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Is Free Republic a Fraud? Is it time for Free Republic to go away?
Free Republic | 11/28/01 | Jim Robinson

Posted on 11/28/2001 7:31:29 PM PST by Jim Robinson

Free Republic has had one helluva run over the last five years or so. We helped impeach one president and helped get another into office. We've been active in demonstrations and protests in nearly every city across the nation. We've participated in conventions, petition drives, activism campaigns and projects for dozens of conservative causes.

We've grown from a tiny web site with a few hundred posters and readers from the time of inception in 1996, to one with tens of thousands of participants today. Along the way we've made lots of great friends and, unfortunately, also made lots of bitter enemies.

We've grown from a small web site that I could manage myself on a part-time basis to a huge monster that has totally consumed all of my time and resources plus nearly all of John's time, plus the time and resources of many dedicated FReepers who volunteer or contribute large amounts of their own time and money.

The site is now consuming all of a 10 mbps dedicated line with two servers and we're still growing, and it consumes large amounts of money to keep all this running. In the early years, it only took a few thousand dollars per month to keep Free Republic on the air, but it is now costing over $20,000 per month to cover all expenses.

The major costs include approximately $8,000 per month for bandwidth, 3,000 for systems management and programming services, 7,000 for management, operating and administrative services, plus two or three thousand per month for miscellaneous office expenses, telephone, communications, repairs & maintenance, travel & lodging, postage, rentals, insurance, legal fees, accounting fees, etc., etc.

We anticipate a reduction in bandwidth costs next year as we renegotiate our contract (the market price for bandwidth has fallen recently), however, that will be more than offset by an expected increase in costs of our legal expenses. As most of you know, our pro bono attorney has left us and we've hired a new attorney to continue with our case, plus we have the suit against eschoir to pay for. My projections are that our regular monthly expenses for next year will be running in the neighborhood of $22,000 per month, or approximately $264,000 total for the year. This means we will need to raise approximately $66,000 per quarter.

Talking about making enemies, we've got several ex-FReepers and other detractors who are claiming on their anti-freeper web sites that I am ripping off the donors and that Free Republic is a fraud. Now, Free Republic is what it is, and it is definitely not a fraud. It is a conservative news discussion forum that encourages participation in politics and activism projects. It is not being billed as anything else. We are not selling or promising anything. And I am being up front about our operating costs. The costs of running Free Republic are what I've stated above and they are necessary to keep FR on the air. I do not have the financial wherewithal to operate this site without your help. If the majority of the FReepers feel that these costs are out of line or too much to bear or that Free Republic is no longer wanted or needed, then we will either cut it back or shut it down or do something altogether different.

I've also been criticized about not making our financials public. Well, the reason I do not want to do this is that I have been sued, both personally and as Free Republic, LLC. The people suing us want to bankrupt us and shut us down. They subpoenaed our financial records, but we refused to turn them over. The judge agreed that the plaintiffs have no right to the information, thus I have no intention of making any more of it public than I absolutely have to, until this lawsuit is resolved. You all know the amounts of money we raise if you follow the fundraising threads. It is all above board and out in the open. The totals posted by BadJoe are usually pretty close to the actual cash received and the amounts expended are pretty close to the amounts projected. No one is getting rich here and no one is being ripped off. The funds raised are being used for the purposes stated, and that is keeping this website on the air and that's it. Nothing fraudulent about it. Those who want to help fund us freely do so with nothing expected in return. Those who do not want to contribute do not have to.

There was a thread running this morning where people were making all kinds of accusations about Free Republic "hiding the truth" or whatever. These accusations are being made by Chuck Allan and others and fall along the same line with the accusations being made by some of the earlier banees or AFers including Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan, Arator, keep U.S. Sovereign, TKEman and others. Some of these people are existing FReepers and some are banned. I am going to reinstate Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan and Arator's accounts so they can join Chuck Allan, TKEman, K.U.S.S. and whomever else wants to get involved, and I invite them to come onto this thread and make their accusations public. As long as they do not go onto other threads and make a nuisance of themselves, I will let them have their say.

Like I said above, if it is time for Free Republic to go away so be it. Those who want to keep it going speak up. Those who want it to go away, tell us why. But if those who want it to be gone lose out in the debate, then I'd say they should just go away themselves, or, in the very least, shut up and quit whining about it.

