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.
JB was one of my favs.
PlaneKT:
Yes there was a Free Republic poll that showed 70-80% of Freepers disagreed with the Bush guest worker program. I do not know if it is still up.
William
***Jim invites us into his livingroom for a political discussion. If someone misbehaves and takes a dump in the living room, they deserve to be booted.***
That's a damn big livingroom!
....because he is writing.
granted, neither he nor I nor many others here share JR's views on this topic but it has to play out.
this issue will make or break what passes for conservatism today...I am not optimistic.
I am not in favor of a dramatic change in the demographics of this nation from ANYWHERE...it is the epitome of foolhardiness and I disagree with W even though I gave him a lot of my time and a potload of money...but, we shall see where all this leads. Again, I feel we are snatching defeat from the jaws of victory culture war-wise and I know of no parallel in history where a nation has fallen on the cultural sword because they thought it was the right thing to do.
You were banned so it makes sense all references were removed. I'm not buying your reasons.
Jim,
Clearly the author hasn't spent much time on FR.
There's lots of debate about how to handle immigration.
Personally I'd be fine with having the federal government put 2 fences up with landmines between. I doubt you'll kick me off for saying that.
I don't know what these idiots are hoping to accomplish. You have to say something pretty foolhardy or trollish to get kicked off here. In my experience, getting kicked off is pretty hard. Getting your account suspended for a day or so though.... ;)
keep up the great work, Jim!
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I must say, the article you posted has set a different alarm bell off. This to me smells like an attempt to completely discredit F/R and smear it's owner. So, we move from Gannon to F/R as a whole. Regarding the Illegals and open borders I am in complete agreement, but I, along with many others here are completely baffled and frustrated with the Bush strategy on this. Having said that, threads on illegal immigration turn into flame wars. Rather than discuss the topic of the thread, the trumpets blared, the soldiers showed and it was FreeperBattle time, completely unproductive, but a fantastic show for those who love to watch us fight amongst ourselves. I said then, and I'll say now, screaming at someone will not force them to see or agree with your point of view. If you want someone to understand your point of view, you need to share what you know, educate not agitate.. We all know this is a highly charged topic, and some want to keep it that way, so that fair, honest discussion CAN NOT take place. But that is not the point of this thread is it?
That sort of flaming behavior, has provided the very blood for the press. Freeper blood. We can not and will not let *them* divide us, by playing into their hands. Freepers are better than that. Mr.Gheen, has taken advantage of a 'perceived chip in the armor, and tried to turn it against the whole of site. I am taking note of THE CONSERVATIVE VOICE site, as it bears more scrutiny to it's fairness as well. My deepest thanks JimRob, for letting me stay around! ~ jj :)
Yeah I seen it, Willie. I think you've lost perspective and self-control.
The author of the article appears to consider FR to be the questionable website.
I hope I can stay this time now that I'm out in the open beneath my article where banning me would further prove my point. I would like nothing more than to discuss the facts of this situation openly on FR. Please ping your friends.
William Gheen
Well, I saw a post from a TravisMcGee over on that site. Maybe it's not him, but someone else.
I think William Gheen hasn't done his homework---if he did, he would know that there are Freepers that have been removed, banned, reprimanded for being TOO MUCH OF A GEORGE BUSH FAN---
So the sword swings both ways--obnoxious, cruel, consistent rudeness, etc, will get you in trouble no matter what side of the topic you are on!
The site has been very fair to me as well and I am a hard core conservative.
We all post a certain level of frustration about some topics that might hit a nerve more so with some people than others. Illegal immigration is a hot topic because it seems to hit the nerve of basic patriotism and protection of our country.
Opinions are opinions when they make a point, not just hyterical rambling with name calling.
This is the best site on the 'net, and at most times, the funniest.
I had a dream the other night that my account was suspended for a day. Can this really happen? **wipes eyes** I've been spending too much time on FR!
IF I were to engage in acts of vigilantism, what would that accomplish but place me on the same side of the law as illegal aliens?
Excellent response!!!
FOFLOL! You might want to go to the Lost and Found down the hall on your right...maybe your sense of humor's been turned in.
Hmmm...
Since what you posted was merely what is over on the alipac site and on the other one mentioned here, what was the point. It sounded to me like the typical "FR's been mean to me" whine we hear here from time to time.
Night of the Long Knives? ;)
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