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Lots of unhappiness going around Free Republic these days and lots of grumbling about alleged censorship. Well, every few months we have to go through the process of restating the history, founding and purposes of Free Republic. This is this semester's installment.
It is my belief that the majority of those in government, both Democrats and Republicans, whether elected, appointed, contracted and/or hired, along with the majority of the "journalists" in the major media are liberally biased and are seeking the continued unconstitutional expansion of federal power for their own greedy purposes and/or for the benefit of their private sponsors, and thus we few in the minority who defend the Constitution and the original vision of self government as envisioned by the Founders and set forth in the Declaration of Independence are dissenters.
As dissenters, we are constantly under attack from the authoritarians and the misinformed from both the left and right who want to perpetuate and grow the unconstitutional government control and dominance over we the people.
I created the Free Republic Forum three years ago for the purpose of reversing the erosion of the Constitution and to fight against government abuse and corruption and to preserve and defend our precious concepts of Freedom and Liberty.
The Free Republic Forum is a place where we dissenters are free to discuss issues important to ourselves and our freedom, and it is designed to be free from government authoritarian or liberal or party interference, influence or control. I chose the name, major themes, topics and rules of conduct when I created it. It is not a government project and is not affiliated with any outside party, corporation or entity. It is self funded, self governed and self perpetuating. If a participant posts something that I feel is contrary to our purposes, I will remove it. In some cases, I will revoke the posting privileges from people whom I feel are working at odds to our goals or purposes. By doing this, I feel that I am defending our rights to free speech and political dissent from those who are trying their best to deprive us of same.
In what may be a shock to some and especially to certain liberals and disrupters, Free Republic was not created to "debate" liberal ideas or policy or to allow the liberals and moderates the advantage of setting the subject or tone of the discussion. For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom. I'd just as soon none of it even appears on the pages of Free Republic at all, other than to expose the lying politicians and media. Debate on these issues leads only to compromise. And when we are speaking of the larger concepts of equality under the law, separation of powers, self government, Freedom, and Liberty there can be no room for debate or compromise.
You cannot shock Free Republic readers with headlines or stories of unfair abuse on whites, blacks, gays or straights, etc. We've seen all of this and much more. And none of these stories will ever change our opinions or our dedication to the cause of defending the Constitution and our individual rights guaranteed therein. Unfair or unjust actions by individual citizens, criminal elements, or even segments of society itself do not justify unconstitutional laws or regulations. You cannot give groups or individuals special rights or privileges and we all must be treated fairly and equally under the law and the government cannot assume or invent powers not recognized or delegated by the Constitution.
Regarding other recent deletions, Free Republic was intended to be factual based. While we do delve into conspiracy theory (White Water and Waco, as examples), it was not intended for the wild-eyed paranoia of UFO's, contrails, black helicopters, U.S. Government concentration camps, etc. These stories, if not factually based, are mostly hoaxes, urban legend, or paranoia and have no place on Free Republic.
The proper topic for us to discuss on Free Republic is how the subjects of abuse and corruption are treated under the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the other founding documents, and the law. If the Declaration states that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and then the methods and procedures for achieving these equalities and guaranteeing these rights are plainly and clearly spelled out in the Constitution, then that's good enough for me and I see no room or reason for debate.
The Constitution separates the government into three co-equal branches, and is complete with a brilliantly conceived set of built-in checks and balances to combat corruption and usurpation, and it also enumerates and allocates certain powers among the people, the states and the federal government, while expressly prohibiting the government from violating our unalienable individual rights or the sovereignty of the several states. No person, no state and no branch of the federal government receives extra rights or powers and no person or group is awarded extra privilege or special treatment, period.
Thus all persons are treated equally under the law. This automatically and constitutionally rules out extra homosexual rights or extra race rights or extra religious rights, etc. There is no room or reason or constitutional power for our Congress to even consider such notions, in fact they are expressly forbidden from doing so.
So this is our debate. How to force the Congress to recognize and respect the bounds of the Constitution and how to roll back the excesses of the reconstructionists, progressives, liberals, marxists and authoritarians of the last 150 years or so; and how to put the unconstitutional and unrestrained government power and its resultant out of control government bureaucracy back into the bottle.
