Posted on 11/28/2001 7:31:29 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Free Republic has had one helluva run over the last five years or so. We helped impeach one president and helped get another into office. We've been active in demonstrations and protests in nearly every city across the nation. We've participated in conventions, petition drives, activism campaigns and projects for dozens of conservative causes.
We've grown from a tiny web site with a few hundred posters and readers from the time of inception in 1996, to one with tens of thousands of participants today. Along the way we've made lots of great friends and, unfortunately, also made lots of bitter enemies.
We've grown from a small web site that I could manage myself on a part-time basis to a huge monster that has totally consumed all of my time and resources plus nearly all of John's time, plus the time and resources of many dedicated FReepers who volunteer or contribute large amounts of their own time and money.
The site is now consuming all of a 10 mbps dedicated line with two servers and we're still growing, and it consumes large amounts of money to keep all this running. In the early years, it only took a few thousand dollars per month to keep Free Republic on the air, but it is now costing over $20,000 per month to cover all expenses.
The major costs include approximately $8,000 per month for bandwidth, 3,000 for systems management and programming services, 7,000 for management, operating and administrative services, plus two or three thousand per month for miscellaneous office expenses, telephone, communications, repairs & maintenance, travel & lodging, postage, rentals, insurance, legal fees, accounting fees, etc., etc.
We anticipate a reduction in bandwidth costs next year as we renegotiate our contract (the market price for bandwidth has fallen recently), however, that will be more than offset by an expected increase in costs of our legal expenses. As most of you know, our pro bono attorney has left us and we've hired a new attorney to continue with our case, plus we have the suit against eschoir to pay for. My projections are that our regular monthly expenses for next year will be running in the neighborhood of $22,000 per month, or approximately $264,000 total for the year. This means we will need to raise approximately $66,000 per quarter.
Talking about making enemies, we've got several ex-FReepers and other detractors who are claiming on their anti-freeper web sites that I am ripping off the donors and that Free Republic is a fraud. Now, Free Republic is what it is, and it is definitely not a fraud. It is a conservative news discussion forum that encourages participation in politics and activism projects. It is not being billed as anything else. We are not selling or promising anything. And I am being up front about our operating costs. The costs of running Free Republic are what I've stated above and they are necessary to keep FR on the air. I do not have the financial wherewithal to operate this site without your help. If the majority of the FReepers feel that these costs are out of line or too much to bear or that Free Republic is no longer wanted or needed, then we will either cut it back or shut it down or do something altogether different.
I've also been criticized about not making our financials public. Well, the reason I do not want to do this is that I have been sued, both personally and as Free Republic, LLC. The people suing us want to bankrupt us and shut us down. They subpoenaed our financial records, but we refused to turn them over. The judge agreed that the plaintiffs have no right to the information, thus I have no intention of making any more of it public than I absolutely have to, until this lawsuit is resolved. You all know the amounts of money we raise if you follow the fundraising threads. It is all above board and out in the open. The totals posted by BadJoe are usually pretty close to the actual cash received and the amounts expended are pretty close to the amounts projected. No one is getting rich here and no one is being ripped off. The funds raised are being used for the purposes stated, and that is keeping this website on the air and that's it. Nothing fraudulent about it. Those who want to help fund us freely do so with nothing expected in return. Those who do not want to contribute do not have to.
There was a thread running this morning where people were making all kinds of accusations about Free Republic "hiding the truth" or whatever. These accusations are being made by Chuck Allan and others and fall along the same line with the accusations being made by some of the earlier banees or AFers including Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan, Arator, keep U.S. Sovereign, TKEman and others. Some of these people are existing FReepers and some are banned. I am going to reinstate Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan and Arator's accounts so they can join Chuck Allan, TKEman, K.U.S.S. and whomever else wants to get involved, and I invite them to come onto this thread and make their accusations public. As long as they do not go onto other threads and make a nuisance of themselves, I will let them have their say.
Like I said above, if it is time for Free Republic to go away so be it. Those who want to keep it going speak up. Those who want it to go away, tell us why. But if those who want it to be gone lose out in the debate, then I'd say they should just go away themselves, or, in the very least, shut up and quit whining about it.
Thanks,
Jim
Dammit!
