Free Republic

{{internet}}{{cquote|Republicans and Conservatives could gain support from millions of [[Muslim]]s in this country by joining forces to combat the promotion of immorality, which is fostered in our nation's schools and taught in all too many liberal universities. Combating liberals could literally save our country from Islamic radicals who want to destroy us because of the ideologies promoted by liberal democrats.|||No seriously, they actually believe this.<ref>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2479738/posts?q=1&;page=41</ref>}}
'''Free Republic''' is an eye-searing wingnut message board focusing primarily on [[United States]] politics. It is particularly known for its regular posters (generally known as '''freepers''', and not to be confused with readers of the [http://www.freep.com ''Detroit Free Press'' newspaper], who are generally moderate-to-liberal), who have a reputation for being [[bigot|bigoted]], [[Ignorance|uninformed]] loudmouths somewhat to the right of [[Fox News]]. Free Republic is a place where members can post articles from moderator approved news and websites for all to read. It acts as a gateway to news articles that may be of interest to members (though members evidently don't even read the articles or studies, especially those they don't like).

If you're a big-spending [[Republican]] on the take (see J.D. Hayworth), Free Republic will support you.<ref>[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2439408/posts JD Hayworth Paid More than $101,000 by Indicted Lobbyist Jack Abramoff]</ref>

In 1998, the ''Los Angeles Times'' and ''[[The Washington Post]]'' sued Free Republic for alleged copyright infringement; the forum allowed users to re-post the full text of the newspapers' articles regardless of copyright permission. The next year, federal judge Margaret M. Morrow (who was appointed by the Freepers' much-hated [[Bill Clinton]]!) ordered Free Republic to stop publishing full-text copies of newspaper articles and rejected the website's [[fair use]] defense.<ref>Miller, Greg. "[http://articles.latimes.com/print/1999/nov/09/business/fi-31472 Judge Rejects 'Fair Use' of News Protection]." ''Los Angeles Times'': November 9, 1999.</ref> This case was ''L.A. Times v. Free Republic''.<ref>[http://www.techlawjournal.com/courts/freerep/19980928.htm Original complaint]</ref>

In 2007, members of the site stalked Graeme Frost after the 12-year-old made a radio address on behalf of the [[Democratic Party]] asking President [[George W. Bush]] not to cut SCHIP, a children's health insurance program.<ref>"[http://crooksandliars.com/2007/10/09/graeme-foster-what-would-you-do-if-this-was-snooping-around-your-house/ Graeme Frost: What Would You Do If This Was Snooping Around Your House? (Updated)]" Crooks and Liars: October 8, 2007.</ref>

Free Republic encountered two more controversies in 2009. In response to a photo depicting President [[Barack Obama]]'s daughter Malia wearing a peace sign T-shirt, Freepers began talking trash such as calling Malia a "street whore" and even speculated when she'd get her first [[abortion]].<ref>[http://current.com/news/90404636_freepers-refuse-to-apologize-for-calling-malia-obama-a-typical-street-whore.htm Freepers refuse to apologize for calling Malia Obama 'a typical street whore']</ref><ref>Parry, Chris. "[http://web.archive.org/web/20100104080736/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Conservative+Free+Republic+blog+free+speech+flap+after+racial+slurs+directed+Obama+children/1782375/story.html Conservative Free Republic blog in free speech flap after racial slurs directed at Obama children]." ''Vancouver Sun'': July 14, 2009.</ref> Also, after James von Brunn killed a security guard at the United States [[Holocaust]] Memorial Museum, Liberal media outlets reported that von Brunn allegedly posted [[birther]] screeds on Free Republic.<ref>Hesse, Monica. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061104031.html Notoriety's Missing Links]." ''The Washington Post'': June 12, 2009.</ref> Not shocking but as yet unverified.

==See also==
*[[New tone]]
*[[Haig's Law]] - this site, particularly the forum, looks like a clown paint-covered zombie from the late 1990's web, with garish bright red and blue against a mostly white background and with an awful and barebones excuse for post "layouts".

==External links==
*[http://www.freerepublic.com This is where they engage in their wingnuttery]
*[http://freep-impact.blogspot.com/ Freep Impact]: A collection of the Freep comments' cream of the crap.
*[https://twitter.com/FreeRepublicTXT FreeRepublicTXT]: A Twitter account that, like Freep Impact, posts crazy quotes from Free Republic.
*[http://vikingkitties.blogspot.com/ Freeper Madness]: An inactive site that provides a daily blow-by-blow of the wingnuttiest comments, with weekly profiles of frequent posters.

==References==
{{reflist|2|90%}}

[[Category:Anti-abortion activists]]
[[Category:Antisemitism]]
[[Category:Atheophobia]]
[[Category:Birtherism]]
[[Category:Clogosphere]]
[[Category:Global warming denialists]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Internet hate sites]]
[[Category:Internet kooks]]
[[Category:Islamophobia]]
[[Category:Misnomers]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Webshites]]

Categories: Anti-abortion activists, Antisemitism, Atheophobia, Birtherism, Clogosphere, Global warming denialists, Homophobia, Internet hate sites, Internet kooks, Islamophobia, Misnomers, Racism, Webshites