It is our goal to educate the voting populace to the nature and circumstances of our founding and the true purpose of our government and the meaning of our Constitution and other founding documents, and to see that we do all we can to ensure that the candidates we choose to run for office understand these constitutional principles and are willing to defend them above all else.
And we should teach our people to demand that the Congressmen we do elect just say no when the liberals and authoritarians want to debate the passing of bills awarding homosexuals or minorities or religious groups or any other special interest groups extra constitutional rights or privileges. Just say no based on constitutional grounds and mean it. Take it to court if you must, but get the unconstitutional Bills blocked and/or unconstitutional laws repealed if and when they do make it through the legislative process.
And being as how the liberally biased press is the number one perpetrator when it comes to the crime of spreading unconstitutional government propaganda designed to rob us of our rights and freedoms, they become our primary target.
Our chosen vehicle for dissent is to use the media's own words against them. We post their propaganda pieces and then our readers tear them apart and expose the lies and corruption within. It's also interesting to document how the lying liberal press covers events compared to other, less biased sources and it's even more interesting to see it weeks, months or years later when the truth is finally known.
This is why it is important to post articles in their entirety. Many of the media sites remove their articles within a few days of release and in some cases, even the next day. We've even caught the media changing stories by the hour to make them seem less damaging to the government or to certain protected politicians. The media is part of the enemy and thus cannot be trusted.
And to those of you who claim we do not have the right to do these things, I say read the Constitution and the law. The first amendment guarantees our right to assembly and to a free press and free speech and to criticize the government. If the so-called free press is working in concert with the government to perpetuate and expand their illegal and unconstitutional hold over the people, then we dissenters and defenders of the Constitution have every right to use whatever means are at our disposal to resist and to thwart their illegal usurpation. The founders recognized these dangers and guaranteed our right to dissent and the Congress ensured that we would be able to further the cause of the public interest and, in this case, to defend our very right to liberty itself, by including the fair use doctrine into the copyright law. All we are doing on Free Republic is exercising our rights as the Founders and the Congress envisioned.
In regards to the on-going lawsuit, Judge
Morrow's narrow vision cannot see beyond the
favors she owes her benefactors (the plaintiffs
themselves) and her former clients, friends and
associates among the plaintiff's counsel and
therefore she cannot see the larger purpose of
Free Republic and/or the much larger danger to
the Constitution and to Liberty that her
preliminary ruling entails. But no honest and
serious court in this land will rule against our
constitutional right to political dissent. Judge
Morrow's ruling will not stand.
Jim...Thanks for restating the purpose of your website.
Just like spring training in baseball...you got to get back to basics.
Thought you might like to see this...
For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal
control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of
the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom.
BUMP!
If a participant posts something that I feel is contrary to our purposes, I will remove it. In some cases, I will revoke the posting privileges from people whom I feel are working at odds to our goals or purposes. By doing this, I feel that I am defending our rights to free speech and political dissent from those who are trying their best to deprive us of same.
You have to become the "Philosopher King". I don't envy you.
BTW this "installment" was THE BEST I've read! An inspiration to keep focused on ...
Thanks again JR!
prisoner6
Jim, this site is my Liberty Tree. Thank you.
You're taking what Jim said out of context. The reason he states these need not be debated is that debate only leads to compromise and these issues can not be compromised. The constitution does not allow for compromise, either these things are unconstitutional or a God given right. There is no space in between is Jim's point.
FREE SPEACH
Free speech is not getting to use someone elses soapbox to express views of which they disapprove. Free speech is the freedom to get your own soapbox and use it to express views of which you do approve.
Jim Rob is nice enough to provide a very large soapbox from which lots of us get to express a wide range of views.
Telling me or anyone else to get his own soapbox, is fully within Jim's rights. It is his soapbox. He makes the rules. That is what a Free Republic is all about. Each of us gets to make the rules for the use of what we own.
If I didn't agree on most things with Jim, I would get my own soapbox.
But unless I find a reason to disagree with the rules at Free Republic, I am very gratefull to be allowed to post.
Thanks Jim.. From a thankful Tator.
