Our Republic and Our Free Republic

9-6-02 | Joe Phillips

[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?

[FreeTheHostages]

Trying again: I repeat this and hopefully time it to start out the 600 series of this thread. First of all, congratulations to everyone for reaching 600 on a thread of very questionable content.

THE LESSON OF THIS THREAD:

Do *not* take that happens here in cyberspace to seriously or you will go temporarily insane. Keep a sense of humor, disagree heartily with Freepers in a thread, and the next day wake up friend with everyone.

As Robert Frost said in "The Lesson for Today," the "lesson for today is how to be unhappy yet polite."

[TLBSHOW]

You have to admit with over 500 posts, badjoe knows how to get a thread going. By the looks of it freepers love these threads!

and all I was going to do today was bash anti-freepers, oh wait I did already, but good!

You have freep mail!

[FreeTheHostages]

Um, note to self: also, proofread posts for obvious typing errors before sending.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I'd really like it if somebody could post a thread with what this thread is REAlLY about. Why does Joe think that he's Paul Revere or something, riding to tell us all "the real truth" about what's going on at FR."

Dude's got an opinion and feels he's earned the right to express it...I and many others disagree (with BJ's opinion, not his right to express it), but we're mostly FRiendly combatants. No need to repeat the thread...it was pretty clearly laid out in the first 50-100 posts, since then it's become a very lively thread, but not very acrimonious.

FReegards...MUD

[Mo1]

Good Post .. thanks

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

BTW...I can't talk too much smack about BJ 'cuz he's got my credit card #...LOL!!

He's not the only one who has your number..So do I friend.. so do I!!! ;o)

(just kiddin, its been fun!!) I better cease playing around and do something!! So much to do.. so little time for play!

[Howlin]

Well, this is not the first time he's "expressed" himself like this, and I have a feeling it won't be the last.

[Lazamataz]

Last time I checked, England was never a country under a form of Government like the Italians, Germany, nor Cambodia had/has. The Colonist left, because they wanted freedom of religious practice, and not ONE Church.

Isn't Religious Oppression heinous enough a tyrannical act for you? Isn't taxation without representation and the forceable removal of guns, mock trials and public executions, and summarily firing on civilians enough tyranny for you?

Why do I suspect you would be on the Pro-English side in the Revolutionary days?

Now back to my question, do you hate this country or this government?

I love this country. I love this people. I'm gradually becoming more and more afraid of our government.

[Zviadist]

Two things should change: 1) NO attacks should be permitted. NO personal attacks WHATSOEVER. One can argue a point without getting person. I am guilty of this offense, as we all are. But moderation should prevent it. 2) Mob gang-ups should be discouraged. If someone faces a tag-team of 5 or 7 people, all ridiculing a decent or cogent thought or premise, that is also not healthy for the forum.

So the solution to too much government is...more government. You are a good Republican, aren't you?

[Sandy]

Have you ever noticed that the same 10 people post to these threads? We should throw them in a hole and let them fight it out

This IS the hole. The usual crowd flocks to this type of thread like flies on crap. With any luck, this'll keep these morons occupied for the entire weekend, and the rest of us can freep in peace for a coupla days.

[MassExodus]

Barking up the wrong tree when you come here and state you HATE our Government. Perhaps they can tell me a Government that is run better?

I will NEVER forget hearing the fat bloated Communist Ted Kennedy,
from the floor of the Senate quoting a statement from someone ( I think it was Charlton Heston )
in regards to the original intent of the 2nd Amendment.

He did his best to get teary and sound hurt and surprised that someone would consider bearing arms against tyrannical government
"OUR GOVERNMENT ?!?" he exclaimed.

Please ...... Ted Kennedy is the very REASON we have safe guards against tyrannical govt.

So you will excuse the Patriots in the room when we bristle just a little when someone questions our patriotism for questioning the governments behavior.

Regardless of WHICH Party is at the helm.

[FreeTheHostages]

The thread is like the Borg. :::WE WILL ASSIMILATE YOU:::

The thread is like a traffic accident. :::YOU HAVE TO LOOK:::

The thread is like George Bush. :::ADMIT IT OR NOT, HE'S A LOOKER::::

Sincerely,
Flippant Freeper Girl

[Mudboy Slim]

"The judges may have cheated. A medal may have to be awarded to both of you."

I just found out via FReepMail that I failed my drug test--too many FReepin' steroids--and have been disqualified...LOL!!

I reckon Vet'sHubby&Wife wins by default!!

This Forum's FIXED, I tell ya!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mo1]

Is it happy hour yet??..

[strela]

Ah'd like to thank the Academy. I'd also like to thank all the little people who made this possible (and I mean that literally; The Wee Little People popped out of me bowl of Lucky Charms this marnin' and warned me about this thread).

Does tinfoil come with the crown?

[Sir Gawain]

It's looking suspicious, to say the least. And you know what?? after about the 3rd iteration, it's kinda BOOOOORING.

And yet you continue to post on the thread. Interesting.

[FreeTheHostages]

So you will excuse the Patriots in the room when we bristle just a little when someone questions our patriotism for questioning the governments behavior.

Chill man, can the attitude. Can't persuade anyone with that huge chip on your shoulder. This is cyberspace. Be Free. Be Happy. Have a cyberbeer on me. No one's put any one of us singly in charge of saving the nation: you're just not that important. Beer's good. Have some beer. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont *never* fought a battle in the Revolutionary War, including the great Battle of Bennington, without first getting trashed at the Catamount Inn.

[Interesting Times]

You must have a very interesting brain to come up with a formula like that.

I'm as God made me, Sir.

[FreeTheHostages]

ROFL! Great post 615!

[tomkat]

... this'll keep these morons occupied for the entire weekend ...

speaking only for myself, i'll certainly rest easier knowing the rest of the site is in good hands
so i can blow off for a couple hours and have a laugh or two !

you might wanna try it sometime - the world'll still be there, as putrid as ever, when you get back ...