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 clue where this censorship on illegal immigration claim, this author makes, is coming from. I don't post much. But through my lurking i'd say it's pretty clear that a majority of freepers don't agree with Bush on illegal immigration.
William Gheen is dead. Zotted.
Are you joking? DUmmy site doesn't have common sense and independent thought. Or were you making a joke?
LOL!
I believe that the owner of this site has always been honest and above board with his policies. I will repeat, once again, this site is a privately owned and ooperated site, and as such, the admin staff have every right to revoke posting privledges that run counter to posted guidelines. /ramble off.
Mr Robinson, I salute you for your fairness, honesty and love of America. Don't let 'em get you down.
But, Jim Robinson, has every right, to make the rules. Thats just the way it is. And I am, feeling very betrayed by you as a Freeper. You have joined the pit of those that can not resist taking the low road to failure. To misrepresent this site, moreover, assume Jim Robinson's position on this topic or any other, is a smear tactic I usually associated with lefties. You should be ashamed of using such an underhanded tactic. Had you respect for this site, that of fellow FReepers (disagree or not) and of Jim Robinson, you would not have sunk so low. So, Mr. Gheen, you are not my kind of conservative, nor are you the kind of person I have any respect for. It's actions not words that prove ones character. Please do not post to me on F/R again. I am not interested in anything you have to say.
You....You....You....YOU PLAGARIZER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonder if the kitties will let you stay this time?I guess not.
"He's dead, Jim!"
what site are you talking about?....I never go to other sites though I did go to TLB Show's joint once when they were hooting about JR admonishing me....over this very issue actually.
My only time ever sent to the principal's office here...a minor miracle.
Sad. I saw TravisMcGee posting over there too. Is that him, you think, or is someone spoofing him?
Now, we're over 400 posts into this, and I don't think there have been more than 1 or 2 telling Jim Rob that he SHOULDN'T be banning people. Quite the opposite. Most of the comments are all supporting/commending Jim for keeping it civil here.
Your jealousy is showing...
Once an individual or an organization becomes big enough/powerful enough to get "star billing," the miscreants charge out of their rat holes and try to bring it or them down. Poor excuse for an attack. They didn't even get the facts straight. Typical.
I enjoy FreeRepublic, and I appreciate Jim Robinson's efforts to get and keep the site going.
"That is the cutest picture!!!!"
Thanks! :-)
On all sides, Jim.
These people should not be surprised or act innocent when they lose their posting privileges.
But in some ways it does look as if it's only one side of the issue that is handled that way. I'm sure that's not so, but it does appear that way to some folks and some folks confuse the appearance for the reality.
They'll get over it. People have taken shots at FR before and people will again. FReepers know better.
Still, the appearance is unfortunate.
Never mind...
I went to the thread that was the culmination of this event and those where the first three I ran across. Yes, I could have spent more time and gotten some more posts from some of their friends, but 3 posts is enough to make my point.
Both sides are guilty and banning one side, which is what happened, is not fair.
Hiya B.! Do you remember the rest?
FWIW, if you ever crawl out of your own deluded speck of the universe and try to look at things with a hint of objectivity, you will find this forum refreshingly open to debate, especially when you consider how many times a day the terms of service are broken by trolls. I've seen this topic and hundreds of others debated to death without the consequences described in that meandering piece of malcontent mush. The story has no basis in fact, nor do your comments.
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