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 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.
Great. Now what does this have to do with today's discussion? There is no context relative to the illegals issue.
You are implying racial quotas on immigration and/or racial quotas on births by citizens. This thread is about maintaining civility. I must say that the logical conclusion to this comment is that your comment smacks of racism.
Whites have been the majority in the US for a long time. As the majority, whites have made mistakes in the past by not treating others as equals (slavery, jim crow laws, extermitating the indians, japanese internment, etc.). You and a whole bunch of others are afraid of what will happen when whites are in the minority. You are afraid that others may do unto you what you have done onto them.
Seriously, I don't think there will be "payback". US society is evolving past that.
Tonk......I just wanted to say thanks for the work you do in keeping the light shined on that traitor. It should be an outrage to every American citizen that he sits in the senate instead of a cell in Leavenworth.
Heh...good one.
Racism. Why do I need to put 2 and 2 together for you?
I'll vouch for ya Howlin! You're my favorite mushy moderate on FR.
; )
First, Bush's plan is not amnesty, even if you say it it.
Next, anti illegals are motivated because they are 1. have facts to back them up 2. are racist or 3. don't like cultural change in the US (or are some combination of the three)
The pro Bush plan people are motivated because they have facts on their side.
The racist stuff gets canned, while the fact based stuff does not.
I've "thumped" the bible on occasion...it has a great ring to it. It can be a very clear and pleasant tone...when "thumped" appropiately.
I own alot of guns...haven't counted them in a while. But, I'm not a member of the NRA.
Middle age is actually 35-38...but I know you probably mean 45-50....Well, I'm that too.
Lastly...I'm a pround member of the Vast Right-Wing..!!
So, you've pretty much nailed me....and I would suspect you've nailed a whole bunch of Freepers to boot.
FWIW-
Racism? How do you get racism out of protecting our border from illegals?
n 1: a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment 2: a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense [syn: pardon] 3: the formal act of liberating someone [syn: pardon, free pardon] v : grant a pardon to (a group of people)
What part of this definition don't you understand. Bush is offering to forgive/forget/ignore the crimes of millions and you and he have the audacity not to call it an amnesty. Stop playing Bill Clinton's lawyer and see it for what it is.
The Swiss, as I recall, also gave us some trouble - in particular, they refused to supply parts for JDAM:
http://armedservices.house.gov/issues/03-07-25washtimes.htm
So, they'd better NOT get a pass. But that non-sequitor is beside the point.
The point I have is this: Mexico's drawn an awful lot of rage - and I have to wonder if there isn't more to it than just the volume of people coming over. I've read some of the stuff on VDARE, and quite frankly, I think Jim Robinson was correct to ban them - some of it, in my opinion, was racist. I've also seen how Luis Gonzalez has been attacked on past threads merely for expressing disagreement with whatever Michelle Malkin's talking points are for the week - and I will admit to being suspicious about the real motives behind a lot of this fuss.
Poohbah has recounted similar stuff he saw in California during the run-up to Prop 187 - stuff that was uncivil at best, and damn close to racist at worst. Poohbah is one guy I trust - I've met him, we've e-mailed and talked off FR; I've disagreed with him a couple of times here, but he's one guy I would trust to watch my back.
Is brown your favorite color? ;)
A freeper ASSumed she was gangsta rap trash and would embarass the USA on a world stage.
Good bye
Zavien said: "The only thing I can see that may have slipped you under the radar is the RKBA :)"
Ironically, I had no idea what the second meaning of RKBA was when I picked the handle. I found out shortly thereafter when people started asking me whether I was a member of this "beeber" association.
I'm pleased to note that my handle is now doubly accurate.
Have a great weekend as well.
"just the volume of people coming over"
Maybe I'm being naive, but isn't the volume the problem? What else is there?
The "Kid Rock" argument?
Dear Mr. Robinson,Please RE-Post your Founders Statement....It would explain to all that FR is not a liberal debating society.....Thank you for this site...Semper FI
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