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Is Free Republic a Fraud? Is it time for Free Republic to go away?
Free Republic | 11/28/01 | Jim Robinson

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


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Breaking News
KEYWORDS: bushbabeslist; enviralists; hughhewitt; jimroblist; opuslist; usocanteen; zionist
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To: Jim Robinson
Alright dude, I just dumped $100 on the credit card into the account. So, stop it now.

I finally find a bunch of right winged, conservative, democratic/socialist/commie hating bunch like myself and you wanna take it away? No way dude. Kept it running. I concur with many here that we should all pay like an amount each year to use and you can have the money upfront and keep it in an account and use it and earn interest on it. Screw Callahan and all the other communist who don't like what we say here. Screw em, to hell with em, damn em, ok I know I am not suppose to say those things here, but to heck with em. This is my place on the internet. Take it away and I will just throw my computer in the trash. I come here first each morning before anything else. Because I know all FReepers will have ALL THE NEWS here for me to check out. Keep it running Jimbo!

1,581 posted on 11/29/2001 11:58:42 AM PST by RetiredArmy
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To: Jim Robinson
Hey, I'm left of middle and vote Democratic more often than Republican and I like this site--in spite of its hilariously "Dumb and Dumber" stuff on democrats and Clinton etc. I like it because it has the best, up-to-date news I can find. I don't think people will pay $10 a month, once you've had something for free, it's hard to shift--and the internet model doesn't support that very well. I think you ought to fundraise twice a year and you ought to hire somebody full time so you don't have to be overwhelmed by it. You shouldn't strip down your audience. And you have a right to ban obnoxious people.
1,582 posted on 11/29/2001 11:58:51 AM PST by equus
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To: Z2
"Is not the FR Network now comprised of all the FR Chapters? If so, is not the Southern California chapter a part of the FR Network?"

My understanding is that the chapters are not "a part of the FR Network." But that's just an amateur's opinion, so don't take it to the bank.

1,583 posted on 11/29/2001 11:59:57 AM PST by Cyber Liberty
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To: JohnHuang2
BTTT, and your welcome John!!

JohnHuang2 "Lord of the Pings" :o)

I bow in awe, to your pinging list :o) .. Mary Ann

1,584 posted on 11/29/2001 12:00:36 PM PST by Vets_Husband_and_Wife
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To: Ratatoskr; alcuin
"It's offensive to hear continually about how it's your living room and your rules, and then to be hit up for money. How many living rooms have you been in where the host passes the hat for the light bill?"

Irrelevant. Create your own "Freer Republic".

1,585 posted on 11/29/2001 12:01:02 PM PST by elfman2
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To: Arator; Gasshog
(Note to newbies: Gargantua is one of the all time FReeper greats, who, like all FReeper greats, bear the scars of multiple banishments. These irrepressible few simply cannot be bullied into dull conformity. Gargantua is one of these. He is a priceless FReeper gem who ought to be cherished and embraced by all who love freedom, NOT abused, trampled upon, censored, silenced, and discarded.)

You are far too kind. I've missed you, too Arator. The same most certainly should... no, must (!) be said of you.

The reason why guys like us get banned has nothing to do with insulting repartée, for indeed, we only responded in kind to the mental midgets who were stupid enough to insult us first.

Our banning had to do with numbers. There are far more sheep out there waiting to be herded to the abbatoire than there are wolves like us who will chomp those attempting to kill the sheep.

FreeRepublic, and Jim Robinson, rely on those larger numbers. This site does not need the insightful, confident and un-bullyable few... its existence relies upon the many.

So, when a brave and outspoken few make it uncomfortable for the sheep to play "ostrich," we get banned so that the sheep still have a pen (here) to mill about in without having their vapidness challenged, or their comfort zone encroached upon by people who learned at a young age to think for themselves, and who never forgot that all-important lesson.

Whether allowed to use it here on FreeRepublic, or whether its wisdom must be relegated elsewhere due to FreeRepublic's reluctance to endure the disparity it illustrates between the few and the many, I will continue to embrace that Life Lesson, and to share it with all who will listen.

1,586 posted on 11/29/2001 12:02:34 PM PST by Gargantua
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To: Cyber Liberty
You're right on the money there, Arator. Remind me to tell you a "Honeymoon Story" someday.

I'm just an email addy away. I can't wait (I love FR banishment stories)! ;^)

Like I posted above, I can always be reached at: aratorfr@yahoo.com

1,587 posted on 11/29/2001 12:04:24 PM PST by Arator
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To: Jim Robinson
The answer is NO and NO. Jim, you have started and run one of the most cutting edge sites on the web. Don't let a couple of grumps out of thousands get you down.
1,588 posted on 11/29/2001 12:07:43 PM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: Arator
(Note to newbies: Gargantua is one of the all time FReeper greats, who, like all FReeper greats, bear the scars of multiple banishments. These irrepressible few simply cannot be bullied into dull conformity. Gargantua is one of these. He is a priceless FReeper gem who ought to be cherished and embraced by all who love freedom, NOT abused, trampled upon, censored, silenced, and discarded.)

Ah..I see, Gargantua is another of your SN's...Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. OWK is correct, most of you are scum, socialist decievers. The sooner Jim flushes you all away, the better.

BTW How many of the others are you too? All? All but 1 or 2?

1,589 posted on 11/29/2001 12:09:27 PM PST by PeaceBeWithYou
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To: ReaganGirl; Jim Robinson; Cool Guy
BUMP!!!