Beautifully said. Beautifully edited. Just BEAUTIFUL!
Free speech is not getting to use someone elses soapbox to express views of which they disapprove. Free speech is the freedom to get your own soapbox and use it to express views of which you do approve.
Great analogy!
You know, I think ever so slowly and painfully, Freepers are working this out for the better.
prisoner6
Bump it up
Viva FreeRepublic!
When someone posted a statement that Freerepubli would be censored by you JR, I thought for sure the site was responding to the lawsuit.
Boy, am I glad I was wrong!!
Great points, sounds exactly what I believe.
The Constitution is constantly being fudged on (to put it politely) by our politicians. Either the Constitution is the supreme rule of the land or it isn't. It hasn't been for some time, it's time it returned.
When the majority is ignorant of the Constitution's content and it's reasoning, the citizens wander away under the guise of "good intentions" which in turn leads to the total loss of freedom over time. We are well on our way.
Renewed and reinvigorated. Carry on General Robinson.
What I posted was one complete sentence. Why don't we let bob read the rest of it for himself?
Jim, If there's a quality the press lacks, it's honesty/integrity, which makes this site a priceless asset/resource, thanks to you. No wonder FR now ranks as number #1 on the liberal's enemies list.
In a sea of liberal media lies and grotesque distortions, Free Republic is an inspiration.
In their drive to destroy our country, The liberals and their fellow-travelers may have - with the assistance of their puppets in the ''press'' - corrupted the political system, but FREE REPUBLIC will NEVER BE CORRUPTED.
If the constitution has anything to say about it, The squalid twits at the WashingtonComPost and L.A. Times will soon learn some much needed humility.
FReegards
For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom. I'd just as soon none of it even appears on the pages of Free Republic at all, other than to expose the lying politicians and media.
No small amount of work to do.
BUMP
Because many more people besides "Bob" are reading what you posted and it's misleading.
No flame intended...
I think some of the nuts are what keeps this site so interesting. Of course, if there are too many of them it spoils the soup, but some are necessary for mental stimulation. Now the ones who I wish would get carpal tunnel syndrome and not be able to use a key board are: (1) The My-Computer-Just-Screwed-Up-Do-You-Think-It's-The White-House Goobers. (2)Some-Black-Guy-Just-Got-An-Unfair-Lucky-Break posters (3) Homos-Are-Bound-For-Hell types (4) The-Income-Tax-Is-Unconstitutional boys (5) Rude people in general. Thats my thoughts.
Well put!
If you can't handle the differences in opinion or the opinionated posters, take a hike.
Like I said above, this is my Liberty Tree. And I'm not leaving!
"And being as how the liberally biased press is the number one perpetrator when it comes to the crime of spreading unconstitutional government propaganda designed to rob us of our rights and freedoms, they become our primary target. "
While we may not have the same views on the importance of morality in making the constitution work. I sure do agree with you on the above.
No problem. Sometimes it's hard to get the whole point across, and try to be concise. I agree with your thoughts about the Constitution.
"I created the Free Republic Forum three years ago for the purpose of reversing the erosion of the Constitution and to fight against government abuse and corruption and to preserve and defend our precious concepts of Freedom and Liberty."
Quite a noble cause indeed, one that we all should aspire to.
Some of us believe that the only successful way to achieve the above goal is through some form of peaceful secession from the current model, and by establishing a new country and new government that adheres to the Constitution. Since our current government and a majority of citizens don't know it, don't understand it, and don't respect it, there is room to separate.
Do you feel that is an appropriate topic here on FR?
No.
I don't always agree. But it is YOUR site. I don't have to. Your purpose is noble and your aim is true. May God bless you.
Well stated!
Thank you for this site.
God Bless you and your mission to restore our Republic.
Our chosen vehicle for dissent is to use the media's own words against them. We post their propaganda pieces and then our readers tear them apart and expose the lies and corruption within..
I loved it all! But this is my favorite part..
Seriously.. This is a beautiful document...
Thanks..
Thank you sir. Well put, well put indeed. Kindest regards,
StarfireIV
Le-Roy wrote: "To: Bob Celeste Thought you might like to see this... For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or..."
