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.
I may have missed in the past, and perhaps you do not know, but I wonder has the use of Nazi been used in years past to further their point of view. Frankly I do not recall it being part of the discussion.
It is indeed very hurtful and really has no place in this discussion, thanks for your comment.
Thank you, I learn something new everyday.
We don't need to agree on everything to recognize that by and large we agree on a lot. Even where we disagree in the application we often agree in principle. I for one, am a strong believer in the consistent rule of law, and of federalism.
I also believe that our rule of law is broken and has been for a long time. As a believer in the rule of law, this case has been a study in the many ways it is broken. In this case, an innocent woman paid the price - was a sacrificial lamb to the brokenness of the modern American system of justice.
As to similar cases... I am pretty sure this case gave the green light to liquidate thousands of helpless and burdensome people.
Take a look at this, which came out yesterday... they left their number if you want to call them. Woman named Mae MacGourik in Georgia, elderly, with a nonterminal heart condition, is being starved to death right now, against the wishest of her closest kin, because a judge granted guardianship to someone else.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1379016/posts
Yep. No more fighting ...... unless it feels real good, or if something gets accomplished. ;-)
In fact I have seen a few of them calling other people Nazis over the immigration issue- and other terrible names when those pouters have disagreed with other posters in the past.
AND not just once either.
Also I do not remember people of faith being called such horrible names as those on the other side of the debate used- ever- not on FR not anywhere. Not even at DU do they seem to hate people of faith as much as some of the Freepers have this last few months. And where are their OPUS threads for having to endure so many nasty names?
Anyone who is still pouting about the name calling is a drama queen -plain and simple. They are seeking attention at the peril of this website and of the GOP. I have heard and seen enough.
There are no innocent parties here.
The doe in the headlights reaction over other's people behavior is laughable.
Besides they are words-not bullets. There are people dying for our freedom and some "delicate creatures" want to pout about seeing the word Nazi on a public political message board??!?!?
Get over it! And that Includes those Wild turkey themselves.
Words to live by I am sure!
First I am sorry if I in any way offended you. I was only expressing thoughts that I hold near and dear. Folks are certainly entitled to their opinion. I have never said otherwise.
I am terribly sorry for those who were hurtful to you or for that matter anyone else. I know I have much to learn on this earth and I also hope I have much to teach as well. There were so many more issues that I would have loved to discuss. The idea of who should be a guardian? What is considered a living will. There are endless items of discussion that I would have loved to talk about and perhaps make steps to make a difference.
I am appreciative of your comments, I always enjoy reading them and frankly you give a lot of food for thought, thank you.
I agree that there are many things we could be talking about- and perhaps that is sort of the ploy with all of this drama.
How many of these people stomping off over Terri's threads are real activists for the GOP? Keyboard flame warriors do not count IMO.
Rehashing flame wars-where no one was innocent- divides us and keeps people off the activism threads.
If most of us put this behind us we can "Soldier on" and still get something done.
People who want the world to know that someone called someone a Nazi on FR are wasting our time and playing for the left- whether they accept that or not.
Point is- you can still make a difference sense the issues,such as you raise, are not settled yet.
Our reps need to know we are not finished. So please check in on one of the activism threads. I would love to have you and there are about three other threads where you will be welcomed with open arms!
IF you don't agree with what we are doing there you will find lots of other activism threads referenced there.
Still no sign of Poohbah...
"Still no sign of Poohbah..."
They just return with a new screen name.
I found it odd that you of all folks would write an opus about the lack of civility in discourse on FR. Please read the following thread of give and takes between you and others.
Missed your debate on FR and sorry to see you left the site. Hope all is well!
Dude. Why.
A+Bert did threaten me, and he made good on his threat. I've been dead a pretty long time now.
Look at this old post of yours.
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