12 Traditions of Free Republic (Vanity)

5/14/2012 | By Lazamataz

[Lazamataz]

There's been lots of infighting and problems among Free Republic members lately. Some of the 'warring factions' are the ABO voters versus the NoRomney crowd; and the Mormon attackers versus the Mormom defenders.

I have taken the liberty of rewriting the 12 Traditions of AA a little, to apply them to a deeply political forum such as ours. The 12 Traditions have helped AA stay together no matter how much cabal-ing, clique-ing, and politic-ing (in Alocholics Anonymous) have happened over the decades. Those Traditions are battle tested in real life. We might look at them to keep our organization on the straight and narrow. If you want to see REAL DRAMA, go to a world AA conference. OMG. The 12 Traditions are what keeps that group together.

Here is my suggested Twelve Traditions of Free Republic:

1. Our conservative values should come first; America's recovery depends upon conservative unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Jim Robinson and the Moderators are but trusted servants; they moderate discussions, they do not govern member feelings, convictions, and beliefs.
3. The only requirement for Free Republic membership is a desire for America to be governed by conservative principles.
4. Each individual should be autonomous except in matters affecting conservatism as a whole.
5. Each member has but one primary purpose — to carry the conservative message to the public who still suffers.
6. A Free Republic member ought never lend the Free Republic name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Free Republic ought to be fully self-supporting, declining contributions from other political organizations.
8. Free Republic should remain forever nonprofessional, but our website may employ special workers.
9. Free Republic, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Free Republic as an institution has no opinion on outside Republican organizations; hence the Free Republic name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; and we need always maintain personal anonymity amongst our members.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

This is a suggestion, only. Please discuss amongst yourselves....

[Lazamataz]

Well, it’ll do until genius comes around. :)

[exit82]

Well written, Laz.

You may not realize it, but many of us consider you to be a FreeRepublic tradition.

An original, a one of a kind.

Thanks for being you.

[Lazamataz]

Also, spell the word as "Ammendment".

The extra M lets them know you are serious about yer rahts.

[Lazamataz]

You are too kind.

Seriously, I'm just some guy with an overactive imagination and the ability to type fast. :)

[STARWISE]

There are certainly those around here that need to learn how to tactfully critque the views of other while not belittling or attacking them. Critique the idea; do not attack a fellow Freeper . . . unless of course they are a troll.

~ ~ ~

Amen! Kneejerk snarks, foul and obscene language and nasty attack jabs directed at fellow FReepers are so sad, demoralizing and depressing.. and at THE one place besides family and friends that should be a sanctuary from the brutality of the decimation we’re witnessing, the horrible uncertainty of the times and our futures, the lying govt, media and libs and their junk, all of which ARE clearly motivated to dispirit righteous Americans when we MOST need to be fortified with spirit, confidence and courage for the huge battles ahead.

Folks naturally find that repellant .. that contentiousness and tension...and why wouldn’t they, when this is a recreational activity, and they get a mug full of that stuff in the real world. So it’s no wonder there appears to be less activity and good humor here.

I ditto your post, Laz and bravo. It takes commitment and a courageous will to be a noble human being who acts with goodness, not darkness, hatefulness and fury or so quickly lashes out at folks here from their own natural quick temper, quirkiness, frustrations or the evil we see daily being perpetrated by the govt or whatever his/her life contains .. and as you so eloquently said: keep your side of the street clean.

And that reminds me of a prayer supposedly written by Mother Theresa

~~~~~~~~~

“Anyway” ~~ Mother Theresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical or self-centered, forgive them anyway.

If you are successful, you will be sure to make some false friends and some true enemies. Be successful anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Be good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be good enough. Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God. It was never between you and them .. anyway.

~ ~ ~ ~

Some of the stuff I’ve seen could be from DU, fergodssake. Downright cruel. Maybe we’re not different. Let’s see how many are up to it... start with good will, clarification and civility first before jumping nasty. God knows we’re all sinners, and we’re all stressed so so mightily .. but I pray folks try .. and let’s not eat and hurt our own here .... please. And pray ...

God bless and strengthen us all. He knows everything we do ... online, everywhere.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Check yer freepmail

[iceskater]

Thanks.
The world is so upside down. At least FR helps us navigate these treacherous waters.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Ur right; Speling and gramer r overated anyways.

[miele man]

Hear, hear! Salut! Prost! Oops, shouldn’t do this for you, Laz. LOL.

Seriously, 5Madman2, I wholeheartedly concur and agree with your comments and high compliment to Laz. I’ve laughed many a time and been awed a number of times at his comments on FR; shrewd, witty and intellectually evocative and I am truly pleased to get a glimpse into a loving and growing spiritual heart. Bless you both. Thank you too, JR, for making all this possible.

[Lazamataz]

Did. Responded. Too much text. Tired. Reacted to title. Sleep now.

Fire GOOD

[TLI]

God only needed ten.

I hear he started with fifteen...

But it probably is just an urban legend.

.

[Lazamataz]

Too kind. Much love, g’night....

[sgtyork]

Reminds me of my favorite Army joke.

Moses comes in to the staff meeting and says to them:

Guys, I went round and round with the Boss and I’ve got good news and bad news.

The good news is that I got him down to 10 commandments.... The bad news is that Adultery is still in.

[sgtyork]

Thumbs up.

[sgtyork]

I miss more frequent viking kitties

[Slings and Arrows]

It’s been five seconds since I last freeped...

[Chode]

slacker...

[mamelukesabre]

so freerepublic is a religion then?? Cuz that what AA is.

[Slings and Arrows]

My beeber was stuned.

[knarf]

Jed wrote; "Impressive, Laz. I didn’t realize you were so articulate."

I reply:

Impressive Laz, I didn't realize you were so sober

And If I can't joke with you, I'll start typing my opus ...

/8^)