JimRob's Imperious Pronouncement (Vanity)

Friday, May 21, 2011 | Dr. Zzyzx

[Dr. Zzyzx]

Freeper Friends,

I was saddened by JimRob's imperious pronouncement yesterday, and the ensuing comments & zots. Here's why. One of this site's primary pillars is the Bill of Rights which calls for Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Right to a trial by jury. We believe in those things. We believe in them to the point of being willing to sacrifice our lives for them. And yet on this site, when a JimRob cuts people off for what they say or believe Freepers cheer him like Baghdad Bob would cheer Saddam Hussein! That's not America folks!

"He owns the site!" you say. Tell that to Steven Jobs who got dumped a few years ago from the company he started because he created an IPO to get financial support from others. Once JimRob started taking YOUR money, it became YOUR site. YOU provide the content, YOU provide the financing. Without YOU, Jim would be a lonely guy staring at a monitor in his den.

How can we say we want freedoms out one side of our mouths, and stand by and cheer as Jim zots dissenters in a way that would make medieval Europe's most dictatorial tyrants proud?

John Stuart Mill had the right approach--let all the ideas fight it out in the arena. If they're foolish ideas, they will eventually be seen as such. We don't have anything to fear from hearing someone else's point of view.

Now. In case you're wondering:

My membership date is actually one and a half years earlier than the November 1999 date shown. (Had to re-enlist because of computer and email trouble)

I was raised in Arizona but live in Utah. I fly the Arizona flag on my profile because I'm proud of their stance on immigration.

I’ve told anyone that will listen that I think Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman are shifty weasels.

I served on the city council and as the mayor of my community.

I played a part in the grassroots effort to throw Bob Bennett out of office, and hope soon to do the same to Orrin Hatch.

I waged a pitched battle in the newspapers and amongst my fellow teachers against the president, officers, and organization of the Utah Education Association, an arm of the NEA.

I became disenchanted with the Republican party after some of the things George Bush (though I admire his courage and determination) did that I felt were harmful to the financial well-being of America.

In other words, I'm not a newbie troll. I just have a genuine concern with how members are treated here, and you should too.

To save you the electrons of posting replies, I'll post them for you:

Jim owns the site, he can do what he wants.

ZOT!

Put on your asbestos suit.

Put on your tin foil hat.

Viking Kitties!

Don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya!

A cheese-eating moose bit my sister.

[Lancey Howard]

[Keith in Iowa]

This: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2725798/posts

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

When hostilities mount against any member who does not support a certain candidate, yet they support other Conservative candidates, they will simply take their money and time elsewhere.

[astrodude]

Here's what's posted about the subject on the site's that I run...

Freedom of Speech

The cries of "free speech" and so on are often heard. So, let's be blunt: you have no freedom of speech. The "free speech" claim is part of the first amendment. But what you fail to post is the entire sentence, which reads "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech." Now, if you can tell me where in there that it says you can say whatever you want on our site, you can have all the freedom you want - somewhere else. Or, you can send me a large check, let me retire to the Bahamas, and do what you want here. Until then, get over it.

[Cyber Liberty]

You forgot “Yawn.”

[oneolcop]

Clearly, there is a place for honest debate about the social issues of our time -or any time for that matter. But this forum is not that place. This is a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions of a conservative nature. For us, the debate is over. The social engineers, dilettantes and "ivory tower" intellectuals who dominate many of the opinion outlets, be they internet, broadcast or print have ample opportunity to espouse their point of view. This is one place wherein those views aren't appropriate.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I see validity on both sides.

It is Jim’s site, and I fully support the right of the owner of any enterprise to run it the way the owner wants to. Be it Wal Mart or Free Republic.

On the other hand, if the owner of any enterprise seems to go against his or her founding principles while running it, that could be a legitimate comment at least.

Then again, FR does stand for certain things in addition to freedom of expression, so its sort of muddy.

I will watch this one with interest.

[Miss Behave]

Drop the hoagie and put down the cold beer.

It's time for you to get out of Jim's fridge.

[La Lydia]

A few thoughts about freedom of speech. First, read the Constitution's Bill of Rights. It says, "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech." It doesn't say "Jim Robinson shall make no rule." The Bill of Rights was written to limit the role of government in our society, not to prevent people from exercising their own judgment and common sense. None of the freedoms outlined in the bill of rights is totally unrestricted. 1) Freedom of the press exists, in the abstract, only if you own or control a press. You cannot march into a newspaper office and demand they print your irate letter to the editor. The decision to publish is solely the decision of the publisher. 2) Large groups of people cannot peaceably assemble, for instance, on the pitcher's mound during the 5th inning of the last game of the World Series just because they feel like it.

This is Mr. Robinson's site, and he can set any rules he sees fit. He ought to be able to do this without being lectured about free speech. If you want your speech to be entirely free, establish your own forum. I don't always agree with what the mods do. But my participation involves my agreeing to play by the rules Mr. Robinson sets. It isn't my site. I am a guest. Nor do I go to other people's houses and tell them what to serve for dinner, and what time to serve it.

[Cyber Liberty]

Looks like Laz got the zot again.

[Jim Robinson]

Freedom of speech and religion and association as well as the right to control the direction and content of my own private property is what I AM defending. Those who can’t live with it don’t have to post here. Bye.

[La Lydia]

The hell with Taco Bell. I own Target, CVS and Giant.

[thackney]

Jim doesn’t take my money, I give it.

I’m not purchasing FR, I’m endorsing it.

BTTT

[John W]

Looks like Laz got banned or suspended. Apparently the moderator couldn’t grasp what he was up to.

[GQuagmire]

playing with fire ping.....

[CharacterCounts]

Once JimRob started taking YOUR money, it became YOUR site.

B.S.

If you buy a Ford - you don't get the right to select the site for the company's headquarters.

If you hire me to prepare a Will, you don't get the right to tell me who to hire as a secretary.

If you donate to the Red Cross - you don't get the right to tell them who they can collect blood from.

Donors are not shareholders!

[Noumenon]

This argument begins and ends with: “It’s Jim Robinson’s privately owned site.”

[freedomlover]

“Looks like Laz got banned or suspended. Apparently the moderator couldn’t grasp what he was up to.”

---

Either that or he tried to hit on the moderator.

Randy little bugger ‘e is.

[Westbrook]

Err ....

Freedom of Speech is beeing able to open your own web site, or business without the Gummint telling you what you can say or what you allow or disallow on your personal property.

[starlifter]

His #8 was way over the top. Even by FREEP sarcasm standards.