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.

[Jim Robinson]

"By taking sides with the open borders lobby, Jim Robinson has taken a position that is at odds with more than 80 percent of the Free Republic community and the majority of conservatives in America. The fact he is using tactics his own users would find unethical to censor articles and silence opposition with banishments and intimidation is of great concern to all of us as Americans. New members of Free Republic and those that are not aware of Robinson’s covert attempts to stifle debate should be warned."

"Free Republic participants have documented censorship of material from or mention of groups like VDARE.com, Rense.com, American Patrol, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, 9/11 Families for a Secure America, ETHER ZONE, News with Views, author Frosty Woolridge, Save Our State, the Minuteman Project and others."

"Others" referring to sites like stormfront.org, et al.

That's right. I simply do not wish to be associated with these sites. I'm sure that anyone who wishes to associate with these people already knows where to find them. I don't want it on FR.

I also want nothing to do with vigilantism so that rules out the so-called minuteman project. I'm not going to make a big deal out of it, I'll simply continue revoking the posting privileges of those who post from these sites or attempt to promote vigilantism on FR.

Also, there are some posters who are using the illegal immigration issue to insult and or viciously attack other posters on this forum. These people should not be surprised or act innocent when they lose their posting privileges. Continued posting of racism, personal attacks, insults, profanity, etc, will lead to a sudden loss of posting privileges (with or without warning or explanation). Don't bother writing.

Final note: I do NOT support open borders or illegal immigration. Sincerely doubt there are many on this forum who do.

[theDentist]

I haven't been purged yet, and I oppose it vehemently. So either you've not been thorough, or they're full of Hillary-speak.

[thoughtomator]

I've been quite solidly opposed to illegal immigration... come 'n get me, copper!

[JimWforBush]

Thanks Jim.

[MikefromOhio]

Thank the Lord!!!

BTTT!!

[reagandemocrat]

Okay by me...

RD

[Mr. K]

Last but not least...

THIS IS YOUR WEB SITE - YOU CAN DO AS YOU DARN WELL PLEASE!!

God Bless you JimRob for this site!

[bored at work]

We're behind ya JR . . .

[stainlessbanner]

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[Rutles4Ever]

Rock on, Jim.

[StoneColdGOP]

Sincerely doubt there are many on this forum who do.

Don't bet money on that.

[stylin_geek]

Gosh, Jim, I thought we were all Bushbots here. /sarcasm

[Destro]

Hey, I'm still a member - if I'm still here Jom must be super tolerant.

[areafiftyone]

We stand behind you 100%!

[TheBigB]

free speech is an illusion on FR.com

Free speech isn't even considered on here because this is a PRIVATELY-OWNED site. When will these nimrods understand this?

[traderrob6]

Have always been tolerant of my opposing views.....don't know where this guy is coming from

[prion]

Oh, good. Jim posted it. I thought I was going to have to read quick before it got zotted :)

[NeoCaveman]

Well we do have a large open borders contingent mostly libertarians and Wall Street Journal editoral page backers but there are also many many more like me who are not pro-open borders or amnesty under any name.

So like TheDentist said, they are full of BullClinton.

[Phsstpok]

So either you've not been thorough, or they're full of Hillary-speak.

It is apparent you have a reading/comprehension problem. He didn't say that he supported illegal immigration. He said he opposed it. However, he would not allow posts that call for things like vigilantism or are racist on their face.

Are you saying those are things you support?

[cake_crumb]

"Final note: I do NOT support open borders or illegal immigration. Sincerely doubt there are many on this forum who do."

I agree with you 100 percent. We were talking on another thread the other day about trollish behavioral patterns the other day. One of the things that came up were those individuals who do exactly what we're seeing here. They post nasty stuff, get it pulled, and then whine that you're systematically censoring their right to free speech.

Not all who claim to be conservatives really are. Some are just trollish infiltrators, drunk on their own cleverness.