Freeper Doctor Raoul Has Died

Raouls Family | 3/25/2013 | Abner

[abner]

Doctor Raoul died Saturday of a rare form of cancer. He was 58.

Raoul's family contacted us this morning to see if they could find out more about his activities as an activist.

This is such a shock. His family is looking for photos and stories about him.

He is and always will be a Free Republic icon.

He kind of fell off the face of the earth about 2 or 3 years ago now. All attempts we made to reach him failed.

If you have photos please contact me. Please feel free to post stories and I will make sure the family sees this thread.

[evilC]

Wow! He will be missed. He was a tireless Freeper.

RaceBannon: Thanks for the ping.

[Daffynition]

Hey abner! Good to see my high-flyin’ FRiend agin!

I pray for the family of Dr. Raoul that after his long struggle, there is peace.

[bmwcyle]

I remember that day well. I will miss him. It is a sad day.

[rlmorel]

He was quite a man. veeram and I greatly admired him.

I don't know who took this picture of him...I might have, or it might have been one of you trooprallys. But when I look at this picture, it captures him perfectly.

Look at him. He is standing erect. His shoulders are square. In one hand he is grasping a pole. No question what is at the top of that pole. He is facing a possible adversary, the other hand points for emphasis.

His face is serene. There is no trace of hatred. No trace of fear. No trace of anger.

On top of his head he wears a hat. If you look closely at that hat, it says: Halliburton

veeram and I always marveled at that hat. We loved it. It was perfect. The hat was only one single weapon in an arsenal he marshaled against our foes, but it was the one weapon, that for us, epitomized Dr. Raoul.

He never mentioned it to us when he talked, but veeram and I still laugh and grin at the memory of his bearded face under that Halliburton hat.

He knew with a surety, that just a glimpse of the name "Halliburton" was enough to induce spittle-lipped cursing in his weaker adversaries, and an air of distraction in those who were trying to skewer him. And we always thought he took a special, unspoken pleasure in wearing that hat. It was a totem to him, and, at the same time, anathema to liberals. The duality of it probably pleased him. It was so easy to wear, yet caused much consternation in the hearts and minds of those who opposed him.

veeram and I would talk about it on our long rides home on Sundays. We imagined a stealthy Dr. Raoul walking up behind a pink t-shirted, sign carrying liberal to just within hearing, and whispering sotto voce with one hand cupping his mouth from the side: "Halliburton!"

Like a dam, long straining under loads it was not meant to hold, the liberals would come apart at the seams when the word registered in their brains.

How we admired him. And how little we knew about him He seemed like a very private man to me.

I would like to think that Dr. Raoul had the DNA of our founders in him. I can easily imagine him back in 1772 in Colonial America. I think he would have been right at home there, facing off with the British.

Dr. Raoul, Fair Winds and Following Seas to you. It was a privilege to have met you and stood with you.

Godspeed, My FRiend.

[Morgana]

RIP

[rlmorel]

Abner, see my post at #364. I think his family would like that picture.

[Spunky]

I remember Doctor Raoul from way back. He was quite a Freeper activist.

May he rest in peace.

[abner]

Halliburton....

What a great tribute. You captured him perfectly.

Thanks for the chuckle.

[Daffynition]

Darling SG, FYI, you must have known Dr. Raoul well, from your extensive involvement with the DC Chapter.

[trooprally]

Great picture of Raoul. One of the best posted here.

Thanks for posting.

[Mr] T

[rlmorel]

If there is a way to send a card via snail-mail to his family, and we can figure out a way to do it without releasing it to the world, I would be grateful.

He had an impact on some of us out of proportion to how well we knew him, I think that is how he was. So if there are any details, hopefully we can get them to those who might want them.

[sarasmom]

I am so very sorry to hear this.
Prayers sent for his family, and all of his friends.

Including myself, and fellow FReepers like me, who only met him once or twice.

I've missed him, but just assumed he was on other threads, or doing something important elsewhere.

I can imagine heaven welcomes him, and the angels will now enjoy many more quick grins.

[rlmorel]

Thanks, FRiend.

[EDINVA]

Good to “see” you, tho under such sad and painful circumstances.

[hellinahandcart]

Dr. Raoul passed out a bunch of “Fry Mumia” t-shirts to us before a counter-protest of an ANSWER rally. Talk about “spittle-lipped cursing.” The reaction those t-shirts brought was unbelievable.

I still have that t-shirt.

[rlmorel]

OMG! You had me REALLY laughing out loud at that...I wish I could have seen that!

THAT is Dr. Raoul.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Hi FRiend, I never met the good Doctor, but I’m laughing and crying by turns reading this thread.

We’ll not see his like again.

[nickcarraway]

RIP

[Exit148]

Another great Dr. Raoul one: “ Mean spirited arrogant condescending liberal!” Thanks, ironman!

When we were at the WH, and would get a lecture from some lib,——— that chant always took care of them! They couldn’t take it and would slink away.

[Earthdweller]

Wow..he was one of the first Freepers I ever met in person. Such an astute guy. Hope the DC chapter is aware...