A Comment on the Atmosphere of FR

A concerned FReeper | December 30, 2004 | K1avg

[K1avg]

For the past several months, fate has conspired to keep me away from the computer. I haven't posted nearly as much on FR as I used to. With the holidays, though, I've had an opportunity to catch up a bit.

What I found on my return is a bit disconcerting. While there's always been an element here that refuses to reason and does little more than insult Democrats and RINOs, it seems that this mentality has taken over a large portion of our membership. I've encountered more shrill, radical nonsense in the past couple of days than I had in the months before my absence.

Certainly it's acceptable to gloat a bit after our enormous gains on November 2, but I do believe it's about time to get back to normal business.

Referring to Democrats as “Rats” or some variant thereof may be somewhat amusing, but seeing the reference in nearly every other post really gets annoying at times. Pet names for Democrats and RINOs may be funny the first time, but quickly get old. It's one thing to respect someone, and it's certainly acceptable to not do so for one reason or another, but it's never alright to be downright incivil.

Just the other day, I was in an argument here with some other members who were supporting Yanukovych over Yushchenko because Yush had pledged to remove Ukraine's 1600-some-odd-strong force from Iraq and was *gasp* more liberal than Yanukovych. Seriously, that's absurd. I'd be happy to debate with you here, but anyone can tell you Yushchenko as president will be much better for the Ukrainian people, our interests in Iraq be damned.

But I'm getting away from the subject at hand. These are just a few examples of the devolution of discourse here. While everyone is certainly allowed to have their own opinions, there is a certain level of civility that should be maintained, regardless of the context.

This is the sort of stuff you find at DU, not here. I recognize there's plenty of good, civil users here, and I'm thankful for that. To those guilty, though, it would be nice if you could tone it down a bit.

I love being here. Things like the Undead Thread, Daily Dose, and crushkerry's Lib Pundit tournament, along with the usual daily banter of normal news, makes FR like no other political site on the web. Let's keep it that way. Thanks for your time, and have a lovely day.

[K1avg]

I just dashed this off real quick, having been meaning to do so for several days, and had meant to be able to sit here for a bit and respond to any inquiries regarding my message and its content, but unfortunately I unexpectedly am called away.

I'll be back later this evening, though, to address any concerns. This is one of the best political sites on the web, and I'd like to keep it that way. Only a select few are guilty of what I've alleged, but as the saying goes, one proverbial rotten apple spoils the barrel.

Cheers!

[JoJo Gunn]

You think the Left isn't a danger anymore? Are we supposed to go back to September the 10th complacency?

And in case you didn't notice, we almost had Hanoi John in the White House.

[Arkinsaw]

Go back to Krusgnet you liberal RINO! (Just kidding)

[Sam's Army]

"Referring to Democrats as “Rats” or some variant thereof may be somewhat amusing, but seeing the reference in nearly every other post really gets annoying at times. Pet names for Democrats and RINOs may be funny the first time, but quickly get old."

Yeah, so cut it out.

[Tax-chick]

I've been busy with the kids the last few days, and didn't have time to upgrade the Molasses Miasma of Niceness generator. You could try building your own. Bless your heart :-).

[Centurion2000]

Sn0rE_FeSt

[rmmcdaniell]

Member Since Mar 20, 2004

You haven't been here long enough to know what its like.

Same as always, grow a thick skin or go elsewhere.

[WildTurkey]

This is the sort of stuff you find at DU, not here.

No. Over at DU they are not doing much bashing. They are trying to figure out whether Ramsey Clarke is a hero or the devil.

[Enterprise]

RATS RATS RATS RATS RATS RATS RATS RATS

[Moose4]

I've been busy with the kids the last few days, and didn't have time to upgrade the Molasses Miasma of Niceness generator. You could try building your own. Bless your heart :-).

Daaaaaaayum. THAT'S gonna leave a bruise.

}:-)4

[Sam's Army]

"I just dashed this off real quick, having been meaning to do so for several days,"

Why the delay?

[dawn53]

From your homepage:

"please be contented in simply reading my amazingly well-crafted posts. The knowledge and wisdom one can gain from observing my superior intellect at work is astounding."

You want a return to civility...how about a return to humility????

[Rodney King]

I guess you're a RINO.

[mewzilla]

Oh, I don't know. As a recovering 'Rat I find the name quite apropos :)

[cwiz24]

I think people should be allowed to post virtually anything they want at FR (with some obvious exceptions). If you don't like what some people are posting, then just ignore them and reply to those FReepers you want to. There are some immature FReepers, just as there are immature people in general life. But I don't think asking them to tone it down will accomplish anything whatsoever. If anything, it will only egg them on. Ignore them.

