why aren’t you posting your reports to inspire and motivate others? You are not the only reader of FR in your city. Find the others and get together. Act in concert. After 13 years, the Bat Lady and I are still in contact with those we met on the front lines.

DC Freepers maintained vigils at VP Gore's house, and prevented code pink from vilifying our troops at Walter Reed every week for years. Freepers once actively protested the left and got Clinton impeached. Some even say we were the Paul Revere of the TEA party,

Is your barcalounger so dear or American Idol so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God.

It is time for freepers to rededicate themselves to the vision that Jim Robinson created. All the clever comments you attach to the threads are less than useless. It is time once again to become a large thorn in the side of those who do not strive for the American Ideal and be the activists we once were. If you cannot post an after action report “go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. …May posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”

“It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Samuel Adams

In answer to my own question: yes it is worth saving if its members make a difference.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; FReeper Editorial; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: activism; chat; freeper; ibtz; newbievanity; vanity; zot
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To: DoughtyOne

But you have said he did lots of good.
Do you know he started down this path during the Clown Posse days?
I do take exception because his actions were “from way back”.
Not limited to the past three years.
He, clown poss, etc helped tear apart one of the first threads I was involved in here on FR.
And for what reason?
Never heard a good one.
Or at all.
And he dusted his hands, and walked his merry way to his next adventure.
And started all over again.
We lost quite a few posters who just walked away due to clown posse.
And he was involved there too with his “financial scam” claims even then.
So I really have no idea what years of good anyone is pointing at because all I’ve seen of him was the opposite.


441 posted on 09/13/2013 5:51:05 PM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free..... Even robots will kill for it!)
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To: DoughtyOne; Darksheare; MinuteGal
You really are confused here.

No. We're not. BobJ tried very hard to harm FR. What's confusing is posters that are friends with him and make no secret of it but claim to love FR.

I know Minute Gal loves FR.

442 posted on 09/13/2013 5:53:58 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (My faith and politics cannot be separated)
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To: DJ MacWoW
You really are confused here.

No. We're not.  DJ MacWoW, was I talking to you?  No, I was following a line of thought with another individual, responding to what he had been saying.  Then you jump in with both feet as if I was commenting to more than one person, on a line of reasoning that wasn't exactly what I was referencing.

BobJ tried very hard to harm FR.  And I agreed with this characterization.

What's confusing is posters that are friends with him and make no secret of it but claim to love FR.  It shouldn't confuse you all that much.  People do things because they think they should.  That doesn't mean I think they should.  I have stated that I haven't talked to BobJ for over a year.  When we talked it wasn't about Free Republic.

I've known BobJ since 1998.  I worked with him on a number of projects.  We attended CPAC a couple of times and the inauguration of George Bush in 2001.  We street protested in Los Angeles a number of times.  It was through BobJ I met a number of quality people.  Those people are in some instances still FReepers in good standing.  MinuteGal is one of them.

I know Minute Gal loves FR.  You're right.  She does.


443 posted on 09/13/2013 6:26:58 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: Darksheare

Rehash. This has been addressed enough times where you can go back and read the other responses. Changing how you say the same old thing over and over might work for you. It becomes tedious for me.


444 posted on 09/13/2013 6:28:04 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne

Great!
Now say something different.
From your previous responses it seemed you didn’t understand the issue.

As it doesn’t matter one whit how much “good” someone did at some point if they throw it away in order to pull childish, “I’ll show them” crap as he did.


445 posted on 09/13/2013 6:36:34 PM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free..... Even robots will kill for it!)
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To: DoughtyOne
You don't seem to understand that he worked against FR for more years than he supported it. I first became aware of the problem in about 2005. I stayed away from him. He also thought "FR is fun for tossing a grenade into a nest of malcontents and watching 'em try to sting something".

I don't know exactly what happened and why he "turned" but he has caused problems ever since. Usually using "friends". It's a sad situation. Truly.

446 posted on 09/13/2013 6:39:13 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (My faith and politics cannot be separated)
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To: Darksheare
Great!

Now say something different.  No, I'm going to continue to explain it the way it is.

From your previous responses it seemed you didn’t understand the issue.

Let's see:

I said I didn't agree with what BobJ had done.
I said I wouldn't defend those actions.
I said I hadn't intended to advocate on the forum for BobJ returning.
I explained what I wished were able to take place.
I explained why I thought that was unreasoned based on BobJ's actions.
I explained it was never my intent to advocate with Jim to bring BobJ back.
I explained I didn't even think BobJ wanted to come back.
I explained that I did not disagree with the characterizations made regarding BobJ's actions.
I explained that I didn't not find fault with Jim.
I explained that I did find fault with BobJ's actions.

And from this you gleened that I didn't quite understand the issue.  Seriously.


As it doesn’t matter one whit how much “good” someone did at some point if they throw it away in order to pull childish, “I’ll show them” crap as he did.