>;^)
How do you view your chances in the Ninth Circuit appeal of the LAT/WP copyright infringement case? What would be FR's fate if you were to lose that appeal? What contingency plans have you made in preparation for that outcome, should it occur? Is the attorney who replaced Clarity also working pro bono?
Thanks.
I recommend that Jim seriously begin to consider what form that his successful endeavor should take in the future to provide for future expansion, innovation, and influence; perhaps a not-for-profit corporation, perhaps a regular commercial venture, perhaps a little of both. The possibilities for the future of FR are exciting, important, and profound in their implications to the future of our Republic, and our lives in general.
In response to the "bitter enemies" of FR I say this; To call FR a "fraud' without making any logical arguments to back up that statement, is more an example of childish pique than rational thought or reasoned opinion. My guess is that those who have been "banned" can, if they are honest with themselves, trace the cause to HOW the conducted themselves while on the forum, as opposed to the content or political direction of their opinions. "Disruptors" are not labeled as such for nothing. While you will deny that you belong to such a group, there are various and sundry covens of politically bent individuals who are envious of the success and influence of FR, and will try any kind of underhanded, unethical, or even illegal method to bring it down or discredit it and JimRob himself. Jim has been passionate in his dedication and desire not to see the FreeRepublic deteriorate and descend into a vicious cesspool of foul language and vituperative rhetoric that many of us have witnessed with other un moderated "discussion news group" sites. This dedication, consistency, and resolve in the face of spurious law suits, illegal hacking, vicious disruption, and public slander has lead to the success of FR and as such is tribute to the integrity and citizenship of our mutual friend, Jim Robinson.
As soon as that gets cleared up or I get banned again, (whichever comes first) I'll probably be on my way.
Don't worry. I'm not gunning for a Radio Show or anything... ROFL!!
Is it the barometer that makes people cranky? - the ladyfriend was on may case today too. ;)
I know you've been around here for quite awhile. I don't hang out in those Anti FR chat rooms. I guess I live a sheltered life. I never witnessed any of his anti FR brouhaha. I hope IHC comes to his senses soon. Maybe he can apologize and repent. I always enjoyed his enthusiasm, whether I agreed with him or not.
I give monthly. I will increase my monthly giving as of today. I hope that all regular FReepers who enjoy this site will treat it as a subscription service, and give monthly to support it. --- OrthodoxPresbyterian
I just started here a couple months ago and have already become a contributor but I would not like to see this site become a mandatory subscription site. The whole reason it is here is to spread the word. Those of us who are willing to give, should give more if necessary, and appeals like this thread are welcome to let us know what the needs are. But limiting access to subscribers-only would be taking away The Power.
At the very least, I would expect this place to always maintain a "free for read-only, pay for posting-priv" policy.
Big hug and a kiss to you Joe! I miss your charm and wit at the dinner table.
Heck, I was spending $30 a month for the Chicago Trib, daily and Sunday. Decided to drop it and send the money here. With my next donation, it will just about equal the amount of money I was spending on the fishwrap. (I couldn't even use the Trib for the cat litter box, only the Wall Street Journal works for that one...)
Jim,
Sorry I'm getting into this so late. But better late than never.
I'd certainly like to add my voice to those pleading for FR to stick around! I can't imagine ANY argument to close up shop. (Well, I mean, any EXTERNAL argument -- if _you_ get tired of it and the hassle it adds to your life, that's entirely your call.)
But there are SO MANY of us who love this place -- and, I suppose it's kind of safe to say -- love each other and you that there's no reason to let a bunch of hate from people who probably hate everything to influence FR one way or the other.
And, for what it's worth, don't you always have the option of selling advertising space (one way or another), making millions, and hiring a bunch of sherpas to do the dirty work? Heck, I'd put up with a commercial here or there to keep the interchange going...
Mark W.
https://iseek.com/freerepublic/frsupport.htm
I am no programmer but I am sure it could be done. A hit of the Abuse button would flag that post to a separate page where those concerned would vote in real time whether or not the item flagged should be censored (there is only a one vote per poster and votes are only tallied as against the item in question). A predetermined number of "thumbs-down votes" elminates the item and places a demerit on the poster, so many demerits, say five, for example BAN the poster PERMANENTLY.
I would like to hear some feedback on this.
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