[Fresh Wind]

Typing "rats" instead of "democrats" saves bandwidth, and it's much beter than typing "demokkkrats".

[Tax-chick]

Well, I didn't bless his bowels, even though the short version of the post might be, "Somebody disagreed with me, and wasn't particularly diplomatic about it!"

[paltz]

Daaaaaaayum. THAT'S gonna leave a bruise

...better put some ice on it.

[K1avg]

It's one thing to fight the left, and hopefully accomplish something, it's another to simply throw insults at them, usually accomplishing nothing.

[Armedanddangerous]

We calls em as we sees em...

[OSHA]

I'll be back later this evening, though, to address any concerns.

But how will we know how to act while you're gone? Perhaps you should replace the FR home page with your likes/dislikes and rules.

[Abram]

Your points are well taken and appreciated. I agree sometimes some posters make the spirit here a little testy. Intolerance and mean spiritedness is present nearly everwhere you go. I would agree sometimes that I have been turned off by a particular post or poster, but by-in-large, the majority of the posters here are generally polite and kind.
Please give it some time and steel yourself. Grow thick skin because sometimes the written text can be (or appear to be) much harsher than verbal communication.

[Sam's Army]

Back already?

[Corin Stormhands]

Bless your heart :-).

~snicker~

[K1avg]

Despite the election results, there's a lot left to do. Agreed entirely. Calling the opposition "Rats," for instance, doesn't accomplish a bit of it...

[thulldud]

The abbreviation "RATS" has historical implications which obviously have escaped your attention.

You could look it up.

[OSHA]

What is this, a semi-opus?

[BCrago66]

Worthless pomposity, thy name is Klavg.

[cwiz24]

Hey!! You're back!! I thought you had things to do!!

[Fiddlstix]

LOL! You should've been around in the "good old days" with A+Bert, Illbay, et al. You missed some interesting times.

[cfhBAMA]

The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others.
-- Bertrand Russell

[Rokke]

"Somebody disagreed with me, and wasn't particularly diplomatic about it!"

I certainly appreciate you summarizing this fetal opus for me. I lost focus after the first couple of sentences and skipped right to the replies.

[K1avg]

Why the delay?

Things to do. Posting on Internet forums is not particularly at the top of my list.

[frog_jerk_2004]

I've encountered more shrill, radical nonsense in the past couple of days than I had in the months before my absence.

This is what keeps me coming back. Nothing better or funnier than watching these types of people (usually Trolls) being debunked by Freepers in real-time.

Certainly it's acceptable to gloat a bit after our enormous gains on November 2, but I do believe it's about time to get back to normal business.

We will need at least a couple of more wins like Nov 2 to get the sting of Klinton out of our systems. BTW, I forgot to mention that I'm still tap dancing because W won! We can still celebrate and rub it in while we go ahead with our business.

This is the sort of stuff you find at DU, not here.

DU is a bunch of the sky is falling, unhappy, whiners. I cannot say the same for FR.

[socal_parrot]

These are just a few examples of the devolution of discourse here.

I think somebody has spiked the punch.

Bottoms up!!!

[Tax-chick]

Should I resign as Niceness Nazi?

[K1avg]

You want a return to civility...how about a return to humility????

Sarcasm is lost on some...

[Sam's Army]

Then why do you do it?

[kcar]

I love "extremists" on the right, like radical FReeple who believe that "shall not be infringed" actually does mean "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED"!

Extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

[K1avg]

I guess you're a RINO.

I guess so... ;-)

But seriously, if longing for a bit more civility makes me a RINO, I'll gladly accept the label.

[kingsurfer]

I blame Bush!

[DoctorMichael]

Scumbag Rats

[Tax-chick]

I'm reknowned for my summarizing! Have a nice day!

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I find the atmosphere on FR to be particularly heavy with methane lately, but I think that's mostly my fault.

[cwiz24]

Things to do. Posting on Internet forums is not particularly at the top of my list.

Oh really? Then leave it to us. Jeez--the first time I've ever seen you post anything and you come off all pompous and holier-than-thou. That will get you nowhere around here.

[Snapple]

I agree totally.

[banjo joe]

You want a return to civility...how about a return to humility????

How about a return to correct grammar?

[Sam's Army]

Weren't you supposed to be somewhere unexpectedly?