Posted on 09/11/2004 7:56:11 AM PDT by Mears
I hadn't discovered FR in those days and would love to see some of those old posts of folks that were on FR when the awful news came out.
Thanks,that's exactly what I was looking for. I had 2 kids in harm's way that day and I will never forget the two hours of chaos until I found out all was well.
Look at Post #26 and the Reply (Post #57):
At 9:11:57, FREEPER Fred Mertz asked:
This is terrible! It must be terrorists. But who?At 9:23:04, FREEPER homeschool mama replied:
Osama bin-Laden?That's only twelve minutes later. Now, most people didn't even know who Osama Bin Laden was on 9/11.
But, we FREEPERs did.
Osama Bin Laden had been terrorizing our country for years and we read about it...and read about...and read about.
Clinton sat by and did nothing.
We FREEPERs have been on top of this for a long time.
How else could someone who describes themselves as "Dedicated Christian, Wife of an absolutely great guy, Mother to the dearest daughter in the world, Home educator, Hand applique quilter, Former caterer, Avid gardener" know (or, rather, guess) that Osama Bin Laden was possibily behind the 9/11 attacks only 12 mnutes after the second building was hit?
It is really amazing that homeschool mama and many FREEPERs like her knew not only that we were being attacked by terrorist, but had the proper impulse as to just who it was. That doesn't just happen. It is many years of observing the Clinton administration stand idly by.
Fred/homeschool mama...I wanted to let you know that as I read your exchange again, chills still ran up my spine.
And, on a personal level, that tragic day was and is my birthday. I know that I share this day with some many others and some are still depressed by their birthday being on such a day. I feel much differently about it.
I consider 9/11 to be the re-birth of the real American heroes: firefighters, police officers, construction workers, and, eventually, military men. But, I have written about this before. Here's the link just in case you want to read my take on 9/11 only 1 year after.
Just sharing my thoughts.
God Bless all of those who passed that day and who have paid the ultimate price in fighting for our freedoms here and abroad.
God Speed to those currently engaged with our enemy. May you never tire and my your resolve grow with every passing moment.
This thread with lots of links might be helpful, too: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/620413/posts Remembrance Archive: Free Republic Threads From 9-11-01
Great post, matt, and so true. We're not pounding our own chest, but when the definitive book about the emergence of the New Media is written, there will be an entire chapter, right near the front of the book, about Free Republic.
...And, as an aside, I've lost count of the number of times I've heard some major media outlet report a news item, and I first read about it as much as a week earlier on Free Republic. I have friends send me emails of "breaking news," and I get back to them and tell them I read about it on FR days earlier.
This is so true. And, I will grant that other blogs and forums will get credit too, but I don't think there is as comprehensive forum about what is going on.
I remember lurking back in '97 and thinking, "Man, this site is kind of cool". A week later I was thinking, "Man, I can find just about anything I'm looking for on this site." A month later, I lost my internet connection for 2 days and realized that I was becoming addicted. The amount of newstories that one could consume was awesome.
I lurked for several years. I didn't feel ready to add to the discourse or voice my opinion.
Then algore tried to steal the electoral process.
I remember sitting there thinking, "This can't be happening.".
About a week into the election debacle, I remember Neal Boortz starting talking about the famous Stalin quote, "Those who make the votes decide nothing; those who count the votes decide everything".
I could no longer stand by. I could no longer not participate. I made my official sign up on 11/14/2000. And it has been one of the most enlightening things I have ever done.
And while my posts range from the silly quip to heartfelt responses to somewhat vain attempts at insightful analysis. Oh well, I'm not sitting on my hands anymore.
I wear it on my sleeve. I'm just a real guy. I have a family. I'm a hard worker. I am trying to live the American dream.
And, the liberals won't rob me of that. Now or ever.
I think I've just convinced myself to send another contribution to FR...at my next paycheck :-)
I used to have many different subscriptions to magazines, the paper, whatever. I dropped all of that and make a monthly contribution to FR. And, like you, I am more informed than I have ever been.
And, while I'm sure there is a specific talent for being a talk show host or a TV commentator, I hear as eloquent (if not more eloquent) commentary here by my fellow FREEPERs. And I know that some of the "pros" on TV and/or radio are not only lurkers but posters too, so I'm certain they are garnering lots of information from FR. If they're smart, they will stay hooked in.
I'm convinced that some talkshow hosts build their entire shows from posts on FreeRepublic.
Too bad. I have a deep beritone voice. Maybe I could get a gig doing that? Nah... I am perfectly happy with running my own business (shameless plug: Seventh Compass).
[Aside.]
My business is a small business, collective of several really smart guys (not necessarily me) that a trying to make a good living. There is a "hole" in the market for one of our products and we are trying to fill it.
[End Aside.]
Interestingly and somewhat connected to my aside, there are some of the technology-related articles that I have posted that are also posted on my web site for my potential customers to review. So, it is really a great source for information, over and above all of the political discussions and articles.
Thanks a million!!!!!
Thanks,Luis!!!
My pleasure.
P.S. I have a few more 9/11 related threads on my FR homepage if you wish to find more.
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