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

Free Republic | 11/28/01 | Jim Robinson

[Howlin]

. I will pay a lot if you make it a subscription site. Nothing till then. It is a crime if you are not making a profit here and it is an equal crime that any fool can waltz in here and screw the place up at will

So I see.

[AshleyMontagu]

Don't pull the plug! FR is the best site on the web. If we all chip in we can keep it going. Thanks for all you've done.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Free Republic Network...COMING VERY SOON!

I hope that there will be some sort of effort made at recruiting at the CPAC, which will be likely the largest meeting of cadre type conservatives for at least the next 6 months.

[Skywalk]

I agree with your sentiments. Keep FR Going strong. Ignore the naysayers, they are sunshine patriots!

[BADJOE]

I can get it. Thank you.

[theirjustdue]

Jim, there's no way I could begin to put a dollar amount on what I've received through the years, here at FR, or thank you enough for making it all possible, but whatever is decided it takes to keep FR going, please count me in. In the meantime, a donation will be forthcoming.

Thanks Jim!

[Licensed-To-Carry]

BUMP

[bootyist-monk]

I want my...
I want my...
I want my Free Reee Peee

This site must stay, Jim. Yours is the best conservative site on the web. I'm sure I speak for others when I say you are a daily must hit (often five or six times to be honest). Screw the critics. If they can accomplish what you've been able to... then let them. Otherwise, they can take a flyin' you-know-what.

I don't agree with every sentiment on this site, but isn't that the point?

On a personal note, your site has spawned one of the most widely read rants ever to hit the web, which started as a post I left here on FreeRepublic. I knew the power of your site first-hand when my father spamed me with my own words. I have always credited the Bad Republican/Bad American rant's popularity not to my post, but to the amazing draw this site has for conservatives on the web.

Know that your fan base is a mile wide and ten miles deep.

Best,
Bootyist

[Graewoulf]

In America, most important decisions are made at the kitchen table. It is a warm, safe place where relatives and close friends gather to discuss their individual or mutual concerns. One can discuss freely, with the full knowledge that at the next meeting all that was said will be accepted as sincere opinions for each participant, with no grudges held.

For me, the above "kitchen table" sense is found throughout FR: safe conversation with strangers in a "kitchen table" setting.

Although many FR's are shining examples of "kitchen table" replys, two threads come to mind as FR at it's best: "Word for the Day" and "The Guild."

FR is also a place to ventilate one's emotions -- I gave up reading the op. ed. section in newspapers long ago.

FR is a place to congregate and learn from the articles on a myriad of topics in a short amount of time.

FR gives each of us the opportunity to test an idea amongst our peers.

FR fills the void that "the media" refuses to fill: each of us may stand and deliver, at any time and on any subject.

[stylin_geek]

I take issue with being a mean SOB. It strikes me that in reality you do not suffer fools gladly. If pointing out the fallacy of pointy-haired fools is mean, then yeah, I guess you are a cold, unforgiving SOB.

I anted up within 5 days of joining this site, and will be sending in another check this month. I guess I will just have to find the means to send in a monthly check.

[Brian Allen]

You have to be kidding Jim, You are the Rush Limbaugh of the internet. Huh!!?

Mr Limbaugh should be so lucky [And/or so delusional!] as to even fantasize about being radio's Jim Robinson!

HehHehHehHeh

[God bless you, Jim Robinson -- and keep you ..... Preferably RICH!]

[tracer]

Jim, a compromise between FR being a fee-for-access site and a free site would be the inclusion of "premium forums" within the FR main site. Access could be offered for a very nominal fee such as $3/month (X 7,000 subscribers = $21,000/month).

A variety of "specialized" content and topical forums (e.g., professional/expert legal, medical, law enforcement, military, intelligence, etc.) could be offered and might serve to free up bandwidth on the rest of the existing FR.

The fee-for-access basis of the "premium forums" likely would tend to discourage the participation of disruptors, airheads, windbags, etc. As word of the success and value of the "premium forums" spreads among FReeperdom, a gradual transition to an entirely fee-for-access FR may well take place.

