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.

[hchutch]

Bingo.

I wonder why they seem to prefer the status quo to a workable solution that might not be 100% of what they want.

[Luis Gonzalez]

You lose.

[dzzrtrock]

"But there are a few loudmouths who tar as racist, xenophobe, etc. everyone even the least bit concerned about illegal immigration. And they're given free reign to do it and I think we can now see some of the effects of their rancorous slander in the recent purge and website prohibitions.

yeah and bayourod is one of those, as I recall.....The guy totally flipped outwhen I mentioned that I was white and because I posted on the topic of invading criminals. Shame on me for being born what I am and mentioning same. I guess we're not allowed to be the '"W" word' ;ºD

[skeeter]

Someone posted that the Israelis only had to build 72 miles of fencing.

There are only 6.7 million Isrealis.

[patriciaruth]

You need to break your introduction up into paragraphs and post them separately on threads that are relevant to each topic.

I hope you're not a Texan KKK.

[Havoc]

LOL.. I'm still here and I've gone as far as to predict that the immigration/free trade and WTO issues might lead to civil war. All the earmarks are there and I think they're aware of it. I'm vehemently opposed to free trade, illegal immigration, etc and am amazingly un-banned so the guy seems to be snorting a narcotic of some sort. I don't think you'll find more anti than me on these issues here. On the other hand, I'm not a slanderer, racist, epithet throwing expert in the dance of libel. Perhaps if they had some morals and sense for proper behavior, they might have nothing to complain about. Instead, they print propaganda in hopes somebody, apparently, will take their word without investigation. Typical politicos. What's that old saying about truth being the first casualty..

[stands2reason]

FROBL

???

[neither-nor]

As an Indian who's been on FR for a while, let me say this:

- I have at no time been censored even when my opinons have contrasted drastically with those espoused by other members.

- FR has always valued members for their opinions, not for the colour of their skin. This is important to me. I have yet to find another forum that does this better.

- The rules that FR asks its members to observe are clear, or should be to anyone with an IQ higher than a half- wit's.

- I love FR for what it is. Do what you are doing Jim boy, and the devil take the rest.

[k2blader]

Well, you probably already knew this, but the pro-amnesty folks are the grossest of hypocrites.

[Cold Heat]

Someone will be along to fix your paragraphs, and then I can read it.

[k2blader]

Is despising the paragraph characteristic of the KKK in TX? Interesting. :-)

[FITZ]

So you admit that this whole plan is for the benefit of the Mexican government not for this country. Since when do we make our laws and policies for the same of a corrupt foreign government?

[FITZ]

So you admit that this whole plan is for the benefit of the Mexican government not for this country. Since when do we make our laws and policies for the sake of a corrupt foreign government?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"It will never happen. I and many others are accused daily of supporting illegal immigration and "open borders" and yet when we ask for proof, either nothing is forthcoming or they dodge the issue."

Yep...that's the tactic used.

[JLO]

"So that others have the choice of pressing "2".
===
Good rimshot, LOL!

[drt1]

Ugh - Bayourod. I just ignore him - Refuse to waste my time, mental ability or adrenaline with a response to his baitings. You might say I've banned him from my FR response list. He is one of a number that are here though. :-(

[hocndoc]

Was there a poll I missed? If not, where did the 80% number come from?

[Cold Heat]

Very pertinent to your argument.

Bravo Luis!

[Torie]

About five minutes. 5/60 X 500 = 41.66. Damn reasonable no?

[Luis Gonzalez]

Yeah!

I can actually afford you!