Against zotting...

[stands2reason]

Why don't you read up on these concepts:

Free Speech

Private Property

And then get back to us, mkay?

[stands2reason]

There are worse things than a ZOT.

Ask Arthur McGowan.

[stands2reason]

Liberals talk other liberals out of being liberal.

Happened to me that way. Happened to many ex-liberal Freepers that way as well.

[PeteB570]

ZOTs are well deserved around here because of the idiots who post them.

Most ZOT thread starters post to start flame wars, puff their vanity or just show how stupid they are so - ZOT.

I got no problem with how the mods handle things.

[JRios1968]

Thanks...I need to get a new pic on the page...although I am seriously considering removing the kids' pics, due to some...shall we say, jerks, using them for cheap shots at me.

[JRios1968]

A-mennnnnnn.

[L98Fiero]

I got banned when I first signed up as well.

It was back when Nick Berg was beheaded. I wondered in writing why a Jew was wandering around an Islamic war-zone by himself. A poster commented that Berg wasn't a Jew. I then posted a link that confirmed that he was indeed Jewish. The poster them posted my sign-up date and pinged the Admin. I was then banned.

[TWfromTEXAS]

glad you came along. 25 posts before someone without the knee JERK ibtz showed up.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Recently, a FReeper put forward the notion of a "probationary period" before being allowed to post.

Uh, that would be me: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1662832/posts?page=20#20

I think anybody who signed up before about 1999 should be free to post.

Your thoughts?

[Philistone]

Waiting for me to stick my foot in my mouth? ;-)

While I quite agree that FR should maintain its status as a family friendly site and that anyone who discusses or posts pornography should be zotted, it should be remembered that there are two somewhat contradictory forces at work here.

On the one hand, is the force of exclusion and inclusion: the site is a conservative and should remain so.

On the other hand, Jim makes money off the site and the site gains notariety and press based on the number of users and visitors.

[DocRock]

It is good manners to ping someone when you talk about them.

[Philistone]

I wouldn't dream of imposing on Mr. Robinson's time for something this trivial.

[WhiteGuy]

This is just my ever-so-humble opinion........

I might speculate that a fair number of the "zottable" posts are probably posted by rank and file dedicated freepers who feel the need to "stir up" the faithful by creating a rallying point of a totally unacceptable and vulgar proclamation. Consider the feeding frenzies that result - several dozen freepers vie for the coveted "ibtz", and sometimes hundreds come forth to "pile on" a seemingly "helpless liberal" who has mistakenly wandered into the vastly superior freeper world. Yes indeed, it makes perfect sense.

[Philistone]

Uhm... you said that out loud...

[WhiteGuy]

Uhm... you said that out loud...



yeah, does it really matter?

[Philistone]

In the long run, no.

In the short run, depends on your sense of justice and fairness.

[JRios1968]

I have to admit that I haven't studied the finances of FR, but I have the suspicion that JimRob makes little to no money off of FR. The fact that we have quarterly FReepathons tell me that FR isn't quite the money-maker, and JimRob seems to like it that way...FR could have easily become a subscription site, but that wouldn't be as much fun for us troll-hunters...and it's likely that FR wouldn't be half the fun it is right now.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Jim makes money off the site

He earns a decent living through his salary as administrator, which represents the opportunity cost of him not pursuing some other venture; but this seems to be anything but a goldmine for him.

the site gains notariety and press based on the number of users and visitors.

FR gains notoriety and press based on its adherence to, and implementation of, Jim's conservative philosophy, which is what attracts its posters. By now, ten years into its life, any change to its exclusiveness, if that is what you are promoting, would drive away those many of us who come to FR as a conservative refuge from the liberal-dominated mainstream culture.

[Washi]

Many here agree with you. However, many more enjoy posting their "funny" zot graphics, and the feelings of inclusion and superiority that come with piling on in a zot thread. All that fun without having to actually think and debate.

It won't change.