[YaYa123]

You said, "Sometimes these threads have an unfortunate (to my mind) "grovel" flavor to them, with effusive compliments directed your way and a whole bunch of backslapping going on. That's not really my style."

Double Ditto

FreeRepublic ain't no stinking charity! I hate it when it's made to look like one. Who are we anyway?
We're capitalists, conservatives... we aren't children, and for sure we aren't gimme gimme liberals who expect something for nothing. We shouldn't need to be blungeoned with PBS/Jerry Lewis type telethon tactics.

Jim has created a one-of-a-kind product we value highly. To "use" it, we should be willing to pay for the privilege. I think we are. Seems to me, an eye-catching, flashing "Keep FreeRepublic Up and Running" icon at the top of each page, one that takes you to a brief explanation of the ongoing financial situation, and linking to the donations page, would keep enough money coming in on a regular basis, so that Jim wouldn't have to resort to these periodic desperate pleas for support.

[kayak]

A mega-ping to avid Freepers ..... I apologize to those of you who have already seen this thread for calling you here again.

[mercy]

I like the way you expressed you opinion, and the opinion. But it doesn't go far enough. FR will be a better site when it becomes a subscription site. I am sick to death of the riff raff and don't come around nearly as much as I used to. I pretty much ignored the place all summer. Not only do I despise the junk threads I loathe the nazi threads. Almost all of this will go away if a substantial subscription is charged. If FR cannot exist without being cheap ... how good is it?