A TRIBUTE TO THE FOURNIERS

[WestViking]

<center>A TRIBUTE TO THE FOURNIERS</center>

When Mark Fournier told us almost a decade ago that one day the government would try to shut down Free Dominion and stifle our voices, we thought he was a bit paranoid.

When Mark insisted on hosting Free Dominion on an American server we felt we should humour him.

The day has come - the day that Mark Fournier predicted seven years ago when he and Connie put Free Dominion on an American server to make life more difficult for the government agency he was sure would eventually move to shut down his conservative web site.

Around the turn of the century, and millennium, Mark Fournier from Edmonton, Alberta had a dream. He felt that there was insufficient political dialogue in Canada, and that the MSM stifled open discourse and criticism of our governments and their policies. Mark felt that in particular, conservative views and commentary lacked any real outlet.

Mark spent two years posting at Free Republic, an American conservative political web site, and paid particular attention to how the website was run and why it was so successful. He felt that he could apply what he had learned by creating a Canadian version of Free Republic, and with some luck and effort, create a place for Canadian conservatives to gather to share views, debate issues, teach and learn from one another. The site might eventually become influential in political circles if he could attract enough people to participate in freewheeling political discussion.

While at Free Republic, Mark happened across Connie Wilkins, a lady who shared his political principles, and who had the computer and web site skills Mark lacked. They colluded to bring Free Dominion into being. When EdS came up with the name ‘Free Dominion’ Mark recognized it as a winner and he and Connie set about branding it as the place to go for principled conservatism.

From the outset, Mark understood that he was shaking up a cosy relationship between politicians and the mainstream media. He was also giving voice to a political group that had been effectively stifled for decades. He expected that eventually political strategists would move to stifle his web site and shut down unfettered political debate.

While Mark and Connie struggled to bring Free Dominion into existence, they kept their site on American servers in part to avoid loss of their dream if our government should move against them as they anticipated. From the outset, the freedom of expression and the need to bolster democracy with open dialogue and unfettered debate were driving forces behind the formation of Free Dominion.

For the same reason that they used American servers, Mark and Connie have refused to align themselves with any political party or movement. While it seems strange that a conservative web site would not endorse conservative political parties, there is more to conservatism than adopting a name. It was important that Free Dominion members be allowed to freely criticize their representatives. Free Dominion remains a conservative grass roots site today and it is the largest and most widely read political forum in Canada.

Political parties, including conservative parties claim to be grass-roots and to listen to their members, but the reality is that member voices are quickly lost in practice. Free Dominion gives principled conservatives a voice that is heard.

Free Dominion has remained a bastion of free speech for years, and it is with great reluctance that Mark and Connie have banished belligerents, trolls and those who refuse to adhere to site rules and objectives. Without the occasional purging of those intent on disruption, the forums would sink into oblivion.

Members who criticize Free Dominion, its web site, operations and format forget that for the initial few years Mark and Connie carried the entire cost of operating Free Dominion. They used up cash on hand, their savings, all of their credit and came close to personal bankruptcy without ever once complaining or letting anyone know how dire their situation was. They still contribute thousands of hours and every penny they can lay their hand on to fighting to keep their dream alive, to promote conservatism and to fight for our freedom of speech, unedited and uncensored by politically correct bureaucrats.

We have done fund raising for Free Dominion with limited success. We have managed to keep the servers running and improvements made to the site format. However, when our government came knocking costs soared as we had to undertake a legal defence and costs thereof. Mark and Connie chose to sell Free Dominion to a Panamanian organization to keep Free Dominion and our members safe from our government.

HRCs that target an Internet web site routinely demand access to all of the data on the web site servers. That data includes all of our sign up information and other relevant information that would allow an HRC to track individual posters. The Fourniers have carefully protected our identities for all of the time that Free Dominion has been in operation and continued protection of our members was the major factor in the decision to sell Free Dominion. The sale has protected our butts from potential HRC harassment.

When you see odd additions to the Free Dominion forums, it is because we are trying various schemes to add a revenue stream through advertising to offset some of the site operational costs. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but rude posts are just that – unjustified rudeness. Site features may come and go, but bear in mind the objective is to help pay the bills.

Mark and Connie have done their best to protect this site and most importantly to protect the anonymity of Free Dominion members – even those ungrateful users of the free speech they have fought so hard to protect.

When THE CHRC announced it was investigating a complaint against Free Dominion and Mark and Connie made it very clear the CHRC was in for a fight to the finish, Richard Warman was unable to entice the CHRC to attack Free Dominion again. Undaunted, Warman filed libel actions instead, trying to financially hurt the Fourniers and close down Free Dominion through economic pressure.

Mark and Connie have been able to protect the Free Dominion web site and protect Free Dominion member anonymity. They have not been able to protect themselves, however, and are defendants in at least two actions by self-proclaimed Nazi hunter and human rights activist Richard Warman. His is, in my opinion, an egotistical snot trying vainly to establish a reputation as a defender of political correctness and champion of offensive, thin-skinned snivellers who are themselves easily offended.

If we value our freedom of expression, if we believe that Mark and Connie should not be subjected to frivolous and vexatious legal actions for providing us with a venue in which to speak our minds, we have to get off our haunches and contribute to their defence fund. Until they can get Warman into court and expose his actions, all of us live with the threat of having the CHRC knock on our door, accusing us of hate speech and ready, willing and able to railroad us through a kangaroo court and destroy us financially without the benefit of due process or an opportunity to defend ourselves.

