Not so ‘Free Republic’: The Shot Heard Around the Net

The Conservative Voice ^ | Feb 11, 2005 | by William Gheen, President, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC

[Jim Robinson]

The shot heard around the Internet has been fired on FreeRepublic.com The owner Jim Robinson and his moderators have launched a sniper style purge against members that disagree with the President’s ‘guest worker’ amnesty or support more control of illegal immigration. Free Republic is an amazing tool for those looking for a good debate and news from around the country.

The problem for the administration of the site is that their creation is allowing the participants to learn that the Bush immigration record and plans are shockingly out of line with the views of most conservatives. The management’s answer to this conflict between the majority of conservatives and the influence of the White House on their Web site has become electronic executions and censorship.

Members and readers of Free Republic would be surprised to know that many members of their community have fallen silent on the discussions about illegal immigration lately because free speech is an illusion on FR.com. They are silent because they have been banned from the Web site without warning, cause, or explanation in most cases. For weeks the moderators have been suspending and banning new members that chimed in quickly on the immigration debates.

Now this trend has broadened as the first groups of long-term users were suspended or banned this past week. Although Robinson and his staff removed many members of the Free Republic community in the first few days of the purge, those that religiously support President Bush’s immigration plan, open borders and approve of public benefits for illegal aliens remain on the forum. Those that were banned were the members that wanted more done to control illegal immigration and a strict observance to the President’s Oath of Office.

[Phsstpok]

Sorry, missed the implication. Sounded at first like you were taking a shot.

On further reflection.... never mind.... I think....

[Right Winged American]

Well said. I've never been able to understand the kind of thinking that would result in a "Festung America". From the words on the statue of liberty to the ideas in the Federalist Papers, this country's strength ultimately comes from accepting people who wish to be free.

To prevent the border crossers from Texas and New Mexico alone would require a standing Army of 3 Million, and that's not even counting Canada. Standing shoulder to shoulder at the border can't work, and all the wishful thinking in the world won't change that fact.

The way things are going I expect a resurgence of the "America First" types. Note that I don't pretend to have any idea how to deal with the problem, but I'm smart enough to know that "open season" on illegal immigrants is not only stupid, it's palpably evil. Flame me if you want, but I know what's honorable and what isn't.

[gidget7]

THIS IS YOUR WEB SITE - YOU CAN DO AS YOU DARN WELL PLEASE!!



Ditto as far as I am concerned!! Thank you Mr. Robinson

[nina0113]

He proposed a guest worker program in which if illegals wanted to stay here, they'd not only have to be registered, they'd have to have a sponsor and be able to prove they have a job.

And the minute we secure the borders, I'll get behind that.

[cake_crumb]

"But, the idjits who continally hijack unrelated threads and spew racism, vigilantism and thinly veiled hatred of the Bush administration are an embarrassment."

Yep. Not to mention those who jump onto threads completely unrelated to US borders (i.e.: any thread with 'Bush' in the title) and attempt to hijack it and turn it into a borders/Bush-bashing thread. As one or two did on the day of the Iraqi election.

[Cyber Liberty]

Seems to me that some folks are upset that you refuse to take this ship right over the next cliff with them.

[Sloth]

It wasn't me it, was theDentist. He was saying that the people who wrote this article are full of crap because people like himself are still around (not purged).

[Texas Federalist]

I don't really see your problem with the minuteman project, which is nothing more than a citizen organized police force. But I did meet Frosty Woolridge and I must say he is a loony with little brainpower.

[Dog Gone]

You obviously think that this forum is run by a RINO. I don't even know why you're here with that belief.

You are insulting JimRob with every post that you make using that pathetic, insulting, and utterly false tagline.

[GiveEmDubya]

I'll join in with everyone else here by saying thanks to you for this site. In a world full of doublespeak and mistruths, FR is a wonderful place to sort it all out.

They forget that this site is privately-owned, with its own 'house rules' that keep this place in order. It says on the bottom of my screen right now: "Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts." If this is what the site operator wants, this is what he gets. It's not too much of a stretch either, considering that the things said here will reflect on the site as a whole. I can't blame you at all for wanting to cut the filth out of YOUR site by not letting such undesireables damage the credibility of FR as a SANE, useful discussion area.

[maui_hawaii]

Noone is getting 'purged' unless they break the rules some other way.

Yeah, you blankety blank! *bleep bleep*'n _____...

And thats my position and I am stickin' by it!

LOL!!!!

[beachn4fun]

Jim Robinson has taken a position that is at odds with more than 80 percent of the Free Republic community

Sorry, but I think more than 80% of the FR are still HERE! He's got his numbers backwards.

sniper style purge against members that disagree with the President’s ‘guest worker’ amnesty or support more control of illegal immigration

That's a downright lie. I believe the opposite to be true. Jim.....Can you sue?

[You Dirty Rats]

Jim, IMHO one of the key reasons your site has become as influential and respectable as it has is due to the fact that you have demanded decency and respect from all of us. Those that aren't interested in a basic level of civility and respect are really not people most of us care to associate with. There are perfectly respectable ways of expressing strong opinions on subjects without descending into the gutter. It's not a matter of one's political views, either; posters from both the Right and Left have been ZOTTED when they cross over the line, and rightfully so.

Thank you again for creating and maintaining the best discussion site on the 'net.

[Politicalmom]

Wow. This will be an awfully lonely place after you purge 90% of the membership....

BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!

Where do these people come from?

[Dominic Harr]

I'm *very* impressed that you yourself posted this.

You're a class act, Jim. Posting your own critics' comments. You are an amazing man.

Altho I've never noticed anyone being banned simply for disagreeing around here, so I take this person's criticism with a grain of salt.

I remain one of your biggest fans.

[beachn4fun]

LOL

[hubno]

I see enough criticism but no solution.
I see open borders on hhe Canadian border and no uproar.
I had a sister in law that worked here 30 years as an illegal Canadian.

Just how many men & women would it take to close both borders?

Last but not least,we don't have any idea how many illegals are here.
Maybe we should tag the one's we catch like they do some fish.

[decimon]

...if I'm still here Jom must be super tolerant.

[cripplecreek]

"No one cares if people come here... just do it legally."


Same here. My wife and I have a friend who is coming here from Russia. She's doing so legally and my wife and I are sponsoring her and giving her a place to live until she gets herself set up here. I guarantee she's going to be a better American than many on the left.

[Bikers4Bush]

Same here.