This is a great open, free, conservative discussion forum...a geat place to bring the news and tear it apart to search for truth in the company of conservative minded individuals.

The detractors need to go find their own forum to discuss things with more like minded individuals.

I wouldn't walk into a Buddhist Temple and start screaming that they are all a bunch of freaks and should be shut down, rallying my lawyers to devise plans for their demise just because I am a Christian....that would be pretty lame.

So why do these detractors feel like they have to convince us all that this is a fraud?.... fear, we are obviously succeeding in our cause to grow the conservative movement and their interests are in danger.

Doing the right thing is never easy Jim, but it is the right thing to do.

1,590 posted on 11/29/2001 12:10:23 PM PST by thunderdome
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To: Gargantua
For anybody(sheep or wolf) interested in helping to keep FR going:

Donate here by secure server

1,591 posted on 11/29/2001 12:10:29 PM PST by Topaz
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To: Arator
I should add: 'Tis better to breath free along the sunny (but frigid) shores of Lake Baykal then suffer some Neo-con's/Bushie's/GOPparty hack's/goose-stepping globalist goon's oppressions either in the FReeper Kremlin (FAB/"Anonymoderator" central) or the censorious conformity- inducing Gulag, otherwise known as "Free Republic".

Then why are you still posting again and again? Didn't you say about 600 posts or so that what you wrote was your "last post"?

1,592 posted on 11/29/2001 12:11:33 PM PST by NYCVirago
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To: Topaz
Heya Topaz....did I miss something or did Chuck Allens questions get answered for you? (you said you were uneasy about supporting donations)
1,593 posted on 11/29/2001 12:13:10 PM PST by francisandbeans
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To: Arator
I'll drop you a line when I get to my home account. Don't ask me why, because you and I have had some dreadfully bitter fights in the old days.

I guess I respect you for holding your own.

That's a pretty tough job when you're full of it...LOL..

1,594 posted on 11/29/2001 12:13:28 PM PST by Cyber Liberty
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To: Billie
Thanks for the ping Billie. I agree with you that a modest 12.00/yr fee is the way to go. Fund raise for the shortfall. This forum HAS to stay.
1,595 posted on 11/29/2001 12:14:46 PM PST by mc5cents
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To: aligyrl-02; Mojo
Dang. I didn't check to see if I was granted amnesty until just now and it's too late to chat.

Hi, Howlin, how's it goin'?

Eat your heart out, TDE.

Love that "Loose lips sink ships" thingEy on the preview page.

Coward. You sure have bigger, tougher words over in your little septic tank, AFWAA....

But not nearly as craven and flinching as Mojo, who -- although his account is fully reinstated -- wouldn't even show his face over here!!!

BWWWWWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!!

How'd I know he'd be a no-show! No guts, just a timid, lilyhearted, frightened little recreant worm, he is.

HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR HAR HAA HOO HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HEE HEE HAR HAR HOO HOO HEE HEE HOO HOO HAA HOO HAA HAA HAR

1,596 posted on 11/29/2001 12:17:48 PM PST by Lazamataz
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To: Z2
Thanks muffin, I saw that Mojoke scoured his ready-at-hand archives and managed to provide the excerpt. I knew he would not disappoint.

55. Neither Free Republic or I have any connection with the association which calls itself FreeRepublic Southern California Chapter beyond the fact that the members of FreeRepublic Southern California Chapter are "fans" and users of the Free Republic web site. I have received no money, dues or payments from the Free Republic Southern California Chapter. The "Free Republic" referred to in Paragraph 15 of the Declaration of Heather L Wayland In Support of Plaintiffs Motion For Partial Summary Judgment is not the Free Republic which is the defendant in this action. Neither I nor Free Republic have any connection with or control over the FreeRepublic Southern California Chapter referred to by Ms. Wayland.

Well for starters, snookems, there is no more Southern California Chapter anymore, they have been divided up into other geographical catagories.

Secondly, this statement is completely accurate. Jim or FR LLC has not now or at any time had any legal or operational affiliation with what are called FR Chapters, with the possible exception that he may be a member of the Fresno Chapter, which he would have done as an individual. The chapters are independant groups that got together to coordinate protests, activism and candidate support in their local areas. The fact they may use the Forum for communication is incidental. You can no more attach any legal connection between FR LLC and "chapters" than you can ATT and any other group that may use phones to communicate.

What relationship does Jim or FR have, if any, with any chapter or the Free Republic Network?

What precisely does this mean, flower? Jim is probably a member of the Fresno chapter, obviously. Is this what you are asking?

1,597 posted on 11/29/2001 12:20:25 PM PST by diotima
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To: Arator

1,598 posted on 11/29/2001 12:21:02 PM PST by Liberal Classic
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To: Z2
right after Jim gets around to answering all the questions I've posed for him to enable the FReepers to evaluate his credibility.

I don't know you but why would you want to visit a site in which you had to question the owner and post the information so others could evaluate his credibility?

Seems to me that is a big waste of your time. Let him handle his own credibility. Freepers are perfectly capable of posing their own questions.

Why do they need you to find out information for them?

1,599 posted on 11/29/2001 12:21:03 PM PST by ClancyJ
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To: Lazamataz
Get off the fence and tell us what you really think, willya fer cryin' out loud! This constant pussyfootin' around of yours has got to stop.

GEEESH!

1,600 posted on 11/29/2001 12:21:10 PM PST by Cyber Liberty
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