Freedom Fighters-FR mentioned in Liberal paper

One of the most influential and monumental First Amendment battles of this new millennium is being fought in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The unhappy marriage of print media and the Internet has finally reached an impasse. Free Republic bills itself as a "loosely organized group of grassroots Americans who support the constitution and look for honesty, integrity and honor from those in government." Nice PR. Really, this staunchly conservative activist group's popularity and fondness for a good battle have turned quite a few heads on Capitol Hill. Active members, who call themselves FReepers, include Dr. Alan Keyes, Gary Aldrich, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Congressman Bob Barr and Matt Drudge. In its fifth year, the Free Republic has grown to over 60,000 members with chapters all over the country. The crux of their movement is Freerepublic.com, a massive forum-driven website where the pseudo-militant grassroots conservatives can convene to pontificate at the virtual podium on the devious workings of government and media.

There is no noise on the Internet, but these ranters are screaming loudly enough to garner the reproach of more than easily offended liberals. The FReepers frequently use examples from current media to facilitate their arguments. Their practice of posting entire articles lifted from news sources all over the country has infuriated commercial media.

Crying theft, unfair competition and intellectual property rights, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times have filed suit against Free Republic.

What a delicious irony, that a group of enlightened and loquacious defenders of constitutional privilege are now entangled in this trenchant imbroglio calling into question the very principles their movement was founded upon.

The Free Republic calls their media adversaries "elements of the socialist propaganda machine" and claims that the practice of posting articles is tantamount to "gathering in our virtual town hall where we virtually pass around newspaper clippings."

The newspapers claim their copyrighted material is produced at great expense to them. They post these materials online, and the ad revenue from their websites is necessary to sustain their operation.

As both sides are armed with strong and persuasive rhetoric, the issue is exacerbated by the fact that Free Republic is a nonprofit movement. All of its funding comes from private donations. Therefore, there is soundness in the Freepers' assertion that they are not stealing the articles for commercial gain but rather passing them around to educate and illuminate each other on issues of immediate relevancy.

The district judge disagreed and ruled erroneously in favor of the Post and the Times, saying that Free Republic is a commercial enterprise. Free Republic is appealing to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and will likely have its arguments heard in September. In the meantime, the group is barred from allowing its members to post full-text articles from The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.

The FReepers are calling this legal fight no less than a "life-and-death struggle." In fact, this description is the truth. If this battle falls in favor of the commercial media, the Free Republic will die. With its principled dedication to the First Amendment called into question, the group is being forced to defend it absolutely. If it fails, then the fundamental foundation of the group's movement will have been destroyed. No structure can stand without a foundation.

The fight that Free Republic is embroiled in is broader and farther-reaching than just the relatively small group of people involved. The U.S. Constitution is the foundation upon which our democracy is built. Its first and foremost amendment is being challenged in the name of monetary gain.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals must recognize that to rule in favor of the commercial media in this case will weaken and debase the words supporting this country. Chipping away at the foundation doesn't bode well for any American: conservative, liberal, or purveyor of socialist propaganda.

RE:#71

Whether the majority of Americans agree or not is irrelevent. The law is not based on popularity polls.

I never said the law was based on popularity polls. My problem was with your assessment, that the Constitution was hijacked. That's pure hyperbole.

It serves no good purpose, to be closed minded, when it comes to what a majority of American's believe in. If conservatives want to have success in reversing seven decades of creeping liberal-socialism, we'll have to make sure the facts are presented in such a manner, that it exposes the agenda of the leftwing. We don't need to trash people who may disagree with us. Face it, there aren't enough conservatives around to make a governing majority. Therefore, Republican candidates must appeal to independents and dissatisfied Democrats, in order to build a winning coalition.

I can gladly argue in depth about the nature of our oligarchy...

No need to. You believe an oligarchy exists today and I do not. We'll have to agree to disagree on this issue. I get the feeling you have a problem with the current political power structure and nominating process. That doesn't mean it should be labeled an oligarchy though. Thats a bit over the top.

Bottom line, the American voters have the final word on all candidates. The basic two party system has worked fine for the last 200 years. If some third party candidate, isn't capable of mounting a viable campaign, I don't believe that shows problems with the system. I believe that shows an inability of third party candidates to attract voters and win elections.

Bush's selection to be a presidential candidate began with less than 30 people.

So what?

Okay, now I see what your problem is. You didn't support Gov. Bush, as a presidential candidate and I think its fair to say, you probably still don't believe he was the best man for the job. Am I wrong? I'd guess, you supported one of the numerous third party candidates in 2000. Like Buchanan, or Keyes, or Browne, or may be even Howard Philips. Right?

RE:#72

I'll also take a country that does not limit your access to the government unless approved by one of two non-governmental associations.

Well, like I said, our political system isn't perfect, but its still the best in the world. Politics is a tough business and isn't meant, for individuals who lack the ability to convince voters, they have what it takes, to gain the public trust and hold onto it. You present your agenda to the people and let the cards fall, where they may.

