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.
No, I don't want either banned. In fact, I don't want anyone banned. I think timeouts may be in order, but not banning; it stifles debate. We all just need to be more civil.
I also agree that it's Jim's website and he can do what he wants, regardless of whether I think its fair or not. But, I'm still here and I'm still going to post my opinion regardless of the few that disagree with me.
I could fill in for that slot! :) We've had sunny days in the 60's this week. Or course, I live much further north than Joe does, so our weather is oftentimes not as pleasant, but I'll give it a shot.
JesseJane:
"Mr.Gheen, has taken advantage of a 'perceived chip in the armor, and tried to turn it against the whole of site. "
That is incorrect. I support the opinions of the majority of Free Republic users. I want more done to control illegal immigration. I love the majority of posters at Free Republic. My disagreement is with what the management has been doing to affect discussion on this issue.
If you could read my banned threads, you would see that I have been hopeful Free Republic would be a powerful pressure for true immigration reform. There are many fine conservatives here and I have felt right at home until this recent purge.
William
Joe Hadenuf was apparently banned recently.
"Ah HA!! (**bug-eyed, pointing shakey finger your way**) CENSOR!!"
Not me. I didn't delete anything. I click Abuse sometimes, especially when it involves a self-serving link to a site that's trashing FR. I merely told the Admin Moderator that he might want to click that link and see what he though.
I didn't click Abuse on the second thread. It was gone soon enough.
Hi Jim,
It seems to me that these people believe that they should be allowed to say whatever they want on YOUR dime!
They accuse you of censorship... Censonship can only be implemented by governments, or those with the power to shut you up. If he doesn't like the way you run things on YOUR forum, then he should just start his own.
Keep up the good work. And thanks for Free Republic!
Mark
I think they left out some words.
For weeks the moderators have been suspending and banning reporters employeed by this newspaper who signed on just to invade Free Republic and spread their slander there, hoping it would be accepted as truth.
Name a few.
No, see post #501.
From what I can see you put together large lists of FR screen names and used them every time you posted articles as ALIPAC.
All these people would see "New Posts To You" when they logged in and would click to see what posts had been specifically addressed to them.
At the very least, you were "gaming" the FR software-- what you were doing was very similar to spamming.
I am being held hostage by my monthly donation!
"Electronic executions"
LOL
God love you, Jim.
Thanks for all you do.
Trespassers banned on sight.
Jim,
Excellent use of discretion. Racism and outright calls for vigilantism have no place on FR. Let the Neo-Nazi's, Anarchists and others find their own forum.
I have always viewed FR as a civilized and civic responsible discussion board.
Thanks for maintaining the standards!
NeverGore :^)
Then why accuse Jim of booting people for expressing opinons like yours, when you're still here?
I've been banned from there four times. Other FReepers tell me it was the politeness and tendancy not to swear that did me in. DU will ban anyone in a heartbeat. I have never been banned in any forum but the DU.
I think they left out some words.
For weeks the moderators have been suspending and banning reporters employeed by this newspaper who signed on just to invade Free Republic and spread their slander there, hoping it would be accepted as truth.
A lot of the people who joined and immediately went to the immigration threads were people who had already been banned once, twice, multiple times. You could easily tell who they were by looking at the type of comments they made and the style of writing they used.
They'll getcha every single time...
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