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

Free Republic | 11/28/01 | Jim Robinson

[Ymani Cricket]

It's a good thing you have this new system to keep the pages filed shorter 'cause man, this is a HUGE thread by the time I got to it. I don't like large crowds generally and try to stay on shorter threads... so the new page layout is better. Call it cyber-claustraphobia (sp?)

I hope this is not your "I'm leaving" OPUS. I've seen a lot of "I'm leaving" OPUSes but this one takes the cake ;-). We can't have the owner leave! You CAN'T leave, we won't let you! Long live Free Republic!

[Revelation 911]

1.) Banner ads

2.) membership fees

3.) Advertise for PAYING customers on other sites

4.) charge for vanity posts

5.) HUMP THE MERCHANDISE

6.) Freepathon in streaming video with ANNE COULTER

PLUS - let us know why our threads get pulled so we dont repeat the offense ;)

Thanks for everything

[BlackbirdSST]

As much as the WEB has to offer, I've found no place as, if you'll pardon the expression, as "Diverse" in opinion as FR. Keep it running or we all lose out! Newbie Blackbird.

[pad 34]

Well Sir, that's the longest thread I've digested.

I've learned much (politics of FR, difficulties of running something like this) and must say I agree with your policies.

I'll continue my support.

Thanks for allowing into "your house" these past few years!

Off to bed

[dalereed]

I wouldn't know what to do with the 5 or 6 hours a day that I spend here if it went away.

[summer]

Re your post # 488 -- LOL....

[piasa]

I wish I could! I feel like that sergeant trying to get through to Andy Griffin on the movie 'No Time for Sergeants.'

[wewillnotfail]

I'd like to keep it going, JimRob. It seems as though some housecleaning is in order and that the original intents and purposes of this forum be respected and adhered to. That would be a good thing.

Less abuse of the bandwidth with double and triple posting. How hard is it to do a few keyword searches before posting.

Fewer vanities. I lurked for YEARS before I posted a news article. Am I wrong in that NEWS ARTICLES are what we used to be about? Not a dating service or soft porn snicker session?

There is still a lot of value here, but it used to be better. Quality people with inspired minds, discussing events and learning from each other. Now you find 200 post threads with nothing but one liner insults. Sure, that's a steam release vent but is that worth 20 grand a month?

I came here and got involved, responded to calls for action. Where are they? Where is the activism? Lost amongst the flood of light weight dribble and vanities...

This is not something that Jim or the monitors should address. This is a matter for we, the people. In times passed, an idiotic vanity would be shredded within minutes by other posters. Now they live, to eat bandwidth and inspire others to do likewise. To pick a recent thread, how about the "Who are the single FR men?" thread. Is this the caliber of discussion that Jim and John are devoting their lives to support?

The people did this to FR. The people can turn it around. Stop acting like fluff minded liberals with a laissez faire attitude. Demand and offer more intelligent discourse and less pop culture. If we raise the bar, we will find others who aspire to reach the level we set, rather than allow the good time charlie attitude to drag us down to the lowest common denominator.

[Hugh Akston]

My reply is going to be buried in the 700s and as such probably not too many will see it. C'est la vie.

No one is getting rich here

I believe you, but for a moment, I would love to entertain the idea that you are getting rich. If you were, I would have this response:

So? Good!

As one can probably glean from my screen name, I am a capitalist to the core. I use this site, every day, usually for more than an hour at a time. I get more than my money's worth. Frankly, I am disappointed that the proprietor is not getting rich.

As you said, anyone paying attention to the fundraising threads has a ballpark idea of the site's income. If ALL of that was going straight into your pocket, then I believe that you still would be underpaid compared to the CEOs of companies who provide inferior products and services than you provide here.

But of course, it is not all income.

I have long ago decided that the biggest complainers fall into three categories:

1) People who are upset for other reasons and just look for anything and everything to complain about,
2) People who are against conservatism and as such look for anything and everything to attack us about, and
3) People who have been suckered in by the two types above.

/rant

[LJLucido]

It didn't take long, did it! :)

LOL! Nope!

[Brytani]

Keep Free Republic open and running as is. Post the donation link, I'm more then willing to give. On top of that, i'd be willing to volunteer as much as possible in ways that will reduce the operating costs of the site. With the help of Freepers, maybe there are things we can all do to reduce costs. (along with donations).

Let me (us) know what we can do. Brytani

[The Raven]

What do you call AF'ers in the basement?

Answer: A 'Whine' cellar.

As long as I've been around - there are days when I shake my head. But not many. We need to stay here for the next Clinton run for the White House.

This growth in FR should demonstate what the Founding Fathers wanted to avoid in government.

When the topics shift from principals to personalities - all hell breaks loose.

[summer]

We cannot sell subscriptions or advertising or be involved in any commercial transactions at this time.

If there is ever a time in the future when you can or do move to commercial transactions, I'd also suggest an online FR store, selling FR t-shirts or polo shirts, FR baseball caps, FR coffee mugs, etc. People would buy that stuff, you would make money, and the site would continue to be promoted.

Well, maybe someday.

[MistyCA]

Thanks for the ping

[NYCVirago]

when i bought my first computer in 1966 i typed in the search engine "clinton scandals". one of the first places that it showed for the above was free republic.

Wow, you had a computer in 1966? And you knew that Clinton would be involved in scandals, even though he was still in college then? I'm impressed. Miss Cleo, move over!

Sorry, I know it was a typo, but I thought it was pretty funny! ;)

[anton]

Oh c'mom, Jim. You don't really mean it do you?

[Ima Lurker]

Puh...leeze, I can't even imagine life without Free Republic. I check it everyday after I get home from work even before I check my email.

The law suits and detractors prove one thing for sure. Free Republic is a very powerful and influential entity. I have and will continue to donate to Free Republic, however I wouldn't mind paying a fee to keep the site going if necessary.

Once again, thanks for all the hard work you and John and many others do to keep this site going. I don't say that often enough.

[NYCVirago]

And of course the New York Yankees didn't pull the infield in, did get that line drive double play in the bottom of the ninth, and won that hysterical World Series.

I'm sitting here reading this thread, and you had to remind me of this. Oy! Some of us are still not over the World Series, you know. :(

[Ligeia]

Free Republic is the shining city on the internet hill. Stay the course, there's still much work to be done. And in case I haven't said, "thank you" enough, thank you for all you and your family do for the rest of us. True patriots, all. We'll handle the finances, not to worry.

[lavaroise]

The title should have been:DO WE DESERVER FREE-REPUBLIC? ARE THE WRETCHED UNREPENTING TAX HATING FREEPERS WILLING TO MORPH THEIR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS INTO DUTIES AND REPENT TO JIM AND FREEREPUBLIC?

IF THERE IS A FRAUD OUT THERE, IT IS THE REPENT TO TERRORISTS. IN OTHER WORDS YOU AND FREEREPUBLIC HAVE MY VOTE.

NEVER REPENT SAVE FOR THESE WHO DESERVE YOUR REPENT. NEVER FORGET THE WTC!!!