Posted on 04/25/2007 4:32:34 AM PDT by Chairman_December_19th_Society
STOP IT!
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!
I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
The squabbling here has gone on long enough, well, too long, actually.
There were posts complaining about certain parties lecturing other parties. Well, advance warning, here comes a lecture. I will not call anyone out in this diatribe, but if it makes you uncomfortable all the same, you are free to hit that white "X" in the red square up to the upper right of your browser window. It won't pain me any. You are also free to announce to the whole world what you have done by attempting to defend yourself when I point to a given transgression.
Let's start with the basics. This is a PG-rated thread. We have had folks--you know who you are--tell other's to head to the home of the Devil. This is not acceptable here. I do not care what the reason or rationalle is, it is just not acceptable. Period. (But, wait, Chairman, you used "hell" above. Yes, I did, but as a reference to how "I" feel, not attempting to slam someone else!)
Then there were those who took ill of others who were nasty, obnoxious individuals on other threads, but took to being pleasant here. You know what? I don't care how these folks behave elsewhere, that's immaterial. As long as those folks behave themselves here, they are welcome. The rules of the game are simple--those who advance the Cause are welcome. Advancing the Cause means treating others with respect. The individual in question behaved correctly here, and that's all that matters. It is ill-behaved to then slam such an individual, in public, for what was done or said elsewhere.
Then there are those of you who lament and decry what has happened to FR in other threads on other forums. Criticisms of the denegration of the quality of debate was a common theme. Right behind that were statements of gratitude there was this haven on FreeRepublic called ATRW--right before the abhorent behavior invaded this home. That's unacceptable and it must stop.
Collectively, we like to think we are better than the leftists. Part of our claim comes from our belief they are emotional at heart, and we are logical. We believe our thoughts and ideas are superior, and we have always attempted to engage the opponent in the arena of ideas.
Well, right now the left is laughing, and laughing heartily, at us! We are coming across in cyberspace, for the entire world to see (and don't forget, this is a WORLD stage!) as a bunch of petulant children. This must end. And end--NOW!
There are those who have been critical of Jim Robinson and how he runs this web site, insofar as he has banned some folks that we have liked, and have not appreicated some of Jim's remarks to others. Well, I'm sorry. It's his forum. He sets the rules. And don't whine "well I contribute so I should have a say." It doesn't work that way. We are contributing because we like what Jim is doing, or at least that's the premise. There's nothing that says if you don't like it, you can't start your own website portal. Go on. The Web is your oyster. If you stay, understand the situation, and knock off the criticism.
This is not the time to come unglued. Yes, the current slate of candidates in the Republican party is less than wonderful, and there is nothing wrong with saying that is the case. That doesn't mean that we start taking pot-shots at each other. No--it means we sit down, assess the problem calmly, LISTEN (in cyber mode) to others, and provide constructive input. Tearing others down, simply because you don't like (which usually means don't understand) someone else's idea means we close the door on a possible solution to the Party's woes.
Now, I'm dead serious about all this. I will not be party to providing the instrumentality for bashing Jim Robinson, for denegrating others, and for undermining rather than helping the Party. I, too, have a big white "X" on a red square in the upper right of my browser window.
What does that mean?
If the abhorent behavior doesn't stop, and right now, this is it. This will be the last ATRW thread, and you folks can go take your wining and bickering somewhere else--because it won't occur here.
Heck, Jim Robinson thought about the fact there are issues that cause us to get passionate. Read the FAQ page of FR again--there is the "back room". Take the matter into FReepMail--that's private, and you can "have it out". That's where those matters need to be settled. If you feel the temperature rising, go "off line" folks.
President Reagan said the first commandment of Republicans is not to speak ill of another Republican. That doesn't mean that you cannot provide constructive debate of the ideas presented--in fact, that's encouraged. It does mean you don't make personal attacks.
President Reagan's statement is the heart of the Cause. We have to get our act together. We cannot attack and defeat the enemy if we are busy attacking each other. Save our anger for "them".
I do hope I will start the thread tomorrow--but it really is up to you.
For AMERICA - The Right Way, I remain yours in the Cause, the Chairman.
Yes. ;-)
Are you sure it isn’t the malevolent blob that killed Lieutenant Yar?
I’ll see your pictures when you get back from work and I wake up.
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! WINNER! Nice one, Chair! :))
Hi, Two-thirds! I hadn’t seen you in a while and was wondering what you were up to!
Hi Jane! Been lurking.....
Did you see the article about the discovery of that planet? I thought that was quite interesting.
I have put off my housework long enough. Time to get moving...will check in later.
Wise man.
Ahh.... we’ve made the first 50 and so I will take myself off to bed. A little reading of “The Cat Who...” and then snoozeville.
See you in eight.
Yes, I did see the article. It is VERY interesting!
Hi Jem! :))
Hi back.
OK.
Now I’m going to bed.
Thank you. The civility of this thread has made me a long-time lurker. It’s like being a fly on the wall at someone’s coffee klatch. I’ve rarely posted, but if you continue, ATRW may be my safe haven at FR.
Probably a direct ancestor of Harry Reid.
LOL! That too! The thought of having to use a chain saw to weed was daunting!
Nothing says yummie like boiled meat.
How would you like your steak?
Soggy and gray.
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