Enjoyed my years engaging in discussions on Free Republic, but I am done. Time to face reality.

Vanity

[Codeflier]

Please forgive the vanity...

Over the years, I have really enjoyed participating in Free Republic discussions on a great variety of topics. Even when there was strong disagreement, Free Republic brought me a sense of connection with others that always seemed to have a purpose.

Unfortunately, I now see clearly that it is over for the US. The constitution has no meaning and we are essentially under mob rule. There is no party to turn to and all the politicians are in collusion to game the system. I think we have reached a stage where this is all going to unravel economically and socially much faster than most people think.

Everything being pushed that most of us are against will come to fruition, with no chance of stopping it. I also realize that there will be no pushback, or moment of "hell no", despite all the brave talk of those behind keyboards. All the big talkers will eventually give up their first and second amendment rights with hardly a whimper.

I am basically going to disconnect, discontinue following politics, and quit voting. I refuse to be Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football any longer. I will now concentrate strictly on my own preparations with my family for when this all goes belly up. Honestly, at this point I would rather it all just go ahead and collapse sooner rather than later.

For my own sanity, I just need to tune it all out from now on.

[Chickensoup]

Hi,

Have felt the same way. Have turned off all radio most of the time. Have no news except internet. I know what I need to know. On FR? I stay away from the drama, read what is useful and know I am not alone. For that is what has been toxic for me, thinking that I am alone...and I am not, by far.

[TalBlack]

I’ll quit when Jesus does.

See ya’ punk. (You earned that dismissal, quitter, when you couldn’t just go without calling the rest of us pussies.)

[sasportas]

Many posts on this thread stirred me to the depths of my soul, the poignant ones quoting Samuel Adams, Cicero, and Churchill, etc.

But, as a Christian and to other Christian FReepers, which, I think I would be accurate in saying are the majority here, I feel compelled to say this. I would suggest that we reexamine the pretrib/post-trib issue, this time without an open mind. It has EVERY thing to do with our mental ability to handle the things that are ahead of us.

Dig into it seek the truth about it, as I did some 40 years ago. Truth is, and I’m not going to get into a big yah, yah back and forth with anybody, none of us are going to get out of what’s ahead of us means of a pre-tribulation rapture.

Jesus set the bar in Matt. 24, he said nothing of a pretrib escape; to the contrary, he said believers must endure to the “end,” verse 13, and when he said “end” he really meant end...through the tribulational signs he described, to the end of the age, verse 29-31. And then the 2nd coming and resurrection.

What this means to me, though hard trials lie ahead, the gathering storm be upon us, we will win in the end. As in Churchill’s famous speech, one word sums it up: victory! Whatever the cost be. Never, never, give up! Persevere in our faith to the end.

To this former pretribber, this revelation changed my life. It has made me much stronger in my faith. It will “man you up,” it will give you the kind of worldview to carry on the fight...which we know we will win! A post-trib apocalyptic worldview.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I'd characterize it as having happened slowly most of our lives, then with a huge, sudden and continuing acceleration over the past eight years. It's going faster than I ever thought possible. Ten years ago I would have laughed at SHTF thinking, or the culture collapsing; ten years ago I would have said today's situation could never happen in the US.

Your scenario reminds me of the cliche, how did you go bankrupt? The answer is gradually, then suddenly. I think you're right. Our country eroded gradually for years, and now suddenly it's dizzying. Yeah, 10, maybe 7-8 years ago I would look at SHTF and ex pat folks as idiots. No longer.

[humblegunner]

I have no common goal with you.

But you just said you wanted to send someone packing.

I'm pretty dang irritating, mayhap I can help. Whom shall we pick?

I don’t strive to damage his forum.

But didn't you just say you wanted to drive someone off it?
Thereby reducing the numbers?
Thereby damaging?

He’s been very good to you as well

Indeed, he bought breakfast once. And lunch too.

SO.. who are you and I going to team up against and run off the site, per your suggestion?

Because you DID suggest it.

Let's GET 'em!

[sasportas]

Correction:

I would suggest that we reexamine the pretrib/post-trib issue, this time with an open mind.

[SuzyQue]

“There is still the chance that a Convention of States can bring the government under control.”

That’s very sweet of you, but, no, it might temporarily appear to be a remedy, or slow the descent, but we’ve crossed the Rubicon, or exceeded the critical angle or whatever. We don’t have the will to save it, and the masses don’t have the knowledge, wisdom, desire or leadership to change anything.

(Having said all that, I would support a Convention of States, if for no other reason than to say I gave it a shot.)

[lurked_for_a_decade]

A good laugh followed by a good nights sleep is my prescription.

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/07

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/08

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/09

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/10

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/12

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/18

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/19

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/20

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/22

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/25

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/26

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/27

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/28

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/29

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/11/30

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/01

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/03

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/04

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/05

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/06

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/07

http://www.gocomics.com/bloomcounty/1984/12/09

[Rocky]

Alas, poor Codeflier, I hardly knew ye.

[TalBlack]

“...so I’ve got that going for me. Which is nice.”

Isn’t that a direct quote from ‘Caddy Shack’(Bill Murray)?

[GeronL]

no it won’t

You change change the Constitution but they will continue to ignore it

The same bunch will still be running things, the same people running schools, the same people running the media, the same people running everything

[BykrBayb]

Just some ungrateful pig who continually damages Jim’s forum by abusing those who contribute positive material. You’ve driven many good FReepers to post less, or to stop posting altogether. Your abusive behavior drives down contributions. I understand it’s all fun and games for you, but it might be nice if you would step back just once and resist that urge to score a cheap thrill at Jim’s expense.

[humblegunner]

It is.

They stole it from me.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I think the phrase you were searching for is “tipping point” - and yeah, I think we’re on the other side of that now....

[SuzyQue]

That’s a good one.

Thanks.

[dennisw]

Is this your opus?

[humblegunner]

Just some ungrateful pig who continually damages Jim’s forum by abusing those who contribute positive material.

Oh No! Positive material?

You’ve driven many good FReepers to post less, or to stop posting altogether.

Oh no again! Please name them all so that I may make amends.

Your abusive behavior drives down contributions.

OH CRAP! Please demonstrate the numbers on this so that I may correct it.

I understand it’s all fun and games for you

Most things are, sweetiecakes. Take things too seriously and you get burned out.

Now, if you got nothing more than made-up BS global-warming type facts to spit out..

Who were we thinking about voting off the island?

[M Kehoe]

Chill.

Enjoy FR.

I will tell you when all is lost, and when to do your opus.

How will I know? When I run out of ammo.

Now, go have a beer and relax. We're not there...yet.

5.56mm

[Blood of Tyrants]

There are changes they can’t ignore or misinterpret. Like term limits and repealing the 17th Amendment. Those two will go a long way to returning power back to the people.

[cableguymn]

and the ability to retrieve them from the bottom of the lake ;)