[Caipirabob]

but am starting to wonder about the high $$ amount shown as spending on monthly “administration and programming expenses”.

The big problem is the legal threat from users posting copywrited material. Those users don't have legal exposure, but JimRob and FR are devastatingly exposed to it. They receive constant "cease and desist" warnings over the posting of such material, inadvertent or otherwise. It's been an ongoing battle to constantly monitor content in order to prevent further litigation.

It's kind of like funding a disaster-response team.

Needless to say they have to watch posts like a hawk to keep on top of things. I'm surprised "administration" expenses aren't higher.

I'm a monthly myself.

[Sonora]

The big problem is the legal threat from users posting copywrited material. Those users don't have legal exposure, but JimRob and FR are devastatingly exposed to it. They receive constant "cease and desist" warnings over the posting of such material, inadvertent or otherwise. It's been an ongoing battle to constantly monitor content in order to prevent further litigation.

Actual, that 'problem' as a reason for costs makes no sense, none at all. Freerepublic is on top of copywrited material, so in no way could it be shown that there is a pattern of allowing copyrighted material to be displayed.

I wonder about the annual costs of $288,000 with virtually no regulatory related costs involved.

I visit another site that runs advertisements and if one wants that to stop, a fee in charged. I'm thinking that that is a fair solution. I'm sure the advertisement would cover 'conservative' leaning stuff, so no big deal.