Free Republic is a moderated Internet forum and activist site for Republicans and Neoconservatives from the United States. Founded in 1996 by Jim Robinson, it bills itself as "the premier on-line gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web." According to Ivor Tossell of the Globe and Mail, "during the 2004 U.S. presidential election, it was central to the network of websites that uncovered the forged memos about Bush's Vietnam service that appeared on CBS News and ultimately cost Dan Rather his job."

The website and its founder have generated controversy for their alleged post 9/11 shift away from their libertarian-leanings and opposition to George W. Bush, to what critics feel has become a rubber stamp for Bush Administration policy, and a purported increase in censorship and banning of numerous conservative members. ^[1] The site has also been controverisal for what their critics consider inappropriate calls to action posted by some of its by members, [1] and what they view as political extremism. [2]

Founder's 2004 statement

As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc. We also oppose the United Nations or any other world government body that may attempt to impose its will or rule over our sovereign nation and sovereign people. We believe in defending our borders, our constitution and our national sovereignty.^[2]

Origins and funding

Free Republic was founded in 1996 by Jim Robinson of Fresno, California. The site gained popularity during the President Clinton impeachment controversy when protests and write-in campaigns were organized on it.^[3]

Free Republic operates on an annual budget of approximately $260,000. ^[4]

Forums

Format and policy

Some posts on Free Republic are devoted to the ridicule of persons or groups perceived as anathema to conservatives. The site's officially stated policy is to remove blatantly racist or bigoted postings. ^[5]

Some posts on Free Republic are devoted to the ridicule of persons or groups perceived as anathema to conservatives. The site's officially stated policy is to remove blatantly racist or bigoted postings. ^[6]

Social organization and events

There are local chapters within Free Republic which are organized through ping lists, e-mail, and Free Republic mail.

The more active chapters organize live protests, which they call "Freeps." Often these are counter protests, as responses to protests by groups whom they oppose. "Freepers," will assemble at a predetermined location with signs and banners which are generally designed and hand-drawn by individual members.

One such Freep was described by reporter by Kerry Lauerman for Salon.com [3] in 2001. A number of Freepers paid $20 each to attend the conference at which conservative politicians and thinkers of varying pedigrees spoke to the issues that most interested the audience; the rights of man, the problems with the news media, and striper lakes. The climax of the evening was the presentation of a large Confederate Flag, to "Bob Johnson, from Los Angeles, for spearheading the Free Republic Network."

in 2005, Free Republic helped organize and stage a 'Freep' in Washington D.C. intended to show support for the troops and in opposition to the September 24 2005 anti warprotest which drew an estimated 100,000. Free Republic's D.C. chapter leader and frequent spokekperson for the group Kristinn Taylor was quoted as saying that they "were prepared for 20,000 people to attend the pro-military rally, billed as a time to honor the troops fighting, the war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world." Instead of the 20,000 expected, an estimated 100 reportedly did attend. [4]

Free Republic's counter-protest activities at Walter Reed Army Hospital are also notable. In 2005 the Antiwar group Code Pink initiated recurring protests outside the hospital, home to many soldiers severely injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The protests reportedly included mock caskets and signs which said "Maimed for Lies" and "Enlist here and die for Halliburton." sentiments offensive to many members of Free Republic. The D. C. Chapter, along with other groups, organized successful counter-protests, which allegedly resulted in Code Pink severely curtailing their Walter Reed protests, a clear victory for Free Republic and the other pro-war groups. [5]

Free Republic Inaugural Ball

In January 2005, Free Republic hosted an Inaugural Ball at the Washington Plaza Hotel with the intention to celebrate the reelection of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, as well as honor our men and women serving in the Armed Forces. The event featured Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and his rock and roll band, Capitol Offense.[6][7]

Political influence

Free Republic posters, notably "TankerKC" (later identified as active Air Force officer Paul Boley)[8] and "Buckhead" (later identified as Atlanta GOP lawyer Harry W. MacDougald)^[7] contributed, along with members of the blogs Powerline and Little Green Footballs, to breaking "Memogate," the controversy surrounding CBS News' use of questionable documents during the 2004 US presidential campaign. [9] The discussion quickly spread across the Internet via blogs, and the Drudge Report [10] (attributing Powerline) and the Associated Press later picked it up [11]. This eventually resulted in the early retirement of Dan Rather, and the forced resignations of Mary Mapes and three other news divison executives at CBS.

Controversial aspects

Ivor Tossell of the Globe and Mail called Free Republic "the worst site on the Internet, political-rhetoric division" and " an exercise in political extremism that, despite being something of an anthropological train wreck, keeps popping up square in the mainstream." [12]

Free Republic has been criticized for the actions of some members for their threats against former President Clinton, and against the owners of a restaurant who notified authorities when an underage Jenna Bush attempted to illegally purchase liquor at the establishment. ^[8] These actions were condemned by many other posters and by Jim Robinson, who removed the posts and banned the persons who posted them.^[9] TJ Walker, writing in America Politics Journal noted :

"Followers of the Free Republic gained notoriety earlier for posting death threats against President Clinton. This was the most direct:"

"People, we are going to have to go to Washington, and kill this horrible bastard [President Clinton] ourselves! He is now threatening my children and grandchildren, and I will kill him, before I let him kill my kids for his non-legacy!"... [June 10, 1999] [13]

Copyright lawsuit

Because it has been a practice of Free Republic to allow and even encourage its users to copy and paste copyrighted news stories in their entirety to its discussion boards, Free Republic was sued by The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times for federal copyright infringement. [14]. The case often cited in Cyberlaw is referred to as L.A. Times v. Free Republic. Many members viewed the lawsuit as a conspiracy by the "liberal media" to stifle the organization; founder Robinson referred to the suit as "a life and death struggle with elements of the socialist propaganda machine."[15]

References

See also

• Killian documents

External links

• Official website
• Stein, Jeff. "Free-for-all at Free Republic: Lucianne Goldberg, Matt Drudge and other friends abandon the Clinton-bashing Web site over its attacks on George W. Bush" Salon, 13 July 1999.
• Lauerman, Kerry. "They're here, they're mad, get used to it." Salon, 24 June 2001.
• York, Anthony. "Free Republic defends Salon." Salon, 18 July 2001.