Free Republic: glass ant farm for zealots

Globe and Mail ^ | 10/27/06 | IVOR TOSSELL

[conservative in nyc]

The Dixie Chicks have a movie, Shut Up & Sing, coming out today, and, to keep things lively, they're staging a grudge match with the worst site on the Internet, political-rhetoric division.

"The fat chick will only drive traffic to this site," writes one poster to the site.

"The Frenchy Chix can't get a gig in a gay bar in Ithaca," writes another.

Others chime in with more corruptions: Chubby Chicks, Ditsy Twits, Vichy Chicks.

"Yep typical liberals," says someone else. "No character."

This is Free Republic, an exercise in political extremism that, despite being and something of an anthropological train wreck, keeps popping up square in the mainstream.

Most recently, it has resurfaced as a villain in the Dixie Chicks movie, which traces the fallout from lead singer Natalie Maines's infamous 2003 London declaration that she was embarrassed that George W. Bush was, like her, from Texas.

It was a bad time to be anti-war, and Americans are touchy about being criticized on foreign soil at the best of times. The "grassroots" backlash that followed -- orchestrated, in part, by the people at Free Republic, who mobilized their large and largely disgruntled membership -- saw the band savaged in the press and at the box office.

The site is a venerable and storied Web forum for American arch-conservatives. Funded by member donations, it was founded in 1996 as an anti-Clinton grandstand, and soon became a place where members could post news stories and discuss them -- though "discussion" might be the wrong word. More often, it's a kind of pantomime, where the name of the game is to cheer the good guy and boo the bad guy every time he creeps on stage.

Freepers, as the sites denizens are known, are the good guys. The bad guys, according to site founder Jim Robinson, are practitioners of "liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism," and "wacko environmentalism."

So it is that, day in and day out, Freepers attempt to outdo each other in posting the most pungent, juvenile reactions to stories. Articles containing an opposing viewpoint have the words "BARF ALERT" appended to their titles. Slurs are encouraged. When the first same-sex Canadian soldiers were married last year, the story garnered 73 angry responses, ranging from "Disgusting and despicable" to "I'd resign my commission before performing a ceremony to marry a couple of bone-smugglers" to "Let's see what happens when the Canadian military has an AIDS epidemic on its hands."

It's a hateful place that, if the world was working as it should, would be relegated to the Internet's endless fringes, where conspiracy theorists and pyramid-power believers roam the wasteland. But what's interesting about Free Republic is that, despite having attracted a crowd of the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer, it continues to find itself in the news.

For instance, during the 2004 U.S. presidential election, it was central to the network of websites that uncovered the forged memos about Bush's Vietnam service that appeared on CBS News and ultimately cost Dan Rather his job. (Paranoia, in this instance, paid off.) Later, and less admirably, Jerome Corsi, the co-author of Unfit for Command -- the hatchet job about John Kerry's military service that crippled his campaign -- was found to be posting racist, sexist diatribes on the site.

And then there was the flap about the Dixie Chicks, spurred on by zealous Freepers. Thanks to their movie, Free Republic is getting another moment in the sun. Not helping things was the band's manager publicly calling Robinson "a coward" for refusing to be interviewed for the film. ("I am jealous of you Mr. Robinson," declared one Freeper in response. "You have been singled out and attacked by America's premier Entertraitors.") These, ladies and gentlemen, are grassroots at work. There are a lot of organizations out there that are in the business of whipping their members into a lather and unleashing them on corporations and politicians alike.

But if Free Republic has a virtue, it's that, unlike other pressure groups, it's transparent: You can see the cogs turning, the anger mounting, the members joining the half-baked me-too condemnations that will surface on tomorrow's news agenda. It's like a glass ant farm for zealots. It's a little stomach-turning, but man, they're diligent little things. It's hard not to stare sometimes.

[kristinn]

"But before this thread descends into Dixie Chick and Canada bashing, is this really how we FReepers want to be perceived - as a crowd of "the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer" who "attempt to outdo each other in posting the most pungent, juvenile reactions to stories"? (by conservative in nyc)

Unfortunately, this is how many conservatives in DC, politicians and others, also view FR. I have been told on more than one occasion that I needed to leave FR in my dust if I ever wanted to be taken seriously. Some people will nod to FR and make nice because they don't want to be eviscerated, but deep down this is what they think and what they say to others in private company.

So, there are three questions here, one why does FR get this reputation, two, is there anything that can be done about it, and three, should that attempt be made.

IMHO FR has the reputation it does because extremists and loons are allowed free reign here.90% of what gets posted is pretty good, some of it excellent, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The MSM is only going to center on the whackos.

As far as the second question, sure, Jim and the mods can studiously work to weed out the crazies. But I think all that will do is make FR the same as a hundred other websites and end up eliminating any effectiveness it may have in the future.

So we come to the third question. We all have to come to conclusion at some time that FR is what it is. It has it's whackies, it's racists and it's extremists, but it also has been effective at times when no other website could be so. It's place is to be the unpredictable ingredient that libs can't predict or control...in other words the one that they fear the most.

