Posted on 10/06/2011 8:45:42 PM PDT by djf
OK, as usual today I read through a dozen (actually probably more) threads about various subjects.
I am interested is seeing the news. I am interested in reading other peoples opinions about what is happening.
Just about every thread I visited had such a huge amount of rancor and spite and outright viciousness it was practically unbearable.
So what is up with all the fighting? Why does every thread turn into a room full of drunk badgers, wolverines with an estrogen overload, and cross dressing hyenas?
Don't we have the ability to be even just a little bit civil with people we disagree with? Are we not adults here? Or at least trying to be?
I finally realized why I've been getting the urge alot lately to pop "Lord of The Flies" in my DVD players!
I understand that people have strong opinions about politics, but it's getting to the point I'd be scared to go to a FReeper party because I KNOW it would turn into a flash mob brawl!!
Calm down folks! Switch to decaff or something!
I think its more than just Free Republic. Civility in general has been in steep decline. You see it on the road every day. You see it as you shop. You see it in our government. You see it in the schools. You see it in the workplace if you are lucky enough to have one. Society has started to apply more importance to how loud you say something, rather than actually considering the content of what was said. It seems to me that the content of what was said is now the last criteria being considered.
Nowhere is that more clear than in our federal government. The senate used to be the greatest house of debate on the planet. But alas, today senators speak, but there is no real debate. There is posturing and making public statements, but do they actually consider what each other is saying? Do they actually have an honest debate where facts are separated from conjecture? Do they honestly consider or even think about what any one else is saying? It doesn’t appear to me like they do. Heck, they don’t even read the bills they vote on any more.
I would be in favor of every bill being posted on the internet for a minimum of 30 days. There are enough people who still care about this country that would take the time to actually read it, and report their findings via multiple avenues. With all the social networking options available today, controversial aspects of the bills could be found, disseminated, and discussed in many venues, Free Republic being one of them. At least our representatives would become aware of those areas that are controversial to the country. Perhaps they would be shamed into actually reading what they vote on, especially if their constituents are pointing out things in the bill which they personally agree/disagree with.
I might not agree with others perspectives, but I gain nothing by being rude, yelling and screaming, insulting or demeaning others.
Perhaps you'd like to post some politically correct rules for everyone to follow, and create a group consensus about what level of resistence is allowed to shills before we must sit quietly and not annoy them?
Because that's your answer - the shills are out in force, and getting their butts kicked.
And so right when the shills are being exposed, you announce it's "too much fighting"?
I say it's the perfect amount of fighting, BECAUSE you want it stopped.
Such viciousness is mostly a bad habit.
We all feel the same, when we see something that strikes at what we believe is right.
BUT, then comes the critical moment:
Are we going to explode in self-righteousness?
Then later, when we realize our mistake, we compound our error by being too SMALL to apologize?
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Here’s another “Human Nature” problem we often see here: Accusations.
Today’s post about the missing baby in Kansas; right out the gate, some accused the parents, even referring to Casey Anthony.
The point is NOT who might or might not be guilty-
the point is that we’re supposed to believe “... innocent until proven guilty...”, especially YOU and ME, who claim the higher ground.
What if you were the parents of this child? Maybe they’ve never heard of Free Republic. Then someone forwards to them these outrageous comments...
If this was your child, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL then? And how would you look at “Conservatives”?
All of us would do better to work on our bad habits of SPOUTING OFF-
and instead, remember to “count to ten”.
“Of all the manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.” - Thucydides
Did you ever get to hang out with him?
No, it’s not.
All the great FReepers were kicked off with only the rabble to pick up the slack and this is what you get!
Trick or treat!
Yes, it is.
Huh?
Very, very well said.
I though it got pretty ugly in 2007/08 with the supporters of JD Hayworth, Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul, and Huckabee hijacking threads. That was nothing compared to what I’ve seen over the last couple of weeks.
Agree.
LOL
Not ‘hang out’ but I met him a few times. I grew up in Palm Springs and my father was Executive Chef at one of the top resorts. Palm Springs (and surrounding area) is actually a pretty small town in a lot of ways so my childhood and young adulthood was filled with celebrities.
I played golf (naked) with Henry Kissinger, sang (at age 3) with Liberace, knew Sonny Bono, met Ben Stein several times, had to be cleared to work by the Secret Service when Ford came to the live theater I worked at, went to church with Tammy Faye...it was just part of growing up there. Oh and Paula Abdul called my sister in law a bitch. LOL.
Been that way for quite some time...but we all love to post something.
I resemble that comment, lol.
Family Blood always tastes the sweetest. -Angelus
He's just jackin' around. Something rabble rousers do.
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