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
I haven't been banned yet EVER. How long do you think it will take?
Hi JT! (Note to newbies: JT is one of the all-time FReeper greats!)
Like old times, eh?
Eh, not quite. But if enough FReepers screwed up their courage and demanded an end to draconian censorship, "Anonymoderator" abuse, and Soviet-style banishments/purges, it could be. ;^)
Actually, I am the person that I refer to in this post. I have located a lawyer who will be filing a suit very soon but his concern was not in winning the case (which is a slam dunk) but in the possibility that FreeRepublic is broke and I will collect nothing but a moral victory. He is taking the case pro bono, but I'd like to make some serious $ so I am encouraging everyone to give Jim as much cash as they can afford. I'll be recieving a record of all contributions (through discovery motions) so I will know who is stingy out there. Come on Freepers, Fallclassicus needs a new pair of shoes, and a porsche and a pool and.....Give big so I can live big.
I think that is an excellent idea. I would not object one bit to paying the fee. I get much more enjoyment than $10 per month. It would also increase your revenue,while decreasing the large numbers of hits you have daily, thus decreasing expenses. A win-win situation.
You just know he does.
Even Gen. Washington, with his faith, courage and tenacity, had his many frustrations over endless efforts to whip the ragged troops into shape, find money for weapons, shoes and food, but after spending years in the wilds facing the enemy and leading his troops into battle...he could not turn down the request to lead this new and untried nation. President Washington helped build a concrete foundation for our country.
Jim, you have created and maintained an important place, where truth can be found in the middle of a debate, pols and pundits are held accountable for their words and actions, where we find fellowship in the common love of freedom, and inspiration in the stories and actions of others.
When Elian was kidnapped by Reno, I punched the TV remote buttons in horror...not only at the actions of our AG, but at the news coverage universally criticizing Elian's loving Miami family, parroting the administration and Castro. I found your website that day, and have since felt so much gratitude for this oasis of sanity and the decent, lively and thoughtful people who choose to "hang together."
Thank you, but you do know we won't let you give up your creation. We've adopted you as President of the Internet and Founder of the Great Debate? God bless you, Jim. (^:
Why, thanks! But I'm sure Jim Robinson would mind if I sold advertising on his site. LOL!
As for the FR traitors, screw them. If they are saying bad things behind your back, then they have proven that they are nothing more than immautre children.
Keep up the great work, JR. You are truly a gift to online conservatives.
Is the USA a fraud?
Is the constutition a fraud?
Is it time for freedom to "go away"?
Should we all throw up our arms in defeat and go away because of a few dissatified members with strong opinions?
Oh! hold on a minute, I understand! (LOL)
My donation is in the mail!
Long live FR!
Greetings from sunny Siberia!
Sincerely,
A victim
How about this; Free to look and read, but a buck a month for posting and other privileges.
My contrib's enroute.
Ever thanks, Jim & JohnRob!
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