So let FR flow where it will. It has been successful at times up to this point and there is no reason to fix it if it ain't broken. But be prepared to be called extremist, whacko and racist...it comes with the territory and being effective. (by Bob J)

Bob, it's pretty obvious that you are conflicted about your involvement with FR. On the one hand it has been an effective stepping stone for you to make a name for yourself and rub shoulders with very important people. On the other hand, you've long looked down on Free Republic as an embarrassment and have chafed at your inability to control the product at Free Republic.

You make it sound like Free Republic is a pariah in conservative politics. Maybe it's just you, Bob. My experience is that plenty of conservative politicians and organizations have no problem being associated with Free Republic. We can go back to the House Managers of Clinton's impeachment to current and former Republican presidential candidates who have participated in Free Republic sponsored events.

Free Republic has major involvement in the current Move America Forward caravan and the Gathering of Eagles.

President Bush's spokesman is a longtime Freeper--his association with FR was not even brought up by the media when he was appointed last year. That ought to tell you how FR is perceived these days.

A sitting Supreme Court Justice is a huge fan of FR and is not ashamed to share that with his friends in the conservative community.

And perhaps you've forgotton BKO.

I don't know how you can say that extremists are given free reign (sic) here. The mods do an excellent job of maintaining Jim's standards--standards that have made (and kept) Free Republic the most popular political discussion forum in America.

You infer that racists are tolerated on FR. They are not. if you believe a poster is racist then you have an obligation to report that to the mods so they can be sorted out.

What's funny, but not surprising since you wrote it, is that you complain the extremists and whackos give FR a bad reputation that hurts those associated with it while claiming it is the extremists and whackos who make FR effective.

For all your handwringing, it is not the whackos and extremists, as you call them, who make FR the powerhouse that it is. It is the thousands of patriotic Americans who post here everyday.

[Bob J]

I'm not conflicted at all. I'm a reader who enjoys the news of the day and on occasional posting. As for FR being a stepping stone, I don't know what you mean by that as I, unlike others, have never thought of FR as any kind of launching pad for a career in politics. Most of the people I associate with now are not aware of my past FR affiliation. Just a few days ago one of my clients sent me an email "Are you the Bob J on Free Republic"...it was rather funny.

I never said FR was an embarrassment (but you did) I said due to some of the content all FReepers to some extent were going to be smeared with the brush of the most extreme. My point was that comes with the territory so either try to change it or quit worrying about it. I think most here would agree.

FR isn't a pariah but it is not taken seriously due to some of the posts that are allowed here. If you want an example take a look at how RedState is treated. It gets quoted often and I've never seen them accused of the kinds of things FR is painted as. RedState more tightly controls who and what gets posted and the loons, racists and extremists are shown the door rather quickly.

In defending the image of FR you bring up ancient examples. Of course, I know about the House Managers Rally, I organized that. We're talking about the last couple of years. And I never said FR was a pariah (you did), but there are aspects of FR that makes many people (particularly politicians) not want to get too close. They'll make nice with us and use us for their own ends, but in private will keep us at the end of a 10 foot pole...and tell others the same. You can't honestly blame them.

Conservative organizations are a 50/50 deal. Some will because they are small or don't have too much to lose if they get tied to some of the comments here or simply because they are an activist organization and want what FR can offer...people for their own demonstrations or more importantly as a source of donations. We spent years trying to present FR as a professional organization run by sober, intelligent people. All it takes is for one guy to run around CPAC in his pajamas to ruin that work. I had at several important people walk up to me asn ask "Is that guy with you?" So much for controlling the product. That was the last CPAC the FRN attended and set up a booth for FR because we realized there just wasn't anyway the image of FR could be maintained in the way we wanted with no PR and marketing control from the top.

Whatever, just 6-8 years of our lives down the drain.

BTW - You mention Tony Snow, if what you say is true why did he have all his posts removed before the announcement? And you ask why he wasn't questioned about his involvement?I'm pretty certain his posts were pretty good, who was he trying to distance himself from? And this is the part of it you don't want to face. Most conservatives including media and politicians probably think FR is okay, this is their voting base. But when it comes to endorsements, if they have anything to lose, they'll distance themselves. I've seen it happen up close.

As far as your comments about the extremists, whackos, racists and tinfoil crowd, either your fibbing or just blind. Sure, the worst and most blatant stuff gets pulled and the posters that survive know where the line is. There is still a ton of it that is implied or artfully written to give plausible deniability. You may want to hide behind this weak excuse but everyone else knows it when they see it.

"What's funny, but not surprising since you wrote it, is that you complain the extremists and whackos give FR a bad reputation that hurts those associated with it while claiming it is the extremists and whackos who make FR effective."

First, I'm not complaining (I'm way past complaining on FR, now I'm just resigned) and if fact my comment was to suggest people quit complaining. And that was the gist of my comment...FR is what it is and unless Jim makes some significant changes it is going to remain that way. But you are not one that has ever been able to accept constructive criticism. You are black and white, with FR or agin FR, either with Kristinn or agin Kristinn.

