Free Republic: glass ant farm for zealots

Globe and Mail ^ | 10/27/06 | IVOR TOSSELL

[conservative in nyc]

This article is a bit old, but was never posted. It appeared on the website of one of Canada's largest newspapers when the Dixie Chicks' documentary was first released. I don't know if it ran in the print edition.

The article is obviousely flawed - for example, it seems to miss the fact that Free Republic really didn't orchestrate anything against the Dixie Chicks except in Natalie Maines' head. And their description of Free Republic is a bit over the top, to say the least. But before this thread descends into Dixie Chick and Canada bashing, is this really how we FReepers want to be perceived - as a crowd of "the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer" who "attempt to outdo each other in posting the most pungent, juvenile reactions to stories"?

Sometimes, we need to remember that anything we post anywhere on the Internet can be read by anyone anywhere in the world - even those in the MSM who want to tarnish this website's name.

[Drango]

this article is gay Edwards.

[expatguy]

Whoa first time I read that.

[Graybeard58]

is this really how we FReepers want to be perceived - as a crowd of "the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer"

Does anyone here really care what some barking moonbat thinks of F.R.?

[proud_yank]

I think I remember reading this here a while ago. Question a liberal about something stupid they say, you're taking away their rights. Yet conservatives can't speak their thoughts.

Regarding the Dixie Chicks, nobody here made them come out and say something stupid and lose their fan base.

[EternalVigilance]

IVOR TOSSELL

I wonder what his screen name is...

[Ninian Dryhope]

"is this really how we FReepers want to be perceived"

Of course some left wing nut job is going to portray the site as being horrible, but even the lefty has to admit that it hard not to stare. Such publicity is bound to attract new viewers who are then free to make up their own minds about the nature of the site.

The site itself is simply the thoughts of a group of individuals and as such, the opinions are bound to range from the idiotic to the sublime.

[edsheppa]

Hey, where's the Barf Alert?

[This Just In]

"...we need to remember that anything we post anywhere on the Internet can be read by anyone anywhere in the world..."

You must also remember that people will choose to believe or disbelieve, misrepresent or misquote anyone. Although I do believe we, as conservatives, should hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"So it is that, day in and day out, Freepers attempt to outdo each other in posting the most pungent, juvenile reactions to stories."

Bite me.

[NurdlyPeon]

Great read! Outa-sight comedy!

[flaglady47]

The day we start tailoring our replies and comments based on what the MSM, libs, socialists, commies, Nazis, Muzzies, etc. might think about what we say, is the day this website and its members are doomed. One should never, never, kowtow, or bow to liberals. They will never, never love us, as George Bush should have figured out about 5 years ago. No amount of "can't we just get along" will ever work, and trying to appease those that are unappeasable will be the death of conservatism. You know, freedom of speech, and all that rot. The leftists would like nothing more than to shut it down.

[DB]

DU, the model for civility and love...

HA!

[EternalVigilance]

Free Republic: glass ant farm for zealots

[EternalVigilance]

Amen!

[Slings and Arrows]

But what's interesting about Free Republic is that, despite having attracted a crowd of the most paranoid, xenophobic and reactionary characters the political landscape has to offer

Wow, he read my profile page!

[Lancey Howard]

The bad guys, according to site founder Jim Robinson, are practitioners of "liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism," and "wacko environmentalism."

....Which are precisely the kind of malignancies cheered on by the likes of Ivor Tossell and the rest of his humorless, masturbating ilk.

[familyop]

LOL! A Canuckian chick with CTV (theglobeandmail.com, Toronto area) mentioned you. She wrote some pretty funny quotes--unintentionally funny, IMO.

[bd476]

conservative in nyc wrote: "...Sometimes, we need to remember that anything we post anywhere on the Internet can be read by anyone anywhere in the world - even those in the MSM who want to tarnish this website's name."

Interesting that you posted another one of Ivor Tossell's articles which criticized Free Republic last year:

conservative in nyc wrote: "...As always, more at the link. If we should learn anything from the Free Dominion/Psycho and MD4Bush affair here, it's that loose lips sink ships. All it takes to figure out your real identity is a little bit of personal information and a reporter or blogger with too much time on his hands. Always think before you hit the post button."

1 posted on 01/06/2006 1:41:13 PM PST by conservative in nyc

To: fanfan

Ping! Who is Ivor Tossell anyway?

2 posted on 01/06/2006 1:42:14 PM PST by conservative in nyc

Zap goes the politico (FR, Free Dominion Mentioned) Globe and Mail | 1/6/06 | IVOR TOSSELL

[NinoFan]

"Sometimes, we need to remember that anything we post anywhere on the Internet can be read by anyone anywhere in the world - even those in the MSM who want to tarnish this website's name."

Cry me a river.