I agree with you. I have spent a large part of yesterday and today reading the posts on "the rebellion thread" and trying to make some sense of it. I haven't been a member of FR long enough to form any strong friendships or allegiance with/to anyone in particular. I was on a ping list of Howlin's for Scooter Libby threads, and what little exchanges I had with her, I was never insulted. I did get a good laugh at some of her exchanges with others. She could give a sharp retort, but she got as good as she gave, and she gave as good as she got...I enjoyed reading her posts.
Peach was also on this ping list, and I was amazed at how quickly she could translate newscasts and post them. I never read a post of hers that wasn't polite! I am not a supporter of Guiliani, but I respect her right to support whomever she feels will be the best candidate. She was severely attacked on this thread for pointing out that other candidates had, at one time, made statements similar to some of Guiliani's. Jim Robinson called her an idiot, a liar, and a lying prevaricator, and accused her of smearing other candidates. IMO, she did not, but I believe JR was egged on by a few who were posting negatively about her. These same few were determined and delighted to get rid of Howlin, and today they are still gloating for having gotten rid of her. IMO, if Peach and Howlin were banned, there are about a dozen more who should have been banned for their rudeness and vulgar comments.
I believe PhiKapMom opted to stop posting because she felt she was not wanted any longer on FR. This is too bad, because I have found the few posts I have read of hers to be very intelligent and enlightening.
Southerngl, I do understand that we are 'guests in JR's house', and I intend to abide by the rules, but shouldn't the host abide by the same rules he posts for his guests? For example, on the Home page we find this at the bottom of the page:
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Free Republic or its operators. Please enjoy our forum, but also please remember to use common courtesy when posting and refrain from posting personal attacks, profanity, vulgarity, threats, racial or religious bigotry, or any other materials offensive or otherwise inappropriate for a conservative family audience. Also, before we type our reply, we find this: Please: No profanity, No personal attacks, No racism or violence in posts.
Now I don't know how others would interpret comments such as: "You're an idiot", "you're a liar", "you are delusional", and "Up yours a..wipe", but to me, they are a direct violation of what he expects from his guests. Frankly, if I had a guest in my home with whom I disagreed, I would not insult or mistreat them...I would politely express my own beliefs. I don't think you convert people with hostile and insulting comments.
One poster posted to another this comment, "Hey,_, nearly 13k posts and we own this Freakin thread." This is one of the few who was personally attacking others and gloating that Howlin was gone. (She probably cooked his goose a few times, because she was much more intelligent and informed than he appears to be.) This is appalling to me that people like this are allowed to get others banned so they can monopolize a thread. I had thought we learned from varied opinions, and, hopefully, if we are right, we might enlighten others, but it appears a dozen or more so posters on that thread don't want to hear a dissenting voice! If this gets me banned, so be it, but someone needs to start thinking on that thread.
Have been at FR since 1998. There have been LOTS of ups and downs here. Every so often a big hubub occurs and people leave or get banned. Often later they come back.
I understand the concerns of both groups.
IMHO, every time someone talented like MiaT or sharpwitted like Howlin is banned, we lose in our attempts to fight the anti-American leftists who are so entrenched in so many places of power in this country and in the world. Our numbers are dwindling. That's not good, IMHO.
At the same time I understand the need to stand for the ideals that made this country great and which are so essential to keeping our nation as free as possible against the coming darkness.
So I see both points of view. I am hoping once the primaries are through, that all will come unite to fight the good fight against the leftist juggernaut that is the Demonrat left.
In the meantime, I'll hang out mostly here. And on a few other threads of interest.
Now back to the subject at hand. It seems Larry B has succombed to the Stern illusions....am very sorry for that.
Now I don’t know how others would interpret comments such as: “You’re an idiot”,
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JR took it with humor, grace and humility as I knew he would.
He is not a despot, just the principled founder of this site for conservative causes. It is no surprise that a level of despair and wandering in the desert has infected the GOP grassroots since Nov.2006. As well as a level of panic that causes us to glom on to the first candidate who gets any MSM attention. JR believes we should be more fearless, faithful to conservative principles and reach higher. It’s all about winning - not whining and compromise.
Now get out there and be of sound heart and strong will.
IMO, if Peach and Howlin were banned, there are about a dozen more who should have been banned for their rudeness and vulgar comments.
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Oh yes, I was told that I should be burned in a digusting violent death for daring to post that hemp was a resource that the lumber lobbyist got outlawed and that we could possibly use better fuel products if it weren’t for ‘big oil’. I was called a pot smoking hippy and I, of course, should die for that. (which I’m not, hemp is not pot and I wasn’t talking about selling hemp rope necklaces)