[Jhoffa_]

I say he should..

Bill 'O is making a fortune, Rush Limbaugh is making a fortune.. The Conservative ideal sells, it's worth something and when given a chance we dominate in every way, shape and form..

So, what's so different about FR? Why should FR be exempt from these rewards?

Your comments please.

[RJL]

Yes, Jim should make money from FR.

[Bob J]

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Tonight The Shrew will host William S. Lind of the Free Congress Foundation on Radio Free Republic! Tune in to hear one of the foremost military writers discuss the article he has co-written with Paul Weyrich!

Click HERE to listen LIVE while you FReep!

Click HERE to chat in the RadioFR chat room!

[Consort]

Salon.commie had a poll like this just before they started charging a fee.

[myrabach]

Of course he should make money!!! He might love all us cute little things and love hearing all our witty and wise comments... but how's that gonna pay the rent?

[Octar]

Mr. Robinson should run this site as he sees fit. Whether he makes money or not is none of my business. And if he does make money running this site, how much he makes is also none of my business.

[MonroeDNA]

My goal is for Jim to make a fortune here, but unfortunately I'm pretty durn sure that is not what he seeks. If I had a fortune to give, it would be to him.

According to my posting headline, I am officially member #39, and a Libertarian, to boot. Around 5 years now.

Jim started this forum out of the patriotic goodness of his heart. Nothing more; nothing less.

He was sick of the liberal media dominating all forms of the dominant press. He started this site on a shoestring, with his own money and time. He is in a wheelchair, for those of you who don't know it (please don't pull this for telling the truth!). He is a patriot, and has his own strong views, but believes in freedom of the press. And this site is exactly a free press. Be humble.

He ran this site for a long time by himself, and as it grew from maybe 200 people to a thousand, then tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, he did whatever he could to keep up.

Always on a shoestring, because Jim Robinson does not believe in handouts, nor is he afraid of hard work. Volunteers first helped out, then as the site grew so fast, they were overwhelmed. No choice: Hire people. Capitalism. Thank God unions aren't pounding at the door.

Some of us remember the early days, when things were so tight it almost went under several times. We loved this site so much that we sent checks fedex. We all pitched in, as much as we could, and gave until it hurt.

It hurt so good. FreeRepublic survived!!!!

This site changed the world! A site for freedom that is now read around the world. Democrats despise us; socialist hate us; communists fear us.

I can't speak for Jim, but I would imagine he had no idea his die-hard patriotic streak would lead to people from China and Zimbabwae telling the truth here, and pleading their help. People from every country in the world (with a modem) tap into this site, and plead their case. You don't find the real hardcore truth anywhere else, and you know it.

I now contribute a modest $20 per month to see to it that this site never goes away. If I sound like a fundraiser type-of-guy, then so be it. I really don't care, other than I love this site, and am protective of it. If you respect Jim, and the work it took to get here, then sign up for $3 per month. That's all. Ten cents a day. Do it by credit card, online here. A dime a day. That much would be so greatly appreciated, you have no idea. Freedom is worth it. Would you rather go to CNN.com?

My screen name comes from a long lineage of men much better than I (figure it out). I hope that with this post, I have honored them well.

And as far as wether or not it is appropriate for Jim to make a profit, I would suggest pulling your head out of your a$$.

You can quote me on that.

[davisdoug]

free market...
ideas+implementation=success
those who take the risk deserve the reward
the weak and uninformed always disappear.

[MattinNJ]

Absolutely. God bless him. He provides a service to many conservatives and deserves to be compensated accordingly. I don't know what I would do w/out Free Republic. I find 10-20% of the threads and comments to be informative and inspiring. In addition there is comfort in knowing that there are like minded people out there. Whoever says they're entitled to a non-profit web site is a liberal-pure and simple. It's a privilege, not a right to be a member.

[SamAdams76]

Personally I haven't seen much whining at all here about FR's finances. Maybe it's because I don't lurk at those anti-Freep sites. Maybe it's because I've somehow missed those threads. I don't know.

All I know is I pay my $30 a month because I like the site and spend maybe 90% of my internet time here. I appreciate it and would like to do my part to keep it going. If they take my money and use it to support the conservative cause, that's a bonus. But Free Republic can spend the money on cake and ice cream for all I care. I pay the money because I really appreciate the site where I can come and discuss current events with somewhat intelligent people. I'd hate to see it go away. I also like reading the Wall Street Journal and I pay those folks about $30 a month too (including access to their website). They can also spend that money on cake and ice cream if they wish. I really don't care. Just so long as I get my paper every day.

[CounterCounterCulture]

I have no problem with Jim Robinson making money off this site. All the effort, ability, and passion he has put into this venture should be rewarded. Same for his son John's work here too.

That said, legally, should he make a profit? Making money opens up a can of worms to potential new lawsuits by leftist media outlets (or even non-leftist outlets), even though we have the LAT/WP settlement in the books.

I want this bold experiment in conservatism to continue and hope any future decisions do not affect the future of this site negatively.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Damn right he should and it's none of my business, either.

[RightOnline]

Should he? Can't answer that. However..........if FR was mine, with the "numbers" that FR has? Would I find ways to generate one helluvan income from it??

Damned right I would.

[cmsgop]

And stop "googling" Liz Cheney..

You Cannot Prove That , I went to a googling rehab in '97 and then took up Golf and Mass Amounts of Gin.......

[Dasaji]

I hope JR is making money with this HUGE endeavor to keep us all up to the minute in the world's events.

I have foregone my local paper, WSJ and IBD which makes up for what I send here in donations. Better JR gets it than the owner of my local liberal rag! (which, btw, becomes parrot cage paper should one find its way into my house.)

[JonH]

I have no problem with JR making a profit on Free Republic.

If the market is willing to support the enterprise its fine by me!!!

[mombonn]

A hearty yes and amen to all who say JimRob should make a profit - as a matter of fact, Rush is the first person who came to my mind when I read the title.

Thanks again, Jim and John, the nameless moderators, and countless others who labor tirelessly to make FR the greatest site in the universe!

[Taxman]

Yes!

I hope that Jim and John make as much money off of FRee Republic as Rush Limbaugh has off of his radio show and his other ventures.

[RebelDawg]

Of course he should. Why shouldn't he?

I vote yes!

[subterfuge]

Why not? Personally, I'm already donating anyway so its all good from my POV.

[technochick99]

I think he ought to, of course! I also vote that we should have a way to dedicate a portion of our money to go to a bonus for JohnRob.