Basically right. Someone expressed nervousness about expressing anti-Coulter sentiments, I said that I felt the same nervousness based on the hostility directed towards me.
I maintain that you are in no significant danger of being zotted except as some kind of freak accident.
What you did that annoyed me was then presuming to dictate to me what my internal state ought to be. In stating that I felt nervous about criticizing Coulter I was not asking, "Gee, what do you think I ought to think? Please insult me and mold my mind in your image." It's really none of your business whether I am cautious about posting criticisms of Ann Coulter or post them with aplomb (and no, you can't go saying that posting with aplomb--your preference--is the nobel and righteous choice as you did, because sometimes it's just pointless and stupid). I really don't see why you care what my personal opinion is in the first place, right now it looks like you're just stuck on yourself and can't bear anyone else to not think like you. Why don't you tell me whom I should and should not like here and what college football team I should root for?
That is why I'm telling you to mind your own business.
It strikes me that you are seem to be ignoring context. I don't believe I said you should "post with aplomb" on this site (but I will go back and review). Even if it was implied the root context was the moderator issue. Flames and zotting are two very different things. If one is willing to endure flames over an issue fine and dandy, and if not, that's ok too. It is not noble or otherwise. What I WAS debating were your assertions that posting in opposition to Ann can get a poster zotted / post pulled. You expressed fear (nervousness, etc.) of that happening and I continue to retort that your fear is groundless. I have no interest in your internal states - they belong to you. Be nervous all you want. Just don't keep writing back to me in a futile attempt to justify it (you can't) and then keep telling me to MYOB.
Case 1) You place a post and it gets pulled. Your opinion does not expressed (for very long at least).
Case 2) You decide not to place a post and your opinion does not get expressed (at all).
Do you live in fear of zotting yourself? After all, based on your statements, there is more evidence of that than the mods zapping anyone for a cogently expressed opinion in any subject area.
I must go. I'll reread our exchange tomorrow and think about what you have said. I am absolutely certain that some of your claims are true (I enjoy veiled insults almost as much as you seem to enjoy projection - whoop! there it is!). But I don't think they applied to this thread until my post prior to this one (after your claim) - I'll check. Do we really want to drag other discussions with other posters from other threads into this? It would be interesting but I really don't think I have the time...
OK – I didn’t want to address this directly until I had a chance to go back and review what I had written.
I have.
It is challenge time again. Show me where I did what you have said. Reference the post numbers in this thread. Copy the statements. I don't think you can.
What I said is that I thought it was sad that you felt afraid, nervous... whatever, that you would get the zot if you expressed a dissenting opinion. You even directly implied that those who do not “watch their step” as you do are stupid. Who is the one with “Injured innocence! Veiled insult!” and “Attribution of motive!” here? You want to accuse me – fine and dandy – I've been there done those on FR; very very few have not; but not this time. You show me where I have done what you said and the contrition and apology will be forthcoming and prominently posted. I will not hold my breath to see if you have the integrity to do the same.
I really don't see why you care what my personal opinion is in the first place, right now it looks like you're just stuck on yourself and can't bear anyone else to not think like you. Why don't you tell me whom I should and should not like here and what college football team I should root for? That is why I'm telling you to mind your own business.
Since you asked asked so politely, the answer is Penn State. Go Lions. In the NFL I’m partial to the Packers, even though they will probably suck this year (note to Packer fan mods – please don’t zot me!).
You really have that projection thing down rather well. I didn’t tell you how you should think. I expressed my opinion regarding your statements. This forum is ALL ABOUT opinion and discussion of opinion. I’ll tell you what – now mind you, this is a suggestion - I’m not telling you what to do – don’t post here ever again. Don’t express any opinion here. You will not be challenged. No one will ever disagree with you on free republic. No one will ever flame you. Go one better – don’t read here anymore. You will not be tempted to post in disagreement with me or anyone else. And then you will never be quaking in fear of the zot due to unreasonable suspicion. Another recommended alternative is to grow up and take responsibility for your emotions and opinions. There.. NOW I have criticized your "internal state". Happy?
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LOL... I am roughly 90% confident that you will not believe me (and BTW, I don't give a rip if you do - the statement is about you, not me), but everything above this line was written before your most recent post. Thanks so much for the virtual ignore! If you extended it to the entirety of free republic you will be “safe”; good luck w/ that.
Oh my goodness, I believe I will tell you what to think this one last time: Don't go away mad, just go away.