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Prediction: FreeRepublic will be shut down before the end of Obama's first term

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berni_mccoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:19 AM
Original message
Prediction: FreeRepublic will be shut down before the end of Obama's first term
Edited on Mon Aug-03-09 11:21 AM by berni_mccoy
They are openly advocating insurrection and making veiled threats toward the President at that site. This is not a free speech issue. They cannot threaten (veiled or otherwise) the President of the U.S. without consequences. It's not just a few rogue members promoting these types of statements. The founder of the site has made the case for open rebellion against the government and threatening responses in similar posts have been allowed to remain. They have been reported and I suspect they've gone too far at this point. Don't be surprised if the either the FBI or the SS begin investigating members of the site, leading to it's eventual shutdown.
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Strong Atheist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:20 AM
Response to Original message
1. Good ridance to bad rubbish. nt.
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graywarrior Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:20 AM
Response to Original message
2. I know a hooded group who they can be absorbed by
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Strong Atheist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:21 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. !
:rofl: MAO!
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BR_Parkway Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:22 AM
Response to Reply #2
6. "but there's only one K on my keyboard, damn libruls musta stole the other 2"
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madinmaryland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 12:28 PM
Response to Reply #6
23. But their name is spelled with Three K's...
Free Republikkk
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 04:36 PM
Response to Reply #23
42. Where's the three k button?
I have the same problem findin' the hundrit button on my calculator too.
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liberal N proud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:22 AM
Response to Original message
4. Is anyone reporting these threats to the Secret Service?
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bluestateguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:22 AM
Response to Original message
5. "Freedom of speech, which you abuse"
----George Washington to "Michael Malone" character (basically Michael Moore) in the conservatives' favorite movie, "An American Carol".
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AlinPA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:25 AM
Response to Original message
7. I seriously doubt that. nt
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BlueIdaho Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:25 AM
Response to Original message
8. Wishful thinking...
They may dance right up to the edge of fighting words and hate speech, but we are stuck with them. It is an unfortunate fact that the extreme right wing fascists have decided a scorched earth policy is better than a meaningful discussion about America's future.
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AspenRose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:26 AM
Response to Original message
9. Nah. I doubt it.
I'll be very surprised if that happens.

As an aside, though, I think we will see an increase in trolls coming over here planting specific threads (and then reporting on them) to get DU shut down by the SS.
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WeDidIt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:28 AM
Response to Original message
10. Only if Rim Jobinson doesn't shut down the Birthers on his site
The Birthers are killing his donation base. If he doesn't ban Birther bullshit, he'll shut down for lack of funding.
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hugo_from_TN Donating Member (895 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:31 AM
Response to Reply #10
15. He'll probably move the birther threads to a 'dungeon' like the truther threads here.
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Mariana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:32 PM
Response to Reply #10
31. The 6000 year old earth folks had already taken a big toll
on his donation base before the rise of the birthers on that site. If FR survives the birthers, then some other group of crazies will rise and drive off even more donors. I do believe that site is doomed.
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Posteritatis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:57 PM
Response to Reply #10
40. I thought he *was* a birther? (nt)
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hyphenate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:28 AM
Response to Original message
11. Jim is such a character
I'm sure he's been trying his best to get people out of their couch potato reverie, and onto the streets of D.C.

We shouldn't be pushing for FR to go away, though. I think we have to look at FR as just a outlet for right-wing folk to vent--the individuals who made threats will likely be investigated, but FR is more like DU's counterpart, and if we close it down, we will see those folks doing worse things than being part of a conservative web forum.
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orleans Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:25 AM
Response to Reply #11
48. yeah--they'll come over here to party more than they do already.
i'd rather have them stay at home.
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cherokeeprogressive Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:28 AM
Response to Original message
12. Disagree. n/t
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Wickerman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:29 AM
Response to Original message
13. They certainly walk the line
and sometimes trip over. However, let them stay; keep all the freak corralled in that one cyber ghetto of a mid-90's 14 year old's version of a discussion board. It's so ugly the only people who venture there are the ever decreasing faithful and those who love to make fun of them.
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LittleClarkie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:29 AM
Response to Original message
14. Well, at least when we did it Skinner had the sense to delete the stuff
I don't get why it was hating America when we criticized Bush, but it's not hating America when they say this stuff about Obama.
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Echo In Light Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:34 AM
Response to Reply #14
16. M$M and The Establishment helped to plant that seed within the public mind
All by design ti help support the "war" effort...at least early on.
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Rocknrule Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:27 AM
Response to Reply #14
50. Because Bush and the GOP ARE America
Didn't you get the memo?
:sarcasm:
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ingac70 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:43 AM
Response to Original message
17. If they shut down....
it will be because they can't get enough money in their "freepathons". The current one has gone on over a month and they don't even have half the money. RimJob ain't gonna do this any longer if it isn't profitable.
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SeriousEbony Donating Member (66 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:50 AM
Response to Original message
18. Links? Quotes? Examples?
Got quotes?
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berni_mccoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 12:08 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. LOL. Maybe you could provide some.
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devilgrrl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:08 AM
Response to Reply #21
46. No doubt!
:puke:
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GrantDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 05:54 PM
Response to Reply #18
45. Oh boy...
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formercia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 11:51 AM
Response to Original message
19. I'll miss them about as much as I miss Junior. n/t
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PandaKeeper Donating Member (8 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
20. Youd be surprised
How close to true this is...
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madrchsod Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 12:14 PM
Response to Original message
22. rim job`s fund raising has been stuck at 30,000 plus for weeks