Now, now, Le-Roy, don't be RUDE! Those of us who follow and appreciate Bob Celeste's "Daily Thought" Christian threads have seen your overt attempt to hijack every thread in favor of the homosexual agenda and call HIM evil! So Bob is asleep now in bed in Maine and you are attacking him on this unrelated thread. How rude! It just happens that he has friends like us on other places on the planet where it is not the middle of the night.
just curious - are there any other posted forums like the free republic anywhere - and if so what is the url - would like to make comparisons - thanks
Cheers on you, Jim, for restating goals of the Freep. Just as in advertising, marketing and, yes, even politics, you have to stay on message, advance the cause a step at a time in synch with others of like mind. Straying only waters down your efforts and in our case, casts doubts of reliability and veracity to what we believe in common.
I say, if people want to rave on about some of these topics, they best start their own website.
"Thought you might like to see this... For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom."
Ah, that part about "our detractors" who use these debates as bait to trap us, etc...
Those people in the category of "our detractors..."
That's you.
The media is part of the enemy and thus cannot be trusted.
And that is why this website is so very important. Thank you, Mr. Robinson!!
bttt
Jim,
It is because of Free Republic that I got re-energized as a dissenter of the liberal elites.
Thanks Mr. Robinson for a great site and a great post on why we are here at FR. bump.
The WhiteKnight
thank you jim for your efforts, you serve my country well.
Jim,
I confess. I'm a news junkie. My poison of choice is politics, but any news will do in a pinch. When I first hooked up cable in 1982 I was a CNN advocate because at that time, it was the least biased of the news services. As time went on I became more and more disenchanted with CNN as I thought they were leaning more and more to the left. I lived on C-SPAN for a time when Newt was giving all those special order speeches and the Right was just learning to put pressure on the liberals by using their own words against them. When the Republicans won in Nov.'94, I was connected tight to the tube.
My job changed to include much more international travel and I had to go back to CNN. By early '96 they had become unwatchable, and I cast about for a new alternative news source. The internet was my salvation. I could log on and there were many sites devoted to news. After some sifting, I found Drudge and through his site, you. After reading for a week, I was home. Very seldom does a day go by that I don't check in, and most days it is my sole news fix. The diversity of posts that is allowed is staggering and if it was ever to expand, I'm sure my wife would leave me.
The reason for this story is to say thanks for letting me, and all the rest, stop by and meet for a while each day. The job you have is huge, the pay is paltry, and the care you show to pick up our messes and make the site better leaves me scratching my head in wonder. Bravo!
Admirable goals, Jim, have been away and was glad to see your credo - I do hope it includes civility of posters to other posters. The personal attacks were getting to be too much. Most of us feel the way you do about the Constitution and the way the government is run and should be a bit more polite to each other.
And when we are speaking of the larger concepts of equality under the law, separation of powers, self government, Freedom, and Liberty there can be no room for debate or compromise.
Without debate, how can beliefs be championed? Without debate, how will people learn the finer points of our government?
I don't think you only want people on FR that think the same....no dissenting opinion. I know some want it that way and go from thread to thread to shout down anyone whose opinion conflicts with theirs. That's where the debate stops and the propaganda and harrasment begins. The men that wrote the Constitution debated plenty. I don't think they would want us to conclude there wasn't need for more.....that's the mentality and control they were against.
The Internet has become a teaching tool. People are looking for ideas and opinions different from the mainstream media and the LIBERAL indoctination they get in public schools, I don't think you can avoid debate unless you shut down this site or restrict posters to those who only agree with you. That would be a shame.
In regards to the on-going lawsuit, Judge Morrow's narrow vision cannot see beyond the favors she owes her benefactors (the plaintiffs themselves) and her former clients, friends and associates among the plaintiff's counsel and therefore she cannot see the larger purpose of Free Republic and/or the much larger danger to the Constitution and to Liberty that her preliminary ruling entails. But no honest and serious court in this land will rule against our constitutional right to political dissent. Judge Morrow's ruling will not stand.
While I agree with every word of this statement, isn't stating it on a public forum, where this judge could read it, like waving a red cape in front of a bull?
