Is Free Republic a Fraud? Is it time for Free Republic to go away?

Free Republic | 11/28/01 | Jim Robinson

[Dr. Zoo]

The crack scientists of the Institute of Phenomonology and myself have read about 93.72% of this thread.

I am not able to typo good enough to put the 10 or so names of the dissenters in the "To" box, so "All" will have to do.

We have developed some processes which we think may be helpful to you , and offer them at NO COST!

If after administering a brain pressure test we find some abnormalities, we can preform a Brain Marrow Transplant, or some Psychic Lyposuction, which ever seems will produce the desired results.

Z2, I don't know if I am "libel" to include you or not, but I do have a fondness for "zzzzz"'s.

Dr. Zoo

Doctor of Phenomonology

[A Navy Vet]

"We will allow you to report whatever evidence it is that you may have backing up your various charges and then we will let the readers decide."

Well done.

[Howlin]

I knew somebody would get it!

[unsycophant]

ta

You acknowledged that this group of people are 'enemies' of Free Republic. They say they are. Do you believe that we should turn our backs on our enemies? Does this belief extend to other groups like the Taliban, or not? Or is it that you want to pick and choose what is "important" and what is not? Things that affect our real lives are important enough to compel passion, but websites can't?

Even if the behavior of a group of enemies could have real life consequences for any person here? Even if that group of enemies thinks that Jim Robinson should be "ROTTING ON A COLD JAIL CELL FLOOR"?

I think that comments like THOSE are enough; enough to make it worth MY WHILE to speak passionately against my enemies who would destroy me or any of us (including you) if they could. If you don't like it, tough.

[Jim Robinson]

I posted on your comment (or maybe it was Aligyrl's) on this topic somewhere above. You can search it out if you are interested. I did review a smattering of the info on the CA AG site last night. There were a few defintions and some other information on their website that I could read, but most of the links went to Acrobat Reader documents and everyone that I clicked on did not open. From the information that I did see, it does not look like we fit their definitions of a charitable trust or a professional fundraiser or whatever. I doubt that we are subject to the regulation, but I will consult with an attorney to make sure.

And I will repeat: The purpose of this thread is for you AFers to formally post your accusations against me and FR. I may or may not attempt to defend myself here, now or later, but I want you to post it. Be specific. If you people are saying that I am a criminal and that I belong in prison, then you are making some pretty serious charges. It is now time for you to shit or get off the pot. You have been called. Anti-up or fold.

[Arator]

And I've never seen anything by you indicating a desire for ill-will upon FR or JR, although I think you've been uneccessarily insulting on occasion.

Thank you, and no doubt I have been unnecessarily insulting on occasion. But, considering all the crap sent my away, I think I've kept it together pretty well. ;^)

I can vouch for you as well. During the hey-dey of Reunion, when it really looked like it could be the platform for a very positive exchange between frustrated AFer's, exiled FReepers, and FReeper PTB's, you were one of the best contributors to that dialog, both in defense of FR as well as in reaching out and grappling with the beefs of us critics on the outside. Few FReeper reps represented FR as well as you did. In fact, I'd say the only one who did as well was John.

OK, I could resist giving ANV his kudos. Now, back into the mist go I...again. ;^)

[WIMom]

Why don't you post what you have on your site? I can only assume the information you have is inaccurate if you are unwilling to post it here for 1000's of people to read. Of course, include all those complimentary statements about people who post on FR.

[Arator]

A quick correction: OK, I couldn't resist giving ANV his kudos. Now, back into the mist go I...again. ;^)

[bjs1779]

Nothing in between? Do you think Jim and John should live like monks? Maybe in a cave?

You are not off target most of the time, but this is an instance where you are. I wouldn't care if they lived in a manson with a Rolls Royce parked in their 6 car garage.

I can only tell you that I was not talking about Jim or John. Keep up the good fight.

[Liberal Classic]

BTW, did you ignore my question about California laws governing charities, or did you simply overlook it?

Your question regarding charities is irrelevent. Jim runs his website as a limited liability company, which I gather in California is a hybrid of limited liability corporation and partnership. It's like a partnership in that it can be owned and operated by one person, and it's like a corporation in that Jim is personally shielded by outstanding debts it may owe. It is not a charity, or a non-profit corporation, so your question is not applicable.

[alcuin]

Kinda like Swamp Thing ...

With the soul (and verbiage) of Professor Irwin Corey.

Is Steve Allen on this thread? (Everyone else is . .)

[Z2]

Has Free Republic ever employed a display board at CPAC and elsewhere purporting to represent its "Nonprofit Corporations?"

[Howlin]

I jumped the gun and misinterpreted what you posted, I apologize. Obviously, it went over my head.......LOL.....I was wondering why there was no middle!

[John Robinson]

From tpaine's Freepmail:

BTW, would a suggested donation of a penny a post cover FR expenses? -- Answer on the thread, if you please.

A quick analysis of the dailies shows:

Month	MoCost	MoPosts	AvgDlyUsers	CostPerPost	CostPerUserPerMo
January 2001	22000	240340	2258	0.09	9.74
February 2001	22000	376329	2384	0.06	9.23
March 2001	22000	424025	2287	0.05	9.62
April 2001	22000	405577	2237	0.05	9.83
May 2001	22000	398020	2218	0.06	9.92
June 2001	22000	423346	2333	0.05	9.43
July 2001	22000	459326	2418	0.05	9.10
August 2001	22000	484542	2427	0.05	9.06
September 2001	22000	570433	2928	0.04	7.51
October 2001	22000	625872	3351	0.04	6.57
November 2001	22000	568688	3110	0.04	7.07

Where

CostPerPost = MoCost / MoPosts (monthly cost / monthly posts);
CostPerUserPerMo = MoCost / AvgDlyUsers (monthly cost / average distinct daily posters for the month).

In summary, a penny per post would not cut it. FR is somewhere within the four pennies mark; a nickle per post would be a safe bet. This assumes 100% participation in fundraising, which just doesn't happen in real life.

[Howlin]

Can somebody help me find an empty room, a chair, a really bright light, and a hose?????

[A Navy Vet]

"Few FReeper reps represented FR as well as you did."

Correction: I've never been a "rep" of FR...just another guy working with some great people. But thanks for the kudos. And truth be known, I had hoped your site would build bridges. The downfall IMO: Eschoir & NIC (aka Mojo)

[Howlin]

Whew! I'm just relieved they weren't all mine!

[IronJack]

Our site is a free site. We make no money, charge no money, spend no money. The administrator works for free. Consequently, we require no fundraisers. ;-)

Of course, with a hit rate in the single digits daily, our server is a Commodore 64, and we use less bandwidth than bin Laden's fanzine. Our costs include $5.80 for stamps, and that dollar we split up to buy soda. And our revenues amount to $4.36 last quarter alone, mostly from picking aluminum cans out of dumpsters and selling our bodies for sexual purposes.

There. Now the AFs have made complete financial disclosure. Unless they have to buy another stamp.

[Howlin]

That's 4.

[Howlin]

5.