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What I think is extreme is that you think JimRob should associate with folks he doesn't want around, all in the name of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is just one of many rights - and, last I checked, JimRob was not calling for American Patrol to be forcibly knocked off the internet. He just did not want to be associated with them, just as he doesn't care to associate with liberals. And that is just as fundamental a right as freedom of speech.

Of course Jim can do what he wants. That is not the point. The point is that the decision is questionable. It is just as questionable as if some other web forum decided to never allow content from the Republican National Committee because David Duke (former KKK) is a registered Republican and ran for office as a Republican. Or to ban all content from the Democratic National Committee because current Democratic Senator, Robert Byrd (WV-KKK) is a former KKK Grand Dragon.

In a public forum, upon which anyone can post just about anything, it is a hard argument to make that Free Republic is "associating" with radical, unnacceptable fringe elements simply by allowing articles to be posted from a website that is run by a person that may or may not have at one time had something to do with a defunct newsletter (The Spotlight) or who sometimes links to articles which may be considered politically incorrect by some people.

If there's a problem with specific content - racist or whatever - delete the threads. Wholesale banning of an activist website like American Patrol is not the answer.

In a public forum, upon which anyone can post just about anything,

Stop. There is your mistake. Free Republic doesn't fit that desctription. Your post may be deleted if it violates certain content guidelines. If you persist in violating those guidelines, or you violate them in an egregious manner, you can be prohibited from making further posts.

it is a hard argument to make that Free Republic is "associating" with radical, unnacceptable fringe elements simply by allowing articles to be posted from a website that is run by a person that may or may not have at one time had something to do with a defunct newsletter (The Spotlight) or who sometimes links to articles which may be considered politically incorrect by some people.

Since Mr. Robinson does manage the content of this server, if he lets it stand, then he's saying he finds the content to be acceptable to him.

Of course Jim can do what he wants. That is not the point. The point is that the decision is questionable. It is just as questionable as if some other web forum decided to never allow content from the Republican National Committee because David Duke (former KKK) is a registered Republican and ran for office as a Republican.

Last I checked, the vast majority of Republicans take great pains to distance themselves from David Duke. But Glenn Spencer has had Carto Willis on his radio show. Order of magnitude of difference.

Or to ban all content from the Democratic National Committee because current Democratic Senator, Robert Byrd (WV-KKK) is a former KKK Grand Dragon.

That demonstrates the hypocrisy of that organization.

In a public forum, upon which anyone can post just about anything, it is a hard argument to make that Free Republic is "associating" with radical, unnacceptable fringe elements simply by allowing articles to be posted from a website that is run by a person that may or may not have at one time had something to do with a defunct newsletter (The Spotlight) or who sometimes links to articles which may be considered politically incorrect by some people.

Try going over to LibertyForum - they have tried to avoid the rules and moderation of FR. And they are overrun with vile bigots, and are marginalized and avoided as a result.

If there's a problem with specific content - racist or whatever - delete the threads. Wholesale banning of an activist website like American Patrol is not the answer.

Instead of lecturing JimRob, why don't you instead get ahold of Glenn Spencer and ask why he discredits his site, and the entire movement, by having the likes of Willis on his show. Methinks you are getting after the wrong person here, because as long as Spencer does crap like that, he will give your enemies all the ammo they need to discredit your cause and keep it a fringe movement that does not appeal to enough voters to make a political impact. What matters more to you - unlimited freedom of speech? Or actually making progress by attracting more people to your cause and thereby giving the politicians cause for concern?