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.
I’m glad you lowered the bar, Mr. Chairman! :-)
Man, that can be taken on so many levels...I think I will go low, early!
I didn't know we were buying food from Massachusetts!
Darn! I always figgered my Mom was out to get me!
Thank you Chairman.
I look forward to this thread every day and I would hate to see it end. It is the island of sanity in a crazy world.
The other threads except for a Day in the Life are rarely visited by me. I don’t post on them and rarely read them. The vitriol on many of them is not what I want in my life.
I got in a big mess over here. SAS cabin cleaners went on a wildcat strike in Copenhagen and messed up my flight to Milan. So - I’m coming back home early but at a much higher co$t & skipping my Milan leg.
I took Jack to the doctor yesterday. She thinks he may have a touch of the stomach flu. He was eating yesterday, rice and such, but not keeping it down. He slept well, but still is nauseas. I kept him home today. I took yesterday as a vacation day, but I have to work or I won't have vacation for Scout Camp in July. I hope he gets over it as this weekend is his Order of the Arrow Ordeal Weekend.
After all of the quips, I am seriously pleased to read Mr. Chairman's opening monologue. We were starting to act like DU.
AWESOME START, CHAIR.
DEAD ON!
The only problem is I’m not sure I am rightly called civilized... I have a sister in law who called me and all my brothers “barbarians”... and meant it!
I think she’s right, too... lol
“I still question the wisdom of buying food components from a country that thinks eating monkey brains is a delicacy.”
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ROTFLMPO... I’m with you there, MM!
LOL! That picture is going into my SAVED file.
I heard about that planet on the news early this morning but hadn’t checked out the details yet. Another galaxy, huh? Thanks for the reminder.
For people on the left, it probably WILL make them smarter.
Works for me.
I have felt a bit awkward & sad. One of the basics of good mental health & happiness is to find common ground & build up those in your circle. If it is impossible (for one) to do so, you should leave the circle. (Not necessary for the circle to disappear IMHO however.
The key players who were most distressed all have strong & good qualities. All are human & touched by life/events in different ways.
I recall my dad teaching me, you may feel something very powerfully in your soul, but it is not always prudent to express it publicly. If you express it privately , make sure it isn't gossip.
I have tried hard to follow that & as I grew up understand it is an expression/interpretation of an underlying tenant of Christianity
If I have offended some here "because I am me", well, I do hope you will find it in your heart to forgive & move on to what I perhaps can offer. I think most of us feel that way
LOL... good one, prairie!
Does Dog know you posted the pix of him & his new “grill”.
He loved the one Lysie posted the other day
Hey: that’s a clever idea. I’ll have to try that method of cooking hotdogs at a kid’s party some day!
Good to see you back. Did you check out the ping I sent you last week of fellow rocket scientist boris who also died recently
We have a NO OPEN BURN BAD in our community.
Most of us burn.
The exception is if you are having a ‘cookout’. I will remeber that idea. I am normally out their with a rake & can have 4 hot dogs on standby in case the law enforcement critters show up to confront me.
Dogs would enjoy that afterward.
I burned this morning, just before the rain started. HUGE pile of dead wood, down brances, trimmed blackberry & roesa that has been collected saved since last Oct.
“I recall my dad teaching me, you may feel something very powerfully in your soul, but it is not always prudent to express it publicly. If you express it privately , make sure it isn’t gossip.”
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Great quote ... Someday in the future, I hope my daughter ends up telling someone exactly those words.
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