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The Free Republic is without question has become one of the most influential and important conservative political web sites on the web, and among the most important sites of any kind! This site is more successful than any number of recently spawned political magazines and newsletters. FR is used by numerous pundits, writers, political junkies, concerned and informed citizens, and anyone else who needs information, as an informational nexus. It is a magnet for vast amounts of eclectic and pertinent information, links to news stories, columns, researched information, opinion, and debate... acting as both an engine and energy for the promotion of conservative thought and as a counter to the leftist dominated mainstream press on the web and across our country. Our country's political system is based on the free distribution of information and the exchange of ideas. If the Free Republic is a fraud, our Republic is a fraud. And I know of no one who has ever made or could honestly make that case.

Our Republic has enemies; those who promote the agenda of distorting or undermining the constitution and the sovereignty of the United States. These same people find it necessary to attempt to squelch the font of factual information and conservative opinion that the Free Republic represents. Jim Robinson has effectively prevented these unscrupulous people from achieving their goals. I continue to support Jim's decisions and discretion in protecting the existence of the Free Republic from dishonest people who are determined to disrupt and corrupt the nature of this forum. Would anyone here continue to read, post and support a forum site like this if it descended into the vicious chaos of profanity, spam, and obfuscation that so many formerly popular political newsgroups have succumb? I wouldn't and am confident that few others would. Therefore, I completely support Jim Robinson's decisions to ban those who threaten the FR's integrity and quality. I hope everyone reading this understands this reality and continues to appreciate and support this wonderful contribution to the freedom of speech, discussion, and assembly that a private individual, Jim Robinson, has provided for his country. Thank you, Jim!

...This site is more successful than any number of recently spawned political magazines and newsletters. FR is used by numerous pundits, writers, political junkies, concerned and informed citizens, and anyone else who needs information, as an informational nexus...

Isn't this the truth! I can't begin to tell of the number of times I've read articles, threads, etc. on FR in the morning, only to hear Rush, Hannity or Savage speak about the very same things later in the day on their radio shows. I say to myself..."they MUST have been reading off FreeRepublic!" (ha!ha!)

JR, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

"The Free Republic is without question has become one of the most influential and important conservative political web sites on the web, and among the most important sites of any kind!"

Amen to that, and I'm ashamed to say I've been a "deadbeat", but I will send a contribution immediately!!

I also didn't realize this thread started last November, but clearly it's worth our continued attention! IMO, the fact that FR is an "open forum" is partly what makes it so valuable and influential...my preference would be to keep it that way (always with the appropriate "moderating", of course!) while perhaps revising the "business model" somehow so "FRee-will subscriptions" could be a more reliable source of funds. I'm certain there are some FReeper business wizards out there (I'm not one of them!) who may have useful ideas!

I also expect that many "new folks" (even if they're a bit "disruptive") who have discovered this wonderful "forum of ideas" will either not appreciate it (and thus stop FReeloading!) or (more likely) will be happy to start contributing to a very worthy "cause" (like me../red face!)!!

You said it better than I could, Mr. Axtell. You wrote a great tribute to Jim and to Free Republic. I could tell it came from the heart.

The spontaneous show of support on this thread from freepers is most telling. It should give pause to those who seek to destroy the most influential, varied, informative and witty conservative web site in the nation.

Mr. Robinson puts his whole life into guiding and improving this forum and he does it wisely. The other sites that deal in vicious anti-FR vituperative will eventually fall from the weight of their own bitterness and discontent.

LONG LIVE FREE REPUBLIC!

Leni