If you value your freedoms, join in this battle. Click on the donate button and send along whatever you can afford. We cannot watch Mark and Connie fight this travesty alone. Mark and Connie are true leaders with principles worthy of support. We cannot allow our freedoms to be taken from us without a fight.

Thank you.
WestViking

[RedDog]

Excellent commentary.

[brityank58]

Thank you for this well written synopsis of the background of Free Dominion. I notice that there are quite a few from Free Republic that post here also, as well as keep FR informed as to the activities going on up here. Please know that your fight is recognised and supported.

FR FD

[backhoe]

Thank you for this well written synopsis of the background of Free Dominion. I notice that there are quite a few from Free Republic that post here also, as well as keep FR informed as to the activities going on up here. Please know that your fight is recognised and supported.

FR FD

[Edward Kennedy]

The good ole USA is the last bastion of true freedome today in the whole damned world. Every time I travel down there I fee the freedom that is lacking here. Note that the real enemies of freedom hate the USA because they recognize that it epitomizes real freedom. We should be seeking to become more like them in every way as that would be a big improvement.

[RedDog]

Unfortunately, the most telling aspect of the story is the notion that so many people in the country would "know", perhaps privately to themselves, that ultimately they might one day have cause to fear, or need to protect themselves from their own government they pay taxes to, and be inclined to actually take advance steps in anticipation of such.

Canada will never be a modern, free, leading democracy as long as this is the case in my opinion. It's just too easy to think we're talking about Romania or China or North Korea when we talk of circumventing govenment response years before one thinks it might be necessary to do so in protecting themselves of their private interests.

This represent the reasons family members of mine, as well as those of others here (Kate Shaw?) look this way and shake their heads at the ongoing comical folly to the north pretending to be a country of credibility.

Will Canada ever take the next step and mature as a nation, or remain an experiment somewhere lost between British and American origins (the Francophonies will say otherwise but they "invent" history on the fly as it suits them) having drifted with aplomb into a downbound spiral of no return?

[texasredtop]

God Bless Connie and Mark

[Roy Wilson]

As always , well stated WV.

[WestViking]

Mark and Connie could not have foreseen an attack by the CHRC when they fired up the engines of Free Dominion. Free Dominion hit the Internet January 6, 2001. The CHRA Section 13 (2) was changed to include Internet connected computers December 24, 2001.

It is worthy of note that Bill C-36, which brought in the change to CHRA s 13(2) was:
An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Canada Evidence Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act and other Acts, and to enact measures respecting the registration of charities in order to combat terrorism, brought to us by The Minister of Justice, The Hon. A. Anne McLellan

It is a very long way from the intent of Parliament to the abuse by the CHRC.

[frmgrl]

Your comment is excellent, Westviking. I couldn't have said it better myself.

I do believe that Trudeau's Charter is at the root of the situation we are in today. Because of that, we have all this political correctness therefore it stifles free speech. We are not a free country, it's just the illusion of a free country.

[RedDog]

WV - With respect I wonder if you miss my point.

I didn't trust this pretend country the day it's (get this) "constitution" came down. I didn't need activities in 1982 or 2001 to convince me it was on a downbound rocket sled on rails. This pretend nation was ruined by Troot-Owe.

[J.B. Stone]

Mark and Connie could not have foreseen an attack by the CHRC when they fired up the engines of Free Dominion. Free Dominion hit the Internet January 6, 2001. The CHRA Section 13 (2) was changed to include Internet connected computers December 24, 2001.

It is worthy of note that Bill C-36, which brought in the change to CHRA s 13(2) was:
An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Canada Evidence Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act and other Acts, and to enact measures respecting the registration of charities in order to combat terrorism, brought to us by The Minister of Justice, The Hon. A. Anne McLellan

It is a very long way from the intent of Parliament to the abuse by the CHRC.

As one of the stalwarts here, you certainly understand the significance of this site's existence.

I'm honored to be a "long distance" Canadian by way of my posts.

I came here after 9-11, wondering what was in the hearts and minds of my neighbors to the North. What I've learned has been invaluable and I most certainly consider MANY here to be true friends.

is also one of the finest minds you will find exhibited herein. Always well-spoken and always offering a fresh perspective as well.

This site means an awful lot to me. I can't even IMAGINE what things would be like overall without it.

DON'T LET THIS FINE EXAMPLE OF HUMAN COOPERATION GO DOWN....!!!

[Mark Fournier]

The Charter of Group Rights and Limited Freedoms guarantees the rise of legislation like the Canadian Human Rights Act.

A website dedicated to the freedom of political thought is guaranteed to be attacked by a State that has the power to enact legislation like the Canadian Human Rights Act.

[WestViking]

WV - With respect I wonder if you miss my point.

I didn't trust this pretend country the day it's (get this) "constitution" came down. I didn't need activities in 1982 or 2001 to convince me it was on a downbound rocket sled on rails. This pretend nation was ruined by Troot-Owe.

Not at all. I agree with you. Mark knew the attack would come. The unanswered questions were where, when and how.

[Mark Fournier]

In essence, principled conservatism calls for two things:

1. Reason based governance

2. Principled political behaviour

These two ideas are anathema and toxic to our political opponents.

Because our political opponents can never hope to defeat principled conservatism using logic and reason they are forced into trying to silence us. They really have no choice because they have no other weapons.