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| The community is largely, but not exclusively, united on certain issues, including being against gun control and abortion, having a strong dislike for the Clintons, being Pro-Israel and against the formation of a Palestinian State, and against ] and ] . On some issues the readership is quite divided. Three main groups can be observed: The moderate Republicans, who are very pro-] and the ], the ], and the staunch ]s. | The community is largely, but not exclusively, united on certain issues, including being against gun control and abortion, having a strong dislike for the Clintons, being Pro-Israel and against the formation of a Palestinian State, and against ] and ] . On some issues the readership is quite divided. Three main groups can be observed: The moderate Republicans, who are very pro-] and the ], the ], and the staunch ]s. | ||
| Divisive issues include ] and the legalization of ]. Although the organization has an official policy of not permitting it, |
Divisive issues include ] and the legalization of ]. Although the organization has an official policy of not permitting it, a few of the postings in its forums show ]. The website does not seek to be a board that represents all political viewpoints: it is a meeting point for those to the right of the political center in America. | ||
| The group is funded through quarterly donations drives which mimic public television and ]. The website does not charge a regular usage fee. | The group is funded through quarterly donations drives which mimic public television and ]. The website does not charge a regular usage fee. | ||
Revision as of 19:55, 25 May 2004
Free Republic is a noted right-wing American activist organization and privately-owned website.
A self-described "electronic townhall," FreeRepublic was founded in 1996 by Jim Robinson of California as a conservative discussion site during the Clinton years. Members would copy articles from other news sources and then the community would discuss them. The group first came to prominence during the Clinton impeachment controversy when protests and write-in campaigns were organized. The group also played an important role in the controversy over the 2000 election where it again organized protests, including the creation of the famous "Sore/Loserman" signs. The group has also played a role in organizing pro-war demonstrations across the United States during the Iraq disarmament crisis.
The not-for-profit organization is best known for its multifaceted demonstrations against government intrusion. Depending on the purpose, most of its peaceful demonstrations are designed to raise public awareness and to hold congress persons accountable for their actions or inactions.
Users of the board (which call themselves "Freepers") simply organize local gatherings themselves on the various message boards. There is a member directory, but nearly everyone has a pseudonym and few people divulge their true identity in their online profiles.
The community is largely, but not exclusively, united on certain issues, including being against gun control and abortion, having a strong dislike for the Clintons, being Pro-Israel and against the formation of a Palestinian State, and against affirmative action and gay rights . On some issues the readership is quite divided. Three main groups can be observed: The moderate Republicans, who are very pro-Bush and the Republican Party, the Christian-conservatives, and the staunch libertarians.
Divisive issues include evolution and the legalization of soft drugs. Although the organization has an official policy of not permitting it, a few of the postings in its forums show racism. The website does not seek to be a board that represents all political viewpoints: it is a meeting point for those to the right of the political center in America.
The group is funded through quarterly donations drives which mimic public television and PBS. The website does not charge a regular usage fee.
Because it has been a practice of its users to copy and paste copyrighted news stories in their entirety to its discussion boards, FreeRepublic was sued by the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. (Reuters and the Wall Street Journal were part of the original consortium threatening legal action, but they dropped out before the lawsuit was filed.) Many members view the lawsuit as an unsuccessful conspiracy by the leftist media to stifle the organization (Mr. Robinson referred to the suit as "a life and death struggle with elements of the socialist propaganda machine"). In a negotiated settlement, FR agreed to remove the posted articles, and paid these two newspapers $5,000 each. Neither party was awarded any damages, legal fees or costs. Today, other publishers, such as Conde Nast, have joined the WaPost and LATimes in objecting to the posting of entire copyrighted articles. Users now post excerpts from such publishers (as allowed by fair use), and the site filters submissions against a watchlist of 'banned' sources as a precaution against future lawsuits.