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I've decided to be gracious in defeat (Vanity)
FR ^ | 11/05/2008 | Hemorrhage

Posted on 11/05/2008 6:22:16 AM PST by SnakeDoctor

I have decided that I will do what my liberal counterparts could not in 2000 and 2004 -- I will be gracious in defeat. I will not fall prey to "Obama Derangement Syndrome" as the leftist blogosphere was infested with "Bush Derangement Syndrome". I will, against my better judgment, give President Obama the benefit of the doubt ... and let him succeed or fail based not on his past, but based on his actions over the next four years. I will put his past in the rearview mirror, put aside my justifiable skepticism, and hope that he will live up to his soaring rhetoric and "moderate" "bi-partisan" billing.

I will prove that I believe all I've said over the last 8-years about standing behind my President during wartime. I will pray that Barack Obama is as "pragmatic" as analysts have declared, and that he understands the fundamentally conservative nature of the country. I will work to rebuild my party, and stand up vigorously to Obama at every wrong turn -- but I will not spew the bile and hatred for my opponent that I've seen from the left since 2000. Ultimately, I refuse to become a mirror image of the hate-filled obnoxious left-wing blogger.

I also think it is important to note that the election of Barack Obama vindicates, in some respects, conservatives' view of American exceptionalism and the American Dream. It has always been our contention that through hard work and ingenuity, anyone, regardless of race, gender or creed, can succeed in this country. The ascendancy of Obama proves that. It is truly remarkable how far we've come in the last 40 years. Perhaps this is a big step in achieving the "colorblindness" we've been seeking for so long.

This election stands as a repudiation of the Republican Party -- but not of conservatism. Barack Obama won because he ran as a conservative Democrat -- touting tax cuts and a strong national defense. I hope beyond hope that he is not the liberal ideologue we feared he was -- I hope he truly represents the best his party can offer.

As conservatives, we must return the Republican Party to its roots. The defeat of John McCain proves that running "moderate" Republicans is not a path to victory, and that the slide toward "big government conservatism" we've seen under President Bush will ultimately end up in the destruction of the party. In some respects, we're the victims of our own success in the War on Terror ... as that issue has faded from the minds of voters. I pray that it won't take another deadly attack to wake us back up.

We must reinvigorate the party, and conservatism. The singular bright spot of this entire election cycle has been the emergence of Sarah Palin as a national political figure. I truly believe she, along with up-and-comers like Bobby Jindal, is the future of American conservatism.

I love my country -- and I truly pray that we conservatives were wrong about Barack Obama. I am an incurable optimist. It is always darkest just before the dawn ... so there are two alternatives here -- (1) Barack Obama isn't as bad as we thought and the country will be fine, or (2) he's as bad as we predicted, he'll run us off the rails like Jimmy Carter did, and a refreshed conservatism will emerge in 2 or 4 years.

H


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To: Hemorrhage

LoL..

That is about the most obnoxiously PANSY thing I have ready all day. I dont want you on our side. You and your thoughts are poison.

Just leave... Seriously. GTFO...

Its listening to people like you that have resulted in maxists having control of all 3 branches of the federal government.

They are going to reshape it to their likeness. The Constitution will DIE when they grab the reigns of power.

I have more contempt for you and those like you than I have for the sorry M’er F’ers that WILL enslave us to the collective.


81 posted on 11/05/2008 7:44:36 AM PST by myself6 (.)
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To: Hemorrhage
If it is at the expense of the country, then why would you call it “success”?

Here's my take.

In Obama's world, taxes are high, the military is weak, freedoms are eroded, life is not respected, basic morality is weakened. These would be Obama's success stories.

I want that to fail. For that to fail, Obama must fail.

82 posted on 11/05/2008 7:45:47 AM PST by The Iceman Cometh (America, You're F*cked!)
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To: The Iceman Cometh
the amount of bigotry and hatred that was launched at McCain and especially Palin.(and Bush, and me, and you) Somehow, it was acceptable to be bigoted regarding McCain's age and make light of Palin's appearance among other things

I am so tired of the vitriol, so tired of the insults, so tired of the anger & hatred. These actions are wrong, regardless of who started it, or who is doing it. These actions are wrong. I do not wish to be a part of it.

