[MikeHu]

Just eliminate the "key words feature" -- the source of the greatest abuse. Why throw the baby out with the bath water?

The freerepublic is one of the most successful gatherings of rational thinkers and good writers -- and the mainstream media and lib/left/Dems would love to disrupt that success. As for keywords, how many really access forums in that manner?

Freerepublic is more a general clearing house/marketplace in which the best way to use it is by surveying the landscape randomly for new ideas and information -- rather than just limiting one's input to the old ideas of what it is and confirming what one already knows and thinks.

A subscription audience/participation limits those possibilities greatly -- and then we become another New York Times protecting their writers into obscurity.

[Junior]

A "bring out the cynical" ping.

[SuziQ]

Don't worry about disrupters. They get handed their hats in record time!

[Calamari]

Start your own subscription site.

Apologies if this suggestion was posted previously.

[brazzaville]

Good afternoon.

You must have missed the "Free" part of Free Republic.

It has to do with a lot more than money and what you are suggesting would take away most everything but that. The money would probably go, too. The enemy would be happy if that happened, eh.

Tell us again why you brought this up. There are plenty of forums out there if this one doesn't suit you.

Of course, if it doesn't suit Jim Robinson to run it the way it is run, that's a different story. It's the American way.

Michael Frazier

[1st-P-In-The-Pod]

I like to think my unwanted, but occasional, comments have provided a service. If I had offered myself as a target, but had to pay for the opportunity to tick people off, I would have gone elsewhere and offered my services.

Ahhhh...the price you pay for independent thought.

[hardworking]

I would rather that FR sell ad space along the sides and bottom if money is an issue.

[dighton]

Dozens Feared Dead in Keyword Riot

[joesbucks]

You have a great business model...........for your own site.

I personally have no problem with those who don't think like me. I love the debate. Some folks (geez can't think of one at the moment,,,,,)are just so closed minded that unless someone is in agreement with them, then the other person should be excluded from the discussion.

Again, you have a great business model......why not try it?

[tiredoflaundry]

If FR became a "paid subscription service", it would kill my business at the "Levin Lounge". I would have to have a cover charge , and cut down on the peanuts & guacamole!

[Tokra]

In order to cut down on the undesirables

Uh - the Nazis tried that one.

You can't be serious. If you are - maybe you'd feel more at home at DU, where they only allow those who toe the Party line. If you can't handle posters who disagree with you then you'll feel right at home with them.

Shheeesh!

[connie12346]

There's a big problem. Subscriptions means accountability to subscribers.

I gave several hundreds of dollars under the Monty22 handle. I got in a few fights with howlin and some others over how they seemed to be 'above the rules'. I was quickly banned.

Because it's a 'contribution only' website, there is no recourse. The entire power structure of FR would be dimished if they had to answer to complaints, instead of just banning anyone that disagrees with the 'powers that be'.

Watch, they'll call me an 'evil troll' and ban me for just bringing this up, because I was banned long ago after giving hundreds of dollars awhile back.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Currently, the site is very antiquated.

You seem to be unhappy here.

Please feel free to leave at any time.

[Cincinna]

Free Republic should not become Fee Republic. but since this is not your site anyway, it isn't up to you.
Most people love FR the way it is. It is not antiquated and works just fine. You should contact the boss if you have a problem.

[TET1968]

I wish there was a button to the right of "Report Abuse" that was titled, "Report a Hi-Jacking"....that when selected, would also show the number of times the poster had tried to Hi-Jack a thread.

[BruceS]

Is it time for Free Republic to become an online subscription service?

No. Next question.

[betsyross1776]

If you pay for it . it is Payrepublic. You think you will get as many hits and information if you go pay per view. I just don' think so keep it what it should be donations for the free press, This is the only free press left!

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Where's the ZOT?!

[BlazingArizona]

I wouldn't want to see FR become a sealed-off echo chamber. I welcome DU trolls here because their presence, like the hysteria over Ann Coulter's works, means we're pissing them off. So long as the voluntary donations remain adequate - and from the appeal responses I see here, I bet they are - let's keep things as they are.

[fso301]

You have my nomination for "Worst Idea of the Decade".