Poohbah's Opus

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, sayeth Qohotoleth... | 01 April 2005 | Poohbah

[Poohbah]

First, this is NOT an April Fool's joke.

I am leaving Free Republic.

Over the past two years, civility and thoughtful discourse has vanished from this site, replaced with demands for ideological conformity that are straight out of Stalinist Russia or China's Great Cultural Revolution, and unrelenting uncivility if said conformance is not forthcoming. This trend began with the California recall election, where certain posters were allowed to flame the living beejezus out of those who didn't wholeheartedly support Tom McClintock, or thought that he wasn't running a campaign capable of winning. It extended into the Keyes campaign last year, where any critique of Keyes' campaign strategy was shrilly flamed, despite the obviously flawed execution of his campaign.

(Aside: one person who flamed me during the Keyes mess later said that he hadn't intended to start a fight with his remarks that accused me of homosexuality, pedophilia, and other evils; I was instantly reminded of the time I had to bail one of my Marines out of the local lockup. "Honest, Sarge," this Marine told me, "I didn't mean to start a fight when I called that Army Ranger a faggot." My response was not [and still isn't] suitable for public consumption.)

Since then, the Terri Schiavo case has pushed FR over the edge. We had posts calling for people to ensure that "accidents" to befall Schiavo and Judge Greer. We had posts praying that Iran would soon develop nuclear weapons, so that they could destroy the United States. And until the FBI started making arrests, those posts were allowed to stay up, completely abnegating Free Republic's standards.

We had people on both sides of the issue point out that the Schindlers were associating with some people of extremely low character, and that our uncritical embrace of these parties would not rebound to our favor. Rather reasonable attitudes to take, actually; but the loudest of the loud were in no mood to think.

My personal favorite was the following exchange:

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To: Old Professer

Is being a christian identity sympathizer, a white supremicist, a neo-nazi, a racist or an anti-semite illegal activities in themselves?

The issue is not legality, but public opinion. Which will not be helped in this case if the pro-Terry side becomes associated in the media with Christian Identity, white supremicists, neo-nazis, racists and/or anti-semites.

212 posted on 03/17/2005 11:05:13 AM PST by malakhi

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 211 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

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To: malakhi

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Terri's fight being associated with Christianity. That is unless someone is a radical leftist.

229 posted on 03/17/2005 12:02:29 PM PST by Diva Betsy Ross

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 212 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

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Diva Betsy Ross made a valiant attempt to...ahem...whitewash Christian Identity, but it didn't work.

To top things off, we had people embracing as some sort of conservative icon, to the extent of posting a fundraising link.

I always thought that conservatism valued thinking over feeling, careful contemplation of facts over wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For a while, Free Republic met those criteria in spades.

Those days are long gone, and I have serious doubt as to whether or not they're coming back.

I know that many of the usual suspects will cheer this on, as their longtime nemesis is leaving them the field.

Be careful what you wish for; you are in the process of getting it. You may succeed in driving the folks who disagree with you from the site; but you will end up being just another collection of shrill voices in Bedlam. When everything is an over-the-top scream, no one will be heard.

Farewell.

[malakhi]

Is being a christian identity sympathizer, a white supremicist, a neo-nazi, a racist or an anti-semite illegal activities in themselves?

[Diva Betsy Ross]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Terri's fight being associated with Christianity. That is unless someone is a radical leftist.

[Gunrunner2]

Poo's been around for basically forever on FR, and he has a pretty thick skin. His leaving is based upon an assessment of FR, from whence it began to where it is now (and heading).

I respect his decision, and there are way too many threads and comments that have nothing to do with FR, conservatism, constitutional issues and so forth. And, quite frankly, there are a number of posters that are anti-American foreign nationals that have never expressed an ounce of loyalty to the US or anything FR stands for. FR is not a blog for fights and arguments, it is a Forum for exploring the conservative character, examining the state of our constitutional character, discussing issues of the day and their impact on this nation, and to enjoy ourselves in the process.

I bid Poobah well.

[eureka!]

That's the spirit. I'm of the same mind...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I don't think thats what they are getting at.
I enjoy reading the news on FR and conservative thoughts and responses. But no matter what my position was on certain NON CONSERVATIVE or NON POLITICAL issues, I was labeled a Nazi, a buddy of someone who has a conflict of interest and letting their wife die, a liberal because I dont like carpetbagging, self righteous camera hounds.....for starters

Who wants to waste time with people who have lost grip with facts and are letting emotions run their thought process?

[Redcloak]

Since Poohbah seems to have a bee in his bonnet over you supposedly "whitewashing Christian Identity", I think that it's fair to ask if you know what the term "Christian Identity" means. If not, then this is much "adooh" about nothing.

[Petronski]

You guys related?

[Jackknife]

This is what happens when you take FR (and yourself) way too seriously.

I concur.

[johnb838]

YOU don't go anywhere. You're cool, things will settle down, (I hope) but things are really agitated in the country right now. This Schiavo thing was a ripping, cutting thing, and they planned it that way, I'm quite sure. But its not the only thing, the judges have gone over the edge.

[visualops]

(Plus it's just a computer monitor with some words on it anyway)

People tend to forget that.
Like when people used to talk about "getting lost" online. Y
ou're in your dang chair aren't you? sheesh lol

[Peach]

I'm sorry you're leaving. But all sense has left this place and the old rules were discarded about two weeks ago or more.

And remember, "facts" don't matter, or so we've been told.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Sorry to hear about this. Just remember that the whack jobs calling Jeb Bush a murderer do NOT make up the majority of the folks on Free Republic.

[Drango]

Does this mean you're not contributing to the pledge drive?

[backhoe]

Why don't you just ignore the a*holes?

Good in theory; difficult in practice.

One feature this board could really use is an ignore button like Free Dominion features.

[Mo1]

However, I am going to stick around and post as I see fit. I am a pretty tough old grandma, and no one is going to drive me out.

Same Here!

[xsmommy]

they just don't make opuses (opii?) like they used to... ; )

[AlbionGirl]

This is not the world, except to those who have trouble with their pathetic identities in the real world.

True.

A retired Army Lt. by the last name of Peterson talks about the false communalism that can be part and parcel of these types of forums, and goes into some detail about the psychology of those who take it all so seriously. And I do see what he's talking about, but I also think there are a lot of smart freepers, and I've learned a lot from several of them.

I think men, especially should shun Opussing, it's very emasculating, if you ask me.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Sorry to see you go.

[bill1952]

Hey Pukin Dog! Very glad to see you again!!

Hell, after all, who else is going to make me use my boldface checklist?

Welcome back!!

[OldFriend]

That you would suggest it's the moon that has driven thoughtful people away.....is exactly the problem.

[SaveTheChief]

What's your problem?

I stated quite clearly in my post that I did not see the posts in question.

Please do not include me in "you people" if you do not have proof.

Yes, I too, am saddened by the loss of Frank Perdue. But be strong, for his legacy lives in the poultry that bears his name.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Is there a full moon tonight or something?