Posted on 12/30/2004 12:26:25 PM PST by K1avg
For the past several months, fate has conspired to keep me away from the computer. I haven't posted nearly as much on FR as I used to. With the holidays, though, I've had an opportunity to catch up a bit.
What I found on my return is a bit disconcerting. While there's always been an element here that refuses to reason and does little more than insult Democrats and RINOs, it seems that this mentality has taken over a large portion of our membership. I've encountered more shrill, radical nonsense in the past couple of days than I had in the months before my absence.
Certainly it's acceptable to gloat a bit after our enormous gains on November 2, but I do believe it's about time to get back to normal business.
Referring to Democrats as “Rats” or some variant thereof may be somewhat amusing, but seeing the reference in nearly every other post really gets annoying at times. Pet names for Democrats and RINOs may be funny the first time, but quickly get old. It's one thing to respect someone, and it's certainly acceptable to not do so for one reason or another, but it's never alright to be downright incivil.
Just the other day, I was in an argument here with some other members who were supporting Yanukovych over Yushchenko because Yush had pledged to remove Ukraine's 1600-some-odd-strong force from Iraq and was *gasp* more liberal than Yanukovych. Seriously, that's absurd. I'd be happy to debate with you here, but anyone can tell you Yushchenko as president will be much better for the Ukrainian people, our interests in Iraq be damned.
But I'm getting away from the subject at hand. These are just a few examples of the devolution of discourse here. While everyone is certainly allowed to have their own opinions, there is a certain level of civility that should be maintained, regardless of the context.
This is the sort of stuff you find at DU, not here. I recognize there's plenty of good, civil users here, and I'm thankful for that. To those guilty, though, it would be nice if you could tone it down a bit.
I love being here. Things like the Undead Thread, Daily Dose, and crushkerry's Lib Pundit tournament, along with the usual daily banter of normal news, makes FR like no other political site on the web. Let's keep it that way. Thanks for your time, and have a lovely day.
Thank you for your agreement - I knew there was more than a few sensible folk around here...
Well, you are correct about a few individuals that no longer grace the halls. Remember A+ Bert?
Evidently you still don't know where you are..
And precious little about the "rats"...
Its the rare freeper that likes to be patronized by a newbie..
Demos exist on name calling, mocking, and character assasination..
They love it.. A well placed zinger goes farther with a rat than intelligent discourse..
You ain't too smart are ya...
Something in particular your education and level of awareness lacks?
An individual's level of maturity is something only that individual can control.
I provided you with a link to a reply that YOU wrote in which you referred to Hillary Clinton as Hildebeest, and yet, despite this post of yours where you dare to lecture FReepers about the uncivil and useless discourse on FR by using terms such as "'rats", all you can say about your cited "useless discourse" is I have no response?
On 2nd thought, it's probably best that you shut up.
Sigh. I miss him. He was such comic relief. Particularly when he was drunk.
...and given the names I've been called at times (particularly when I carp about toll roads), I make it a point not to call others names - you included.
We need more kitties.............I'm not sure who is the head of the kitti patrol!!!!
Bless you my FRiend, bless you!!!!
I think he is.
I love you guys.
September 11 must have given you joy
What am I supposed to say? You caught me.
Although I daresay one offense does not automatically make me a hypocrite - imperfect yes, but not an out-and-out hypocrite.
Well now, 'coops', anytime someone calls me a jackass in a thread concerning civility then I am dubious as to the intent and because his effeminate whining caused me to mistake his gender he automatically becomes a punk.
That said, your defense of his petulant failure to maintain a cool perspective classifies you as someone we pray will never be armed.
Now. Sit.
This is just sad...
I'm sad that he erred in his spelling of Hildebeast.
No use sticking up to him. He's as bad as he thinks I am.
I wouldn't be so quick to pat myself on the back if I were you. You break every major rule of the forum, you're arrogant to people who don't know you and then expect everyone to "be nice" and play your way. Find me a forum where you won't get flamed for your actions. I'll wait.
Why should anyone listen to you when you have yet to earned one ounce of respect here?
In any case, I have removed you from my RKBA pinglist until you learn the rules.
"Wildebeest" is the correct spelling of the actual animal.
To be sure, either spelling is acceptable, as it is a pet name for a rather undelectable Democratic senator. I've seen both spelling here on the board, and neither have been heretofore criticized.
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