This man, Barak Obama, has been elected President of these United States. His legitimacy is not a matter of opinion. It is a fact.

To call this election illegitimate insults this country, and my neighbors. I will not join in any derangement syndrome.

83 posted on 11/05/2008 7:49:40 AM PST by laotzu
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To: myself6

>> That is about the most obnoxiously PANSY thing I have ready all day. I dont want you on our side. You and your thoughts are poison. Just leave... Seriously. GTFO...

You’re a bit of an ass, aren’t you? Being magnanimous does not indicate weakness. If we truly have faith in our Constitution — we must accept defeat, rebuild, and continue to fight the good fight.

You wouldn’t call me a “pansy” if you couldn’t hide behind a keyboard.

>> Its listening to people like you that have resulted in maxists having control of all 3 branches of the federal government.

Nobody listened to me. I was a Thompson/Hunter guy. We nominated a lackluster candidate, we spent like drunken sailors — we lost. No amount of sniveling and whining will change that ...

>> Its listening to people like you that have resulted in maxists having control of all 3 branches of the federal government. They are going to reshape it to their likeness. The Constitution will DIE when they grab the reigns of power.

I sincerely hope you’re wrong.

>> I have more contempt for you and those like you than I have for the sorry M’er F’ers that WILL enslave us to the collective.

Why have contempt for those on your side? I never advocated surrender. I never said don’t fight. I never said lay down our principles. I simply said I refuse to be the mirror image of obnoxious bloggers on the left.

Do you really think being obnoxious is the path back to power?

H


84 posted on 11/05/2008 7:52:50 AM PST by SnakeDoctor (Keep Austin Quarantined ...)
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To: myself6
I have more contempt for you and those like you....

You seem a pleasant sort.

Please like me. Pleeeease!! It would mean ever so much to me.

85 posted on 11/05/2008 7:55:05 AM PST by laotzu
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To: laotzu
Whoa, I never called the guy illegitimate nor do I think it is worthwhile going down that road.The best option left to conservatives is to fight this guy's policies tooth and nail.

Now, if we had some real conservatives on the right in Congress....

86 posted on 11/05/2008 7:55:48 AM PST by The Iceman Cometh (America, You're F*cked!)
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To: The Iceman Cometh

>> Here’s my take. In Obama’s world, taxes are high, the military is weak, freedoms are eroded, life is not respected, basic morality is weakened. These would be Obama’s success stories.

I do not use a left-wing definition of “success”. Success for a leader is a thriving economy, a secure nation, and wartime victory. It is this success — American success — that I wish for an Obama Administration.

H


87 posted on 11/05/2008 8:02:58 AM PST by SnakeDoctor (Keep Austin Quarantined ...)
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To: Hemorrhage
Success for a leader is a thriving economy

Obama's policies are poisonous to the economy

a secure nation

Judging by Barney Frank's desire to gut the military, I don't see how Obama is going to be succesful here either.wartime victory

Obama wants to surrender.

I understand what you want and that is what all right-thinking Americans want.

I just don't see Obama's policies would create a 'successful' America.

88 posted on 11/05/2008 8:12:20 AM PST by The Iceman Cometh (America, You're F*cked!)
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To: The Iceman Cometh

>> I just don’t see Obama’s policies would create a ‘successful’ America.

Hence the original post. I will remain skeptical, but give Obama the benefit of the doubt. I will judge him entirely on the next 4-years, not the last few.

H


89 posted on 11/05/2008 8:16:54 AM PST by SnakeDoctor (Keep Austin Quarantined ...)
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To: Hemorrhage

>> You’re a bit of an ass, aren’t you? Being magnanimous does not indicate weakness. If we truly have faith in our Constitution — we must accept defeat, rebuild, and continue to fight the good fight.

The constitution is not something you have “Faith” in.. Its not a god or diety. Its a document that lays out the foundation of law in this country. THATS IT. It wont save us... WE have to save it... The ideas and principles that are behind that document are fragile and must be guarded jealously. All it takes for the constitution to disappear is for those in government to ignore it. Were the men who fought and died to create that document asses as well? LOL my guess is that most of them were.

