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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 Presidents 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 managements 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 Bushs 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 Presidents 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: davidosborne
541
posted on
02/11/2005 1:26:43 PM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: William Gheen
We allowed them to post there because many feared retaliation from FR mods for speaking their minds on this supject. Some of your previous posts were obviously overboard. The mods retaliated again. Guess you won't be able to respond to me.
William Gheen in foprum
542
posted on
02/11/2005 1:26:45 PM PST
by
Arrowhead1952
("I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for," - Howard Dean 01/29/2005)
To: William Gheen
I don't know anything about you William or your site, but I do recall "American Patrol" and the disgusting hate filled garbage that used to be emailed to us from that site and others like it, and the attacks on my candidate that eventually extended to his religious faith--- despite the fact that my candidate opposed illegal immigration and had disagreements with the President over things like amnesty.
My point is, I can totally see why Jim would find a need to put his foot down.
To: Howlin
Well, it works both ways That was my point; I'm glad you agree.
544
posted on
02/11/2005 1:27:30 PM PST
by
Marine Inspector
(Customs & Border Protection Officer)
To: FourtySeven
OK, but still I'd like to see some of the more enthusiastic players of the Race Card banned as well, for a change.
Race baiting is as flagrant a violation (or so should be considered) of posting rules as any other.
But alas it ain't my forum.
545
posted on
02/11/2005 1:27:39 PM PST
by
skeeter
(OBL "Americans" won't honor any law that interferes with their pocketbooks)
To: Jim Robinson
JR, I support GWB, but am totally against "amnesty" in any form. It's not fair to the tens of thousands already in line trying to emigrate here legally.
Regarding a guest worker program, I believe we need a concerted effort to see that guest workers do not take entry level jobs in the trades that would normally go to tech high school grads.
I am not against a guest worker program, but to push some half baked idea through...and cut the planned hiring of more BP agents is either a really bad joke, or an insult to the intelligence of the American Taxpayer.
Since one can not separate a guest worker program from border security...from "Amnesty" we have to deal with a whopper of a problem on all sides. Passing one segment of legislature without addressing the MAJOR security problem our porous borders is a cheap trick.
I've probably been scrutinized as much as anyone else here on the FR "immigration" threads....let the axe fall where it may.
I think GWB is right on with about 80% of what he has done in the past 4 years...but his policies regarding illegal immigrants, border security and the faux homeland security stinks to high heaven.
546
posted on
02/11/2005 1:28:27 PM PST
by
taxed2death
(A few billion here, a few trillion there...we're all friends right?)
To: spectre
If tact is a requirement I am going to be ZOTted for sure!!
(Hi, SW!!)
: )
547
posted on
02/11/2005 1:28:53 PM PST
by
Politicalmom
(Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.")
To: RKBA Democrat
The only thing I can see that may have slipped you under the radar is the RKBA :)
Have a great weekend :)
548
posted on
02/11/2005 1:29:12 PM PST
by
Zavien Doombringer
(Have you gotten your Viking Kittie Patch today? http://www.visualops.com/patch.html)
To: Jim Robinson
Thanks, Jim. A simple question answered simply. Keep up the good work.
549
posted on
02/11/2005 1:29:18 PM PST
by
Thommas
(The snout of the camel is in the tent...)
To: Jackson57; Darksheare
Yippee! We're fleshing the out!! LOL
550
posted on
02/11/2005 1:29:26 PM PST
by
StarCMC
(It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
To: Marine Inspector
No, I don't want either banned. Then why single them out
They aren't the only ones on this board who aren't in full agreement with your opinion
551
posted on
02/11/2005 1:29:39 PM PST
by
Mo1
(Question to Liberals .. When did supporting and defending Freedom become a bad thing??)
To: MineralMan
552
posted on
02/11/2005 1:29:42 PM PST
by
Howlin
(It's a great day to be an American -- and a Bush Republican!!!!)
To: adam_az
Then why accuse Jim of booting people for expressing opinons like yours, when you're still here?Not any more.
553
posted on
02/11/2005 1:29:44 PM PST
by
ActionNewsBill
("In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act")
To: stylin_geek
I thought we were all Bushbots here. /sarcasmWho says we're not?!
554
posted on
02/11/2005 1:30:21 PM PST
by
My2Cents
("Friends stab you from the front." -- Oscar Wilde)
To: Conspiracy Guy
William Gheen is GONE.
Banned or suspended AGAIN!!
555
posted on
02/11/2005 1:30:26 PM PST
by
Arrowhead1952
("I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for," - Howard Dean 01/29/2005)
To: William Gheen
I'm just sorry to see all this happening. What is happening here is a pure reflection of what's happening on the center-right to right all over the nation.
I'm in Nashville and I know 100s of rightists from all strata and I know none who want this Mexican (or any other) wave to continue. They want closed borders and limited immigration and designed for those fleeing persecution who are our allies or those who can contribute most....not wave after wave of purely economic migrants.
That is my reality. Folks here who want open or fairly open borders are far and few between amongst my peer group.
And this notion that we can't deport illegals is nonsense. Even in Denmark and Holland, they are deporting resident aliens and their families who commit crimes. If those social engineers can do it, then we can sure deport illgegals for starters.
I would like to know precisely how this forum splits on these issues.
Joe Hadenuf...whom I liked much more often than not....was open against electing W and that never endeared him to the power here. But there are many like myself who did a whole lot (I have proof as threads on this very forum) to get W elected and I have earned the right to disagree with W on La Migra issues or the Education bill or CFR or the Free Drugs bill etc.
However, JR may arbitrarily ban anyone he wants here. Anyone questions that is Quixotic.
PS: I only addressed the cultural implications....forget national security which looms even larger.
556
posted on
02/11/2005 1:30:37 PM PST
by
wardaddy
(I don't think Muslims are good for America....just a gut instinct thing.)
To: William Gheen
557
posted on
02/11/2005 1:30:46 PM PST
by
Conspiracy Guy
(Reading is fundamental. Comprehension is optional.)
To: atruelady
558
posted on
02/11/2005 1:31:01 PM PST
by
wardaddy
(I don't think Muslims are good for America....just a gut instinct thing.)
To: Spiff
Although, prohibiting all posting from an entire website forever is kind of harsh just because they let some questionable stuff sneak through once or twice.It is more than one or two errant articles that happened to "sneak through".
IMHO, they utilize articles written by better known, nationally syndicated columnists as a ploy to bestow "legitimacy" and "respectibility" on the more putrid crap they host.
I don't know their actual motivation for this.
At face value, it looks like the slippery slope into right-wing racism.
If you have tinfoil suspicions, however, perhaps it's a sophisticated trap to discredit legitimate immigration reform activists who unwittingly become associated with that crap.
Either way, I want absolutely NOTHING to do with that despicable site.
To: RushCrush
Since it's government funded, one would expect that NPR would be free of bias. ????
560
posted on
02/11/2005 1:31:27 PM PST
by
Brad’s Gramma
(aitch tee tee pea colon 2 slashes dubya dubya dubya dot proud patriots dot org)
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