i think he`s getting off the books funding...how else can he keep the site going.
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MidwestTransplant Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 12:31 PM
Response to Reply #22
24. They are all sending their money to Oral Taint
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madrchsod Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #24
43. taint that the truth.....
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Nye Bevan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:09 PM
Response to Original message
25. Why would they shut down the site?
Individual members who threaten the President should be investigated and dealt with accordingly. But shutting down the entire site would be just as chilling an overreaction as shutting down DU would have been in 2006, based on the postings of a couple of DUers:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Skinner/131
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berni_mccoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #25
28. Because the founder of the site is promoting the threats and allowing them to remain up.
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Nye Bevan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #28
29. I highly doubt that there are any actual threats against President Obama
currently posted on FR. But feel free to prove me wrong by posting a link.
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berni_mccoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #29
30. Plenty of examples here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8565878#8566130
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #30
34. WOW I'd say that's proof!
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berni_mccoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:47 PM
Response to Reply #34
36. Google their site
for "Assassinate Obama" and read the responses.

There have been plots to assassinate the President foiled by the CIA and SS and reported in the news. When they post them on the FR site, just read the responses. It's sickening.
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Nye Bevan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:46 PM
Response to Reply #30
35. They talk about "overthrowing" Obama
which is not really a death threat. There has been plenty of talk about "overthrowing" Bush on DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x10050
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berni_mccoy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:48 PM
Response to Reply #35
37. Not just that...
Read the DUers post and the response they quote. That person is clear in their meaning.

And read my response #34 above: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6208864&mesg_id=6209906
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Nye Bevan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 03:14 PM
Response to Reply #37
41. I agree that they probably mean what they think you mean.
Disgusting stuff, but I think they left themselves enough plausible deniability. I hate to defend FR but I am not comfortable with the Government shutting down discussion websites based upon what they think a poster "really" meant.
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Posteritatis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:53 PM
Response to Reply #35
39. Our talk usually doesn't involve armed marches on the White House
Which is what FR's owner openly started planning a couple of weeks ago. (If you've got the Tums on hand to deal with the comment threads, the second one has the guy "subtly" suggesting he be the interim head of state at points.)

It's disclaimered up for CYA purposes, but it's pretty clear going through those that there's a substantial ultima ratio regum crowd that wants to take action.
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BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:10 PM
Response to Original message
26. I bet you a star for a needy DUer that it won't be.
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Gold Metal Flake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:12 PM
Response to Original message
27. No way.
The Democrats would not care for how that would "look".
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onenote Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:36 PM
Response to Original message
32. prediction: won't happen
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:40 PM
Response to Original message
33. If SOMEONE could just sue the bastards for the racist shit they say
and drain the swamp of money, they'd be gone by the end of the year. These fuckers create endless number of nuisance lawsuits, why can't we get our big donors to back legal action against them?

I swear I win the lottery, I'm there with the money.
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Parker CA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 01:49 PM
Response to Original message
38. As crazy as they are, I think it's good they have a place to openly display their unhinged behavior.
Closing the site would bring this all further out of the public view. My guess is that unless donations slip to such a dismal level that Rim Job cannot afford to run the site, it will be up.
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backwoodsbob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-03-09 04:57 PM
Response to Original message
44. they wont go anywhere
back when I was a lurker we had two posters here investigated by ss for threats and we are still here.

I would LOVE to see them shut down but I want it to be for something like the owner of the site caught running drugs using prostitute couriors while snorting coke off the ass of his 18 year old daughter
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mwooldri Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:18 AM
Response to Original message
47. This is one prediction that would be nice but will never happen.
Yes it's wrong what they're doing but nope, 1st amendment will reign supreme here... plus if there's problems the site can be offshored quite quickly. We don't have a great firewall of China, or of Britain (yes they're firewalled, in a different way) - yet.
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Rocknrule Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:25 AM
Response to Original message
49. It's just as bad on Topix
Some of you remember GSCensored, the guy I quoted on Topix making Columbine-esque death threats against liberals for being "enemies of the Constitution" (the same document that his hero Bush spent 8 years using as toilet paper). For more of his bloodlusting masturbatory fantasies (and others almost as bad as him), check this out: http://www.topix.com/forum/us/T1RTSJI06UR8CB63S/p2235
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4lbs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:29 AM
Response to Original message
51. It might be better to leave it up and funnel all the whack jobs there.
It would actually make it easier for the Secret Service to deal with them, because they don't have to monitor a hundred web sites, just one.

In addition, it would be relatively easy for the FBI to get the authority to trace the network traffic on that site so they can locate the origin of the posts. The outright threats against the President and the federal government would easily convince most judges to grant authority to the FBI and Secret Service to snoop the packets.
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Iggo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 01:34 AM
Response to Original message
52. If they go, it'll be 'cause they ran out of money. (n/t)
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Contrary1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-04-09 02:25 AM
Response to Reply #52
53. Yep.
Jim Bob is calling anyone who disagrees with him a troll, even members who have been there 8+ years.
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