Posted on 12/02/2009 9:21:09 AM PST by pissant
I have been a minor participant at Free Republic, the Internet’s leading conservative forum, since September 2004. An online friend referred me to a discussion where members of Free Republic were talking about the 1952 and 1956 presidential elections, and using my maps from this page to make a point. I had to join FR to introduce myself to that group, and thank them for visiting. Because that was right after the “Rathergate” scandal, I thus became one of the “Pajamahadeen” that had just brought down the Sauronic eye of CBS.
Being a “Freeper” has been an interesting and fun experience, but I am disturbed by a current trend on those boards. For the past few weeks, at least since the latest fundraising drive ended, I have noticed that every new thread begins with a picture or video reminding us that Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate, supports abortion. It doesn’t matter what the topic is, the anti-Mitt material pops up.
Personally, I think our current priorities ought to be making sure President Obama and his leftist pals don’t force their health care plan down our throats, and defeating as many moonbats as possible in next year’s congressional and gubernatorial elections, especially Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Chris Dodd and Slobbering Barney Frank. Then in 2011 or 2012 we can fight over who we want for the presidency. Consequently, yesterday I posted the following on the Kentucky board:
Is anyone else getting sick and tired of the Mitt Romney bashing that goes on at the beginning of each new thread? Granted, he may not be conservative enough for most of us (my first choice for 2012 would probably be Sarah Palin or Duncan Hunter), but he just HAS to be better than the Chicago mob that rules Washington now. Somebody ought to tell Jim Robinson that BHO and his cabal are the real enemy, not Mitt. Sheesh, an outside observer looking at us now is probably getting the impression that Republicans eat their own. And as for Mitt Romney being a Mormon, well, I’m more concerned about Harry Reid’s Mormon faith. Does he HAVE any?
Four replies have appeared since then, and only one agrees with me. The others just said we ought to do whatever we can to make Mitt Romney unelectable. I guess I’m going to take a timeout from Free Republic. Hopefully the Freepers will be acting more sensibly when I return. ’Bye, see you guys next year.
That was the thread where I decided that I would never post a “vote for X” comment. That was also the thread when I first announced that I was looking at Romney. And of course hoping for Fred Thompson to join.
Just think what might have been, if Fred Thompson had joined the campaign in April of 2007, instead of September?
That thread represents a turning point for FR. We were family before that. We argued and bickered about the details, but in the end, I knew that when I argued with someone here, it was someone I agreed with 99% of the rest of the time. That thread divided us by "purity of thought," and to me that's just sad.
It was sad, but do remember that it was precipiated by a few agitators supporting Rudy Giuliani, who had taken to trashing other candidates, often falsely (remember the “Fred Thompson is a Mormon” thread?)
In my opinion it was unfortunate that so many other freepers got sucked into the vortex with the agitators (although some of them chose to do so).
I was told at the time though that this wasn’t much different than when a large number of Darwinists left the fold.
Can’t argue with that Hale. I agree.
Agree with you.
Here’s a tip. Use Firefox. Then add AdBlock Plus and FlashBlock as add-ons.
Now you can add the annoying first post of each thread to your filter, and you can block most of it.
Putting it up? No...Making it the lead on EVERY thread on the site for months on end? Yes... that's bashing. Along with the predictable, instant slamming that comes along after any post about Romney. :yawwwn.... it's tiresome.
And.. it's also somewhat deceptive. Since, anyone watching that clip today might understandlably think this is MR's current position. It's not. And... we know it's not both from later words and actions.
I do believe people can change their positions on many things, even abortion... over time. I know, I have. 25 years ago, I thought limiting abortions to the first 4 months was an acceptable social policy. Over time, with continued thought and prayer, and self-examination... I no longer support that... Now, I believe Innocent life must be protected... period. I can't allow myself to rationalize any other position.
A good friend helped me along the path to understanding this.. and, I'm proud to say, I've helped many others arrive at the same conclusion.
I don't like the way Mitt twisted himself to get elected in a uber-liberal state... It's a highly negative factor in my opinion of him... but, I won't completely discard his life's work, or his potential ability to help this country if he ends up being a candidate again. Still though.... I'm hoping for a better option.
