Posted on 03/04/2007 4:46:35 PM PST by johniegrad
Even though we are still almost two years out from the presidential election, it is clear that the candidates are campaigning in earnest. This has led to some acromonious discussions with accusations flying about posters' motives and dedication to the principles of conservatism. While these frank discussions could be healthy for pounding out the details in a primary, some here are indicating their unequivocal refusal to support some candidates if they are nominated after the primaries. Furthermore, valuable posters have discussed their disatisfaction with the website as a forum for discussing conservatism and some have threatened to leave.
Given these observations, I'd like to republish the posting of the website owner from a few years ago.
Statement by the founder of Free Republic:
In our continuing fight for freedom, for America and our constitution and against totalitarianism, socialism, tyranny, terrorism, etc., Free Republic stands firmly on the side of right, i.e., the conservative side. Believing that the best defense is a strong offense, we (myself and those whom I'm trying to attract to FR) support the strategy of taking the fight to the enemy as opposed to allowing the enemy the luxury of conducting their attacks on us at home on their terms and on their schedule.
Therefore, we wholeheartedly support the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive strikes on known terrorist states and organizations that are believed to present a clear threat to our freedom or national security. We support our military, our troops and our Commander-in-Chief and we oppose turning control of our government back over to the liberals and socialists who favor appeasement, weakness, and subserviency. We do not believe in surrendering to the terrorists as France, Germany, Russia and Spain have done and as Kerry, Kennedy, Clinton and the Democrats, et al, are proposing.
As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty.
Free Republic is private property. It is not a government project, nor is it funded by government or taxpayer money. We are not a publicly owned entity nor are we an IRS tax-free non-profit organization. We pay all applicable taxes on our income. We are not connected to or funded by any political party, news agency, or any other entity. We sell no merchandise, product or service, and we offer no subscriptions or paid memberships. We accept no paid advertising or promotions. We are funded solely by donations (non tax deductible gifts) from our readers and participants.
We aggressively defend our God-given and first amendment guaranteed rights to free speech, free press, free religion, and freedom of association, as well as our constitutional right to control the use and content of our own personal private property. Despite the wailing of the liberal trolls and other doom & gloom naysayers, we feel no compelling need to allow them a platform to promote their repugnant and obnoxious propaganda from our forum. Free Republic is not a liberal debating society. We are conservative activists dedicated to defending our rights, defending our constitution, defending our republic and defending our traditional American way of life.
Our God-given liberty and freedoms are not negotiable.
May God bless and protect our men and women in uniform fighting for our freedom and may God continue to bless America.
Jim Robinson
It's a good opinion, in my estimation.
Keep the faith.
"Conservative" is a word liberals gave republicans to offset the word "progressive" they chose for themselves..
Conservative meaning "more of the same".. progressive meaning a step forward..
Looks like YOU have been hornwoggled.. by the commies..
Pity..
Lots of that going around; we must have missed the "memo."
Then issue is not what Goldwater did when he was 85 & doddering, or even before that. Look at the original post. The issue is what did Jim Robinson want, and how are we fulfilling his hopes?
Since you didn't seem to read it the first time, I will quote it:
As a conservative site, Free Republic is PRO_GOD, PRO_LIFE, PRO_FAMILY, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, PRO_GUN, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We OPPOSE all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced ATHEISM, ABORTIONISM, FEMINISM, HOMOSEXUALISM, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc.
If you have a quarrel with social conservatism, why not take it to the site owner, not us?
Frankly, a Conservative is one who keeps his nose out of others bedrooms, pocketbooks, personal and private lives. He's a patriot and a relative cheapskate. He's a friend to his neighbor and a servant to his Creator. He's a good businessman and a terrible interloper. He's a good friend, just don't p!ss him off.
I missed the same memo! Seems to be a daily reminder now. Maybe we should do a pool on how long we have left here before they decide to vote us off FR!
I'm not ready to settle for anything less than 100% for now.
No, I don't expect to **end up** with 100%...
But no savvy negotiator goes into a deal with the price tag already marked down and the asking price 1/3 off their Actual Cost. Actual cost as the price of giving up moral ground. Actual cost in pain and suffering of the unborn and aged. Actual cost in missed blessings of righteousness: "Blessed is the Nation whose God is the LORD."
And that's what giving up moral imperatives for a candidate like Rudy would do.
Don't settle so cheap, Sister!
"My mama told me, you gotta shop around."
Just keep window-shopping for a while. And if you are a person of prayer, pray for America.
No hosepipe, conservative meaning hold on to the great nation that the founders gave us. Not necessarily perfect, but still the best to come along.
You had a very nice post. Thank you for that.
But please...show me any of my posts where I have said I would vote for a particular candidate!
As teenagers say:
A conservative website, originally populated by monthly subscriber conservatives mostly of the Republican Party affiliation. Lately, sleeper cells of "psudeo-conservatives" are attempting to shove liberal RINOs down our throats, IMHO, against the owner's purpose statement.
OK...so why did you ping me on this thread? I don't really appreciate random pings, especially when they're rude.
So as his guest, what? Am I required to pay some homage to you or others here. I'm not bashing the social right. I simply want the "agenda" kept out of the presidential campaign.
Look at Jim's statement. The man IS a social conservative. That's what almost all conservatives were, before conservatism was "cool," and the children of the 60s climbed on the bandwagon with their countercultural ideas.
Given that statement of yours, I doubt either of us would profit from an in-depth discussion of conservatism and what it really is.
You take care.
Thank you PKM!
Lots of waging going on on that already. :-)
Someone has finally replaced George Bush in being the cause of global warming, why non-stick pans stick, cellulite, poor gas mileage and little blue pill politics.
You are wrong.. "conservative" as a word does not mean that at all.. You've been brain washed badly.. Words mean stuff.. private definitions are for the crazy...
Now, that makes sense to me.
it's been infiltrated lately. We already knew about the Darwinists, but this Ann Coulter thing has caused the Pro-Homo crowd to out themselves. Almost like it's a coordinated effort. Soros, is that you?
Up yours, newbie.
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