This is the first time I've addressed this issue on the forum. These comments are my personal opinions and do not reflect FRN BoD policy or the collective opinion of that body. I am not speaking for the FRN BoD here.
I don't really know the answer to that question, since it makes no sense to me either.
I'm still confused about the difference, if any, between FR Chapters and FRN Chapters and the separation, if any, between FRN and FR.
After months of discussion on this issue, I'm surprised anyone doesn't know that for organizational purposes, supported by Jim Robinson founder of this forum, a separate corporation was set up to facilitate activism and liaison with other conservative organizations and funding entities.
The FreeRepublic Network is a separate corporation. It exists because Jim Robinson and others felt that it was the best thing to do. Chapters were placed under the FreeRepublic Network because that was determined to be the best course of action. And yes Askel5, some of us don't understand why anyone would object to this.
That being said, I'm sure you share the FreeRepublic Network's view that it is good to see as many people as possible working for the cause of Conservatism, and of course that includes the DC Chapter.
Not being smart, just still confused, that's all.
Well Askel5, I've always considered you to be an intelligent person. So I'm more than a little amazed that you haven't discovered these truths on the forum before now.
It seems unfair to have put the DC Chapter in the position of looking like a spoiler of some sort simply because -- once the FRN started up -- they had no reason or wish to "leave FR" and associated themselves primarily with the Network instead ... in the vein of "if it ain't broke, why fix it?".
I don't believe the FreeRepublic Network wishes to cast the DC Chapter in any role. The DC Chapter has made a decision that was theirs to make. Any perceptions that decision may have created are not the FRN's to spin. The FRN wishes to support all who profess a desire to advance Conservatism. I can tell you that I don't dislike any of the members of the DC Chapter. I'm am saddened that I do not always sense that feeling is reciprocal from the DC Chapter with regard to the FRN.
As for "if it ain't broke, why fix it", this is Jim's baby. He started the forum and created this movement, if you will. He and others determined that organizationally it would be better to move chapters, activism and fundraising for activism to the FRN. This was not done to isolate, offend or detract from any of the FreeRepublic supporters. Heaven only knows that at various times I have held the deepest respect for the DC Chapter, it's various members and it's activism. This was never about anything being broken. It was about devising and implementing the best possible set of organizations to advance the vision FreeRepublic inspired.
As for anyone being asked to "leave FR", can you point out anyone who has left FR to join the FRN? Read this thread and discover for yourself how many people who are members of the FRN have left FR. None of them have. FreeRepublic Network Chapter leaders from across the nation check in here, and participate daily. So do their members.
If Jim Robinson were slighted by the FRN BoD, I would be the first to state that the FRN was a bad idea. Jim Robinson supports the FRN and it's goals. He has stated so a number of times. He has openly and repeatedly asked folks to join the FRN, join existing chapters, develop new chapters and support the cause. So I guess I'm at a loss to understand what basis there would be to object to his request.
As always,
Your friend,
Ron Doughty
DoughtyOne
Thanks.
59 posted on 9/18/02 12:39 PM Pacific by Askel5
Of course, I think she became "occupied" and didn't have time to respond. After all, why bother when its so much more fun to pretend you don't know, pollute the current discourse with "just a few questions" and accusations. Better to shake a finger in public, while projecting contorted intentions and feigning to take the high road under the guise of protecting someones reputation, that was never soiled to start.
It's all dialectical polka 101.
Given Jim's post, it would seem there's a difference of some sort.
I can understand a typo or misspelling where 20-dollar words are concerned but in the interest of clarity, it's probably a good idea to always make sure we've got our acronyms correct.
It's a little late for midterms, but perhaps by the next round of elections, the FRN will have at the ready the resources which will make it a most valuable resource for Chapters ... online contact information, legislation, legal caveats, regular newsletters, punch lists and the sort of calls to actions whereby the Network and its friends can come to the aid of individual campaigns -- like FR's longtime friend Bob Barr -- who are being targeted nationally for removal by the likes of the useful idiot Libertarians who oppose the WOD for all the wrong reasons.
Unless I'm mistaken, the FRN's purpose is to be of service as best they can to the Chapters. ("Managing" same being clearly out of the question given the legal arm's length between the FRN and the Chapters and the self-governance of the Chapters which ensures the effectiveness that is Subsidiarity rather than some common-denominator top-down homogenousness.) I still have every expectation the FRN will earn a reputation for excellence in this regard once they've had the time to establish themselves and build the resources, contacts and communication pipelines necessary.
In any case, I'm sorry I opened the thread at all and can assure you -- had it been properly titled -- I'd have just passed it by since I'm not in a position to head up a chapter in Louisiana ... although it's a certainty I would participate in and support one as best I could were one started.
I'll be spending tomorrow canvassing my neighborhood with flyers for one local campaign in which I'm particularly interested (Juvenile Court). Lots of folks like me out here who are ready, willing and able to get involved in local campaigns to elect the best man possible ... whether or not it's always a Republican. If there's room for those of us who believe actions speak louder than words (or an "R" behind a candidate's name), we can't wait to be a part of whatever local chapter joins the FRN.