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
Every time I see a thread like this, I have a great urge to pull out all my hair and look for a big, flat rock to bag my head against until I lose consciousness. As a hobby, believe me, there are better things to do.
I haven't posted a lot on FR in the past few years, but I've been involved with the site long enough to know (It says 1996, but there was a glitch regarding my screen name. It's really more like 1993) that we run through these spells where we want to choose up sides and say bad things about each other. Does anyone else realize how stupid this is?
Yes, there have always been lurkers and closet Dems, not-so closet Dems, honestly curious Dems, Dem party shills, Reagan Democrats. anarchists, objectivists, friendly libertarians, not-so-friendly libertarians, atheists, and so many various wings and sub-wings of the GOP that I refuse to even attempt to count them. If I remember rightly, we even had a constitutional monarchist once. Besides, it does not matter. What matters is do we stick together for the general elections? Do we work to get the best candidates in office?
The primaries are coming, so slug it out. That's the way it should be. While this is a conservative site, I don't think anyone here has laid claim to omniscience (yet). For goodness' sake, debate! There's nothing wrong with that, just do it within the rules.
The problem is that there are not so many conservatives that we can start throwing people overboard. Just tell the truth in your posts. People here at FR, though maybe not everywhere, are smart enough to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Finally, I will vote for the GOP nominee, I don't care who it is, and rest easy knowing the Dem candidate will not be as good. I will work as hard as I can for the conservative candidates I believe is best and let the chips fall where they will.
Thanks for reading this.
Quite a few examples of those the past few days. There was a time when NO ONE on this site would defend the MSM; now, they are legions....
Eighth grade may be reaching a little! :)
Drives them nuts too! What is going to happen on here when he wins the primary by large numbers? That is if we haven't been booted off the Island so to speak!
LOL! U R rite about that. :)
Peach, you better believe I'd take exception at being called a "traitor", and I'm not on the Rudy bandwagon. It's March of '07 and I don't have a candidate yet. I'm listening to all of them at the moment.
flashbunny, don't include me in that 'cute'(rude) picture. Howlin doesn't like us because we won't bend over to become RINO's.
Don't see the word 'Republican' in there.
His landslide loss in South Carolina, you know :o)
Then GOD help us for Rudy is no Conservative..heck he isn't even a moderate. Hillary and Rudy are the same Ideologically speaking.
Is that the best you've got? Geez...
Bump.
If I had a case of duct tape, I'd wrap my head until next Jan.
Sheesh!
Very nice. But Rudy is about 90% opposed to conservative principles. He doesn't fit the Reagan litmus test.
That was for Sacramento...when Reagan became President...he went for 30%...look at his record...
...and he accomplished a GREAT 30%!!!
This is a war zone lately.
good advice
I'm not as well practiced in being as rude as you are. That'll have to do.
Oh, I think you are; you're just not very good at it.
Thanks, Mo1, but as Josh Billings wrote, "Good advice is like castor oil. Easy to give but powerful hard to take."
I don't know why we keep doing this. Do you know where I can find a soft rock?
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