Free Republic Network Conference a Roaring Success! Participants post your comments here

Free Republic | August 18, 2002 | Auntie Mame

[Auntie Mame]

Dear Freepers:

I just returned from the First Annual Free Republic Network Convention in Las Vegas.

The Free Republic Network Cruise last October was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life. The Free Republic Network Conference I just attended was the most informative and inspiring two days I've ever had in my whole life.

The Free Republic Network is stretching its muscle, not by talk, but by action. The Free Republic forum is liberty's college. The Free Republic Network is liberty's workplace.

If you attended, please use this thread to post your observations, comments and highlights of the conference. I will give mine below. But before I do, I'd like to take this time to thank Bob Johnson and the FRN board for putting on this conference. It's hard for me to find the words to adequately describe how great this experience was--and how much I learned.

[Neets]

Keep up the good work Slip!! You are doing fine.

[Bob J]

How do we fix it?

[Bob J]

Hmmm. I thought you were using repetition and simplicity...heheh.

[Bob J]

...you have exceded the inteligence of 98% of the population.

I woulf rather believe it to be the "attention span".

I still have hope...

[Bob J]

Dittomom is a jewel in the diadem of FR. She originally was registered, but a conflict arose. No matter where we are or what we do, she is always with us.

[CyberAnt]

My observations were:

CLASS ACT: This event was so spectacular! Everyone was in their place early, and they were organized. I also noticed the "leaders" or Board members of FRN, were very actively involved - instead of just sitting around shooting the breeze and expecting others to take care of things for them.

CHARACTER: Yes, character does count. The people I met at the conference were exactly what I hoped for. They were kind, thoughtful, respectful, etc. I was very impressed with the honor given to Jim Robinson ... and it was always spontaneous.

SINGLE LADIES: I am addressing this issue because, as a single woman, I am increasingly aware of the safety issue. I rarely go to events by myself. Now, I may be missing out on a lot, but that's the breaks. What I would say to all the single lady Freepers out there is this: don't stay away from these events because you are single. The men here are very special - they have CHARACTER. I was treated with the utmost respect at all times, and at no time was I hit upon; nor were there any off color jokes or remarks made. I actually only heard one comment about the FR ladies - someone said we were "lovely" - hey, that beats being called an old hag any day.

CHAPTER LEADERS: Where were YOU?? You all needed to be there to network with other Chapter leaders and members, and to hear this information so you could take it back to your Chapter and teach your team how to be more effective activists. Remember who our fight is really with - LIBERALS - these people will say or do ANYTHING - surely we can put aside our petty differences to pull together to get our country back on the right track. Ronald Reagan said, "There is nothing wrong with America that Americans cannot fix".

DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS: On my office wall is a picture of the Blue Angels. It's a picture I particularly enjoy because I have lived near Miramar (Marine Corp Air Station) for 18 years and have watched the Blue Angels perform many times. Underneath the picture is a statement which always encourages me. It says: "When a team of DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS makes a committment to ACT AS ONE ... the sky's the limit". This is what FR needs to realize - it needs to ACT AS ONE. I really think we can do this - we just have to focus on the goal - putting OUR government back the way it should be. We will not be able to do this if we spend all our energy on fighting with each other. We need to learn that ACTING AS ONE does not destroy our individuality.

EXCELLENCE: Everything about this conference was done with excellence. The rooms were very nice. The organization of the meeting was well planned and executed. The FOOD - oh my!! There was no such thing as rubber chicken at this event. My personal favorite was the banquet. I picked an entre of white fish wrapped around fresh spinach - which was then baked in some kind of wonderful sauce. Along with that was a rice dish with fresh peas. This was amazing food. And ... the deserts - well, let's just not even go there - I already gained back the 2 pounds I lost the week before.

My congratulations to the entire Board of Free Republic Network. You deserve a very long and loud round of applause for this event.

OOOOOPS!!: Almost forgot the problems - the first problem I had was with the alarm clock. You had to have a degree in alarmology in order to operate this equipment ... However, ripping the battery out of the back, did seem to solve the problem. Who says women aren't mechanical!! Then, I found myself at the airport with 3 hours to kill. Fortunately, I found a great bookstore. Guess what book I found prominently displayed?? Ann Counter's "Slander". Of course, I snatched up a copy. Needless to say, I kept most of the passengers entertained with my laughter.

Well FREEPERS, it was great meeting so many of you. And ... I am so looking forward to the next meeting - CPAC!!

[strela]

It was a great pleasure for me to get to meet you as well. Speaking only for myself, I believe that most of the single gents such as myself were wearing our "company manners" for the simple reason that the ladies of FR deserve every ounce of respect that we can muster. If that is character, then so be it. In my case, I believe it was simply because I didn't know you that well, and I generally only talk smack and get rude with those I know well ;)

You were a big part of the reason I had so much fun. Hope we can do it again.

[Auntie Mame]

Wow! Outstanding report. Really really good. I don't think I got to meet you. So many freepers, so little time. We'll have to make it a point to introduce ourselves next year. And that's a promise!

[strela]

Oh puhleeze. I saw that Franklin you had pulled out, ready to sacrifice to the blackjack ghods on Sunday. I ended up sacrificing the few I brought mostly to the baccarat and roulette ghods myself ... ;)

I have to shamefacedly admit that my biggest single score of the entire weekend was at a slot machine at McCarran Airport, of all places. I was just burning up a few quarters waiting on my flight when I hit 4 aces. BANG - 250 bucks worth of quarters (that's a thousand if you're from Rio Linda). The place went nuts, and I paid for the hotel room with one pull of the handle. Go figure.

Dude, I would hang with you any time. You did good.

[CyberAnt]

My impression is you took Matt's statement out of context. Therefore, because you were not privey to ALLLLLL he had to say, the statement seemed out of line to you. I heard all the statementS about the subject, and I agree with MATT!!

[Auntie Mame]

It was a pleasure sharing dinner and speaking with you at the awards banquet. I hope you don't mind my telling tales out of school so to speak. You really gave the entire room a great laugh, and as you are obviously someone who loves to laugh, I didn't think you would mind.

Would you like to share what you and WIMom were talking about when you were so rudely interrupted by the speaker? I wanted to ask you but the evening ran away from me.

And one more thing, do you think we should tell the freepers what Chuck Muth actually said about the abortion issue? Do you think they want to know? I've noticed no one's actually asked.

[CyberAnt]

You are so right - it was a facinating spectacle. I especially enjoyed it when AnnaZ screamed out my screename as though I was her long lost friend. It was a memory I will treasure forever.

[Fred Mertz]

I made it home and I'm totally bushed. Thank you for the wonderful FRN event. I am very happy to have been able to make it and learn so much about organized activism. I'll definitely make it next year too!

Thanks again, and it was a pleasure meeting so many FReepers I hadn't met before.

[Fred Mertz]

I was just burning up a few quarters waiting on my flight when I hit 4 aces. BANG - 250 bucks worth of quarters (that's a thousand if you're from Rio Linda).

Congrats you lucky duck you!

[strela]

I wish somebody had taken a picture of my face - total shock. I didn't begrudge a single penny of what I spent (and it wasn't that much thanks to the sandwich shoppe across the street from TI and the fact that I'm a cheap b****** at heart), but that was the icing on the cake.

(I'll be going to the next event, even if I have to put my cats in hock).

[My Favorite Headache]

Suggestion? Can we have a conference in Florida? Maybe Orlando?? On land? No cruise??? :)

[CyberAnt]

Sheeeesh - Counter = Coulter!!

It's the thought that counts!!