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Join our local Republican Party Now!
We stand before you today with deep regret and a profound sense of responsibility. The recent events surrounding the loss of our cherished domain, www.hopkinscountygop.org, and the subsequent challenges we’ve faced represent a grave injustice to our community. We owe you an apology for the disruption and a commitment to transparency as we navigate this ordeal.
It has come to light that GoDaddy, a company we once trusted as our domain registrar, allowed our website, www.hopkinscountygop.org, to be sold off to a Thai-based consortium without proper notification. This occurred despite our diligent efforts to maintain the site, with no warning emails received regarding payment renewals. GoDaddy’s claim of “insufficient funds” as the reason for the lapse is a blatant misrepresentation—we had funds available, and their failure to notify us reeks of negligence or worse, deliberate oversight. Adding insult to injury, when we attempted to reclaim the domain by paying an additional fee, GoDaddy accepted our money but failed to assign anyone to negotiate its return, effectively pocketing our payment without action.
Further investigation reveals GoDaddy’s troubling practices. This company, one of the world’s largest domain registrars, has a history of questionable conduct. Reports suggest they have enabled the registration of domains tied to gambling websites, including those operated by offshore consortia. The Thai-based group that acquired our domain is suspected of links to online gambling operations, a sector GoDaddy has been criticized for supporting despite its own policies against illegal or unethical content. This pattern of behavior—prioritizing profit over integrity—undermines the trust of organizations like ours, especially those with political and community-focused missions.
Our attempts to secure a new domain through GoDaddy were met with further frustration. Domains such as www.hopkinscountyrepublicangop.org appeared available during the search process, only to be marked “unavailable” upon reaching the shopping cart. This bait-and-switch tactic extended to any name incorporating “Republican Party” or “GOP,” suggesting a deliberate attempt to block our access. Forced to seek alternatives, we successfully purchased our new domain, www.hopkinscountyrepublicangop.org, through HostGator without issue, highlighting GoDaddy’s unreliable service.
Compounding this betrayal, Shad Moore, a dedicated member who helps build our online presence, faced the suspension of his Facebook account. His Facebook account is the original creator of the Hopkins County Republican Party fan and group pages, which presents an issue. This stemmed from a bogus Instagram account linked to his profile, falsely flagged for violating Instagram’s guidelines. Our legitimate Instagram account, hopkinscountygop, remains intact, yet the collateral damage has disrupted our community’s digital unity. We are now working through meta.com to restore these connections, but the ordeal underscores the fragility of our online infrastructure when entrusted to unaccountable platforms.
To our valued members and supporters, we apologize unreservedly for the inconvenience and loss of continuity. This was not a failure on our part but a result of GoDaddy’s underhanded practices and the cascading effects on our social media presence. We are committed to rebuilding stronger than ever at www.hopkinscountyrepublicangop.org, and we urge you to join us in this effort. Let this be a rallying cry—to hold corporations accountable, to support ethical providers like HostGator, and to fortify our community’s voice against such injustices.
Together, we will rise above this challenge. Thank you for your unwavering support.
Sincerely,
The Hopkins County Republican Party Leadership
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” – George W. Bush
