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

Posted on 04/01/2005 4:26:00 PM PST by 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
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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
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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.


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To: Howlin

Thanks Howlin.

Sad to see Poohbah go.

Wish a "Schiavo" forum was created off the news forum.


61 posted on 04/01/2005 4:40:37 PM PST by Shermy
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To: Diva Betsy Ross

Good job. Congratulations.


62 posted on 04/01/2005 4:40:53 PM PST by ElkGroveDan
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To: Poohbah
abnegating

An Opus shouldn't contain misspelled words. Loved your take on the Liberty incident.

63 posted on 04/01/2005 4:41:16 PM PST by brivette
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To: Poohbah

You don't stay married 30 years if you leave just because you had a fight.


64 posted on 04/01/2005 4:41:27 PM PST by TASMANIANRED (I helped a soldier today.)
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To: Poohbah
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.

This is exactly why we need people like you to stay -- although I can't blame you. I don't want to be associated with people like this either. I never did see posts like you mentioned, but it is those kinds of things that tarnish the image of this forum and all those who post here.

Perhaps an effort could be made to clean this up through Jim and the moderators.

I wish you the best.

65 posted on 04/01/2005 4:41:33 PM PST by SaveTheChief (Oskee Wow Wow Illinois)
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To: Catspaw
Pooh, I'll miss you--and am seriously considering following your lead, for the reasons hchutch and you have cited.

Then please at least do it with some dignity and spare us the opus.

66 posted on 04/01/2005 4:41:46 PM PST by Coop (In memory of a true hero - Pat Tillman)
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To: Poohbah

c ya, wouldn't wanna be ya


67 posted on 04/01/2005 4:41:54 PM PST by dennisw ("What is Man that thou art mindful of him")
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To: Jim Noble

You, my friend, were very badly treated. I was very unhappy to see that. Things have certainly changed.


68 posted on 04/01/2005 4:41:54 PM PST by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: Poohbah

Hold! I saw that thread. It turns out that Diva didn't know who Chritian ID was, a bunch of racist thugs. And of course with the left calling McCarthy a drunken fascist, Bush Hitler, and assorted other squat, I can understand why she didn't quite believe at first the truth aboout CI.

And I really ask you to reconsider. I disagree with so many FReepers but I would never think of leaving. Discourse is vital, even if it isn't that civilized. Those who can think independently will look at both sides and come to a conclusion that one side is right and the other was full of it.


69 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:09 PM PST by Killborn (Liberals. The greatest threat to mankind, morality, civilization, cute puppies and fuzzy bunnies.)
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To: Poohbah

Whatever.


70 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:14 PM PST by Skooz (Host organism for the State parasite)
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To: sonserae

If things don't start settling down over the next few weeks, I think I just might have to second that suggestion. It's too bad, too, since I just found FR. :(


71 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:21 PM PST by exnavychick (There's too much youth; how about a fountain of smart?)
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To: anniegetyourgun
This is what happens when you take FR (and yourself) way too seriously.

This OPUSing reminds me of all these "coming out of the closet" campaigns.......Hey Everbody!! Attention!!! I got something to say so listen to me!!! I'm coming out of the closet. I'm straight!!!

Although it's not nearly on the level of TLBShow..or even Jack Thompson...

72 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:21 PM PST by Dan from Michigan ("Mama, take this judgeship off of Greer, he can't use it, anymore")
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To: A CA Guy

"A few crazy uncles post "

This place has been filled with crazy uncles for the past few weeks.


73 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:26 PM PST by brooklin
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To: Poohbah

I've mever seen such a whining opus.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass.


74 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:30 PM PST by Jean S
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To: West Coast Conservative

don't hurry back.


75 posted on 04/01/2005 4:42:39 PM PST by johnb838 (Blessed Are The Dead, Who Die In The Lord, For They Rest From Their Labors.)
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To: Coop
"Good grief. Get over yourself. If you wanna leave, just leave and spare us your misery."

No the opus is a time honored tradition here at Free Republic, I'll give Poohbah's a 6, it started out pretty good, but it needed a stronger ending.

Terri's war was a brutal one, so opuses are to be expected, there we be more after the 2006 eection too.

76 posted on 04/01/2005 4:43:12 PM PST by jpsb
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To: Poohbah
You know, I just got back here, and there you go? I agree with your reasons, but why not let things cool off a bit?
77 posted on 04/01/2005 4:43:12 PM PST by Pukin Dog (Sans Reproache)
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To: RedBloodedAmerican

I thought it seemed like it was about her too.


78 posted on 04/01/2005 4:43:16 PM PST by RepublicanReptile ('Open your mind, close the Border")
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To: Poohbah
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....

Wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe is exactly what happens around here too often.

Think of it as a challenge.

79 posted on 04/01/2005 4:43:27 PM PST by FreeReign
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To: Poohbah

Noooooooooooooooooo, don't go! You and hchutch in one day? Pls stay, P...


80 posted on 04/01/2005 4:43:34 PM PST by 7.62 x 51mm (• Veni • Vidi • Vino • Visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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