No link...is it "badger" as in Wisconsin.....?????..that would be amazing.....can you provide a little more info?...
The original article is currently posted online at:

http://www.badgerherald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/05/09/3cd9fbc0325a4?in_archive=1

As for being a "liberal" newspaper, see http://www.badgerherald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2001/09/05/3b86a9d151060:

A brief history of the Badger Herald

September 05, 2001

In 1969, pictures of the Vietnam War and various anti-war protests covered the front pages of almost every newspaper in the market. In Madison, four students sat at the Brathaus on State Street arguing over how to accurately record and combat the protests-run-amok on campus.
The idea was to create an alternative voice on a campus -- a voice that would provide an accurate, unbiased account of events taking place.
Gathered at the booth in the back of the Brathaus, the Herald?s four founders, Patrick S. Korten, Nick Loniello, Mike Kelly and Wade Smith, debated late into the night how to establish such a voice. "How about revitalizing Insight and Outlook (a student magazine that had died in the early ?60s)?" No, they decided, that would be too boring; not fun. After about the sixth beer, their vision became surprisingly clear. "How about starting a weekly newspaper? A newspaper that would focus on Madison and issues facing UW students?"
After several months of fundraising, scrounging for desks and typewriters, and renting offices where the current Sunroom Café stands (above Steve and Barry?s on State Street), the first issue of the Badger Herald was published on September 10, 1969. In the mid-to-late 1970?s, the Herald moved to 550 State Street (above the current Q-Doba). When the Herald moved to its present-day offices at 326 W. Gorham in 1998, the editors kept much of the furniture, including the original Herald desks and homemade light board.
"This newspaper is an experiment. We are attempting to do what has never been done before," wrote Korten, the paper?s first editor in chief. (Korten went on to work as a Congressional journalist and staffer, and is currently a highly regarded public relations consultant at Rowan & Blewitt in Washington, D.C.)
Even with all the preparation, keeping a conservative newspaper afloat in liberal Madison was a moment-by-moment ordeal. Reporters sent out to cover the riots would sometimes come back bloodied. And, with tear gas shrouding the streets, editors were occasionally forced to wear gas masks while laying out the week?s paper. Editors even put chicken wire on the Herald?s windows to discourage Molotov Cocktails and other missiles.
"It was fully expected to go out of business in a year," said Loniello, a Herald contributor for ten years and currently an attorney at Loneillo, Johnson and Simonini in Madison.
Fortunately, the Herald did survive. It picked up advertisers from State Street merchants, corporations and eventually even national advertisers. And, since its goal was responsible journalism, the Herald attracted writers and readers from a variety of different backgrounds and philosophies.
In 1971, the Herald was on the brink of bankruptcy. Needing cash badly, the Herald hosted a fundraising dinner and managed to lure conservative author William F. Buckley to speak on the paper?s behalf. The fundraiser was a success and the Herald survived, eventually becoming a daily newspaper in the 1980s.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the Herald grew at an astounding rate, at one point reaching a circulation of 20,000 -- a circulation that proved bigger than the audience (today, the Herald boasts a daily circulation of 16,000).
As the Herald grew in size and importance, its contents became more closely watched and criticized. The Herald was no longer a fledgling conservative rag free to consistently offend whomever it pleased without community reaction.
In 1993, the Herald was criticized for printing a cartoon in which the Cleveland Indians mascot, Chief Wahoo, was equated with Sambo. While some found the satire racist, the Herald argued that their attempt was to attack racism, not promote.
In a similar incident in 1999, the Herald again printed a cartoon that involved a student of color being shocked that Ward Connerly, and anti-affirmative action activist, was African-American. This time, the Herald?s editor in chief capitulated and offered a front-page apology and retraction. The Opinion editor at the time quit the Herald, convinced the leadership had forgotten the paper?s ideological roots.
In 2001, the Herald reclaimed its charge to be a forum for all ideas. On February 28, the Herald published a national advertisement by conservative author David Horowitz that argued against giving African Americans reparations for slavery. In the weeks that followed, the Herald weathered threats and protests. Its distribution was disrupted. Nevertheless, while many newspapers, including the Daily Californian at Berkley capitulated, the Herald?s editors and Board of Directors stood firm. The editors refused to concede that the Herald was a "racist propaganda machine" and did not apologize for publishing the advertisement.
The Herald?s position was lauded in Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Wisconsin State Journal. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorialized that the Herald?s newsroom is "living proof that the constitution is a living document."
In the 30-plus years since its inception, the Herald has grown from a weekly conservative rag to the nation?s largest fully independent student daily and the most award-winning student newspaper in Wisconsin. For its 25th anniversary, the State of Wisconsin issued a proclamation sponsored by then-state Rep. Tammy Baldwin stating: "Whereas, despite 25 years of financial and ideological challenges, The Badger Herald has persevered and established itself as the most widely read and well respected student newspaper in the state of Wisconsin."
Today, the Herald?s four founders look with pride and astonishment at the Herald?s continued editorial and financial success. At the Herald?s 30th anniversary bash, the founders and hundreds of former editors and contributors re-united to celebrate the University of Wisconsin?s independent student newspaper. One of the founders said the Herald?s ongoing success was one of his proudest achievements.
"The satisfaction now is in knowing that students come after you and give their time as well," Loniello said. "I?m really glad that it?s still around."

Freedom Fighters-FR mentioned in Liberal paper

Excerpt:

Crying theft, unfair competition and intellectual property rights, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times have filed suit against Free Republic.

The newspapers claim their copyrighted material is produced at great expense to them. They post these materials online, and the ad revenue from their websites is necessary to sustain their operation.

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