>>You wouldn’t call me a “pansy” if you couldn’t hide behind a keyboard.

Yes.. I most definitely would. I dont care if your a friggen linebacker in the NFL. I would call you a pansy to your damn face.

>> Nobody listened to me. I was a Thompson/Hunter guy. We nominated a lackluster candidate, we spent like drunken sailors — we lost. No amount of sniveling and whining will change that ...

Heh.. your brand of passiveness is a losing strategy. You propose being “nice” while we play within the political system that the marxists own. You are committing suicide and you don’t even know it. (or perhaps you do)

>> I sincerely hope you’re wrong.

Im not wrong, and thats why people should ignore you and everything youve stated in this thread. Its time to fight with everything available to us. The marxists must fail, and we have to insure they fail.

>> Why have contempt for those on your side? I never advocated surrender. I never said don’t fight. I never said lay down our principles. I simply said I refuse to be the mirror image of obnoxious bloggers on the left.

I have contempt for those who enable the marxists. People like you have enabled them by not fighting them “tooth and nail” and treating them like the mortal enemies they are. There is a time and place for civility, but during a war is not that time and place.

I dont want to be the mirror image of the bloggers on the left. Their tactics are not what we need, But neither is your pansy ass passivity and misplaced and out of context sense of “civility”. We need something far more “extreme”.


90 posted on 11/05/2008 8:27:47 AM PST by myself6 (.)
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To: Hemorrhage
Thank you for the reasoned debate. You have been graceful and earnest.

The final question is....

When will I get my free stuff?

91 posted on 11/05/2008 8:37:33 AM PST by The Iceman Cometh (America, You're F*cked!)
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To: Hemorrhage
I cut and paste this from another thread..

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.


I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.


It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

92 posted on 11/05/2008 9:14:46 AM PST by myself6 (.)
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To: myself6

>> Its a document that lays out the foundation of law in this country. THATS IT.

And under that foundation of law ... we LOST.

>> Were the men who fought and died to create that document asses as well? LOL my guess is that most of them were.

No, they weren’t. You are.

>> Heh.. your brand of passiveness is a losing strategy.

Who said I was passive? I think you’re mistaking obnoxiouness for strength — the two are not synonymous. One can be gracious and magnanimous without being weak or passive.

>> Im not wrong, and thats why people should ignore you and everything youve stated in this thread. Its time to fight with everything available to us. The marxists must fail, and we have to insure they fail.

Please show me where I said I wouldn’t fight. Where did I suggest that we allow marxism to succeed? Where did I suggest we abandon our principles? I simply said I refuse to be an obnoxious ass.

It is quite amazing the lunatics that will come out of the woodwork when someone makes the unreasonable suggestion that we not follow in the footsteps of obnoxious liberal bloggers.

>> I would call you a pansy to your damn face.

Meaningless bluster from a small man. I have little respect for someone who makes idle threats over the internet. Generally speaking, real men don’t have such big mouths. Don’t get your panties in a bunch, chief.

>> I have contempt for those who enable the marxists. People like you have enabled them by not fighting them “tooth and nail” and treating them like the mortal enemies they are.

I cannot recall an instance where I failed to fight marxism “tooth and nail”. I have in the past ... I will in the future.

Your contempt for fellow conservatives is misplaced. And, your propensity for uncontrolled emotion and making idle threats is truly pathetic. Control yourself.

>> But neither is your pansy ass passivity and misplaced and out of context sense of “civility”. We need something far more “extreme”.

You’ve read passivity where none exists. I am not, and never have been, passive. The die has been cast — we lost this round. So, we hope for the best, and fight on. The Republic will survive — as it has since 1787. America is nothing if not resiliant.

H


93 posted on 11/05/2008 9:27:21 AM PST by SnakeDoctor (Keep Austin Quarantined ...)
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To: myself6

>> Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

You’re arguing with yourself. I never suggested holding back opinions for fear of giving offense. I suggested not being obnoxious sore losers.

And, to equate your whining with Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech is ridiculous. Obama hasn’t DONE anything yet — when he does, I’ll judge his actions and react accordingly.

