Posted on 06/14/2008 10:09:08 PM PDT by Soliton
I have been a member since 1999. I have been suspended at least twice and kicked off "for good" once. I deserved to be suspended once.
I believe that FR is a force for good in the world. Debate between people who consider themselves conservative, right or wrong, is a good thing.
I believe that FR would prosper more, that more would donate, if they really believed that they had a stake in the site. The risk, that I now expose myself to, that you can be booted forever for speaking your honestly conservative mind in accordance with the rules, can be stifling.
I suggest an appeals board consisting of long-term FReepers with differing views. They would enforce or overturn suspensions and bannings upon review based on the stated rules. They could even levy a reinstatement charge. At least it would be democratic in the conservative tradition.
Fantastic idea! And we could make the Mods members of the Appeals Board! Wait a minute.
;)
=^)
Before anything is decided read this again... and again... and again!
ALINSKY’S RULES FOR REBELLION
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972236/posts
If you don't agree with a writer, point out where he or she is wrong - and stay away from the ad hominem attacks
This is seriously one of those “looks good on paper” things.
Do the Viking Kitties get representation on said appeals board?
It sounds like you have never been in the military. Fr is not a Democratic site. Just live with it and take your lumps. If the lumps are too painful, then quit. I can’t say how many times I have been discouraged, but weighing the overall score, FR is still the best.
It’s Jim’s house and we’re guests. The owner of the house can ask guests to leave at any time for any reason.
When someone throws a turd in the punch bowl they can expect to be removed from the premises. I’m not saying you did that, I have no idea what led to your suspensions.
However we cannot seize control of Jim’s house.
That's not really true or you would not be posting again.
My god, what a scary link!
It5 is a a private business and doesn't have to be "democratic". I'm just suggesting that it would grow if it was
Even if I can provide evidence and cite sources? I thought that was what debate was all about
This is a weird place tonight.
NO.
If you aren’t happy here, start your own website.
I understand and respect this. But, he wants us to contribute. I think more would if free speech, within the rules, was tolerated.
I would think in order for that to work the appeals board would have to have immunity from banning- you did say they would have differing views so I’m just picturing the discussion of whether to uphold the banning of one freeper or not leading to the banning of some on the appeals board during the process...LOL
Actually there is an appeals process now- I was banned. I waited a few months and then emailed Jim Robinson using the contact webmaster on the main page and asked him to consider allowing me to come back. He allowed me to come back so I know that appeals process can work.
There's a line that can't be crossed. That's what makes this place better than DU or KOS.
Shouldn't the line be consistent for everybody?
Be afraid! VERY afraid!
You have been around for a long time and I hope that you stay. Just visit DU for a few minutes and your mind will clear up. The world can be scary. Have you never seen good times on FR? A sense of humor is the best medicine. Try it.
50 years from now, if FR is to be more than a passing fancy, shouldn't there be more than appealing to Jim?.
I saw that thread and sent a note of encouragement to db.
All is not right in the universe tonight. Not right at all!
This is a solution in search of a problem.
FR is a privately owned site. It follows the golden rule:
He who has the gold makes the rules.
Of course, we'll need a Free Republic Supreme Court too.
And a Department of Free Republic Justice, headed by the Attorney General of Free Republic.
Stakeholders are in the stock market. FR is not.
BWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
I’m stealing that pic. :)
Bless my heart and all...
Can you imagine? Someone gets into a flamewar, and the matter won’t get disposed until years down the road, with opinions issued at all levels. No thanks.
:) .....love you too!!
I’ve said enough and am getting nowhere.
Yes FR is a private business. So is General Motors, but the investors in GM have rights. Maybe more people would invest in FR if they had enumerated rights.
It is very odd to me that this concept would be so alien to supposed conservatives.
Thanks until I’m banned again,
Frank
What is this - a Democracy?
Well hmmm let me think about that...isn't this his website? I think any changes along those lines would have to be his idea; but that's just me.
Here's a thought- you could set up your very own site; and it could have an appeals process and/or anything else your heart desires.
This reminds me of the time a buddy took in roomers. They called a meeting with him and starting talking about their equity in his house. I told him to throw their crap out on the front porch. He just asked them to leave.
Apparently I wasn't clear. My suggestion was to help Jim grow his business. I've done the same for others. It was my assumption that he would appoint the appeals board
The rules are few and simple.
Freepers invest in FR all the time—mainly during Freepathons.
You know the drill here. Being civil goes a long way toward even expressing a contrary opinion. The mods are very fair, considering the tremendous range of oversight for which they are responsible.
Perhaps it is just the limitation of the medium, but the very premise for your request does not seem to be in existence.
Bumping that....!!!
And so my suggestion that people will invest more in things where their interest is respected makes no sense to you as an alleged conservative?
I think you & I need An Important Job Around Here Too!!!!!
:)
The answer is quite simply, no.
Respect is something we give to each other, by how we “talk” to each other on this site.
You and I have been here for many years. It we were ill served , we’d be elsewhere by now.
I was just repremanded for using the word "hell" on the religious forum. Does that make sense to you?
Faming happens. Look at what happens when you suggest a little limitations in the franchise. You get called a fascist or worse.
It wasn’t clear at all- if you have a suggestion for Jim, possibly you could have emailed him privately with your ideas. The way you posted it, seemed more like an appeal to the posters than the owner. We have no power to implement your suggestions if we wanted to. I personally like this site the way it is- bumps and all.
It depends on the context in which the word was used.
Actually, Frank, it's pretty durn simple, you're trying to act like a liberal, who believes that they are afforded some special rights just because they happen by a place. Everyone on this system operates by the same rules, guidelines and overseeing.
So, yeah, it is an odd concept to conservatives, and an example of liberal takings. It's Jim's system, his place, his rules, and if you don't like it, find a place that will give you more than you're already getting here. Otherwise, act like a gentleman.
Perhaps you could ping Jim for me out of respect, but I have emailed Jim many times with no luck.
I am not criticizing him. He gets lots of emails. I only suggested that he appoints a rules commitee, or something similar, that determines your status as an active freeper.
If he did so. I think more people would participate financially.
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