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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

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.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: 1912election; aliens; alipac; amnesty; blc; callthewaaaambulance; crybaby; desperatedemocrats; dreamact; fr; freerepublic; howtogetbanned; illegals; immigration; immigrationplan; liars; lovejimfr; minuteman; minutemen; openborders; purge; respectjimshouse; tawbbos; whatahornetsnest; whiners; williamgheen
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To: FITZ

"To make it fair"...translates into "to maintain the status quo and do nothing."

Get yourself elected President FITZ, then YOU can dictate policy.



1,641 posted on 02/11/2005 11:16:04 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (Some people see the world as they would want it to be, effective people see the world as it is.)
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To: dzzrtrock
A wall, like...like... the Maginot Line! The problem I have with "a wall" is that historically walls have been very bad at keeping people out, as they are static.

Part of the problem with this discussion, imo, is that there are two different questions here: 1) What do we want to do, and 2) how do we do it?

I think we can mostly agree that we don't want opened borders and are against illegal immigration (hey, lets really go out on a limb and say we're also against lawlessness). But then that begs the question of what are we trying to do and what are our priorities? Even our great big bloated government need to set priorities as even the Feds don't have limitless resources. Are we trying to stop terrorists from crossing our border with Mexico, or is our priority getting treatment in our local ER's without being hindered by illegal immigrants being treated for a cold?

So what are our priorities? Are they: a) Stopping islam-o-fascists from entering our country. b) Defending our social infastructure (like hospitals and schools and parks) from free-riding Illegals. c) Defending our culture from an aggressive foreign invasion. d) Fighting lawlessness. e) Add your own priority here. Now, this is my ranking in order of importance. Each of these is important to me, but the most important is a) Stopping islam-o-fascists from entering our country. We've got 10 -20 million illegals here right now, so we need to separate the sheep from the wolves. One really quick way to do that is to have all the sheep (voluntarily) stand up (and get fingerprinted). Will this have unintended consequences, you betcha! But lets not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The President's plan is good, but far from perfect. But it is by far the most workable plan I've seen.
1,642 posted on 02/11/2005 11:16:10 PM PST by LifeofRiley
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To: Cold Heat

I doubt it would be devastating. America had a strong economy long before the massive immigration of the 1990s. The region I'm in has extremely high immigration and the highest poverty rates of the USA --- also very high unemployment and welfare rates. Even states like Michigan have high unemploymnet rates --- something over 7% --- you'd find workers if you paid more than $3-4 an hour and maybe offered a little health insurance for those jobs.


1,643 posted on 02/11/2005 11:16:16 PM PST by FITZ
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To: patriciaruth

Like I said, I discount none of that as possible. I merely suggest it is far more likely that a civil war will erupt in this country due to the abuses of our system visited upon us by so-called representatives who bow to money and power rather than the interests of the nation. People are fed up. There is a culture and class war going on now while the Rich Corporations are acting as a defacto collective monarch using our politicians as pawns and spokesmen for what the corporations want while attempting to flood us in psychobabble to keep us from acting.

I would note specifically that when US citizens are thrown out of their jobs because business won't pay US wages while demanding US profits, we are told it is because Americans don't want those jobs. A blatent, foul lie on it's face and seen right through by people; but, the reps thought they could get by with it. From all appearances, they have gotten the message for the moment. We'll see how serious they are about cleaning up their act.


1,644 posted on 02/11/2005 11:17:31 PM PST by Havoc (Reagan was right and so was McKinley. Down with free trade. Hang the traitors high)
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To: asgardshill
Your rant isn't worth my time, but since I was mentioned...here's a REPOST of the FULL QUOTE just for you!

"The OPEN BORDER crowd always hope to create a rift in their opposition. Meanwhile, I am just waiting on Federal Hunting Licensing for US citizens to police the borders. A good plan would include bounty and no bag limit. I think if you put it to the citizens, illegal immigration would stop. Left up to politicians, we get what you'd expect...too much empty talk."

First rule: Don't flame the MOD. If you weren't LEAVING already, I'd be suprised if your rant doesn't get you banned!

1,645 posted on 02/11/2005 11:18:54 PM PST by RasterMaster (Saddam's family were WMD's - He's behind bars & his sons are DEAD!)
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To: Howlin
Ping people you're trashing.

Learn to identify trashing. You'll find the only people engaging in that activity are you and your FROBL comrades trashing many intelligent freepers who want meaningful immigration reform.

Don't try to drag me into your sewer.

1,646 posted on 02/11/2005 11:19:32 PM PST by DeepInEnemyTerritory (It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the law to become void Luke 16:17)
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To: ohioWfan

Goodnight, Hon!

I tend to spend more time on line when I'm not feeling well, and this thread has taken my mind off my nausea.

