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.
Well, if it happens it happens.
Actually- I don't think our "side" has one view on the Schiavo case...lots of us haven't agreed -it's just that here we listen to one another:)
I knew there was something I liked about you! (RM1(SS) 84-97)
Oh, I'm not emotional nor am I having a hissy fit.
I feel pity for you that you can't read why we're here and have an ounce of comprehension.
Given the level of low discourse on FR for weeks now and the tolerance from the moderators for that threshold, it speaks volumes that your comments were not tolerated. But it was a nice try. Better luck next time.
Exactly. As I mentioned the other day, I doubt you could find any ten of us who agreed about much regarding this matter.
But we are trying to hold freepers here to the old rules since for the most part the main forum seems unwilling to maintain their years old standards.
I think I saw several posters who didn't know what you were talking about and one who thought you were trying to stir up trouble although I know she was a strong supporter of the Schindlers. So then you decided you were going to hunt her. Lovely.
And funny, I saw the thread seconds before it was pulled and didn't notice anyone who though the thread was hilarious. More who thought you were hysterical. And not in a good way.
It is amazing. As a relative newcomer I'm worried about the future of FR- I can only imagine how the oldtimers feel.
Hi there.
I AM a supporter of the Schindlers, i AM Pro-Life, and I DO think you are trying to stir the pot.
When are you going to issue the fatwah?
My #3630.
Peach, pinging you because I'm referancing what you just said.
I just can't stand it any more.
Yesterday a regular poster to this thread was told not to comment on another thread about Terri. He made the most innocuous comment and the Admin. Moderator told him to knock it off.
So we can be called Nazis and murderers and that's okay. Tolerated. Even encouraged.
It is indeed a brave new world for FR and we'll see where it goes from here.
I'm glad we're leaving on a trip tomorrow for a week; maybe sanity will prevail while we're gone and we'll go back to the old rules which have stood this forum in good stead for so many years.
LOL.
That's just about what he was issuing too. And I might add it felt like "hunting". You know, he's got a list and anyone with the wrong last name or who has the wrong beliefs will be harrassed.
Aint tolerance grand? And this coming from the party that actually DOES believe in free speech.
My, how conservatives have outted themselves on this one.
A week away will do wonders:)
What I see happening- in both the case and on the forum- is what I detest about liberals. The rules don't mean anything, because when they're tested by an emotional event- they're discarded. The ends justify the means.
To me, the whole point of having principles is to guide us when we get confused and distracted by an overwhelming feeling. At THAT moment, we can look to timeless principles for guidance.
Good Morning, SE Mom!
I agree.
I'm a pretty emotional person, but I try to have principals and follow rules and law.
I agree with you.
What you said was so well stated it demands a replay:
What I see happening- in both the case and on the forum- is what I detest about liberals. The rules don't mean anything, because when they're tested by an emotional event- they're discarded. The ends justify the means.
To me, the whole point of having principles is to guide us when we get confused and distracted by an overwhelming feeling. At THAT moment, we can look to timeless principles for guidance.
I wonder how JR [or anyone else, for that matter] likes being pinged to every little response at FR that you don't like. It makes you seem like such a ...tattle tale.
:)
More name-calling and brick-throwing. Oh, joy.
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