Nice job on the site, Jim and John.
Equal rights for all; special privileges for no one! Now, who can or should disagree with this premise? Great post, Jim!
Dear Jim I am new to all of this, but I can hardly believe that Americanism as I feel about it, in my heart, still exist. Thank you for your efforts. Newt.
Good for you, Jim... You have given us all a great opportunity to read and discuss the things that you'll never find in the mainstream press. I found your site during the height of the Clinton disgrace last year and I've stayed. Thanks for your service to our country and your personal sacrifice. Semper Fi
Jim,
I agree with everything you've stated here, and I fully support limiting topics to those which generally further the express purpose of this forum.
I also want to thank you for allowing discussions of Y2K in the context of media and government misrepresentation of the situation. While in the abstract, it's not a political issue, it certainly is a study in media manipulation by the Administration. One only hopes that the actual problem can't be used as a political weapon against conservatives. I'm afraid that optimism is probably misplaced.
In any event, Y2K may cease to be a topic here at all in a couple of months, if all the optimists are correct. I, for one, would be happy to redirect my energy toward the 2000 elections and media coverage, er, misinformation, about the process.
Anyway, thanks again for keeping us focused, and godspeed.
Perfect answer to a provocative question. Free Republic is not an all inclusive forum and should not be. The best way to destroy an idea is to open it to the enemies of the idea. If you look at how the Nazis and Communists came to power, even though they were in the minority, it was because of their inclusion into the government to placate them, and once in, the supposition by the government that they would play by the rules. They used that to their benefit.
When you are faced with people like that, who hold truth and fair play in contempt, you must keep them out of the hen house. They are here only to disrupt and bring ridicule on the site. They want to bring it down, not debate ideas. Just look at the methods of the current Adminstration and its supporters to their enemies. They hold truth and fair play in contempt.
There is plenty of room on the internet to play. Let them find their own sand box.
Beautiful, Jim. Your consistency of purpose for this site is one of the major elements that make it so unique. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jim;
I have no problem reading this again, and again, and again.
Could it have to with the fact that we really, really, really NEED a Free Republic. I'm still looking .
You found one yet!?. If so, PLEASE, let me know.
For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom.
That's why I'm here.
This probably should be something you make people read and sign I AGREE when they register...
For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom. I'd just as soon none of it even appears on the pages of Free Republic at all, other than to expose the lying politicians and media. Debate on these issues leads only to compromise.
Okay, I'll admit it, I'm confused about what you mean in this paragraph. What are your views regarding absolutes in the Constitution regarding homosexuality, racism, federal control over education, health, welfare, the environment, globalism, gun control & social security that you'd rather the topics be refrained from being posted on your site? I'm just curious because I've been linking education articles on this thread and I won't spend time doing it anymore if you think it is not relevent to Free Republics purpose. Would an article posted about school-to-work, for example, be something you would not like posted here? Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you've wrote (it is past my bedtime ;)).....
Thanks in advance and thanks for Free Republic!
You have no idea how much you are admired by the people on this site. Thanks for being such a TRUE American patriot!
. But no honest and serious court in this land will rule against our constitutional right to political dissent. Judge Morrow's ruling will not stand.
Amen! Thanks for FR, Jim. There's no place like it!You are a patriot extraordinaire.
You may be tired of these little training sessions, but I have to admit I enjoy them. We do tend to drift from time to time.
I agree that the media is, and should be, our first target. The reason our forefathers made freedom of speech and freedom of the press FIRST is because they recognised the importance of these things in the preservation of our republic. By corrupting this right to further their own agenda, the media puts at risk our liberty, our republic, and even our very lives. Until I found this site I instinctively knew that the media was biased, but seeing it here, in black and white, every day, clarifies it and makes it irrefutable. The input of knowledgeable and experienced freepers, the well researched and sourced arguments, and the common sense replies posted here are the tools we all need to uncover the treasures we all seek.....Truth and Justice.
Thank you Jim.
Jim, it's refreshing to actually see a businessman stand up and strip away all political correctness in conveying a message. This is not an act of bravery--it is an act that is becoming more and more rare as people stop exercising their rights under the 1st. Amendment due to the fear of taking "heat" form exercising their rights under the Constitution.
