Posted on 02/11/2005 10:55:36 AM PST by 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 Presidents 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 managements 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 Bushs 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 Presidents Oath of Office.
Another late comer here. Thanks for the ping MeekOneGOP. I don't consider myself much of an expert things political (or articulate) but in the case of immigration, seal the borders and remove the illegals as well as those who goldbrick on our confiscations to the general fund. A friend of mine was murdered by a immigrant to our country. He was here legally for almost two years. He was an alcoholic who never took the time to learn English and lived off of his wife's earnings. He was paralyzed in a shootout with police and is serving life in prison on our dime with free medical care. So, I'm a little jaded about it and highly irked by those who come here and fail to improve themselves nor try to improve our great Republic.
Even with Poohbah stalking me for going on 4 years, and my participation on many immigration debate threads, with me taking a hard line, I am still here.
Thanks for the poll. It tells volumes.
Obviously (since I'm still here) there is a pretty free range for ideas on this forum.
I probably run pretty close to the 'vigilantism' thing, but when I do it is always in support of the law and the Constitution and contrary to politicians who try to create open borders and open immigration policies despite the law.
It seems to me that the people who are criticizing Jim and FR are trying to silence a voice of reason in a sea of insanity.
FR allows people like me to escape from the mind-numbing pabulum of the MSM and, frankly, FR offers me hope that we can save our Republic without resorting to vigilantism to restore law, order, and common sense to our nation.
Yes it is....quite a depressing story, actually; the future looms ominous for the elderly and disabled if they get away with this.
Sounds like some recently banned person (who I will not name) got his panties in a wad and planted a seed of dissention.
We're with you, Jim.
**Wiping chili off monitor***
Hearts and liver....
The liver is where the fighting spirit resided.
The heart is where the soul resided.
To eat the heart and liver was to conquer the enemy and condemn him and rob him of spirtual rest (according to their beliefs, possibly reincarnation, a varied belief).
Jeremiah Johnson, of Wyoming/Montana? territory, was called "liver eat Johnson" because the Flat Head Indians held the belief that eating the liver of the enemy gave one the fighting spirit of the enemy. This was a widely held belief...(This is from memory, hopefully, I did not mix the Black Feet or Crow with the Flat Heads...)
You are probably right. A FOOD FIGHT thread wouldn't get it out of their systems, it would just get their blood up.
Self-regulating means that FReepers themselves need to express disapproval when someone goes over the line.
Dip a finger in indelible ink and post "TIME OUT" to someone who has not respected the:
NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts
plea.
I know, I know. My point was too elaborate I guess.
I second that, a brilliant idea.
No truer words were ever spoken. When they start to play God and get away with it.....we're all in trouble.
Are you couseling me now? Go back to As Guard; that looks like a full time job.
Feel free to go away if we annoy you so.
I'm even against ALL immigration--illegal or legal (we too many people as it is)--and I've never been banned.
I like cats. Mine is almost 18 years old.
And I have discussed this with asgardshill, privately. He's very hardheaded, but also a troop support buddy.
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