Posted on 04/01/2005 4:26:00 PM PST by Poohbah
First, this is NOT an April Fool's joke.
I am leaving Free Republic.
Over the past two years, civility and thoughtful discourse has vanished from this site, replaced with demands for ideological conformity that are straight out of Stalinist Russia or China's Great Cultural Revolution, and unrelenting uncivility if said conformance is not forthcoming. This trend began with the California recall election, where certain posters were allowed to flame the living beejezus out of those who didn't wholeheartedly support Tom McClintock, or thought that he wasn't running a campaign capable of winning. It extended into the Keyes campaign last year, where any critique of Keyes' campaign strategy was shrilly flamed, despite the obviously flawed execution of his campaign.
(Aside: one person who flamed me during the Keyes mess later said that he hadn't intended to start a fight with his remarks that accused me of homosexuality, pedophilia, and other evils; I was instantly reminded of the time I had to bail one of my Marines out of the local lockup. "Honest, Sarge," this Marine told me, "I didn't mean to start a fight when I called that Army Ranger a faggot." My response was not [and still isn't] suitable for public consumption.)
Since then, the Terri Schiavo case has pushed FR over the edge. We had posts calling for people to ensure that "accidents" to befall Schiavo and Judge Greer. We had posts praying that Iran would soon develop nuclear weapons, so that they could destroy the United States. And until the FBI started making arrests, those posts were allowed to stay up, completely abnegating Free Republic's standards.
We had people on both sides of the issue point out that the Schindlers were associating with some people of extremely low character, and that our uncritical embrace of these parties would not rebound to our favor. Rather reasonable attitudes to take, actually; but the loudest of the loud were in no mood to think.
My personal favorite was the following exchange:
The issue is not legality, but public opinion. Which will not be helped in this case if the pro-Terry side becomes associated in the media with Christian Identity, white supremicists, neo-nazis, racists and/or anti-semites.
Diva Betsy Ross made a valiant attempt to...ahem...whitewash Christian Identity, but it didn't work.
To top things off, we had people embracing as some sort of conservative icon, to the extent of posting a fundraising link.
I always thought that conservatism valued thinking over feeling, careful contemplation of facts over wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For a while, Free Republic met those criteria in spades.
Those days are long gone, and I have serious doubt as to whether or not they're coming back.
I know that many of the usual suspects will cheer this on, as their longtime nemesis is leaving them the field.
Be careful what you wish for; you are in the process of getting it. You may succeed in driving the folks who disagree with you from the site; but you will end up being just another collection of shrill voices in Bedlam. When everything is an over-the-top scream, no one will be heard.
Farewell.
FR is best. Bar none. Where else can you see a guy to the right of Buchanan debate an ultra-libertarian. :)I'm thinking it's because JimRob's philosophy transcends those disagreements, holding them by that which unites, those overall themes of liberty, limited government, and the American Founding. It's the particulars that so ignite...
And, Petronski, damned straight:
The software that powers FreeRepublic is the most logical, cleanest interface I've ever seen.As timing, excellent software is 9/10ths of wisdom -- which reminds me, FReep-a-thon: my meager contribution is due.
PS No Shiavo reference intended with that "limited government" comment... :)
PPS Viva Elian!
Even if she wants to die???
Now THAT is FUNNY!
Poohbah, admit it, you'll miss the humor.
This has turned into a funny thread!
Dear nopardons,
If you're going to mention Ash Alerts, you really have to mention my good friend, Don Morgan.
LOL.
sitetest
Nam Vet
Take a vacation..I did not even read most of the threads for fear of losing respect for some freepers I really like in other matters..I saw where this was headed early on and avoided every thread. I wish all who were hurt would take time off and come back to FR refreshed.
There were some frightening things proposed and accusations flew..
Then there are the those who chose this as the delicious opportunity to bash the Bush brothers...Nothing new there...
I made my first comment on a thread yesterday..probably my last.
We used to have a list of us all, back then. I would always post : PLEASE MAKE A PAGE 2/3/4, for us beleaguered Webbies. *sigh*
Now you're catching on. Even if she wants to die, yes.
I think Lazamataz is the Keeper of the Archive.
Bump
Nazi Germany references are only an "automatic loss of debate" when they're totally inappropriate. But in the midst of a euthanasia discussion, there are few other historical examples to use, which should be a warning signal in itself. The cult of physical ideal is the thread that is common to both cultures, and in both situations the result is that those that don't meet that ideal are considered to be less than human, their lives not worth living. Also there are some very specific parallels, for example, "Million Dollar Baby" and "I Accuse" performing the exact same propaganda role.
I just realized we signed up on here two days apart! It doesn't seem possible it has been six years! :)
Don't be patronizing and tell me not to worry about something which you raised as a topic. If it isn't to be considered, why did you mention it? Who are they?
And, no, I am not a "soul brother" to someone who despises the Mass at which I worship.
Just who despises the Mass at which you worship? Could they be heathens or atheists, certain Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Islamists, fundamentalist Christians, "raddie tradies" (as you call them)?
Or, provide evidence that I despise the Mass at which you worship. Take your time, I'll wait.
50,000 in the U.S.
So I guess then the words Christian Identity wouldn't be immediately recognized by many people (including Freepers).
I'll sure remember it now though!
Nam Vet
If they ban him on LP, I guess he'll try to take over Hannity's forum. LOL
Don?
But LOTI, and thor76 did. And they're gone.
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