Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Our Republic and Our Free Republic
9-6-02 | Joe Phillips

Posted on 09/06/2002 8:17:16 AM PDT by BADJOE

History teaches some very good lessons. They are hard to learn but our forefathers did a great job.

From the beginning of time man has overthrown one form of centralized government only to re-establish another one in its place. Our forefathers understood this far better than anyone ever had. They said governments are the eternal enemy of free men. They said that in order for man to remain free it would take a bloody revolution every other generation, unless you bound down (bastard) government with the chains of the constitution.

On another site this week a poster asked if anyone else hated government as much as he did. I replied to him

"Hell !! I thought you were not a good American if you didn't love our country and hate our government.

At least that is how I have always felt about it"

I think our forefathers had the same attitude that I have now. And I think it is inherent in the average Americans attitude to distrust and have disdain for any government, including ours. One of the hardest conclusions I had to arrive at as a young man, after having been a product of the public school system, was that our government was not on our side. As James Forrestahl, former secretary of the Navy, who suffered a mysterious death, once said about our State Department's foreign policy, " Stupidity is never a mark of consistancy. If they were merely stupid, they would occasionally make a mistake in our favor".

Newt Gringrich put it in a humourous manner when talking about the attitude of Europeans. He related the following story. If you go to Europe and drive on the Autobahn, you feel pretty good cruising down the highway at 100 mph when some some German passes you doing 140 mph. Now he said if the Bundestag passed the 55mph speed limit law, every German would dutifully obey that law, untill the next election. They would vote the 55 mph crowd out of office and the no speed limit crowd in. In America Newt said "A speed limit sign is a benchmark of opportunity.

It is obvious that Yankees and Euros have entirely different attitudes about government's edicts. There are darn few Americans who do not break the speed limit laws everyday.

Now we come to the Free Republic. Once a free wheeling, joyful site for news and discussion of politics, economics, philosophy, ethics and morals. I could not understand the transformation that has taken place in the last six months. Camaraderie, the sense of family, and cooperation seems to have disappeared. Are the Freepers exhibiting the same disdain for the new FR as Americans have for our government?


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 261-280281-300301-320 ... 2,801-2,806 next last
To: Lazamataz
George Carlin.
281 posted on 09/06/2002 10:05:18 AM PDT by RabidBartender
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 195 | View Replies]

To: RedBloodedAmerican
Oh, the poor rhino and such a nasty weggie!!Thongs will do that to ya!
282 posted on 09/06/2002 10:05:39 AM PDT by habs4ever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 271 | View Replies]

To: one_particular_harbour
You have to include a BB gun so I can get myself down...

You are assuming too much.

283 posted on 09/06/2002 10:05:46 AM PDT by AppyPappy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 253 | View Replies]

To: OneidaM
DO i agree with everything OUR government does??? No, but that does not give me cause to "HATE" it.

I agree with that

284 posted on 09/06/2002 10:05:54 AM PDT by Mo1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 272 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz
However, the Bushbotulism of this forum cannot be denied. FR has gone from a place where ideas can be hashed out, and government policy questioned, to a place where cheerleading sections for totalitarian government abound, and where mobs of posters descend on anyone with the slightest criticism of the Bush admin.

Change "Bush" to "Clinton" and it's exactly the opposition FR had back in '98-'99.

Let us hope that in becoming obsessed with an enemy, that we have not become the enemy.

285 posted on 09/06/2002 10:05:55 AM PDT by Darth Sidious
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Physicist
most important enemies are not even on the left, but in the Middle...East, that is.

Oh we agree!

286 posted on 09/06/2002 10:06:09 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 246 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase
Please stop picking on the Band.

You mean The Band...



Some people say it put the devil in my soul
but that's a bunch of sh@t - I just wanta rock and roll!
I don't want to hang up my rock and roll shoes.
I don't want to hang up my rock and roll shoes.
I get an old time feeling every time I hear those blues.


