Not so ‘Free Republic’: The Shot Heard Around the Net

The Conservative Voice ^ | Feb 11, 2005 | by William Gheen, President, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC

[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 President’s ‘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 management’s 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 Bush’s 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 President’s Oath of Office.

[nicmarlo]

Talk to the kitty, nic.

[rdb3]

You need to back up. Grampa Dave is like a cyber-grandfather to me.

[Vicki]

Bump!

[ohioWfan]

Was that an "I agree with you" Har, or a "You're an idiot" Har? :o)

[delacoert]

You could ask him...he's trashing FR here:

ARRRGH. I followed the link and was disgusted at the lack of objectivity (to put it nicely). I suppose it's best to rid of the bad seed. Right or wrong, I expect more out of conservative thinkers.

[ohioWfan]

So it wasn't because he said not enough Iraqi's were dying?

I thought that was WAY over the top, and the worst thing Joe's EVER said.

[Howlin]

Permission granted.

[P_A_I]

bump

[Indy Pendance]

Their chicks

Our chicks

Any questions?

[humblegunner]

Was that an "I agree with you" Har, or a "You're an idiot" Har? :o)

It was an "I'm one of those!" har.

[Luis Gonzalez]

You claim that I support illegal immigration.

Prove it.

Post the links.

[HiJinx]

You're getting the mails, too? I didn't know you were a player in the issue...you're not on the Border Ping List, as most of the other players were.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Apparently, you're not relevant enough to ban!

[Bella_Bru]

The anti-illegals movement was losing steam before anyone was banned.

You did see Jim Rob's post, right? He's not for illegal immigration or open borders.

[bikepacker67]

I haven't been purged yet, and I oppose it vehemently.

Hell, I've started at least a dozen anti-illegal immigrant threads, and have castigated the Prez on his apparant inaction - I haven't been banned yet, but then again, I eat alot of seafood, so Viking Kitties tend to like me.

[Coop]

Apparently, you're not relevant enough to ban!

Yeah, I was kinda wondering how the whiner who got "banned" is back here whining under the same screen name.

Details, details...

[kenavi]

Bush is just trying to lock in the Hispanic voting block. It's all a show and the Republicans are set to defeat anything he proposes on Illegal (slave labor) Amnesty.

Don't believe Leftist propaganda. We can get the Hispanic vote while cracking down on illegal immigration, as long as we're not rounding them up with whips and boxcars.

I remember on a flight down to Central America, a returned illegal, just released from a month on INS internment, showing me proudly his deportation certificate: "Don't come back for at least 10 years." Pres. Bush by pushing security and free trade will create a better climate for these people to stay put.

[SquirrelKing]

Those open-borders folks should all go back to tiajunna.

I'm stuned. Hughly stuned.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, Nic! You and Howlin are both my good friends. I always try to inject levity and humor (and often fail, lol!).

But that's okay. FreeRepublic.com is the best site on the 'Net and we will do just great. :^D

Dubya: Meek, you're right! FreeRepublic.com IS the "Best site on the 'Net!"

[postaldave]

>Apparently, you're not relevant enough to ban!

it's free pass day for trolls.