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.

[postaldave]

and I've never seen a rude post by meek, yet.

all meek ever does is call the "kittens" to come watch the thread. sometimes they do nothing more than "welcome" someone to the FR. if they engage in the topic they simply stand down. it's the hit and run DUmmies that get torn apart by the kitties.

is that meek's fault?{grin}

BTW: is this a great thread or what?

[Cultural Jihad]

"What does that tell you about how series our country deems a border crisis with Mexico?"

This is HUGHLY series! ;-)

[Prost1]

The Aztecs and their tribal federation.

Ever read about their sacrifices????

[Dog Gone]

FR devouring itself again.

If making a big scene about a few posters who were banned for continued bad behavior or who want to commit hari kari on this thread is "devouring," then bring me a fork and a napkin. I'm still hungry.

[Howlin]

Unless by "rude" he means one disagrees with his viewpoint and tells him so.

That seems to be what really sets most of them off.

[nicmarlo]

Did you hear about Schiavos previous broken bones? Apparently her husband wore wife-beater t-shirts.

You're talking about the bone scan results, taken about a year or so after she was in the hospital? Yes; I sent those bone scan results to a friend of mine, an orthopedic surgeon, a couple years ago. He opined it was his professional opinion that the results shown in the scan were more likely the result of trauma than osteoporosis, contrary to what the lawyer and HINO claim.

[MeekOneGOP]

As long as I've been here, bmwcyle has hardly said a cross word to anybody.

I've seem many of bmwcyle's post and must say that I haven't seen any such posts as well.

[nicmarlo]

Well, that's too bad for him. We can't all agree on everything all the time.

[Fred Nerks]

Sorry everybody, but sometimes when you're speechless a picture says it all.

[Howlin]

Do timeouts exist?

Yep. I've had a few of those myself.

[Jaded]

Dude, Indoctrinated Flying Monkey is just about as high as any mortal can hope to achieve.

No. They are the lizard people that make up the illuminati and control the WHOLE WIDE WORLD UNIVERSE 'cos they control bijillions of dollars and the nukes, who are the highest level one can hope to achieve. Flying monkeys are their servants. 'Member? Silly.

[Indy Pendance]

Didn't they eat the hearts?

[Amerigomag]

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.

This article is hard to believe. My anecdotal experience is quite the opposite. From my perspective this forum is very tolerant of criticism of Bush in regard to his proposed immigration policies.

I'm opposed to Bush's package of "immigration reform" and I am outspoken regarding the curtailment of illegal immigration. I have challenged many Republican loyalists and haven't obviously been purged or even warned.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Someone needs to get through to that 48%."

Well we know that Main Stream Media, both right and left won't.

The internet, however, is 24/7

[MeekOneGOP]

hahaha! Thanks. :^)

[Howlin]

2. The difficulty of discussing this issue and others with civility.

If you think 811 is anywhere close to "civility" perhaps you need to do some more "counseling."

Don't lump me in with that ranting lunatic.

[nicmarlo]

all meek ever does is call the "kittens" to come watch the thread.

Now, that's not EXACTLY true....he does steal families! : )

[RightOnline]

"How do I know you are not Howlin's Mother?"

LMAO..........well, Howlin'.......how much do I resemble your mama????? :)

[Dustbunny]

We are with you 100%

[processing please hold]

You mentioned South. I live in the South, allbeit a different South.

Misunderstood.