I am confident that several serious FReepers would join me in making a donation/investment in this enhancement to this valuable forum.....

[patriciaruth]

I go white every time I read about your threats to Lucianne, your collection of nerotic kitsch art, and your massive illegal gun collection (

LOL!! Gosh, where can I go to find fun stuff like that?

Hey, Jim, all of the above are okay by me even if true.

[Silvertip]

You do a great job that's really tough.

[AKA Elena]

To All:

There have been many well intentioned suggestions about supporting FRT through ad revenue (do we really want this site cluttered up with ads about K cars and Tidybowl anyway?), subscriptions, membership fees etc. At this point, FR cannot do any of these things without violating it's FAIR USE claim in the lawsuit. It's been gone over many times and the only viable way to fund this site is through the individual voluntary donations from it's fans. Taking subscriptions or membership fees would mean excerpting and linking and Jim (and most others) feel this would take away fromt he essential nature of the site. Plus, we'd have to lose ALL the archives.

I have highlighted the portions of this post of Bob J's to let those who don't realize that there is a lawsuit still in appeal that would be jeopardized (further) from being settled in JR's and FR's favor, if we acted like a real profit making business ... which we are NOT

1. WOW. I had no idea how expensive it is to run this site.
I know that the actual costs have been alluded to more than once on the FREEPATHON threads.

2. Hugh Hewitt just said on his show today that most talk show hosts use FR as their resource for info. (They owe you.)

3. HOW ABOUT A PLEDGE DRIVE with gifts like on PBS. "Free Republic" t-shirts, bumperstickers, mugs, umbrellas-- your special gift depending upon the size of the contribution.
We already have or had all (most) of those items in the FR store -- is it Bob J or doughty one or who that had the inventory. The coolest thing I ever saw (wanted/had on my personal wish list) was the FR jacket. All the hints in the world never convinced any of my family that I should have one though and they are Wa-a-a-a-ay over my budget (I think they were $80, or so).

4. Is there any way to cut down on non-fixed expenses?

5. I'm curious to know what percentage of your costs is covered by ads.
The ads you see are not "paid advertising", at all ... they are representative of CONSERVATIVE "personas" -- or like minded persons who don't wear that "label".

6. I don't understand why, if you currently have for-profit status, you would need to justify your budget.
See Bob J's remarks!

7. Until you just mentioned it, I didn't know there were any anti-FR sites.
I've never been to one of them (only went to L.com [not an anti Freeper site, is she?] once ... to see how she had absconded with JR's and therefore FR's format). Had a feeling about "Trixie" before she left FR, and was not a member of her "court" anyway. I don't think that it benefits us to acknowledge in public that they are being watched.

I am not on your or any one else's "case" C G, but these items are largely a part of FR History.

Not only does this person (ME, way below the poverty level in income) keep up with and remember vital pieces of the FR history ... I would be "homeless" online, without FR!

I hereby pledge 5% of every Schipperke that I sell for as long as FR is around -- not a fortune, but I have already had to bow out of a monthly tap on my account. As of tomorrow, I hope that will be about $15.00 on an "old" puppy.

I ALWAYS am terribly guilt ridden at being a "freeloader", in comparison, if nothing else, in this "House of Robinson".

BTW, to whomever it is that refers to "the brothers Robinson", I have never met any of them, but John and Chris are Jim and Sheila's sons and quite young (not that J and S are old).

[patriciaruth]

What IS nerotic kitsch art? Could you bring some to the next FReep?

[kstewskis]

I'm up for a paid membership/subscription. That way you'd be able to budget easier monthy/quarterly, and we get to continue to Freep/Rant. This site is way to valuable to toss away! We are grateful to you Jim, count on support!

[asneditor]

As I have said before; I will be glad to donate some bandwidth if you need it. Sorry I cannot afford to donate monetarily. Just let me know. David ASNEDITOR

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

You've got freepmail. I have an idea.

[Lizzy W]

I love FR. Thanks for letting me come here. The malcontents can kiss it.