Sure would be nice to know the answer to this... Even now, looking back... I simply cannot believe we ended up with John McCain as our nominee... In April 2007, he was the ONLY guy I was telling everyone I COULD NOT vote for..
Our primary system just HAS to be improved. I don't understand why Steele is not doing more on this... he'd better.. and, soon.
I posted that same video on about 20 Mitt threads last year and have had it linked on my home page for a year.
Many just don't get it so the point must be driven home.
I am pleased to read some of your comments. It was indeed a very Lord of the Flies episode. The mob mentality was was embarrassing and I was hammered because I was simply asking for some measure of civility. Later, I defended a long-standing FReeper friend who got banned (Peach) and who remains a dear friend to this day. That really brought the fangs out. (To those who want to bash her now, please don't. She is gone from this forum and can't defend herself and I won't revisit or debate the matter.) And the mob is quicker to emerge than ever. Let some poor SOB suggest that they aren't convinced Sarah has the credentials to be President and you will see it instantly.
After that thead, I did not post on FR for 14 months. Now I only occassionally do. Prior to that, I had started nearly 1,100 threads of (I hope) interesting articles pertaining to our general conservative perspective. I know of numerous people who left on their own (respectfully, I won't name them)- either temporarily or permanently. There are those on the banned list who I respect enormously and their departure diminished FR. RadioAstromomer is a bona fide scientist and his science commentary was nearly always brilliant and understandable, for example.
I wish that thread had never been started. And that is all I will have to say on the matter.
I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas. And let's please focus on 2010!!
I disagree man. Xena did it right, gave me a couple cuffs, set me straight and was cool. The others were not. If I say something out of line I can take lumps as well as anyone.
This was different. I did nothing wrong, indeed was trying to help a guy, and got jumped by a pack of idiots... for no reason except I was new, and they s**k, I guess.
Real productive, gang attack newbies for fun. One classy cat was bragging about it. Couple more called me a leftie. That was a completely fabricated charge. A totally invented attack with zero evidence to support the lie. Good job fellas! Real smart. Way to build your party!
Pretty stupid if you ask me, and IMO, pretty suspicious too. Drive off conservative newcomers to the supposedly premier conservative site.
Great idea... if you’re a democrat.
Like I said earlier in a post also deleted for reasons I haven’t deduced: That’s not conservatism. It sounds like good old fashioned liberal intolerance to me. They call themselves conservatives when they really mean ignorant rabid a***oles.
Doesn’t matter in my case. I am a conservative, always have been always will be and nothing that ignorant goon squad says can change that.
Oh well. It’s done. As I posted earlier, which was also deleted by the mods: ain’t no law against them being d**ks.
I just know who to ignore next time.
I was reading back on some of RadioAstonomer’s posts - I have no idea why he was banned. Very smart man with some interesting observations.
What a shame.
McCain had the least support of the 4 main candidates, Rom, Huck, Rudy, Mac. But the Ro/Hu/Ru supporters drew a line in the sand and started their own version of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.
When Rudy was forced from the race much of his support from the “fight the terrorists” side went to McCain who then slid in under the radar (kind of like Scozzafava) while the Rom/Huck supporters kicked sand in each others face.
Conservatives never learn. Drawing a line in the sand and demanding your candidate or the highway gets us nominees like McCain.
I know EXACTLY how you feel, man. Happened yesterday on this thread. A mob action attack by a pack of feral dogs, and I still can’t figure what I did to warrant it.
“Attack newbies for fun! Bring your friends! Make sure everyone gets in a good kick now! Wheeee!!!!”
Mighty strange way to build support for your party.
Good post. You have just articulated why I no longer donate.
I wonder if this still applies?
Mod Lecture Series- Freeper Community Update
"Remember, how you respond to a topic not only reflects your thoughts, but also is a reflection of the community and Conservative values. We need to be an example of positive conservative values when responding to members, especially new ones."
Yeah. See a newbie, mob him. Try like heck to run him off.
Mighty strange way to gain numbers.
I feel strongly that we need to concentrate on next November and put Presidential politics aside until after the congressional elections.
Please, FReeper friends! If we start infighting, we’ll lose. Keep your eyes on the ball! It’s not yet time to discuss 2012.
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