I've been with you a long time and this is the best statement you have made to date. You're not getting older--you are getting better!
Sometime in history your name will be written into the book. We don't know what book yet--The Second American Revolution, Enemies of the American Communist Democratic Party, How The American Way of Life was Saved, or Casualties of the New World Order.
If (and when) that dark day comes that we have to fight to protect our rights granted under the Constitution, I will be honored to stand by your side and give all to protect our rights granted by our founding fathers. Without these rights America simply fades into the background of the New World Order and someday children will be taught distorted history as to why such an evil country as America was overthrown and made better by the liberal Marxists.
Just wanted to say thank you and tell you that you have done an excellant job. Anything that causes thought, or political argument, is as American as it gets. The 'big boys' seem to think that we will self destuct and I hope they are holding their "collective" breath until we do.
One of the reasons I come here is that there are a number of very smart people who just will not give up. You are at the top of that list. Thanks for all you do.
Great article and to the point. I have one question for you and other readers.
Why are lawyers, the most despised class in America, The only one's ever considered for judgeships? I see nothing in the Constitution regarding qualifications for the Supreme Court.
"But no honest and serious court in this land will rule against our constitutional right to political dissent. Judge Morrow's ruling will not stand."
It is my dream, Jim, to someday hear Clarence Thomas opine on the subject.
This forum of yours is a wonderful thing, JimRob, and I am proud to have been offered the opportunity to grace its pages once in a while. I hope that I don't do it badly, but rather, I hope to help the great Cause we have.
I agree with Born-in-a-rage that the lines semm murky, and I think his threads look like good educational material. But then I guess he isn't debating the issue, just informing. And in that case his thread would come under your definition of what this site is about, right?
I agree with you that anybody can debate the single issues till they are blue in the face--on Pathfinder or somewhere else. But how many places is there an attempt to educate. I wish a lot of young people would find this site and make an attempt to learn what government is supposed to be. That is just what we have to do to save the country. Educate the young.
Bump
as a relative newcomer i haven't seen this statement before.
very well stated. i agree.
i might add fr should not be a place for some to destroy others' posts. i'd like to see more civility. civility is a quality lost in our liberal-socialist society.
i listen to art bell and sightings sometimes and they both have an environmental agenda that irks me.
best regards, i appreciate this site. not a lot of money here, but a check will be forth coming. ken.
Bravo Zulu Jim!!
I'm proud to be among the dissenters and fellow Freepers defending our Constitution.
All the Best Regards...and Thanks!
A bump to your common sense analysis.
As a freeper for two years now, Free Republic is one of my main sources for news and reactions to such by conservitives. There have been a few dissruptive Freepers(in name only) and you seem to weed out the ones intent on dissruption of disscussions where factual responses help to enlighten.
Some of the haters out there are nothing but liberal opertives attemting to disstract our flow of information, pure and simple.
Keep up the good work JIM and may God bless you each and every day.
For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom.
That's why I'm here.
Ditto for me. You see, we are in the middle of a culture war, where those of us who try to live according to traditional morality are being cut out of the discussions in much of the press. They use "executive orders " and the courts to impose abortion, where our kids go to school, etc.
On the other hand, I see your point since disrupters like to bait FReepers into extreme positions so they can discredit FR.
Could I suggest we put such discussions into letters?
Free Republic was not created to "debate" liberal ideas or policy or to allow the liberals and moderates the advantage of setting the subject or tone of the discussion. For example, there is absolutely no need to debate the subjects of homosexuality or racism or federal control over education, health, welfare and the environment, or globalism, or gun control, or social security, or any of the other hundreds of touchy feely causes that our detractors use as bait to trap us and to rob us of our freedom. I'd just as soon none of it even appears on the pages of Free Republic at all, other than to expose the lying politicians and media. Debate on these issues leads only to compromise. And when we are speaking of the larger concepts of equality under the law, separation of powers, self government, Freedom, and Liberty there can be no room for debate or compromise.
This part is one of the most important of your statement; may it be well understood by all. RIGHT ON.
Hi JIM
got a question on the Gun Co