But unless you take a sober look at yourself once in a while you cannot correct mistakes, fix problems or grow. If you're blind to what's broken, how can you fix it?

[Bob J]

You hide behind a fake name and then want to talk about being taken seriously? In all my years on FR I've never used a fake name, not when engaged on FR activities or talking to people about FR. You on the other hand want to be a wheel but won't even tell people your real identity.

In all the years you've been involved with DCC stuff, all the pics posted from events, etc, I have never once seen you're real name used. Just "BufordP" (which I assume is taken from Buford Pusser in "Walking Tall").

Funny, I wouldn't imagine the character "Buford Pusser" being afraid to use his real name. But you use his as nom de plume and hide behind it as if you represent what it means. Well, at least you got it half right.

What are you hiding from anyway?

[lowbridge]

But what's interesting about Free Republic is that, despite having attracted a crowd of the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer

Aww, I'm getting all misty here.

[BufordP]

Wow! You really ARE full of yourself.

As for indicting me for not using my real name on such a public forum you've basically slapped most everyone here on FR who wouldn't appreciate inviting the wrath of lefty activists who'd take every opportunity to wreck havoc on their families and personal life.

I have a feeling those friends you speak of wouldn't take you seriously whether you left FR "in the dust" or not, Mr J.

You may have the last word...and continue this conversation with yourself for all I care. I had my fun with my sarcastic jab at your "I ain't got nobody...I'm just a [poor FR] gigolo" whine.

[trooprally]

BTTT for future read

[lentulusgracchus]

LOL....bttt.

[bert]

The 11 th commandment is "Don't sweat the small stuff"

This piece is small stuff.

When you worry about how others perceive you, you are lost. They just don't matter.

[M. Thatcher]

It is the thousands of patriotic Americans who post here everyday.

Don't forget us treasonous liberals.

[dsc]

Is that really his picture?

What a faggot.

[tgslTakoma]

That left a mark!

[justshutupandtakeit]

Anyone looking at this site honestly will have to admit that the ants spend as much time attacking each other as anything else. Guess we are anarchic ants rather than totalitarian ones. Now where's that honey?

[DCPatriot]

And their description of Free Republic is a bit over the top, to say the least. But before this thread descends into Dixie Chick and Canada bashing, is this really how we FReepers want to be perceived - as a crowd of "the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer" who "attempt to outdo each other in posting the most pungent, juvenile reactions to stories"?

AHEM!!

[Doctor Raoul]

That was the last CPAC the FRN attended and set up a booth for FR because we realized there just wasn't anyway the image of FR could be maintained in the way we wanted with no PR and marketing control from the top.

The words "we" and "top" give away the problem.

But unless you take a sober look at yourself once in a while you cannot correct mistakes, fix problems or grow. If you're blind to what's broken, how can you fix it?

Yet once again, you're the last one to take your own advice.

[Fred Hayek]

The Dixie Chicks were supposed to pack the Target Center in Moonbatapolis, but they could not even sell 1/3 of the tickets. And that was with Air Anti-America Minnesota haranging the Moonbats of Minnesota to do their duty to the Socialist Collective and buy tickets, even if they don't attend. Besides, no self-respecting liberal moonbat would be caught listening to anything resembling country music (Prairie Home Companion does not count, and moonbats listen to that to claim that they are in touch with the "common people" but that's another story. I know one person who has worked for Garrison Kiellor, and does not have kind things to say).

[Disambiguator]

Look closely at that picture, and think "Clinton". It will come to you.

[bmwcyle]

You are an empty ego and nothing more.

[Bob J]

"As for indicting me for not using my real name on such a public forum you've basically slapped most everyone here on FR who wouldn't appreciate inviting the wrath of lefty activists who'd take every opportunity to wreck havoc on their families and personal life."

So you encourage others to stand up to the lefties but you'll only play as long as it doesn't affect you? Take a clue from Kristinn who has the balls to post his real name and use it whenever he is public. I guess you're good with that because then Kristinn will take all the heat while you are safe at home in your anonimity.

What a good friend you are. Some would call that chicken shiite.

[Bob J]

"The words "we" and "top" give away the problem."

Well, we had a real corporation with a BOD, officers and members so there was quite a bit of oversight to our activities and we were constantly looking at what we did trying to improve and be more effective.

We also had a couple million dollars of liability insurance so when we asked people to organize FReeps they at least knew they had some back up if someone did something stupid. We didn't just tell people to "go knock heads with the violent lefties...and bring your kids" only to find themselves in a lawsuit and losing their homes. You'd think you would have learned something from the Connecticut incident.

To this day that was the ONLY insurance FR and FReepers ever had for any of it's activities. It's called being responsible. But it's gone and I'm sure some like you partied hearty about it. Good thinking.

[Bob J]

Funny, I post a thread about the decline of traffic at conservative websites and what can be done to improve it, and you and your friends come on here like it was all about you.

It's not all about you, get over yourselves.