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.

[Junior_G]

A poll on Bush's amnesty plan is a good idea. It doesn't really mean much to have a poll that asks people if they're for or against illegal immigration. Of course everyone's going to say they're against it. It's the weirdos that say they're against illegal immigration but for the Bush amnesty that I don't understand.

[windchime]

".....agree that this is Jim's site, always has been, and he is "free" to do with it and those who use it, as he wishes."

Bump to that, wita!

[k2blader]

Free Republic Opinion Poll: After hearing President Bush's speech, do you approve of his immigration reform plan?

Composite Opinion
No	68.0%		2,323
Yes	21.0%		718
Undecided	11.0%		376
	100.0%		3,417
Member Opinion
No	67.9%		2,303
Yes	21.1%		715
Undecided	11.0%		374
	100.0%		3,392
Non-Member Opinion
No	80.0%		20
Yes	12.0%		3
Undecided	8.0%		2
	100.0%		25

[Junior_G]

Thanks. I just saw the current poll-----hadn't noticed this one.

[Junior_G]

The Yes votes in that poll are already fairly low; and when you take into account the number of people that would support any Bush plan no matter how ill-conceived, it really drives home the lameness of the "immigration reform" plan.

[bayourod]

"It would help business if government would cooperate and enforce existing laws. That is the reality. "

Well why don't you try to do something constructive like get your local city police department or precinct constable or local sheriff or whatever to simply enforce the immigration laws in your little area.

If illegals are such a big problem in your life you obviously can tell them which businesses are employing illegals. Instead of sitting at a keyboard demanding that the President Of The United States Of America do what you desire, just get your neighbors together and get you little local law to do it.

You will soon learn what is meant by economic reality.

[wardaddy]

Thanks....I have never seen that one.


So apparently between 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 freepers approve of W's plan....according to that poll.

Interesting.

Thanks again....

[wardaddy]

Well now...at 3000 plus replies...we have reached that familiar FReeper junction:

[inquest]

That's why I support the President's guest worker plan. We need to give these immigrants legal status or legal protection at least so they can do the jobs Americans won't do that are vital to our economy without fear of people like Mr. Gheen and his ALIPAC.

So you acknowledge is that his plan is to legalize illegals. Hopefully, then, you won't be among those insisting that his plan isn't amnesty.

[bayourod]

Why would you make such a statement? You have not denied the basic fact that it would be impossible the seal of land, sea, and air borders.

Once you accept the fact that we cannot keep laborers out, what is your solution?

Don't bother to reply if it's just going to be another insult.

[theDentist]

That's a fact. My brother's humor and musical abilities were somewhat legend. And some of the parties held at rlmorel's home were legendary as well. Youth, humor, and the occasional influence of alcoholic or other substances created a number of wild songs about the unusual or sick. We'd sing with joy, gusto, and with the intention of irritating those chaperones who kept us in line.

The highlight of my adolescence were those years in "The Pit" at rl's home. Good thing too, else who knows how I'd have turned out.

[TexasCowboy]

"I miss the old Libertarian-Conservative battles."

I do, too.

[k2blader]

Yep. And as I think FR is a pretty good stethoscope on the heart of conservative politics, this is reason for optimism for those of us who support only *legal* immigration. The pro-amnesty types, although loud and pestiferous on this forum, are by far the minority.

[k2blader]

A pleasure, wardaddy. And if you liked that one, check out the one below! :-)

(The FR polls can be found here: http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/poll)

Free Republic Opinion Poll: Do you approve of the plan to let some of the eight million illegal aliens in the United States move toward legal status without penalty -- but with social security benefits?

Composite Opinion
No	85.4%		1,460
Yes	8.8%		151
Undecided	5.7%		98
	99.9%		1,709
Member Opinion
No	85.4%		1,427
Yes	8.7%		146
Undecided	5.9%		98
	100.0%		1,671
Non-Member Opinion
No	86.8%		33
Yes	13.2%		5
Undecided	0.0%		0
	100.0%		38

[KiloLima]

All of the "we don't admit we are open borders/pro amnesty " congregation have been emboldened here by the purge but W's plan is done for.

P.S. Some of the above "congregation" may actually be site moderators; I don't know for sure.

[wardaddy]

I like the way you argue.

...a better man than I Gunga Den!

[Marine Inspector]

and when you take into account the number of people that would support any Bush plan no matter how ill-conceived, it really drives home the lameness of the "immigration reform" plan.

Bingo!

[rodguy911]

We probably should just agree to disagree. If feel the govt. should go all out and do whatever it takes to control our borders for illegal substances and people. You simply don't.

[KiloLima]

Political correctness is the real quagmire... There's political correctness on the right, too...

[rodguy911]

Thanks. I usually go for the reasonable man theory. If we are the only country in the world that does not protect our borders something is wrong. It' s not reasonable.