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.
No you're not.
Well everything will calm down. I'm not a good debater so when I face opinions I STRONGLY disagree with, I just choose not to comment or go to another thread. If I have already commented and it turns out I reject the person's view strongly, I just politely conclude and pull out.
Whatever you do, don't jump ship. If FR ever deteriorates, it will be from losing FReepers; libertarians or ultra conservatives it doesn't matter.
The only one who should leave are trolls. Esp. DUmmie ones. They stink. :)
I do not think anyone has a thick skin, I do think that folks are hankering to making their FR experince more enjoyable.
If you feel things groovy, that is fine, I certainly would not belittle or speak unkindly of a fellow Freeper.
Thanks for your comment.
You can't paint the religious right with a broad brush. I doubt that most of the extrem views about Terri are just that extreme and not the majority of the Christian Right.
I'm 50 years old and never heard of this racist group called Christian Identity.
Recall how, at a large dinner gathering or party, anywhere wherein a lot of people are talking at once, how they will speak in raised pitch and volume, thinking that is the way to be heard among the din? Yet, all one has to do to be heard is drop one's pitch and volume just a little, and the person across the table can hear you just fine. Free Republic needs voices of quiet reason, especially during these times that try men's souls.
So take a breather, and then come on back.
You're entitled to your opinion, of course. I just think you're wrong.
Well, when the difference is between "Christian" and "Christian Identity," I'd say a confirmation question would be in order.
In general, when I think the point being stated is way off base, I ask. I figure I, as a reader, have a responsibility too.
Actually, I think Poo is angling for the longest opus thread in FR history.
Nam Vet
Blue skies, Poohbah.
Fascinating transition from court documents to "we're all crazy." May explain my difficulty with following your logic.
I thought that might be the case. I'm prolly in the minority, but I appreciate the work all the mods do.
I guess it's hard to see that you've morphed into what you profess to hate.
I was signed-up on a work pc, auto-login, from a work email address. Quit the job, forgot the password, and just signed up again from my new email.
I hear you, Steve.
I'm trying to get my little one to bed, but as far as opuses (opi?) go, you'll NEVER see one from me.
If I decide FR is not for me, I will probably just start posting less and less, and then I'll be gone.
I'll respond more later. You have been a voice of reason here and I appreciate that.
Thank you. I haven't either.
(raising hand and shouting) Me, me! Quick!! Do me next!!
C'mon, why are you being so nice? We need to have another "chick fight" to entertain the masses, lol!
you mean like this???
You're part of the problem, dirtbag.
You and your knuckle-dragging cohorts are not going to dominate this forum.
Nobody supported starving anybody; it's just that you, and others with shoe-sized IQs, have such a limited mental capacity to make distinctions and to support the rule of law, that you had to characterize those who didn't roll in the dirt as "murderers."
Relish your sanctimony. It's all you've got.
388 posted on 04/01/2005 7:34:23 PM CST by sinkspur (I'm in the WPPFF)
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