Posted on 02/04/2016 8:06:14 AM PST by HonorInPa
I’ll start off by saying, according to my profile, I’ve been a member of FR since September 2000, long enough to see the site evolve. I think the last three months have been a low point for FR with new lows being set every day.
FR used to be a place for interesting, sometimes contentious, but always considerate debate about issues important to the Conservative movement. Yes, during election cycles there was some push and shove concerning favorite candidates, but mostly involving their true conservative credentials.
Lately it is has become a reflection of the overall decline in civility in America. Gone are the reasoned arguments, peppered with humor, that were meant to persuade. Now many of the posts are nasty, ad hominem attacks – if you can’t use reason as a tool attack the person.
We’ve become, much like society, repeaters of the vulgar; he who speaks loudest or brashest must have the right opinion. We now live in a world where fame can start with leaked sex tapes, conspicuous consumption, and bad behavior (e.g. any Kardashian, Housewives of pick a city, etc.). No longer is much of the discussion here reflective of conservative principles – respect for the individual, reasoned consideration of all sides of an argument, and – dare I suggest – some level of morality.
Today, instead of working through solutions to the big problems facing America, our potential leaders toss out 140 character tweets meant to inflame their supporters or ridicule rivals. You can look at my post history and figure out who I’m supporting in this cycle (just as you can for previous elections) but I’m pointing my finger at all candidates. Put down the smartphones and talk to me like the intelligent adult I am. I know few of today’s issues are 100% black or white but I want to hear how you arrived at your solutions, your thought process, your ideals, your foundation. We’ve had enough of leaders who speak in platitudes or take a poll to decide what to have for lunch.
As a group we’re supposed to better than this. Over the years we’ve made fun of the idiocy over at DU but sadly of late, idiocy has found a new home here. We can raise the quality of the debate at this site. We can use this as a forum to demand that our candidates do the same. I will try my best to not get sucked into the morass and join in any undisciplined discussion.
I ask that each of us – myself included – take an extra second before pressing “post†to think about what we’ve typed. Does it insult needlessly? Does it raise the level of the debate? Is it a good reflection of our Conservative principles? Does it add fuel to the perceptions of others that the Right is made up of heartless, mean luddites?
Rather than sinking to the lowest common denominator, let’s all try to lead by example. Ok, flame away!
Did you think that the opposition would not come here to spread dissent?
I’ve been here forever. I used to come here for news and analysis. Now I come for the news and occasional snark.
Free Republic is not a traditional business. We are a political discussion forum and independent grassroots conservative activist group supported by donations from our readers and participants. When and if our participants decide we are no longer needed or viable, we will close down shop and go away.
FR is an experiment on conservatism. Sometimes I have wanted to ask Jim how the experiment is going. Is there any hope? Does he get discouraged? Does he mean it when he says he will close down shop and go away? What will trigger that?
My observation is that conservatism is in trouble as a movement and philosophy.
1) There is no common definition of conservatism. It means what ever one wants it to mean. I have posted and reflected on the below often:
2)There is very little discussion on liberty, freedom and responsibility. Most conservatives here see the solutions as more govt. “......our laws are better........” Laws by their very nature are enslavement.
3)My personal view is that nothing will change until the money runs out. I have observed this with individuals, business and countries (USSR).
4) The best we can do here is to a small thing, if a thoughtful post enlightens one individual, then it is worth it. So keep them coming even if it is like talking to a post.
5) Most of my posts are for me, for my own edification to help sharpen my thinking. Once in a while a “drive by” gets in there but I try to keep them to a minimum.
So Jim, how close have you been to pulling the trigger?
Terri Schiavo death.
Where do you get that folks are trying to censor you?
What is being asked for here is decorum, courtesy, respect and civility.
Remember this, after this melee is over, one candidate will be on the victorious side. That side will need those standing on the “loser’s” side to help them move forward.
