Free Republic - Pro gay or Anti Gay?

[Must_B_Free]

I have a feeling that Free Republic doesn't really exist like we all think and I'll detail my reasoning.

Back in the day of Clinton, FR was the gathering place for militia minded people; they INVENTED the myths about black helicopters and tinfoil hats. They were convinced that Clinton was an agent of ZOG - (Zionist Occupied Government).

Then under Bush They were transformed. There was somewhat of a mass exodus of the militia minded people. All of a sudden they transformed into an agent of Zionism whether Christian or Jewish, they somehow got sold on the concept that they would first have to fulfill Jewish prophecy to then be able to fulfill Christian prophecy and get to the rapture.

OK, I can take a transformation, but then there is the issue of homosexuality. At some point, I developed a covert avatar there where I was criticized for making anti-homosexual remarks (I thought I was "fitting in"). This was during election season and the reasoning was they they had a "big tent".

At the same time they also seem to be rabidly anti gay. They have to pull the party line of opposing gay marriage.

So I think there really are just a few hundred active creepers and a bunch of paid Bush shills. Look at their rallys - they can only ever seem to draw 30 to 50 people! Is this whole thing just more Bush AstroTurf? I'm wondering if they even really exist!

[JI7]

1. you see the same stuff on DU

such as with the evolution, creationism, god, religion etc.

and there are a bunch of 9/11 conspiracy types who think Bush purposely caused 9/11 while others see most of this as tinfoil.

[applegrove]

2. They seemed looking out one eye and foregoing stereo vision.

They were going nuts over that rape case in Congo and how the UN should be destroyed. I pointed out that direct US involvement for 30 years had destroyed democracy in Zaire (Congo)which is why there was a war there and that rape and assault are often common near military bases and much care needs to be taken to get the sadists and the freaks away from basic training the world over. Of course they booted me off. I cannot believe that people are so universally focused off to the side. There is a standard message you get from freepers visiting other sites. They are not hard to find. And they all read from the same playbook. I've often asked them how much they were paid an hour. That is the hard thing about blogs & bulletin boards. You do not know who you are talking to.

[Warpy]

3. They're pro CLOSET

Other than that, they seem to follow the punditry word for word, dutifully regurgitating whatever talking points are current.

[Catherine Vincent]

4. Looking at some of their pics, I saw a few black freepers.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

[TwentyFive]

5. Maybe it's the Jeff Gannon or Rush Limbaugh factor?

I'd say there are a few pro gay people there. Gay Republicans do still exist...and although many are closeted....they can make up for it in the anonymity of an Internet message board. Additionally, a smattering of Libertarian and economic conservatives don't have issues with gays, and will voice their opinion too.

But, these gay & gay friendly republicans are a shrinking minority. The republican party would much rather capitalize on the anti-gay fervor whipped up by Pat Robertson, Pope John-Paul, Jerry Falwell, etc.

Personally, I think these virulent homophobes have some kind of sexual hang-up themselves. Otherwise, why would they spend so much time obsessing what others do sexually? Why would Jeff Gannon write articles condemning the very behavior he was engaging in? The same thing was true of the Nazis...many homosexuals were in a movement that killed homosexuals.

Freud was right. These people can't kill the gay impulses in themselves, so they do the next best thing and try to stamp it out in society.

[Old and In the Way]

6. I posted something similar a couple of weeks ago.

I keep noticing the same posters over and over. There seems to be a core of a couple of hundred. Yet when you look at the hit count, they are ranked 1800 vs. 5500 for us. I think they are Freeping themselves. No way are they getting that much more traffic than us.

Their moral relativism is a sight to behold. Sticking up for Gannon/Gurkert in spite of the obvious prostitution angle and the snowball questions is hilarious. They seem to be tryong to convince themselves that this is all about a "frees press" and 1st Amendment issue....all the while glossing over the facts that we don't get to represent our oposition in these same briefings.

Quite a turnout they had for the "Pro-Gannon" rally......3 people show up.

[Melynn]

7. Jim Robinson runs Freeper Republic

and your seeing his changing views in action not the views of the membership. Robinson bans anyone who disagrees with him.

Freeper Republic has been rabidly pro-Bush for sometime now, although Robinson was anti-Bush back in 1998. Makes you wonder if Freeper Republic is getting some of that White House payola?

[Must_B_Free]

9. Wasnt there some point where FR was in dire financial trouble

then all of a sudden Rim Jobbinson is spending piles of cash? I think they must have gotten sold to a PR firm...

[Melynn]

10. I don't know about that

I don't follow FR very closely but it wouldn't surprise me if they were sold if that was the story. It would be interesting to see what "PR" firm bought FR and what connections the firm might have to the Republican party, neo-cons and the White House. Another scandal in the works.......?

[Must_B_Free]

11. the purchase part is pure speculation on my part

but, in my recollection there were complaints because he bought a big RV.

[McKenzie]

8. big political boards are almost certainly targetted

by political interests. It is inconcievable that there aren't plants at work (bad grammar, I know) who try to influence debate on the boards, particularly bigger boards. They are careful not to be too strident and can often appear to be one of "us" irrespective of the political complexion of the board. Propaganda works in subtle ways and I have absolutely no doubt that political interests try to infiltrate key political forums.

I know this is slightly oblique to your point but it is related imo.

[porphyrian]

12. Just gay. - n/t

[mogster]

13. Closet gays n/t