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.

[Missouri]

Sounds like Ward Churchill

If this guy doesn't turn out to be an American Indian, he has to have to worst case of "white guilt" I've ever seen.

If true, the name Micheal Savage came up with is right. A cigar store Indian.

[Missouri]

And don't leave out Vicente Fox and the European type elites running (ruining) Mexico.

Very true. To bad Mexico doesn't have a media like ours. They'd be all over the expulsion of the Indians from their homelands.

Why isn't our media on it either?

[Semi Civil Servant]

I was added to the "ALIPAC" ping list without my requesting it or wanting to be added. I have no idea why I was added, and I seldom if ever read the numerous posts.

I have been added to other ping lists in the past without my asking and my response has been to ignore it. I did the same with "ALIPAC". Then I'm getting a nonsense email about how FR is the heart of darkness.

I wish people would leave others off their ping lists and ride their hobby horses only with those who want to ride along.

[rodguy911]

One of the problems you are overlooking is that the entire world would like to come to the US. Everyone wants to be a US citizen and I don't blame them. Who gets to decide who can come and who doesn't? Shouldn't it be done legally instead of illegally.

Aside from that, our forefathers actually aspired to the "melting pot" concept. That was in essence when you moved from one country to another you adopted or "melted in" to the new country you adopted. You learned the language, the customs and literally became an American. You did not give up your old heritage, no one asks that, but you did become an American now that you have moved to a new country.

All that seems to have changed with the new feel good society we live in inspired by the social democrats.

[beckysueb]

Watch out, JR, they're after you, now. Is it my imagination or is FR under attack lately? I know this is a conservative article but still something just ain't right. I don't approve of open borders either but I do think there has to be something done and Pres Bush has some good ideas.

[dts32041]

Gees I thought their was some type o flaw against vanity posts.

Must report to Admin Moderator.

[raybbr]

But I guess you can prove that I like illegal immigration...right?

I can't prove what's in your mind. However, since you choose to argue with all of us who advocate closing the border the opposite must be true.

[Marine Inspector]

It should be highlighted that racist Hispanic groups like MALDEF, LaRaza, and the Aztlan movement are fueling this illegal invasion. They make no bones promoting their agenda and race.

One must remember, only white people can be racist. If you not white, it's called defending your culture.

Of coarse, your post will be look down on by many "enlightened" freepers if it doesn't get pulled.

So very true!

[Marine Inspector]

"I can't prove what's in your mind. However, since you choose to argue with all of us who advocate closing the border the opposite must be true."

Actions speak louder then words.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

I'm naturally suspicious as to whether the Lefties heard about the Zot, had several sign up to post Zot-worthy threads, and then turned around and claimed "censorship." I wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

Censorship? In a private club where to remain an active member you must abide by private, previously defined rules? These people need to study history a bit more or go and spend some time in Cuba talking to incarcerated journalists.

All this aside, the article is clear proof that there are at least some in high positions that are aware of what's going on here.

Kudos to Jim and FreeRepublic for exercising our 1st Amendment rights in such a way that the nation and the world have heard our message not through coercion and manipulation, but through the deafening trumpet blast of truth based upon critical reasoning, studied history, and the application of Aristotelian logic to best determine the relationship between cause and effect.

[bayourod]

"Who gets to decide who can come and who doesn't? "

Contrary to the Buchanan/Tancredo sloganeering, we do not have open borders. Border jumping can be very difficult, dangerous and expensive with no guarantee of success.

Once here there is no guarantee of work. There is the constant threat of being caught. And there is always the yearning for home and family.

But as long as our need for immigrant labor is great enough and their desperation to support their families strong enough they will find the way to get here.

If we ever decide that there are too many illegal immigrant laborers all we have to do is start busting employers. But you and I both know that no mayor or governor wants to bust taxpaying businesses.

I propose that the federal government assemble a special ICE force to bust employers of illegals and then ask Congress which members would like them to come into their district first. Do you think Tancredo would ask them to bust the employers in his district?

[dighton]

.
Well ...

4,152 + 48,323 + 65,535 (the limit) + 50,795 +19,427 +14,776 +6,037 +7,761 +8,086 +6,172 +3,318 +6,249 +7,008 +7,779 +6,598 +6,002 +8,595 +7,320 +3,253 (and counting)

= 287,186 Hobbit Hole replies.

[inquest]

Watch the same flat screen TVs

With slightly different programming (language).

Learn the English required to function satisfactorily on the job, in school, or at Target.

That hasn't been my experience in places I've worked.

Also, I've lived in Mexican neighborhoods in the U.S., and I've often found them quite loud, disrespectful of the environment around them, and rather contemptuous of white people. "Assimilation" is definitely not a word that comes to my mind.

That said, I'm sure that others do assimilate, probably quite a few. The problem is, those that do are continually replaced by new arrrivals that don't. If we secure the borders, we can make great progress in helping those who remain to assimilate.

[Dane]

One must remember, only white people can be racist. If you not white, it's called defending your culture

Uh I disagree with MECHA's, La Raza's, and the NAACP's covert racism.

But whew watch out if a conservative Republican disagrees with the akin racism on Vdare. Kinda of akin to the verbal lashing an african-american who wanders off the NAACP plantation.

[bayourod]

"You did not give up your old heritage, no one asks that, but you did become an American now that you have moved to a new country. "

People who "immigrate" to America still do want to become citizens, but guest workers only want to work here and go back to Mexico or India or wherever. What's wrong with that? Everyone benefits.

[RasterMaster]

"What is it that is included in Castaneda's list of demands? Basically, he wants a complete surrender of U.S. sovereignty over immigration policy."

It is the Mexican leaders who should surrender sovereignty since they want their people to come here, and print handbooks on how to do it illegally. We've got their people here....may as well take the land that goes with it.

[Willie Green]

Hobbit Hole = Bottomless Pit