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.
You didn't imagine it...
Actually I'd prefer not to discuss in length the validtiy of killing nurses at abortion clinics. But it's gonna happen.
A "game" suggests frivolity and a less than serious demeanor. It's not a game as you say, unhappily. It is misguided thought, but NOT a game.
There are "games" going on around here, too.
I know of no games. Help me with that.
Freepmail games...like "Tag - you're it."
Actually, I was pretty sure of the answer before I asked the question. I just had to verify it. I decided not to debate, which is unusual for me. I had the impression there would be no point.
What has always been wonderful the fact that we can sign onto Free Republic and offer our thoughts on a current news item. Many of us disagree on many different things, but it use to be when we did, we still respected the other party. How many would want to agree with one another 24/7?
As the Terri story line became an hourly update so did those on FR to have a chance to share their thoughts on the news. I have been called a number of names and I to have grown a thicker skin. Didn't someone once say you can attract more with honey? Well, I tried to be thoughtful of other's and always read with an open mind, in hopes other's do the same when they read my threads and comments.
Many of mine were of the opinion that I believe in the separation of powers as it pertains to our courts/justice system. I am also of the belief that husbands and wife relationships trump the parent/child relationship. Why is that bad, it shouldn't be. I support the institution of marriage. I know you are ready at the keyboard but her husband is in a common law relationship? That makes him a schmuck.
Things were tense during the elections, but, many felt that once the dirt settled those who were rebel rousers pushing their agenda would leave as quickly as they arrived. Frankly, I had not see the anger and rudeness as I saw on the threads about Terri Schiavo.
I am a deeply religious and thoughtful person. I wonder if God would enjoy all the wonder's man has made. Although if He did not wish for us to have such equipment why would he allow us to create and build them. Nevertheless, is not possible for those who believe that Terri would return to the loving arms of her Savior as someone who defends life but knows at some point in our earthly lives that we will be called back to His loving arms.
We can all agree LIFE is important. Had it been clearer of her wishes, folks would still say NO she should not be starved and deprived of water he was in a no win situation. In the early years of this case little was given to the media. As the years progressed and frankly doing all he could for Terri (as her parents would say about him) he decided to fulfill her wishes. Did she say it, did she not say it? Many will struggle as they tackle this case in the years to come. Why is that those who are religious, Christ like, Christian considered murders for their stance on the Schaivo case. There is something wrong with that picture. How is it wrong to honor her wishes. I know it will be debated for years to come. Neither side will ever convince the other they are right.
Perhaps it is selfish on my part to say to my loved one's do not keep me alive so YOU can come and see me in hopes of some miracle. I love them for wanting me on this earth but should Heavenly Father request my presence earlier rather than later, I hope my family would allow me to die in peace.
Those that believe that Terri should remain on this earth are entitled to those feelings. I cannot past judgement on them. They loved their daughter, no parent should ever outlive their child. They sought all the help they could.
A thought, we all can say, we have been there, think of the mentor who helped you along as you became part of the Free Republic community.
Free Republic provides a forum, to discuss current events, share thoughts on politics and anything else that might be newsworthy.
Lastly, I have read many threads bidding farewell. It is sad to see folks go and worse the reasons why they are leaving? Should we not take a moment to discuss why folks are going and perhaps how can we improve this online community. Jim Robinson had vision when he started this site up. It gave folks an area to come to discuss and I hope in the end help making this a much better country. I suppose some will say it is not broke so lets NOT fix it. I have no answer's and yes a ton of questions. I hope folks will offer thoughts of how to make this site the best site on the net.
I have no idea where you're coming from on that comment.
I, too, pray that will happen, cync.
I have read this site since August of 1999. At that point I thought it did not accept the email addy that I had, so was unable to register.
I had finally begun to feel at home here during the past year, and now, I don't know. This is not the only site I use a lot, but I enjoyed this one more.
Maybe we should all calm done some. I will try.
I bet if you think really hard, you'll figure it out.
Just checked out your hotlink to JR's Happy New Year (January 2005) letter to us.
Sure brings back Memories of how it was here just a few months ago, and how much it has changed.
Sadness.
Why is it perverse to say that I honor the courts in this country.
Had they not been used to the fullest extent available I would have certainly said go the route of the court and then why they decide we abide by. I thought our country was based on laws.
I am just wondering when was the husband untruthful for the first 6 years the parents could not speak high enough about their son in law.
Change the laws, make it so this cannot happen again where folks have to draw sides that you either are a good Christian for keeping life or a good Christian for abiding by the laws. There has to be a way that we can learn from this and make the changes that upset so many that were not available for this case.
Huh? Please re-read what I posted. I said it was a 'perverse discernment' that you would believe proven liars and not believe people who had not shown themselves to be liars.
Yeah. Sure. "Terri spoke to us. She told us she wanted to live." I'm sure you believed that.
{I wanted to do that in Bold, but my fingers automatically went to italic.}
Good one!
I'm just scrolling past the disrupters. They are a waste of time and band-width. But that is JR's problem, the band-width, that is. Our time is far more valuable to us.
Thank you very kindly!
And more's the pity. At least we know we didn't do it.
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