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
Ping 226
Same here.
Well, it's 1:20 AM here. Time to hit the sack.
Have a great night!
lol....where is Jack when you need him?
can you spell hypocrisy?
most definitely
good thoughts....if only:)
Great post sir...
I don't selectively read at all...I read the threads and within the first few responses the mud slinging starts...there is no debate there is only name calling of the candidate/s and then the poster gets called names...as I stated earlier even on threads that are not "Rudy" threads it's the same thing...I know there are people who don't support Rudy my bigger point about the posting % is why don't they post threads about the candidate/s they support...I'm not complaining I'm stating my opinion...what's obvious is my opinion is different than yours....as far as the guy you were responding to making the same complaint as me he wasn't complaining either he was stating his opinion... there is a difference between complaining and stating opinions
Very nice collection.
Thank you for the effort and for the post.
sad isn't it?
(((STOP GIULIANI 2008 PRIMARY PING!)))
Freepmail me to be added or removed from this ping list of (currently) 79 conservative anti-Giuliani FReepers.
"It is not a Republican website - it is a conservative website. At least that is what I have been told."
Then why are you promoting a leftist candidate for president just because of that all-mighty "R" next to his name? Would anyone here like Giuliani if he was officially a democrat? Anyone at all? No, everyone here would agree he is a leftist pro-gay, pro-abortion, pro-illegal alien and anti-second amendment crossdresser from New York.
The only thing his ill-informed cheerleaders have is "he kills terrorists." Wow, big deal. He is just like every other candidate running except for Ron Paul, Chuck Hagel and maybe Sam Brownback. I figure if people were serious about "killing terrorists" being their big issue, they'd rally around someone like Duncan Hunter, a guy who you can really see if serious. Giuliani has nothing in past or present to show he'd be any better than any other candidate on the war on terror. Nothing. Hunter I believe fought in some war, he has a kid in the military now and represents a military district in California. Giuliani has nothing but nice, cheap words.
First question should be obvious to all by now. It's a conservative site. The second question is much harder to answer. There are many good conservatives on here, but there's a a few liberals in conservative clothing here too.
I've experienced the same myself. If you can make a strong argument against their case, many folks (the Rudy defenders in particular) will choose to ignore you. In the past I've locked horns with many of them, torn their arguments to pieces, and then been told that in the future I'll be ignored.
So be it - it's just further proof that their arguments are weak.
I have no clue. It's Jim's site, so, ultimately, he is the only one with the answer to that.
See, if I'm a RINO, then so is President Bush, and if you think he's one, then I'd say I'm in good company. I'd also say my conservatism is certainly *something* like Jim Robinson's. I mean, I do agree with him most of the time. But isn't it great to have a forum where all kinds of different perspectives can be presented and discussed!
Couple examples: What was the "conservative" position on Elian Gonzales? What was the "conservative" position on the Dubai ports deal? What's the "conservative" position on Taiwan independence?
In each case we have spirited disagreement among "conservatives" as to what the most appropriate policy ought to be. And we've all been welcome for going on 8 years.
The people who are no longer with us usually got that way because the were either newly or consistantly and gratuitiously rude and abusive. One also may get booted for ridiculous attacks on President Bush.
Go back to the debates over Elian Gonzales, the Dubais port deal, etc.
A wide range of views have been tolerated here. Even yours.
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