And now for the rest of the story.... Free Republic is here to stay!

Very sorry if the thread I posted yesterday entitled "Is Free Republic a Fraud? Is it time for Free Republic to go away?" startled some of you. The thread was posted simply to allow the people who are criticizing Free Republic and accusing us of fraud to have a place to post their charges, and also to allow those who support FR a place to voice their opinions on whether we should continue or fold up. The anti-FReepers have long held that if only the FReepers knew the truth about me and the fraud of FR, then they would all go away. Well, time will tell if many people have been swayed by their tales of horror, but no one can say that I did not give them a chance to get it all out into the open.

Now I'm happy to say that I have absolutely no intent of ever shutting down Free Republic. The only reason that was in my title was because of the AFers claim. I have stated on many occasions that Free Republic will be on the air as long as the FReepers feel it is needed and viable. If the WP/LAT is successful in bankrupting me or the corporation, then we will find another way to keep our discussion site running. There is absolutely no way that they can shutdown our right to assemble on the internet and voice our opinions and criticisms of the government and or of the so-called free press. In that, we will persevere, I guarantee you!

I want to thank all of you who have suggested various ways to change our operating model to one profiting by selling subscriptions, or advertising, or merchandise or other commercial ventures, but have to say that we cannot do any of those things at this time. We are restricted from engaging in any commercial business because of the fair use laws. Now, some of this might change in the future depending on clarification from the court if we win on appeal or at the Supreme Court level, but I wouldn't bet on it. As long as we are posting full text articles we will probably have to remain non commercial.

I also want to thank all of you who have posted your supporting comments. I'd like to reply to all of them, but looks like the count is now running to 2,000 and beyond and there is no way that I can respond to each one individually. I thank each and every one of you and I thank God that you are on our team. Same goes for all of you who are donating to keep FR on the air. We would not be here without your support and we all appreciate it very much.

Well of course you never had any attention of shutting this site down. You've already said as much. That post was for rooting out "naysayers".

What a sorry way to jump-start a flurry of donations. Your tactic is as dishonest as hell and doesn't speak too well of you in my book. I wouldn't even say it was a stroke of genius because it is quite obvious to anyone with two eyes to read and half a brain.

Your strategy is so very transparent.

You bait your enemies (or those who speak out against your policies) to the forum and give the more rabid members something to sink their teeth into. Give them a reason to band together in a feeding frenzy and work themselves into a DONATING lather. Then you sit back and enjoy the show as your stooges do the job of defending, praising and worshipping you. Do you enjoy the wretched displays of insults and arguments done in your name like two people fighting over a lover? What's you game JR...really? This is all do damned UNECESSARY...and you know it.

You bait people to a thread insinuating FR might have to shut down all the while knowing you haven't the slightest intention of shutting FR down. Why the dishonesty? Why the bait? Why the game-playing?

I'm nobody big....just a mother with four kids. I haven't been here that long...just since last May. At first I enjoyed this site...for a very short while. I'm not wealthy but we have money in the bank. I was more than willing to contribute to this site if I felt it was worth it. Just about the time I thought I had found a really good site to get behind here...and satisfied myself that it was worth giving to...an article I posted got pulled by you. It was an article by Mike Ruppert concerning the trading that was done just before the World Trade Center was hit. And that was just about the time you got so PC about Bush. I received an email message from you which stated it was "BS, don't post this crap on the forum".

Well...I've got news for you I've seen some crap posted on this forum that the crap I posted can't hold a candle to. But...all that aside...my way of thinking is why would I be so stupid as to send money to support a forum where my views and the veiws of others is dismissed simply because it is not PC to you or your inside crowd? I wouldn't give this site a dime if I cannot freely express my views here. In all honesty...would you?

You may be the owner of this forum but you cannot make it without the people who participate here. YOU need them. I say them because you don't need me...because I wouldn't give you one red cent. You also need the articles they post. The people on this forum are providing you with a pretty good living so maybe you ought to cut them some slack. You may work hard here but it's not like you are not getting anything out of it....even if you would like some to believe that.

This may be your baby...but those who give and want to... do have right to know what's going on with the money. If the people who surround you are pissing it away in divers ways it might have an impact on some little old ladies or men who are giving donations out of their pension...people who are sending you their Christmas money, etc...you know things like that.

I have never been banned but I do welcome it if you see fit. That or just erase my membership information. I can't support this site under it's present conditions and as such...I really don't deserve to participate. Nor do I care to any longer. It's certainly not of any interest to me when I cannot state my views while abiding by the rules.

The thread regarding FR being a fraud is nothing more than a tactic for pulling in donations. And you should be ashamed of yourself for not only baiting dissenters but your loyal membership too.

I only hope Mojo..whoever he is...has the good sense not to fall for your bait.

As far as flame-throwers coming to your defense against me...have at it. I will not respond to any posts as I am not going to play that game and continue to add fuel to the fire of this disgusting ploy for donations and JR worship.

Frankly, I find it disturbing that some act as if freeping here is a drug that they are addicted to. Maybe addiction is the right word to use for folks who don't ever question anything...whether it's right or wrong...they just want their next fix. "I'll give you money...just give me my fix!...beat me..beat me...make me write bad checks!" LOL. You all have a very merry Christmas...and may FR survive as long as it is destined to.

I usually don't reply to rants such as yours, but I have a couple of questions.

The people on this forum are providing you (Jim) with a pretty good living.

Would you care to explain on what you are basing this statement? Do you have knowledge of the "living" that Jim is being provided with from the contributors of this site?

You (Jim) may work hard here but it's not like you are not getting anything out of it....even if you would like some to believe that.

Again, what makes you think you know what Jim is "getting out of it"?

These are honest questions, I am not trying to be antagonistic, but I don't like to see this kind of misinformation spread around. I believe you are wrong in your assumptions. And I can tell you on what I am basing my statement. FReepMail me if you like.

I am sorry that your experience here has caused you to become so bitter. Maybe your time would be better spent if you located another website more to your liking.

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