(As sung by Robbie Robertson at the concert recorded for the above - and magnificent - album...)
287 posted on 09/06/2002 10:06:31 AM PDT by BluesDuke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 273 | View Replies]

To: BADJOE; Sidebar Moderator
I CAN'T EVEN GET A MODERATOR TO ADMIT HE/SHE WAS WRONG.

It took Radio-FR TO DO PROVE THE MOD WRONG AND STILL THEY WON'T REPLY.

I AM NOW DISGUSTED WITH WHO EVER IT IS....

AND I EVEN STOOD UP FOR THESE GUYS RIGHT HERE....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/571924/posts

Congrats to the FR Moderator's who work night and day to help make this the best web site
Thanks to all of you who help make this a great web site.

I was really impressed with the plane crash threads. They did a great job keeping them on track.

Big Bump to the Moderator's




288 posted on 09/06/2002 10:06:38 AM PDT by TLBSHOW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: angelo
NO,.. you need to go back and read what I said. I love this country, and I LOVE The form of Government that we enjoy.
289 posted on 09/06/2002 10:07:08 AM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 263 | View Replies]

To: dubyagee
I nominate that for post of the day. 8 * )

Thank you kindly, ma'am! (tipping hat)

290 posted on 09/06/2002 10:07:13 AM PDT by Constitution Day
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 169 | View Replies]

To: FreedominJesusChrist
You know that is libel.

Oh Beckie

291 posted on 09/06/2002 10:07:22 AM PDT by Mo1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 277 | View Replies]

Comment #292 Removed by Moderator

To: OneidaM; BADJOE
"...he won't."

Check out #121...he did.

"This thread will stay, and his sycophants will beg him to stay..."

BADJOE's got sycophants?! WOW...how come I don't get any sycophants?! LOL!!

"FRILLIONS of EXODUS-threatening FREEPERS..."

ROFL...aren't those "ExitRants" a hoot?! I've wisely refrained from posting one 'cuz I didn't want to put up with the razzin' that I'd have earned when I wouldda inevitably returned!!

"...will post infinite posts of accusatory "ASS KISSING", "BUSHBOT'ing" slams..."

Nothing like the BushBackers slammin' the "BushWhackers" and "EX-GoPatGoers"...that krap getsa slung both ways and FR.com would be a better place if both sides got over it!!

"Joe will sit in his Freeper Creeper, watching the threat evolve and take form; then it will be posted over on LP and they will laugh about it, and make fun of posters and hurl personal insults in Jim Robinsons direction; and in about two or three days Joe will show up...and lob another stink bomb."

I disagree that Joe either this devious--or the AFer's Useful Idiot--although BJ knows I think calling JimRob a "SELLOUT" is stepping over the line.

FReegards...MUD

293 posted on 09/06/2002 10:08:18 AM PDT by Mudboy Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: Rebelbase

294 posted on 09/06/2002 10:08:25 AM PDT by BluesDuke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 278 | View Replies]

To: tomkat
Sweetie .. I can curse with the best of them .. but I also know that there is a time and place for it ..

This isn't it
295 posted on 09/06/2002 10:08:43 AM PDT by Mo1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 280 | View Replies]

To: RedBloodedAmerican
LOL
296 posted on 09/06/2002 10:08:44 AM PDT by VA Advogado
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 271 | View Replies]

To: one_particular_harbour
That same website that you are getting that from posted a lot of crap about George W. and Dan Quayle too. What's your point?
297 posted on 09/06/2002 10:08:49 AM PDT by FreedominJesusChrist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 292 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
I have personally praised most of the moderators, both publicly and privately.

Ask them.
298 posted on 09/06/2002 10:09:34 AM PDT by BADJOE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 288 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz
Sorry to pee in your koolaid like that.

Does pee in koolaid stop "Chronic Screech Syndrome"? If so, please drink a lot of fluids and continue.

299 posted on 09/06/2002 10:09:42 AM PDT by AAABEST
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 279 | View Replies]

To: Mo1

300 posted on 09/06/2002 10:09:51 AM PDT by Mark Felton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 106 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 261-280281-300301-320 ... 2,801-2,806 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson