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Poohbah's Opus
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, sayeth Qohotoleth... | 01 April 2005 | Poohbah

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:


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To: Old Professer
Is being a christian identity sympathizer, a white supremicist, a neo-nazi, a racist or an anti-semite illegal activities in themselves?

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.

212 posted on 03/17/2005 11:05:13 AM PST by malakhi
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To: malakhi
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Terri's fight being associated with Christianity. That is unless someone is a radical leftist.
229 posted on 03/17/2005 12:02:29 PM PST by Diva Betsy Ross
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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.


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To: Poohbah
Ohhhh Poohhh, why this is *horrible*!!

Always knew you couldn't take a punch, Pooh.
But never thought you'd publically admit it, either.
And do it in your usual long winded, self absorbed way to boot?
Goodness me!!
Whadda blow(hard) to the forum.

Guess there's an upside to this, though.
The poor sucker you're working for *might* just get his money's worth outa his industrial engineer -- maybe for the first time since the mistake of hiring you -- now that you'll no longer be here to waste his time.
~eh?

Adios.

...crybaby.

1,921 posted on 04/04/2005 8:10:50 AM PDT by Landru (Indulgences: 2 for a buck.)
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To: VRWCmember
Are you sure you want to ask?


1,922 posted on 04/04/2005 8:26:21 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: Diva Betsy Ross
Are you sure you want to ask?

Well, as far as I know neither of us has suffered anywhere near a thousand insults of the other, and neither has ventured upon insult. Thus a drink among friends should be no cause for concern.

btw, I like your motto. It is the same as Montresor's, which I presume, is where you must have discovered it?

1,923 posted on 04/04/2005 8:35:37 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: Poohbah
Yes, things do get over-the-top emotional here. That's OK by me, because it eventually simmers down. It lets me know there are real, flesh-and-blood Americans here; people with deeply held beliefs. I don't resent them, nor their beliefs. The Admin Mods probably could have been a bit quicker on the thread-zot trigger in some cases. Calls for violence against individuals should not be tolerated, under any circumstances. And, yes, some FReepers have a hair trigger on their hysteria systems.

All that said, quitting isn't the answer. The voices of moderation and rationality have at least as important of a place at FR as the passionate, heated ones. Every one of us should endeavor to be thick-skinned enough to survive the onslaught of flames. If I am truly convinced of the correctness of my position, then all the flames on earth should not turn me from it. I may debate passionately, patiently plead and persuade, but also remain accutely aware that many, even most, may vehemently disagree. I may even be dead wrong. :-)

Isn't it better to remain among friends who, though they may disagree with you, respect your experience and perspective nonetheless? ...or would you prefer a forum where everyone simply agrees with what you say, or appears to? As for me, I love FR.

1,924 posted on 04/04/2005 8:36:46 AM PDT by TChris (Just once, we need an elected official to stand up to a clearly incorrect ruling by a court. - Ann C)
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To: justshutupandtakeit

Re#1242 It will calm down. It always does. FR ain't going anywhere...


1,925 posted on 04/04/2005 8:43:07 AM PDT by eureka! (It will not be safe to vote Democrat for a long, long, time...)
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To: justshutupandtakeit

I am not about to leave because the insults and slurs got out of hand..I'll still be here..I know how to ignore and how to push back from the computer.


1,926 posted on 04/04/2005 8:48:22 AM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
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To: VRWCmember
No. It is the motto of the Order of the Thistle and it represents the highest honor in Scotland, and it is second only in precedence to the Order of the Garter.

ORDER OF THE THISTLE

I also wear it inscribed in a ring around my finger.

If you would like to buy your own look

HERE

1,927 posted on 04/04/2005 8:49:12 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: Diva Betsy Ross
Very interesting.

It is also the family motto of Montresor, the narrating character in Edgar Allen Poe's A Cask of Amontillado, which you may read by clicking on the linked title. It is one of my favorite stories by Poe.

1,928 posted on 04/04/2005 9:10:37 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: VRWCmember
It is used a few other times in literature as well. I have not read the entire work by Poe, But I am familiar with it.

And oh by the way.....

