Posted on 11/28/2001 7:31:29 PM PST by Jim Robinson
A quick crunch of the numbers shows that 10K people contributing just $3.00/month would yield $360,000 annually. $3.00 per month is less than one copy of the Sunday NY Times (ok--cheesy example).
I am amazed that people refuse to contribute unless it is mandatory. Maybe one day I'll reach a point where nothing amazes me anymore. If it must be mandatory, then so be it. I would recommend $5.00/month for kicks and giggles. Of course, there will be some who will continue to volunteer more.
BTW, I'm still banned. JimRob hates me more than he hates you, nayh, nayh, nayh. :-) :-)
I was under the impression that you hated me MOST. What's the deal?
Did your mom tell you that you'd never feel pain? - Grow up.
'Do you realize how it feels to be banned without just cause?"
Yep, bin there, done that, can't say that it won't happen again.
"Do you realize what it's like to be lied about when you can't rebut the lie due to your banned status?"
Yes I do.
When I got banned, it was really a surprize. - I had been exchanging barbs with Mojo, but anybody here with a brain did that. - I got zapped for expressing the opinion that Jim had erred by giving Connie more authority than she was ready for. - It wasn't that I had any real gripe with either of them; in fact I greatly admired both of them then as I still do now. - But Jim was under heavy attack that day, and didn't have time or energy for deep analysis.
Then, after getting banned, I made the real mistake: I joined a chorus of others in reacting with anger, and let my mouth run on subjects upon which I lacked sufficient knowledge to comment.
I regret doing that; I had no idea what Jim was going through, or how dependant FR had become on the donations that were needed to keep running. - That was why the "coven" was able to attack with impunity, not because Jim was in agreement with them, but because he could no longer do it alone.
"I'm done with it. But for the next couple of hours, I plan to stick around and see what plays out. I fully expect to get banned, so the pain will be non-exsistant."
Wrong attitude.
- You didn't get banned for your message, but for being in the middle of a cloud of agravation that is choking FR to death.
Don't you see how important this site is? - Stay with us and support it. - And don't let the noise drown out the music.
This black and white attitude is the root problem. So many people see free-speech as an all or nothing deal. Philosophically, this is an impossiblity. You and I are hopelessly bound up into a human conglomerate of diverse cultural backgrounds. Without limitations on pure freedom, we would annihilate one another. And so society has learned, for the common good, to limit individual freedoms. The U.S. has done the best job of protecting individual freedom without imposing those on the common good. Is it perfect? Hell no. But it is still the best there is. What is my point? You say,
Censorship, either by moderators or self-censorship, cannot lead to finding solutions to complex problems.
I say that if there is a land of absolutely no-censorship it is a land of make-believe. There has been and always will be censoring, and sometimes, even though I may not like it, it may be good and for the common-good. When I deny, as an individual, the rights of the common good, I become an advocate of totalitarianism.
You also said,
I for one feel that the “abuse” button is too often abused by those seeking to intimidate or silence thoughtful criticism.
I, for one, feel that the "abuse" button SHOULD be used when the common good is threatened by the selfless rhetoric of an anarchist.
Please don't take this personally. Just MHO about civil liberties. There are times when people are unfairly censored, but I am not talking about those times.
Uh, no and no.
Hope that helps!
I have no problem with heated dissent in an argument nor do I have a problem with people who have opinions that are not in agreement with mine. I do not think holding a dissenting opinion from the majority qualifies as poor forum manners.
There are also those that mistrust. I again suggest that those that mistrust - just go elsewhere rather than ruin the site for those that enjoy it. It is all voluntary. What right do the malcontents and distrustors have to take down something others enjoy.
Their efforts sound like the efforts of those who are offended by something, so that means that "something" must be banned for all others. Offended about God being mentioned - therefore, we are not allowed to mention God. Offended by the Ten Commandments, so we are not allowed to post the Ten Commandments. Offended by the flag, so the flag is banned, etc., etc., etc.
Such power we give the malcontents yet no power or rights to those who are content to continue with what they have.
Frankly, I am offended by the gripers and whiners, I am offended by those seeking to destroy FR, I am offended by those who feel they have the right to trash this site with their language. I am offended by those who seek to attack others posting just like they are.
Ok, let's see my offenses taken seriously and the gripers and whiners made to stop their whining, those that trash this site, made to stop it, those who attack, prevented from doing so. If I am ignored - it is unjust. Why are my complaints ignored but those of others listened to?
What is the Institute's budget, and from where does it derive its funding?
Finally, what impact does the institute have on the appeal with the Ninth Circuit, given your affidavit in that matter regarding chapters, activism, and so forth?
It's just about bin Laden losing his nads to a box cutter.
Howlin, as mad as I get at some of your comments, you make me laugh and I always end up wanting to invite you over for coffee (wine, actually Hehe). Dang....so ALL does not work for us...that is very, very elitist of you, Jim, one would think you owned this website or something! :^)
I say let's roll...
Any reason why you can't make the names of these lowlifes public? I sure would like to know who is trying to shut us down and why.
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