“If people applaud Romney leading Obama in the polls, etc., is that going to run afoul of FR’s policy regarding supporting Romney?”
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Where is that Policy set forth? Could you cite us a source on that? While most people on here, including yours truly, can’t stand Romney’s political philosophy, I believe this is still the United States of America and Freedom of Speech is still a right. I don’t think FR practices Censorship. Correct me if I’m wrong.
The First Amendment and freedom of speech applies to actions taken by the government only. There is nothing saying that a private entity, which obviously includes Free Republic, can't limit discussion on a forum it provides. To put it differently, Fox News doesn't have to let Bernie Sanders rant on about the evils of capitalism if it doesn't want to.
The owner/host/HMFIC of FR is Jim Robinson, who has every right to set any rules he chooses, or to "censor" opinions he believes do not support conservatism. And many a post has been "zotted" by the moderators if they believe it is pushing a left-wing agenda. Jim's had a couple of threads in recent days that make it clear that FR doesn't support Romney. I'm just trying to figure out what that means, exactly, in terms of which discussions will be permitted.
Anyway, I assume that will be cleared up over time by us seeing which posts are being zotten, and which aren't.
Your 1st Amendment rights don't extend into anyone's personal property. FR belongs solely to one Jim Robinson. It's his house, and he calls the shots on what speech is allowable here. No different than the rules you set at your own front door.