Initially thinking like so many he had jumped the shark, we were wary. But after reading (and joining - used to be txzman here but can't seem to get my account back - my Dad was Karla (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy reference) - we were all hooked.
I have ALWAYS come back here reading for background information and always wanted to read the comments more than the news I already knew to judge the water around America.
I know what a 'zot' is, how quickly one gets judged anymore but hear my out. I am 62 now, history guy, lived in Bangkok 68-72 while Vietnam was being bombed (Utapao, Udorn anyone) and am writing this now while in Saigon.
Long start - but I am really concerned about the rigid, dismissing, and really outright dumb comments that I know (with late twenties kids) that will stop new, young people from coming here as my father brought me.
My conservative 28 year old daughter - working since 15 and graduating with a degree on her own - was very disappointed visiting here after I sent her many links (which she agrees with!) but hated what she saw as a lack of opinion or caring for other thoughts.
Would hate to see Jim's site fail to keep attracting new, young conservatives. I started a new account after trying unsuccessfully to resurrect my old txzman. I hope this is taken as positive feedback.
Please enlighten me. What exactly would a “young conservative” find unattractive about Free Republic?
Be specific.
Oh, and P.S.
I am extremely “rigid” when it comes to my core conservative beliefs and principles. How about you?
The comments are the heart of FR. You get the whole range, including tough rejoinders if you don’t sound conservative or authentic. I like it that way. It’s my sane space.
I think much of it has to do with our instant reactions and impatience with looking at anything longer than a sentence or two.I can remember the late 90s and early 2000s when conversations here were extensive, involved and often explored different opinions and positions.
This is a conservative website. There are plenty of places where one can go for worthless bickering with liberals whose idea of debate is to bleat the same timeworn talking points and insults over and over again.
Might try getting out and about on the various forums where the kids these days do their loitering.
You think us knuckle draggers are savage in our expressions of anti-commiescumism?
Us old folk are softies in comparisons.
Also, playing nice is why we’re in this sh**pile and heading toward a bloody civil war.
I agree with your assessment. I have found valuable input but there is a whole lot of knee jerk comments and perhaps it seems those comments come from people who have not read the posted article. A lot of immediate hateful comments like ridiculing women for their looks or immediate condemnation of Ted Cruz who is actually working with President Trump. It seems the level of dialogue has deteriorated over the years but especially during this primary season. I fully expect to be hit for my comments. You have a good point. We should be able to educate and inform a new generation instead of turning them off.
As a news aggregater I think that FreeRepublic outdoes Drudge. FReepers bring in more - and more varied - stories for us to read, digest, and discuss. That’s why it’s my homepage and the place I start each morning.
FreeRepublic does tend to be somewhat of an echo chamber. That is unfortunate but understandable given the tsunami of leftist bilge being slopped around. Once you’ve participated in the dialog you (or your daughter) will be able to see the pressure points beyond which you shouldn’t venture an opinion.
It’s not perfect but it beats anything else on the net!
I agree with your post. These days, there is little diversity of opinion on FR and too many nasty responses to posts, such as the second post above, that set the tone for the thread. I have been a reader of FR almost 20 years and have seen it gradually deteriorate. I don’t come here very often now.
I either don’t understand your point, or I disagree with it.
I don’t see FR as a “safe space” or a nursery, but as a symposium where intelligent adults of a basically similar mindset discuss issues with intelligence. If a person isn’t a good fit to the above criteria, they’re probably not going to last long here. These standards include the ability to forumlate coherent English sentences, to separate fact from opinion or belief, and hopefully, to apply logic and integrative thinking principles.
As a symposium of adults we are here by the good graces of our host who asks we abide by some basic rules and support the philosophy and ideals set forth on the welcome page. It’s not for everyone.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I almost left FR during the campaign. As a Cruz supporter I was shocked & dismayed at the vile comments made of our other very good conservative candidates. (And it’s still going on.) The Trump people overwhelmed the site & have been rude, & often-times, downright ridiculous with their support of him. They still do not tolerate any criticism of Trump, & there is certainly a lot to criticize. Anyone of any age (I’m 60) should know never to put a politician on a pedestal. They are human, they are flawed & they are too often inclined to do the popular thing over the right thing.
People should be banned (or given a time out) for rude & vile comments. We can all have a difference of opinion - even as conservatives - without looking like DU to the random outsider.
If you think that people are posting “outright dumb comments” that will “stop” young people from coming here, then you should be specific about them. If you gave examples you might see the comments aren’t dumb, or maybe you are missing some humor or something. It’s true that many commenters here are old and therefore not young. But that doesn’t mean the old are wrong and young are correct. It’s usually the opposite.
I started a new account after trying unsuccessfully to resurrect my old txzman.
***************
I suspect if you had contacted Jim Robinson he would have gotten your account fixed.
PO Box 9771, Fresno, CA 93794
jimrob@psnw.com
(559) 273-1400
This isn’t unique to FR. This is something that has come about from our now core fundamentals of treating everyone as a “User” and not a person.
It’s vitriol. The internet has made younger people utter a-holes when it comes to speaking their fellow man.
I didn't even know FreeRepublic was around before the Clinton elections.
You raise an interesting point, and it is worthy of some discussion and debate.
However, there has always been an undercurrent of rigid dismissal here - you just have to ignore it and get past it. This is not a site for the feint of heart. As to the dumb - well I think you see folks jump all over those.
Because of the tone here, this site offers something you cannot get elsewhere. You can actually debate your points here. Yeah, provocative points raise provocative responses, but it's a tough world out there. And here you are protected by the fact that we don't, actually, know who you are, so you can practice arguing away, find out what works and what doesn't, practice making your points more concise and cogent. For those who want to practice the art of forensic debate, I can't think of a better place.
But portray yourself as a conservative anti-Trumper when you are really John Podesta in wolf's clothing - man you are asking to get zotted big-time and down to the fifth generation.
Afraid you’re correct.
Many of the brighter lights at FR were either banished or left when even constructive criticism of Trump was not tolerated.
Labeled a “Never Trumper”, you could no longer post.
Irrespective of many constructive posts, not to mention actively working on the Trump campaign.....
“.. lack of opinion or caring for other thoughts..”
I have to disagree. Many, MANY threads carry wide opinions (many based on personal knowledge and experiences). Even if I disagree with their opinion...I still respect the fact that they are entitled to it. “Caring for other thoughts”... okay, sometimes. There is sometimes an “edge” to a thread and other times.. no. Personally, I am happy the whole “Protestant vs Catholic” stuff is over. Younger people have grown accustomed to being treated with “Just Culture”. You can “disagree” but you have to go through certain steps in order to do so. Many jobs/employers now use it and to be honest.. it is stupid. It isn’t the “real world”. That being said, I heard about Free Republic from my hubby. One day, I went on to look around and thought, “Wow.. finally.. a place where I can view and express other (and my own) conservative opinions without being called an “ist” of some sort. I can discuss my faith without being called “stupid or uneducated”. Free Republic goes through its own “chapters” or “moods”. It changes, grows, shrinks and all the while.. you can view it. Be a part of it... to whatever extent you want. JMHO. (((Hugs))) Mom
Bill Clinton was elected in 1992 and reelected in 1996.
Free Republic did not go public until 1997.
There seems to be a problem with veracity of your post. But does pointing this out make my comment "rigid, dismissing, and really outright dumb?"
“.. a lack of opinion”.
I was just thinking... we haven’t had a good ole” North vs South thread in quite a while. Talk about DIFFERENCE of opinions.. LOL!
You want “difference of opinion” here just start a devo-crevo thread.