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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: Canticle_of_Deborah

There are many of us who disagree with what happened to Terri, due to all the competing testimony and evidence.

I don't think you can characterize people as pro or con euthenasia based on their opinion of the Schiavo case.

But the venom that shows up on some of these threads is hard to miss. Folks really ought to learn that calling someone a "nazi" or a "racist" just doesn't have any sting anymore, it's way to overused, and has lost all meaning.

If you can insult a person in such a way that they don't realize it, that's always the best!!


761 posted on 04/01/2005 7:20:19 PM PST by djf
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah
The pro-euthanasia freepers are committing freepicide en masse. Weird. It's like Heaven's Gate.

ROTFLMAO!!!

762 posted on 04/01/2005 7:20:19 PM PST by NeoCaveman (Abortion, euthanasia , socialized medicine, don't Democrats just kill you.....)
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet

I supported Terri, but all the people saying both Bushes are guilty of murder or something really make me angry.

Then there are those who are claiming they are leaving the GOP since not enough was done for Terri. Oh come on. More was done for her than 100 other people who have had the same exact thing happen to them.


763 posted on 04/01/2005 7:20:42 PM PST by rwfromkansas (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=rwfromkansas)
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To: Coop

Who is it that's whining? I made a statement of fact. The level of low discourse is the worst I've ever seen around here. I gave you specific examples. I've accepted it for what it is and moved on. Now we can't note a simple fact without being called whiners?

LOL. You're a piece of work. Just itching to have an argument.

I'm leaving on vacation and am too happy to be distressed by your little act. It's cute the first time but quickly gets old.


764 posted on 04/01/2005 7:21:06 PM PST by Peach
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To: lonevoice

I have the same experience with the Mods -- they did a really good job under the circumstances.


765 posted on 04/01/2005 7:21:38 PM PST by PhiKapMom
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To: wimpycat
Kooks, wackos, nutburgers, hatemongers, racists, Pharisees, godless God-hating heathens, tin-foily grassy-knollster General Rippers and other assorted dangerously unbalanced screeching harpies and loons abound around here these days.

Lions and tigers and bears... oh my! You better git while the gittin's good!

766 posted on 04/01/2005 7:21:39 PM PST by Coop (In memory of a true hero - Pat Tillman)
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To: Poohbah
Why waste our time with your whinning? just go...

What a puss!

767 posted on 04/01/2005 7:21:42 PM PST by Randy Larsen (Freedom is not America's gift to man, Freedom is GOD'S gift to mankind!....G.W.Bush)
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To: Admin Moderator
THANK YOU for this post ! I knew that would NOT happen here when I first read it, but didn't even try to search with my limited skills.

Those of us who have been here, in fact, for a long time and actually read a lot of threads and comments KNOW the site well. Thanks again. Disarmed the naysayers again!

Nam Vet

768 posted on 04/01/2005 7:22:32 PM PST by Nam Vet (MSM reporters think the MOIST dream they had the night before is a "reliable source".)
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To: Coop
So what?

A howling crowd, is still a howling crowd filled with mass hysteria.

769 posted on 04/01/2005 7:22:33 PM PST by nopardons
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To: DCPatriot
By typing it "facts"..with quotes, he is telling us that between HIS ears, they aren't.

Huh? No big deal anyway. I was providing a citation for the poster who was wondering where JR was to have said "Facts don't matter." Anybody who is interested can go read the thread for themselves and draw their own conclusions.

770 posted on 04/01/2005 7:23:12 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: St. Johann Tetzel
"The fringers have been driven out of the religion forum. News/activism is next

What chutzpah.

With comments like these
-- not to mention some of the most ghoulish 5000+ post threads I've ever seen ... far more grotesque than that you might expect to see on some DUmbed-down deathist liberal site --
you have to wonder sometimes if the real intent of Free Republic these days is to let "conservatives" show their backsides to all and sundry.

771 posted on 04/01/2005 7:23:28 PM PST by Askel5 († Theresa Marie Schindler, Martyr for the Gospel of Life, pray for us †)
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To: durasell
You know, I always believed in good manners. Even people with whom we don't agree deserve to be treated in a civil fashion.

You are right: good manners are integral to civil discourse.

When I am on a thread and receive a post that seems that it might either be intentionally rude or that it might be inadvertently so, I find it valuable to read the poster's posting history to see if it appears that the poster engages in contumely or in baiting of other posters. If so, I generally ignore the poster; it's simply not worth my time or effort to engage in rancorous billingsgate.

Of course, I often read a poster's posting history if they seem to be making intelligent points also. Some people here make tremendous contributions of time and of their own knowledge; unfortunately, others seem to be willfully contentious to no point except to display contempt and disdain for other posters.

It takes all kinds to make an Internet, I guess. Sometimes noise drowns out signal, but I personally find that Free Republic does a good job of filtering the dreck.

772 posted on 04/01/2005 7:24:04 PM PST by snowsislander
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To: Hildy

It is an online forum. I get called named all the time and don't run home and leave.

Toughen up. I am sorry you were attacked as much as you were, an I bet I played a part due to how emotionally wrapped up I got in the issue last week, but getting called names is no reason to leave.

Also, I doubt there are other conservative forums with as many posters as FR.


773 posted on 04/01/2005 7:24:15 PM PST by rwfromkansas (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=rwfromkansas)
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To: visualops

Because you had no other interests,except for the Terri threads. ;^)


774 posted on 04/01/2005 7:24:24 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Admin Moderator

Thank you -- I was hoping you would see that post because I saw vanity after vanity by new posters this past week and I kept hoping you all would say NO MORE VANITIES! I even hit abuse on a couple of them they were so far out and nothing happened. But then other times they would be pulled.


775 posted on 04/01/2005 7:24:27 PM PST by PhiKapMom
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To: Poohbah

Excellent. Two in one day.


776 posted on 04/01/2005 7:24:48 PM PST by k2blader (The state sanctioned murder of Terri Shiavo happened on the Republicans' watch.)
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To: rwfromkansas

Yup. And I think its fine people agree on certain issues with no problem, or disagree, but for me, Terri Schiavos death will not make or break the GOP. The GOP will make or break it, and likely over a battle that has little or nothing to do with it. Schiavos death was a national disgrace, not to be politicized. If anything it points to an issue with the courts (incl. judges and lousy attorneys - on both sides) and laws. It all turned for me when Jesse Jackass got involved, along with a few other ambulance chasers. I tried to stick to facts or find them out as best I could and even changed my stance on a few things after finding out I was incorrect. But Nazi? Murderer? Christ hater?
Yea, right. Hey, people are whacked. This place...I can take it or leave it and sometimes do both.


777 posted on 04/01/2005 7:25:04 PM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: Richard Axtell

Well said! [round of applause]


778 posted on 04/01/2005 7:25:07 PM PST by Coop (In memory of a true hero - Pat Tillman)
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To: Hildy
MEDIC!!!!!

Ooh la la!! ME-dic!! (wolf whistle)

But seroiusly. Please don't leave.

779 posted on 04/01/2005 7:25:10 PM PST by Killborn (Liberals. The greatest threat to mankind, morality, civilization, cute puppies and fuzzy bunnies.)
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To: Chad Fairbanks

I hope not. We disagreed strongly on Terri, but you would be missed.


780 posted on 04/01/2005 7:25:17 PM PST by rwfromkansas (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=rwfromkansas)
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