Cheers to you,

Some have meat but cannot eat;
Some could eat but have no meat;
We have meat and can all eat;
Blest, therefore, be God for our meat.
- Dr. Plume, The Selkirk Grace, in his manuscripts in a handwriting from about 1650

And...

Here's to you, as good as you are,
And here's to me, as bad as I am;
But as good as you are, and as bad as I am,
I am as good as your are, as bad as I am.
Old Scottish Toast

1,929 posted on 04/04/2005 9:15:36 AM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: eureka!

I hope you are right and I am totally wrong but this divide seems far worse than any of those of the past. I have never seen madness like this in my lifetime.


1,930 posted on 04/04/2005 10:30:17 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit

Time heals all. I'm not worried. There will be a unifying issue, as in the past, and the TS hysteria and hurt feelings will be ancient history. Have a good one (gotta get some work done)...


1,931 posted on 04/04/2005 10:42:24 AM PDT by eureka! (It will not be safe to vote Democrat for a long, long, time...)
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To: Diva Betsy Ross

>"Nemo Me impune Lacessit." (No-one assails me with impunity)<

- and I bet they don't! ;^D

regards


1,932 posted on 04/04/2005 10:48:47 AM PDT by FBD ( “The measure of a society is how it treats the least of us.)
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To: FBD

;]


1,933 posted on 04/04/2005 2:07:28 PM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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To: unsycophant; firequarrel
Crix Nadine just about sums it up. ;)

Ah, the lovely Crix. Sure, some people critized her for the Dolly Parton wig(s) and the Tammy Fay make-up. And I privately advised her to stop ordering in the petite size from the Victoria Secrets catalog, but she was always a headstrong vixen.

I miss her all the time, but no doubt she is out entertaining many others now.:)

1,934 posted on 04/04/2005 2:35:44 PM PDT by xJones
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To: eureka!
There will be a unifying issue, as in the past, and the TS hysteria and hurt feelings will be ancient history.

Yep, I remember the Elian Gonzalez screamfests, and that was a worthy debate. But I've also seen Freepers go nuts pro-and-con on the David Westerfield trial.

It's a wise move to pick your fights carefully, because this is the Internet and people will say all kinds of things.

1,935 posted on 04/04/2005 2:41:24 PM PDT by xJones
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To: xJones

Bingo.


1,936 posted on 04/04/2005 3:01:35 PM PDT by eureka! (It will not be safe to vote Democrat for a long, long, time...)
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To: Poohbah; Jim Robinson
Several times I have mailed Jim Rob suggesting that a special discussion group be established within FR where the participants are nominated by a member and the nomination is reviewed by moderators before posting is allowed. These threads could be viewed by the masses but only the special discussion members could reply and comment. I think this could set a higher standard and would be a challenge for members to strive for.

I often find that the threads are shut down by uncivil discourse because many of the thoughtful posters will not wallow through the mud in order to be heard. I also find that many important topics are being discussed and the dialog controlled by folks with a material interest in the topic where questions are not answered but copy and paste replies are the order that do nothing for civil discourse (FairTax threads).

I too have found this forum becoming less civil and for that, less useful for the purposes intended. I will stay however.
1,937 posted on 04/04/2005 3:21:54 PM PDT by Final Authority
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To: Final Authority

No thanks.


1,938 posted on 04/04/2005 3:26:05 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
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To: .38sw
I've seen more Nazi references in the past couple of weeks than I can count. It's beyond disgraceful.

Can't imagine how anybody could see the semblance, what Nazi's kill the disabled by starving them for 2 weeks? No even they could not be that cruel. They built gas chambers and got it over quickly.

For once there is a true conection to a subject here in America and it should be pointed out. Put me in the disgraceful category.

1,939 posted on 04/04/2005 4:11:34 PM PDT by Lady Heron
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To: xJones
Hi lurkers and posters. Guess what?! I had a great day today. I didn't get shot at by a terrorist and no one I love was killed in the line of duty. I Wonder if any of you may feel the same way. If you happen to get tired of the drama over here and want to do something nice for the troops - to thank them for their service- then:

GO HERE FOR THE TROOPS!!

1,940 posted on 04/04/2005 4:13:53 PM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross (Code pink stinks!)
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