Is Free Republic a commercial operation or a charity?

Free Republic | 12/08/01 | Jim Robinson

[Republic of Texas]

Jim, Just for the record, I don't care if you make a billion dollars or lose a billion dollars on Free Republic. It's your baby. If I contribute, and you spend my money on strippers, more power to you. Some may whine, but in any group, there will always be a few whiners. Even amongst conservatives and libertarians. Ironic isn't it? Thanks for the site, it's become a big part of my day. Dave

[philman_36]

I think that most would recognize "a labor of love" when they see it.
Of course, they first have to have open eyes.
Too many wish to go through life blinded, having voluntarily closed their eyelids.
"I don't want to see and you can't make me."

[Bad~Rodeo]

Bit of a streatch, ehh?. One must STILL go out and vote

[RonDog]

ping

[Conservative independent]

Your question has been answered above by usconservative.

I continue to believe to this day that without FR, Republicans & Conservatives (the two are not always the same) wouldn't have stood up and done what we did in Florida, to secure the rightful victory that was President Bush's. 35 posted on 12/8/01 6:35 AM Pacific by usconservative

[WIMom]

Would now be a good time to post a fundraiser link? LOL!

[Jeff Head]

Very well said and very succinctly put.

I was just wondering ... here's a hypothetical.

Let's say a group of people got together, or an individual for that matter, and announced that each day over at some property owned by this individual or group, people were invited (absolutely free of charge) to gather to discuss the news of the day with a goal of discovering and pointing out inaccuracy in print. Let's say these people decided to give themselvers a name and called it the, uh ... "Free Town Crieres" for want of a better term.

All were invited to bring their newspapers and magazines and share them and their content with each other. All were invited to then discuss those articles from the various Newspapers and magazines. Some folks would bring their own magazines and newspapers that they susbscribed to. Others would bring ones they found in the trash, on counter tops or that were given to them by friends.

Overtime, more and more people come. More and more variety is discussed. Some of the folks pare off or group together on their own and become activists regarding what they had discussed and discovered. Some form separate "chapters" of the "Bohemia Free Town Criers" or the "Anytown USA FreeTown Criers". The phenomenae spreads but there is never any required fee or membership or any "service" rendered.

Would there be any avenue or cause for the newspapers and magazines to sue these people and try and force them to stop gathering and discussing? I think not.

In essence, isn't FreeRepublic just an electronic version of this very same priniciple?

If it is, and I believe it is, then it would seem that some defense, some brief could be filed from this perspective.

Anyhow, just a thought.

Either way, great post and God's richest blessings to you and yours Jim for the holidays and always.

FRegards!

[Harrison Bergeron]

Thanks and God bless. The idea of a FRee Republic institution of higher learning is something I've heard some respectable academics (yes, there are still a few left) put forth in a few other forums. Very feasible, but frought with the pitfalls of any formal "organization" re officers and accountability.

Perhaps the fledgeling FRee Republic Institute might give it a shot.

[RWG]

It's the only good reason why Al Gore invented the internet.

[Grampa Dave]

Free Republic is really the unique Free Republic Life Form that was created by you a few years ago.

It is neither a corporation, an individual/private business, a charity, or a business operating under a fictional name!

It is a unique Life Form that is totally dependent on the brothers and sisters of Free Republic who donate their time, talent and treasure to keep it alive and thriving. We nurture it, and it in turn nurtures us when we visit it!

The Free Republic Life Form is a truly unique entity. There is nothing else like it on earth! There will probably never be another entity like it! Thank you for being its creator and the leader of this flock of believers!

[Samizdat]

Absolutely right. I remember posting "they rewrote the law" and I think it was even a heading. A few hours later Bush stepped up to the podium and said "they reworte the law". I just about fell off my perch. I quickly went back to find my post and couldn't find it. This is at a time when JimRob was deleting like crazy to make room for more bandwidth. But even so, I think the things we say here thinking we are only reaching each other is carried far and wide and we sometimes a bit to modest to say so.

[Fred Mertz]

I'm happy you developed this hobby, Jim.

If and when you ever go commercial, I think you'll be rolling in the dough as you deserve.

[EdReform]

"No one must give to use Free Republic. The website is free to all participants. It is simply a public political discussion forum that I operate as an avocation and people are willing to freely give in order to keep it alive and on the air, because they love it."

Thanks for keeping FR alive!

Free Republic Lifeform

[BigBlueJon]

Thanks for the reminder. This is truly a great site. There is no other place like this. Where else could we go to get the same news, the same discussions and the same support? No where. You don't know what you've got till it's gone, so let's keep this going.

[dansangel]

Thank-you for the ping, kayak!

And a great big THANKS to Jim Robinson, et al, who keep this site up and running. As I've stated in my profile, I was never so happy to have "discovered" FR. What took me so long, I have no idea. But, it has been a wonderful way to share and discuss views with others.

I happily parted with my gift to FR and will continue to do so as long as I participate. Kudos to you and a great big {{{{{HUG}}}}}!

[JulieRNR21]

So, Free Republic is not a commercial operation nor is it a charity. What is it then? It is simply what it is, a non-commercial, not for profit public (decidely for conservatives) electronic townhall meeting and bulletin board discussion forum operated as an avocation with its expenses paid for in the form of taxable gifts from some of its fans because they love it, and they do not want it to die.

Thanks for creating the best place on the Internet for all the visitors!

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

I wish for you and your family the best life has to offer.

***Merry Christmas***

[kachina]

"Bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to hear the truth".

Thanks, Jim, for all you do!