Alienating them or making enemies of them unnecessarily does not help to achieve that goal.
There is plenty of room for civil discussion or simply ignoring the petulant, inane and childish posts.
Pigs and mud come to mind...
Guiliani for Pres.
Ron Paul spam monkies.
The crap with Clown Posse.
BobJ, Bad Joe and his BS.
Did you get the personally monogrammed carrying case? Or was this just an average lifetime membership?
Amen to that!!!
“Tone” is a word used by Leftist. I’ve heard Obama along with the GOPe and many Leftist on college campuses use that word to censor people.
You are using that PC crap.
What right do you have to dictate policy to other Freepers because you don’t like what they are saying?
Debate them on the facts instead of trying to Censor. Certainly when they donate to this site. They have paid and have the right t speak their mind and not be silenced by many of those that do not even contrrbute.
Undecided? I haven’t made it that far. Truth be known, none of the candidates light a fire in my belly. There is one exception, but it is not to be.
This is the first time I have not zeroed in on a primary candidate because of what I believe in what he can do. It is about which candidate will jerk us around the least.
Sucks, doesn’t it?
Only Rudy can beat Hillary.
Have the mods sent any of the Trump partisans to the FEMA camps yet?
I haven’t been here a week yet, but I see there must be many more levels of “conservatism” than I thought there to be...
“Lately it is has become a reflection of the overall decline in civility in America. Gone are the reasoned arguments, peppered with humor, that were meant to persuade. Now many of the posts are nasty, ad hominem attacks ‘if you can’t use reason as a tool attack the person’.”
Exactly right. On most of the presidential threads, you can’t engage in debating the candidates based on policy positions; almost everything is a 5th grade food fight, with vitriolic posts rather than reasoned thoughts.
Good point, and I stand corrected. Nothing is gained if we spend time accusing posters of not being non-affiliated posters.
>> Only Rudy can beat Hillary.
You’re a survivor! Like that last Jap to crawl out of a cave on Okinawa. :-)
>> Have the mods sent any of the Trump partisans to the FEMA camps yet?
Good question. Not that I’m aware of, although I don’t keep track. If they need some suggestions they can freepmail me. heh heh
Quote:
“I myself need to skip some threads at times, and not add to internecine warfare.”
That is my approach as well.
I have been thinking the very same thing.
Lately, whenever I come to FR to scan the latest posts, its’ all Trump/Cruz/Carson, polls, and/or attacks against one of the Republican candidates.
And I can’t believe all the attacks on Rush Limbaugh and Ted Cruz!
Rush Limbaugh has revolutionized and resurrected conservative talk radio. Folks may not remember how things were in the media pre-Rush. I do and I thank God for Rush every day. He’s a truly decent, strong conservative, yet he’s not “pure” enough for some on FR.
And Ted Cruz (with Mike Lee) were the ONLY two in Congress who were giving a little push-back to the insanity in Washington and yet Cruz is attacked by some here as if he’s an enemy. He seems to me, at least, to be a truly decent, articulate, and strong conservative, yet he’s attacked by Trump supporters the way the libs in the media attack him. And Jimmy Carter denouncing Cruz just reinforces who the Democrats really fear.
To me, I see Trump as a populist who is saying the right things, but whether or not he’s a conservative is debatable. And how he would ever accomplish what he’s promising to do is really a mystery since there are never any specifics- just generalities like “we’re gonna close the border and kick out the Muslims”. How is that gonna happen when Democrats/media/Hollywood/academe/and rent-a-mobs are fighting him every step of the way?
I may just have to take a break from FR until all this blows over- if it ever does.
Lately it is has become a reflection of the overall decline in civility in America. Gone are the reasoned arguments, peppered with humor, that were meant to persuade. Now many of the posts are nasty, ad hominem attacks - if you cannot use reason as a tool attack the person.
Thank you...thank you...thank you. I couldn't agree more.
Use Notepad to draft posts.
BTTT
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