Thanks,

Jim


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; Breaking News
KEYWORDS: bushbabeslist; enviralists; hughhewitt; jimroblist; opuslist; usocanteen; zionist
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To: Jim Robinson
As most of you know, our pro bono attorney has left us

Is that Clarity you are speaking of? (I know very little about these things.......too busy keeping up with the gov. type threads.)

If any freeper reading this post wishes to answer my question then feel free to do so......and thanks.

1,241 posted on 11/29/2001 7:19:09 AM PST by Jackie222
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To: Inspector Harry Callahan; Howlin; diotima; Jim Robinson
LOL!! You're funny. Jim is the victim here, right? I'm just "Howlin" with laughter over here. ROFLMAO!!! Good one!

Do you always piss on the carpets of people's homes you go to visit?

1,242 posted on 11/29/2001 7:19:43 AM PST by Cultural Jihad
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To: BADJOE
Hello Joe. Good to see you again. If I don't see you again before the banishment hammer falls, have a wonderful Holiday season.

Best wishes,
Callahan

1,243 posted on 11/29/2001 7:20:07 AM PST by Inspector Harry Callahan
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To: Cacique
It usually comes through anywy. If so you have a thank you from me already unless you mistyped your e-mail addy. One thank you came back and I can't figure out the error.
1,244 posted on 11/29/2001 7:20:36 AM PST by BADJOE
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To: Cultural Jihad
Gee, imagine that. Cultural Jihad accuses a fellow FReeper of "peeing on the carpet". This is so "out of character" for you...

ROFL!!

1,245 posted on 11/29/2001 7:21:57 AM PST by Inspector Harry Callahan
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To: Jim Robinson
I just thought I'd add to this thread, which is already over 1200 posts. I'm a relatively new FReeper, I just discovered this site last summer and I must admit, I am addicted to it. This is the only place where I can discuss conservative points of view with others without being personally attacked. It's comforting to know that there are many others out there that share my views and concerns about this great nation, particularly in a time of war. I hadn't given any money yet, because I was until now unaware of the financial situation that this site finds itself in. I pledge to give as much as I can, and I hope others will do the same. Don't ever give up. Keep fighting the good fight. I'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my fellow FReepers to keep this baby going...
1,246 posted on 11/29/2001 7:21:59 AM PST by LaBradford22
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To: Jim Robinson
Jim, I have FR to thank for many blessings. We helped shape the American story with this website. Whatever I can give, all you have to do is ask. I'm gonna approach some folks I know to take the burden off you and your son. I'm not promising anything, but it's always worth the effort. I'm sure you remember what happened to Paul Weyrich when some legal sharpies got hold of America's Voice TV Network. Just to destroy it! Fear Not and continue on, for yours it a good and righteous cause. May God Bless you and your family.

DrMike

1,247 posted on 11/29/2001 7:24:14 AM PST by STD
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To: KC Burke; everyone
This is crazy. I've been reading LAT/WP and wondering what that could mean, and then it hit me! That's the lawsuit mentioned on the hompage right, the one about the posting of articles from the L.A.Times and the Washington Post? That's just nuts that they want to take any money raised or equipment purchased with said money! Who do they think they are anyway? What's the big deal about sharing some articles on a message board anyway?

Jeesh! If anyone needed any more evidence of "subversive, liberal mentality", I think they just got it! I myself am gonna go read more about this pending lawsuit; should prove to be an interesting read.

1,248 posted on 11/29/2001 7:24:44 AM PST by FourtySeven
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To: VA Advogado
How much does it cost to scour the site for dissenting opinions, no matter how accurate? Maybe those who read and post here are intelligent enough to read articles, discern information from misinformation and form there own opinions. But then again you are right, that is what left wing sites are for.
1,249 posted on 11/29/2001 7:25:47 AM PST by fallclassicus
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To: Jim Robinson
I don't have time to read this whole thread, so I hope my answer is repetitive: KEEP IT! THANK YOU! I've been around here for several years and I've seen some FReepers come and go, but you get that with any organization. There are always going to be whiners, but that's the price you pay when you move forward with any great endeavor. God bless you, Jim, and God bless the Free Republic!
1,250 posted on 11/29/2001 7:26:15 AM PST by LikeLight
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To: Jim Robinson
Is this a joke? FreeRepublic is my one stop portal on the internet. I barely go anywhere else. How 'bout they can take FreeRepublic from you when they pry it from your cold dead fingers? - Until then, keep hope alive.
1,251 posted on 11/29/2001 7:26:31 AM PST by Michael2001
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To: fallclassicus; Lazamataz; 1John; Jim Robinson
I reserve all my 'carping' for the 'FReepathon Fishing Contests'--