Unless you have a cordial relationship with that person that is removed from Free Republic.

Deb and MinuteGal both know BobJ.  They still think highly of him in some ways.  I don't see a problem with that.

Where he does things that are negative concerning Free Republic, I agree that he should be challenged on the matter.

Do so if I am not around.  You'll get no guff from me.



447 posted on 09/13/2013 6:48:22 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DJ MacWoW

Thanks for your comments. I don’t necessarily agree with them, but I don’t mind you coming to a conclusion based on your own observations.

I am not able to pinpoint exactly when BobJ got tweaked.

If your take on it is more accurate than mine, that’s okay.

From having many conversations with BobJ, and working in groups with other respected individuals, and traveling with him for F. R. and working with him to organize events, protests on the streets here in Southern California, from San Diego to La Canada, I have a lot more to go on than mere posts on a forum. I’ve been to his home a number of times. I’ve been there with well respected Freepers.

I won’t defend the defenseless. I will recall times when things were more positive. I’m not the only one who does.


448 posted on 09/13/2013 6:55:59 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne

I explained it the way it is.
Bobj is scum.
Period.
What more needs to be said?


449 posted on 09/13/2013 6:57:26 PM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free..... Even robots will kill for it!)
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To: Darksheare

BobJ has done some things I don’t approve of. If you wish to call him names have at it.

What more needs to be said? Well I’ll say this. If some time you leave the forum, I won’t be obsessing over it for years.

No matter what you do, I’ll merely address what you did that I disagree with, and leave it at that.

You’ve been free to talk about what you dislike about BobJ. I haven’t challenged you on the complaints you made.

None the less, you still come back very upset like I have been disagreeing with you all along.

It just doesn’t dawn on you that I’m not going to characterize the bad things BobJ did, as anything other than what they were.

So here you are festering over it anyway. How’s that workin’ for ya?


450 posted on 09/13/2013 7:02:58 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne
It must be hard to know someone and realize there's been such drastic a change. I didn't know anyone personally when I first heard about Clown Posse and anti-FReepers and I was shocked. Quite a few were older signups. I never understood it.

I need to back out and call it a night. Grandkids are coming tomorrow. I'll need energy. lol

451 posted on 09/13/2013 7:03:58 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (My faith and politics cannot be separated)
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To: DoughtyOne

When you betray the way he did, you lose all right to being given polite courtesy.
Sorry if that bothers you.
But betrayers and liars are rightfully shunned.
As they should be.


452 posted on 09/13/2013 7:05:30 PM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free..... Even robots will kill for it!)
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To: DJ MacWoW

Have fun with the grand-kids.

I’ll say this, I don’t always join in the dust-ups.

If I participate in a long discussion, it’s more likely to be one where someone doesn’t understand me, than hash out group dynamics.

I’m happy for you. Good times ahead...


453 posted on 09/13/2013 7:07:29 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne
Thanks. I never know whether to cry when the leave or collapse in exhaustion. lol

Night.

454 posted on 09/13/2013 7:09:07 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (My faith and politics cannot be separated)
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To: Darksheare
When you betray the way he did, you lose all right to being given polite courtesy.  LOL, where did I agrue otherwise.  What you think of BobJ is your business.  I merely asked you to be respectful to Deb and MinuteGal.

Sorry if that bothers you.  Where do you come up with this?  I haven't argued against your take on BobJ at all.  I have expressed my own dealings with him that are more dynamic that simple forum dynamics.  I haven't faulted your for your take on BobJ.  Do you realize that?

But betrayers and liars are rightfully shunned.  Then shun him.  I don't care if you do or you don't.  You should find your own path on this.  I'm all for it.

As they should be.
  Okay, then shun him.  Enjoy.

455 posted on 09/13/2013 7:14:31 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: Darksheare

I have a better idea.

Drink.


456 posted on 09/13/2013 7:15:01 PM PDT by AppyPappy (Obama: What did I not know and when did I not know it?)
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To: DJ MacWoW

As a guy whose grandchild is out of reach, I suggest you shed tears of happiness, knowing how lucky you are to still have them in your life, and you in theirs.


457 posted on 09/13/2013 7:16:13 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: AppyPappy

Drink my coffee.
No harm will come to yuo.


458 posted on 09/13/2013 7:17:30 PM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free..... Even robots will kill for it!)
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To: AppyPappy

Ooo, I have a 15 pack in the fridge for the first time all year.

Sounds like a plan. First ones a salute to you for the great idea.


459 posted on 09/13/2013 7:17:38 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (This post coming to you today from behind the Camelskin Curtain. Not the Iron or Bamboo Curtain...)
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To: DoughtyOne

For BobJ to be so evil, I sure didn’t know anything about all this stuff. I guess I am just fat, dumb and happy.


460 posted on 09/13/2013 7:18:43 PM PDT by AppyPappy (Obama: What did I not know and when did I not know it?)
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