I'm running out of Vioxx, and the doc is trying something else; but as before, all the other choices make me nauseated,... or I can deal with the pain which makes it hard to sleep.

Throw a few prayers my way, if you will.

Love ya,
Patty


1,647 posted on 02/11/2005 11:20:48 PM PST by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
..translates into "to maintain the status quo and do nothing."

Maintain the status quo in the Mexican government is what massive immigration is really about. I'd say get some control over it --- let the chips fall where they may in Mexico --- but don't live in terror that things will get worse over there --- they might, they might not. They couldn't get much worse. If the wrong group replaces this wrong group what happens? We get 1,500,005 immigrants instead of 1,500,000 a year?

1,648 posted on 02/11/2005 11:22:22 PM PST by FITZ
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To: patriciaruth
You've got my prayers, friend!

I'm heading to bed since this thread has taken me WELL past my bedtime!

Good night to you too. Rest well, if you can.....and God be with you!

1,649 posted on 02/11/2005 11:22:48 PM PST by ohioWfan (George W. Bush........AVENGER of the BONES!!)
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To: F16Fighter
Pretty weak.

Is that your argument?

Will you answer my question? What were those "four years of posts" you were referring to about if not pro-illegal immigration?

That all ya got?

No, that not all I got. When LG stated he wasn't pro-illegal immigration, you made a laughing comment. Now, again, to a reasonable man, that suggests you find LG's statement laughable, and therefore not true. Is this not so?

Please, make an argument this time, not just a smarmy comment. Hell. LG's post could be filled with pro-illegal stuff, but you won't show me.

1,650 posted on 02/11/2005 11:24:20 PM PST by stands2reason (Mark Steyn on GWB: "This is a president who wants to leave his mark on more than a cocktail dress.")
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To: patriciaruth

Okay. Goes to show how ignorant I am about the KKK!


1,651 posted on 02/11/2005 11:26:17 PM PST by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
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To: stands2reason
LG's post could be filled with pro-illegal stuff, but you won't show me.

He can't.

1,652 posted on 02/11/2005 11:26:55 PM PST by Texasforever (It's hard to kiss the lips at night that chew your butt out all day long.)
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To: FITZ
Our average wage for Ag work is about 6 dollars a hour.

We are rakin the bottom. We have welders making 5.50.

Our young people cannot survive here unless they work for daddy.

The people farming, and ranching cannot compete with the big corporate operations without low wages.

The Kids must go somewhere else and the only way to fill those jobs is with migrant labor, as they have done for a hundred years.

There is some industry in the north west parts, but they are going fast. Levis is gone, all the textiles have folded and whirlpool is going to Mexico.

The largest employer in most towns are the social services. The states largest employer is the state, and more than 50% of the population is on assistance and below the poverty line.

Ya want some! And you thought Huckabee was having fun!

1,653 posted on 02/11/2005 11:29:23 PM PST by Cold Heat (What are fears but voices awry?Whispering harm where harm is not and deluding the unwary. Wordsworth)
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To: Poohbah
That's why you have to think unconventionally. "Over the beach entry" is the easiest hole to plug as it is so conspicuous and the volume is realtively low in comparison. The status quo ain't getting it. When your A$$ is on fire you don't have time put the firefighting operations up for competitive bid and Poobah, we're going down in flames. Time to turn to alternative ideas. How many more 9/11's is it going to take to illustrate that point to you? I have heard of the Davis-Bacon Act, prevaling wage (which isn't) and FLSA. So what? This is a national crisis, not putting next year's lawn care up for bid. More specifically, Davis -Bacon reads:

29 CFR 1.7 (b) If there has not been sufficient similar construction within the area in the past year to make a wage determination, wages paid on similar construction in surrounding counties may be considered, Provided That projects in metropolitan counties may not be used as a source of data for a wage determination in a rural county, and projects in rural counties may not be used as a source of data for a wage determination for a metropolitan county."

(the term "may" is permissive (i.e. Not legally binding) and I don't think that there have been "prevailing wage" national border wall projects across the sonoran desert in the last year, nor does David-Bacon apply to prison labor or the US military. IT isn't that difficult to trench down 6' and stand 20' pre-cast, reinforced concrete slabs on end, then backfill. Cast steel plates into the concrete and weld them together with 6" between for water and animal passage. Where we can't trench, razor-wire entanglement-topped and bottomed welded 100 lb. landing mats secured to posts and buddy we can put posts ANYWHERE. Look at freeway fences. Let's say we can only wall 60% of the border. That leaves 40% upon we can concentrate our primary forces, with rapid response units triggered by electronic observation posts on the walled/solid-fenced portions. Nothing is 100% effective but even 30% (and I believe your number to be Wa-a-a-y low) is better than 100% INeffective, which is where we are right now. Add to this, placing a Federal bounty on invaders rather than punishing those who detain them, and this problem would dry up in WEEKS, with or without a wall.