1,252 posted on 11/29/2001 7:27:15 AM PST by d14truth
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To: diotima
"I think Harry took exception to what he perceived to be a public mischaracterization of his behavior here."

That is correct. Thank you.

1,253 posted on 11/29/2001 7:28:13 AM PST by Inspector Harry Callahan
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To: BADJOE
Hey Joe,

I caught that post of yours about the anti-terrorist weapon you designed for airplane travel. Great stuff!

If I were to assemble one of those on an airplane, could I be arrested? Just wondering, 'cause that's a hell of a deadly little gadget you got there.

1,254 posted on 11/29/2001 7:28:18 AM PST by Z2
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To: Jim Robinson
PLEASE keep FreeRepublic open!!! There are always going to be people who will disagree with you and/or try to harm your livelyhood. Your site must be making a difference for the conservative movement or the people who dislike your site or political views wouldn't be making such false accusations. Heck, I'd PAY to use this site (at a reasonable fee of course). Keep Free Republic up and running F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!!! Thanks for all of your hard work!
1,255 posted on 11/29/2001 7:28:24 AM PST by ConservativeyetHotChick
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To: DCBryan1
"Why can't you make Free Republic a pay-per-use website? "

If he did that it would cease to be the same site it is now.

1,256 posted on 11/29/2001 7:29:05 AM PST by sweetliberty
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To: Fiddlstix
Good to meet you. Maybe we can do some business.

Nice to meet you as well. Not likely that we can do business however, because I don't do business with the public, only broker dealers. Happy to exchange market opinions with you from time to time though. Take care.

1,257 posted on 11/29/2001 7:33:37 AM PST by Protagoras
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To: Inspector Harry Callahan; diotima
"I think Harry took exception to what he perceived to be a public mischaracterization of his behavior here."

That is correct. Thank you.

You just sneered at Jim Robinson in #1235. Does Diotima wish to retract her statement?

1,258 posted on 11/29/2001 7:34:01 AM PST by Cultural Jihad
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To: Jim Robinson; BADJOE; Bob J
Jim you have suffered the slings and arrows of AFers and trial lawyers and done it with a grace and dignity that is not matched in this day and age.

You deserve not only our thanks for founding FreeRepublic but a medal for your personal sacrifices to the cause of conservative principles.

During the last fundraiser I was trying to decide how much to give. I took a long look at how much time I spend here and how many new friends I have because of FreeRepublic and decided rather than one check I would sign up for a monthly contribution. Now I know that even if I forget to mail a check the money is getting to where it needs to go in spite of my forgetfulness. My only regret is that I can't give more.

There is an invisible army at FreeRepublic of people like BadJoe, Bob Johnson and many others who in addition to you give their time and talents to make FreeRepublic the beacon of light in the liberal darkness.

Thank you all for what you do and for the time that you take from your own lives to make FreeREpublic great.

God Bless you all!

ReaganGirl

1,259 posted on 11/29/2001 7:34:05 AM PST by ReaganGirl
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To: Jim Robinson
"(snip).......These accusations are being made by Chuck Allan and others and fall along the same line with the accusations being made by some of the earlier banees or AFers including Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan, Arator, keep U.S. Sovereign, TKEman and others.......(snip)"

You wouldn't happen to have time to document some of these imagined accusations, would you? Like a link or something? You know, just something that would direct me (and others) to a post somewhere on the internet where I've supposedly accused you of financial funny business.

That okay, I can wait. I realize it may take a "while". LOL!!

Thanks in advance!

1,260 posted on 11/29/2001 7:34:14 AM PST by Inspector Harry Callahan
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