Not so ‘Free Republic’: The Shot Heard Around the Net

The Conservative Voice ^ | Feb 11, 2005 | by William Gheen, President, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC

[Jim Robinson]

The shot heard around the Internet has been fired on FreeRepublic.com The owner Jim Robinson and his moderators have launched a sniper style purge against members that disagree with the President’s ‘guest worker’ amnesty or support more control of illegal immigration. Free Republic is an amazing tool for those looking for a good debate and news from around the country.

The problem for the administration of the site is that their creation is allowing the participants to learn that the Bush immigration record and plans are shockingly out of line with the views of most conservatives. The management’s answer to this conflict between the majority of conservatives and the influence of the White House on their Web site has become electronic executions and censorship.

Members and readers of Free Republic would be surprised to know that many members of their community have fallen silent on the discussions about illegal immigration lately because free speech is an illusion on FR.com. They are silent because they have been banned from the Web site without warning, cause, or explanation in most cases. For weeks the moderators have been suspending and banning new members that chimed in quickly on the immigration debates.

Now this trend has broadened as the first groups of long-term users were suspended or banned this past week. Although Robinson and his staff removed many members of the Free Republic community in the first few days of the purge, those that religiously support President Bush’s immigration plan, open borders and approve of public benefits for illegal aliens remain on the forum. Those that were banned were the members that wanted more done to control illegal immigration and a strict observance to the President’s Oath of Office.

[F16Fighter]

Seconds after the posting, I got the word on Dane from MileHi:

"He's dead, Jim."

[Bikers4Bush]

Just goes to show you. With a mouth like that I had never even entertained the remotest thought that Dane was a SHE.

[jmc813]

I'm pretty sure that Dane's a dude.

[Bikers4Bush]

That's what I'd always thought but drt1 through me for a loop there.

Now I'm so confused I don't know what to think. Lol!

[F16Fighter]

Thanks.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

With a mouth like that I had never even entertained the remotest thought that Dane was a SHE.

Lol no way Dane is of the male species. I sort of remember him telling me that on a thread a few years back. Unless she was lying.

[Dat Mon]

Jim...I just want you to hear what is going down on yet another immigration thread as we speak by one of the most prolific of immigration posters ever...

Posted by bayourod..."Meanwhile, the anti-immigrants are circling around in a little group of hysterical screaming whackos and think they are being heard by the real people outside their circle."

This is exactly what I was referring to in my post above.

It is so obvious. It cheapens the discourse on this site.

Im afraid that the immigration cat is out of the bag for these folks.

[monkeywrench]

Democrat tactics.

[drt1]

"Dane was a SHE?

As far as I know. Don't remember when or exactly who mentioned it but maybe F16 or Marine Inspector have the details. It may have been one of them - No prob if she is a he or an it though - The output is still revolting IMO.

[Marine Inspector]

I assure you my Senators & Congressman know my position "in writing".

Good, but don't come onto this thread and say you've never been banned for your opinion, when in fact you've never stated your opinion.

[Marine Inspector]

Yep, it's a colossal FR double standard and its here for the entire world to see.

[Mr. Mojo]

BTW Your excellent summary could be replicated with equal effect on a number of Posters.

CJ, for one.

[Trinity_Tx]

Bump (Missed ya, my old friend)


I'll add an answer to MI's comment about why many of us do not participate:

Speaking for myself, it is for 3 reasons:

1. Before the election, we needed to focus on our agreements and support Bush.


2. The tiny but so very *shrill* group who do indeed throw out the racism accusation as a habitual tactic of "debate".

To deny this is common is ludicrous - no one is fooled.

To deny it is a serious problem is unwise IMO.

Allowing it to continue is not only terribly unjust, but it needlessly polarizes people into staunch "camps". Not smart, not conducive to clear reasoning.

And if that isn't enough, their crying wolf allows the true racism to sneak under the wire. Think.

Yes - get rid of the bigots as they harm our cause and our image. But dump the wolf-criers for the same reason.


3. Those for Bush's plan, or who don't see our borders as a serious problem in need of strong action, are a tiny minority amongst conservatives. Look outside FR.

Bush's plan isn't going to pass, the call to fix things the right way is being raised in many, and much more powerful, places outside FR, and basically, our side is winning anyway.

So, a lot of us just don't bother getting into the fray here where the debates are so full of useless noise the signal is lost. We just make our thoughts heard elsewhere.

[Marine Inspector]

Bingo.

[ActionNewsBill]

How do you feel when you see our organized FReeps equated with neo-Nazi vigilantism?

That's sinking pretty low, even by your standards, Jihad.

[Trinity_Tx]

Having posted the above, I do want to qualify that I have piped up here on the subject a few times. I just gave up.

Ping me though, and I'll pitch in more from now on.

[Trinity_Tx]

"LOL... As if we needed any more..."

*Ahem*

; )

[Marine Inspector]

.... Anger and open hostility or "eating our own" will not advance the ball.....

I know that, but kissing Mexico's butt will not advance the ball either.

[Marine Inspector]

That's going to leave a mark.

[Marine Inspector]

"Dane was a SHE?"

What is SHE now?