How To Take Over Free Republic (And Your Life, Too!)

Free Republic | May 11, 2012 | by Lazamataz

[Kratos]

Holy cow. All these years all I’ve heard is Laz would hit it, and all that. I didn’t know you were such a great writer. Your message this morning was very good. Nice to meet the other Laz!

[RightOnline]

There are many things I love about FR; things that have kept me on this site since 1998 (and why it’s always my browser’s Home Page). Among those things is the fact that FR “evolves” without “changing”. Look-and-feel are similar to the earlier days, but with added functionality and ease-of-use, for example.

Back then, posts tended to be longer, more thematic, more prosaic. One would think very, very carefully before posting; the bar was set pretty high.

Still, the “evolution” of FR hasn’t been bad in terms of content. It’s more free-form now; more interactive. The cast of characters has grown, changed, and expanded in terms of styles and backgrounds.

As FR continues to evolve, I’ll be here to be either funny, acerbic, sometimes angry, occasionally thoughtful.....but always appreciative of what we have, thanks to Jim and John Robinson.

Best site on the Internet, hands down.....and Laz, you’re one of the guys who keeps me coming back here every day.

[fml]

However, this issue did become a good catalyst for the larger life-lesson.

Being what?

Point me to where God has punished those who question him on this earthly estate?

[Jemian]

Excellent, Laz, excellent.

[CharacterCounts]

Can you put me on your ping list?

Thanks

[Nifster]

Are you a friend of Bill W.?

[dayglored]

> 74 Satisfied Customers!

Great essay, Laz.

May I request that you increment to "75" with the addition of "dayglored"?

Thanks!

[tumblindice]

My brain weighs nine pounds.

[y6162]

I liked your post very much as I have been scolded by JR and his posse as well for posting what they call "soft porn". Is not a picture worth a 1000 words? Are we right wingers not men?
Much like you, I just let it roll of my back and continue to enjoy FR which I find not only informative but fun. Not to mention that I have a clear conscience as I pay for the privilege of being a second class citizen. =) Ya know, just like Ct!
You are legend on FR. I salute you.

[wxgesr]

XLNT!!!

It is best for me to remember that my mind is a dark, dangerous place and best not to go in there alone.

Reflection of what I have done this day, attempt to do better the next and apologize where necessary.

My motorboating through someone else’s waterspace ain’t good for nobody.

[Nervous Tick]

>> So, how do you take over Free Republic? You can’t. You shouldn’t even try.

Hmmm... I never even thought to take over FR.

Of course, my brain isn’t anywhere near three pounds... prolly only a pound and a half, and six ounces or so of *that* is snot.

[Nervous Tick]

>> 74 Satisfied Customers!™

I feel a masochistic streak coming on... please add me to your poing list and you’ll have an even seventy-five.

[don-o]

Take over Free Republic?

Wait. What?

Is someone actually trying to take over Free Republic? I had not even noticed?

Not much. Heh.

[Manic_Episode]

Oh great, another anti-mormon thread. / sar

J/k!

[StAnDeliver]

"Many of us live in a perpetual state of anxiety or fear, or regret or remorse. These are wasted emotions. These emotions sap your energy and have no positive effect."

This is what's been different about 2012. Seeing otherwise rational Freepers pick a useless fight on a thread and stay up beating it to death all night, derailing useful discussions into what could only be charitably called chat threads. Like watching a room full of Arators in a world where there will never be another election.

[Responsibility2nd]

Just suit up, show up, color in within the lines, and enjoy what you can in the forum. You know what's off limits. So do I. I live within the boundaries, without complaint and grateful for my blessings."

 

 Great Commentary, Laz. Question: Have you ever pushed those boundaries? Have you ever colored outside the lines? Gone beyond the "off limits"?

 

~snicker~

 

I know you have. So have I. And in doing that we learn some valuable life lessons. Sometimes we get kicked in the teeth and learn from our mistakes. Yet sometimes we surprise ourselves and others by rising up and exceeding what we thought, or what we were told our boundaries were.

 

Back to the topic of this forum: We all have directions we believe the forum should go. Yet, if we did succeed in altering the forum's direction, we might end up destroying it outright.

So, how do you take over Free Republic? You can't. You shouldn't even try.

I dunno Laz. You - as much as anyone else, including Jim Rob - have altered Free Republic. This place would be measurably worse if there were no Lazamataz. There is no question in my mind that your influence will forever be an integral part of FR.

[Lazamataz]

Holy cow. All these years all I’ve heard is Laz would hit it, and all that.

Well, I would.

I didn’t know you were such a great writer. Your message this morning was very good. Nice to meet the other Laz!

Thank you. TheOldLady was one of the first to see it.

[Lazamataz]

"However, this issue did become a good catalyst for the larger life-lesson."

Being what?

Read it again; I'm not going to repeat the article here.

Point me to where God has punished those who question him on this earthly estate?

Absolutely not my point, but while we are on the topic, it's been my experience that God does not punish us -- He lets us punish ourselves.

[Lazamataz]

Are you a friend of Bill W.?

Was it that obvious? ;^)

It seemed like a great segue to 'carry the message', no?

[Lazamataz]

You are too kind, dear sir.