Posted on 03/29/2005 8:58:34 AM PST by Long Cut
We, the Witness Protection Program For Freepers, aka the Wild Turkeys, aka the Coalition of the Sane, have through mutual discussion and rigourous thought, determined that:
1. The discussion threads regarding Terri Schiavo (hereafter referred to as "TS") have become too full of innuendo, rumormongering, hyperbole, hysteria, namecalling, paranoia, and general poor behavior to warrant participation.
2. Said threads have degenerated into "echo chambers", wherein the same, common thoughts are continually posted again and again, and the same old disreputable, unconfirmed and/or false urban myths are propagated.
3. Anyone who joins in said theads with alternative viewpoints to the most extreme posts are routinely driven away with slander, accusations, and vile namecalling.
4. No data or evidence contrary to the "prevailing opinions" are accepted, considered, or discussed; and in fact are rejected outright in most instances.
5. That the continued calls for armed insurrection, military or paramilitary involvement, impeachements of politicians and judges, and death threats are embarassing, stupid, shortsighted, doomed to failure, and contrary to most if not all conservative thought prior to this case, as well as damaging in the extreme to FR and the conservative movement as a whole.
6. That such emotional, hyperbolic, and propaganda-driven hysteria is in fact contrary to all conservatives USED to stand for.
7. That the holding up of swastika and other Nazi imagery towards the police and the Bushes, the use of children as political props, and the disruption of the peace at the Woodside Hospice can only reflect badly on conservatives in general, and should be discouraged.
8. That the pursuit of this issue to the exclusion of all others by the GOP has damaged, perhaps beyond repair, the pursuit of other important issues as well as the reputation of the GOP, FR, and conservatism.
The WPPFF is NOT of one mind as to the case of TS or its correct outcome. In fact, wide disagreement exists within our little group. However, we are united in our wish that reason and sanity be respected in the discussion, as well as the rights of all parties involved or participating. We wish to discuss this as adults and intellectuals, as conservatives and as FRiends, not as children screaming past each other on some playground of hysteria. We wish for facts and evidence to be provided, discussed reasonably, and considered fairly.
We reject all accusations of Naziism, "death cultism", or other slander as methods of debate. We reject the practice of "spamming" multiple threads, of posting unending vanities, and the posting of propaganda and calls for violence. We reject, in fact, all unseemly and childish behavior which has come to characterize this case on FR.
We DO invite others to come and reasonably discuss the issue. We have no problem with FReepers who wish to debate in a rational and fair manner, and with due respect for their fellow FReepers. We have NO problem with those whose views are formed by religion; however we reject "preaching" or "being beaten with a Bible" as legitemite debate tactics. Not all of us are Believers, and such tactics only cheapen the source.
If a FReeper finds this an acceptable meansd to discuss this and other issues, they are welcome to join in and participate. Those who find pleasure in attacks, flame-baiting, slander, stalking, and personal atacks will be ignored, and their egos will go unfed.
We assume this thread to be a zone of sanity in an overheated atmosphere. Thus, a general amnesty is in effect. If posters conduct themselves within the guidlines above, we will be happy to discuss and debate with you. If a poster wishes to apologize for past slips of the tongue, or for possible "over-the-top" statements to another, it will be graciously accepted, and your company welcome.
Please bring a sense of humor; we feel that too many have been taking themselves too seriously lately.
Let the discussion begin!
Signed,
The WPPFF, aka The Wild Turkeys, aka the Coalition of the Sane.
bookmarking for later reading, as I have just returned from a self-induced freeping break and have been wondering about the WPPFF taglines. :)
by the way, I took a break from freeping in part because my husband was home and I had a bad sinus infection, but also because the Terri situation was getting to me. I couldn't take the emotional roller coaster anymore (not that I don't care what happens to her).
So... take care, all. I look forward to returning to this and other threads and understanding what has been going on here recently.
What is the clinical definition for brain death?
I understand. Combined with the fact that most of her cerebral cortex is simply gone and has been replaced by cerebral spinal fluid, the flat EEG and no cognitive awareness, most of us who aren't medically inclined consider that pretty much dead. But I understand it's different from being declared brain dead.
Your little group is bigger than you think, FRiend.
Thanks. I hope he does go read them.
Our next FReeperthon is coming up...perhaps on the 1st. Wondering...will it be shorter or longer than normal?
There are a lot of new members who are clearly passionate about Terri. Will they step up and fund FR?
There are a lot of old members who are dismayed by the tone and behavior of the Terri threads. Thus the Manifesto. Will they walk away from funding?
If seen two long term FReepers on each side of the issue say they won't be supporting FR or the GOP. Time will tell how this pencils out into raw dollars but we may be able to see shortly how people vote with their dollars....
The lady with the ping list is missing so far!
Out with the Nazi reference right off the bat. Don't you know you're supposed to pace yourself and build up to that?
Man, it would be really sad if people decided to leave because of a heated debate. I hope they change their minds.
Also look at Peach's post here.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1373116/posts?page=105#105
Sometime this spring the Schindlers attempted to file for divorce on Terri's behalf, but it wasn't possible.
I am a Registered Nurse, with a valid license; worked six years in neuro.
He didn't control it. He didn't have the money. Any expenditure from the trust fund had to be approved by the court.
This isn't in dispute except on the main forum where he's going to the Bahamas on the fund or whatever.
HA! Now I know why you didn't tell me when I asked the other day!
cawl me.
Who made the decision to give $430,000 of the $700,000 (as of 2003) to Schiavo's attorneys?
LOL! Welcome. All views are welcome but no ugliness is allowed.
So, if Michael wanted to take, say, more than half of the money awarded for Terri's rehab and spend on lawyers determined to have her feeding tube pulled, he'd have to go before... Judge Greer?
Greer. Of course.
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