H


94 posted on 11/05/2008 9:34:04 AM PST by SnakeDoctor (Keep Austin Quarantined ...)
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To: Hemorrhage

>>And, to equate your whining with Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech is ridiculous. Obama hasn’t DONE anything yet — when he does, I’ll judge his actions and react accordingly.

Obama is a marxist. We KNOW what He will try to do. We know what the rest of the Marxists will try to do. We know what kind of people he will appoint to positions the federal gov, courts and so on. He is out to replace the foundation of this country with a marxist philosophy. We KNOW this...

I do NOT compare to any of those men, and you SURE as hell dont either. But we must at least strive to protect what they gave us. For you, that means opening your eyes to the reality of the situation. That also means stop calling for us to be congratulatory and or Gracious. I would no sooner be gracious in this defeat than Macarthur was at the start of WWII. If you try to make the point that its different, then it only proves you do not have a grasp on the nature of the enemy.


95 posted on 11/05/2008 10:16:21 AM PST by myself6 (.)
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To: Hemorrhage

>>You’ve read passivity where none exists. I am not, and never have been, passive. The die has been cast — we lost this round. So, we hope for the best, and fight on. The Republic will survive — as it has since 1787. America is nothing if not resilient.

Your definition of fight and Mine are completely different. You portend to “fight on” in the corrupt political system wholly owned by the marxists and their PR branch know as the media along with the help of the “GOTV” efforts of ACORN. You lose. Your night fighting, your committing suicide.

This republic is only resilient if those who are at teh controls respect it and its foundations enough to follow them. If they ignore the constitution (as this group of people will do) then it is doomed.

Please tell me how its possible to fight a war and not be obnoxious? At least to someone of delicate sensibilities.. “chief”

>> And under that foundation of law ... we LOST.

When the level of obfuscation, and propaganda reach the level that was reached during this “election”. Plus the manufactured “economic crises”....

Lol.. that wasnt an election. It was a coup.

They didnt run to implement the constitution in good faith... They ran to REPLACE it. Big damn difference.


96 posted on 11/05/2008 10:44:11 AM PST by myself6 (.)
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To: myself6

>> For you, that means opening your eyes to the reality of the situation. That also means stop calling for us to be congratulatory and or Gracious. I would no sooner be gracious in this defeat than Macarthur was at the start of WWII. If you try to make the point that its different, then it only proves you do not have a grasp on the nature of the enemy.

Rush Limbaugh Pearl of Wisdom from TODAY’s show:

“I’m not against graciousness and being congratulatory towards President-Elect Obama, but the motivation for it troubles me greatly, as we seek here not to ‘rebuild’ the conservative movement, by the way, but to simply reestablish it and take it back from a bunch of frauds and pretenders who want to ‘redefine’ it.”

This is EXACTLY what I’m talking about doing. Be gracious and congratulatory ... and reestablish the conservative movement of the Reagan era.

H


97 posted on 11/05/2008 2:27:53 PM PST by SnakeDoctor (Keep Austin Quarantined ...)
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To: Hemorrhage

I think I know where my contention with you (and probably rush too) lies...

Its in the approach, the means and the strategy.

Im convinced, as are others, that we cannot uproot this enemy through conventional means. The system is broken and will become a tool of the marxists. Its what they do to hold power. They will build and strengthen their infrastructure, and they WILL dismantle ours.

I am upset.. well no furious is probably a better word, with those who do not see this reality. They insist everything is still working according to the framers plan. This was the key piece of Patrick’s speech.

>> “Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.”

We differ in our assessment of the danger and therefore we differ in our assessment of the measures that must be taken.

Many among us bristle at the thought of taking up arms against the Marxists or even just separating ourselves from them. Why? Because those marxsts infest the positions of power in the United States government. Something too many have made a HOLY idol above the “mere” documents and principles that created it. They forget that those documents and principles only have weight if they hold weight in the minds of the men and women who’s duty it is to protect them. I can tell you without a doubt, the only thing on the minds of those who just got “elected” is replacement of those documents. The reaction from those people reminds me of this section...

>> They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.

Im not positive that our disagreement is insurmountable but it WILL require you to see and hear what is right in front of your face.


98 posted on 11/05/2008 3:03:03 PM PST by myself6 (.)
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