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,
Yet one of your most virulent critics -- Mojo -- a person who has at least 6,502 Gigabytes of records (and counting) -- somehow just couldn't work up the courage to actually show his face here. I don't think I have ever had less respect for a human being. His craven, trembling, lilyhearted cowardice is amazing to behold. He'll talk all his crap over in his little septic tank of a forum, but here -- with full posting privileges -- he's a no-show!
I'd love to meet the frightened little worm IRL, just to watch him flinch and sweat.
and also to allow those who support FR a place to voice their opinions on whether we should continue or fold up. The anti-Freezers have long held that if only the Freezers knew the truth about me and the fraud of FR, then they would all go away.
You think that they will go away now??? To quote them: "Oh, my sides!!!"
Well, time will tell if many people have been swayed by their tales of horror,
I looked a long time ago. About you, I honestly feel they could not be more wrong. I'm sure, in hindsight, there are various things you might have done differently -- but excuse you for being human and fallible! In the big picture, it has always seemed to me -- by your postings as well as your moderation -- that your goal has been simply this: The return of America to a Constitutional Government. (As an aside, I think we are the least likely we have ever been to attain this goal, what with some of the 'anti-terrorism' laws that have been passed and are being proposed lately.
Now I'm happy to say that I have absolutely no intent of ever shutting down Free Republic.
Never thought you meant that for a second. That was -- how does Pesky put it? "Performance Art". :o)
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!
And I have repeatedly told you that you are a moderator apart from the fold. In all my years on the Internet -- and on Fidonet before that -- I've never seen such a proficient moderator. Willing to keep a light hand on things, yet relentlessly dedicated to the cause to which you have embraced. And the hours you put into things are staggering! I sure know I could not do it.
Now, of course, this text by me will be viewed by the antifreep crowd as fawning obsequiousness. I guess I am not entitled to my opinions about you unless they are bad opinions, right? ;^)
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.
And how else will we be able to demonstrate how they twist the news? They go back and revise the most absurd parts of their stories, and then claim they never wrote what they wrote. We need this ability to catch them in the numerous and flagrant lies. 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.
One word: CLONING. I thank each and every one of you
You're welcome. And thank YOU!!!