1,654 posted on 02/11/2005 11:29:57 PM PST by dzzrtrock ("If you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat" (Ronaldus Magnus))
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To: Havoc
we are told it is because Americans don't want those jobs. A blatent, foul lie on it's face

Yes, and some no. Our unemployment rate is falling and the economy is growing better than I thought it could at the current price for oil. There is a baby bust after the baby boomers and a demographic need for laborers, but I think that could be filled by LEGAL immigration and a new bracero program for seasonal workers.

I think some on our side are giving lip service to that phrase "jobs Americans don't want"...in order to slip through controls on those coming into the country and get their hands on the work payment records of guys that are getting richer by not paying a bit more for American workers.

Remember the decent pols have to navigate through the shoals of some donors on the one side and the Democrats on the other, both of whom profit from the lack of control now.

1,655 posted on 02/11/2005 11:34:01 PM PST by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: ohioWfan
I think we should deport illegals, in as much as it is feasible. Actually, I thought after 9/11 that we should have sent everyone back home, even on legal visas, and made them go through stronger security measures to get back in. I believe the vast majority of freepers wanter stricter immigration laws, and tighter borders, and believe (even those of us who agree with most of the President's policies) that the administration policy on immigration is lax at best, and dangerous at worst.

I've no argument with any of that. I would be very very strict and tight on Muslim immigration I admit.

1,656 posted on 02/11/2005 11:38:17 PM PST by wardaddy (I don't think Muslims are good for America....just a gut instinct thing.)
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To: ohioWfan

well...I can think or worse things one could be forced to do than patting Laura's or the Bush daughters bottoms to be frank.


1,657 posted on 02/11/2005 11:40:14 PM PST by wardaddy (I don't think Muslims are good for America....just a gut instinct thing.)
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To: Cold Heat

We don't need blacksmiths much any more either.

Things change. And the family farm is going the way of the craftman and the apprentice and journeyman system.

Curious how you feel about limiting farm subsidies to $250,000 per farm. Do you think a lot of farm corporations are making their money on government subsidies, thus sucking the family farmers out of the business?

Around here, an awful lot of the cotton goes unpicked and plowed under and I don't think it's from lack of pickers. My husband thinks it's deliberate scamming and says some of these corporations are cut up into a lot of little pieces on paper so they can apply multiple times for subsidies.


1,658 posted on 02/11/2005 11:44:08 PM PST by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: veracious
Real Americans understand the original (organic) documents overrule _all_ politics, and the founding fathers paid a _heavy_ price to give us a republic (NOT a democracy) which is really quite different than the two political party game.

Real American also seem to use funny writing styles and think us "unreal" Americans are fascinated with Real American's abilities to understand the importance of organic documents.

Although the Republicans are more American, these things change, and Americans must deligently protect our republic from all enemies foreign and domestic. I'm hoping site moderators and contributors move in that direction as the future unfolds before us.

I propose the site monitors be armed and patrol the border. Lately it seems like the site monitors and FR contributors are doing very little to "diligently protect our republic from all enemies foreign and domestic." It's about time someone pointed out how they are slacking.

I'm aware of no one who has as good an understanding of our kind of government as the founding fathers (NO ONE).

Wow. I had a hard time understanding what you meant by "no one" until you repeated it in parenthesis.

See, even FDR knew some things about our republic.

Double Wow. This is a test or some kind of joke right? and yet you signed up in 1999. Your quote is from Theodore Roosevelt...that is why at the end of the quote...you wrote "--Theodore Roosevelt" FDR is not "Theodore Roosevelt." They are 2 different President from different political parties.

1,659 posted on 02/11/2005 11:46:58 PM PST by Once-Ler (Beating a dead horse for NeoCon America)
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To: ohioWfan; Jim Robinson
My sister, I Loved every Word of your Post! And as a Two-Year Lurker before I Signed Up here, I got to Know and Love many Kind and Loving people, and this Wonderful Place is Home to me. Our President's Prayer Thread is a Blessing to me, and the Dose is my Home-Base, LOL, even though I Lurk more than Talk!

It is a wonderful force for good in the world, which is why the forces of darkness are seeking to destroy it.

That is so very True, Ohio! You Hit the Nail on the Head! Only in Eternity will all the Good Things done here, and all the Prayers Answered, be Known.

I join Ohio and all my Fellow Freepers in Thanking you, Jim, for this Incredible and Blessed Place you have Created! You've no doubt Heard it many Times before, but I mean it from my Heart of hearts: our Lord Bless you and Free Republic Always, is my Prayer.

1,660 posted on 02/11/2005 11:50:53 PM PST by Kitty Mittens
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