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Open letter to Free Republic
Self | February 4, 2016 | Self

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!


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: addingkeywordsisfun; concernedpuppyalert; imjusthereforthebeer
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To: HonorInPa

bttt


181 posted on 02/04/2016 11:19:45 AM PST by Liberty Valance (Keep a Simple Manner for a Happy Life :o)
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To: Paleo Pete
I missed Jim's post, I'll have to go try and look it up if it hasn't disappeared down the list yet...

Here ya go:

The voter rebellion is on! Who should lead: Cruz or Trump? Both? [by Jim Robinson]

182 posted on 02/04/2016 11:25:03 AM PST by Albion Wilde (Who can actually defeat the Democrats in 2016? -- the most important thing about all candidates.)
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To: manc

What I called my ping list is the “in forum” tab on my profile page.


183 posted on 02/04/2016 11:29:06 AM PST by Piranha (Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have - Saul Alinsky)
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To: grania

I’m wondering if FR life would be better if anyone working for a campaign had to divulge that information with their postings.


Now you’re getting somewhere!


184 posted on 02/04/2016 11:39:13 AM PST by chasio649 (The GOPe can never seem to remember who brought them to the dance)
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To: wagglebee

You’ll still get eaten alive if you suggest that Jahi Mcmath might not be ‘dead-dead’ and that perhaps her mother was right.


185 posted on 02/04/2016 11:41:01 AM PST by Marie (TRUMP TRUTH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw8c2Cq-vpg)
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To: Marie
Trust me, I know.
186 posted on 02/04/2016 11:41:47 AM PST by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: Daffynition

Nuh Uhh!!!


187 posted on 02/04/2016 11:44:49 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: kiryandil

thank you


188 posted on 02/04/2016 11:56:24 AM PST by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
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To: Piranha; manc

I already took care of manc’s question. :)


189 posted on 02/04/2016 12:18:25 PM PST by kiryandil ("When Muslims in the White House are outlawed, only Barack Obama will be an outlaw")
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To: HonorInPa
I’ll start off by saying, according to my papers, I’ve been a citizen of Virginia since September 1761, long enough to see the Commonwealth evolve. I think the last three months have been a low point for the American Colonies with new lows being set every day.

The Colonies used to be a place for interesting, sometimes contentious, but always considerate debate about issues important to the Patriotic movement. Yes, during election cycles there was some push and shove concerning favorite candidates, but mostly involving their true Patriotic 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 newspaper articles 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 yellow journalism, conspicuous consumption, and bad behavior (e.g. any tart, Housewives of pick a city, etc.). No longer is much of the discussion here reflective of Patriotic 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 pamphlets meant to inflame their supporters or ridicule rivals. You can look at my 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 printing presses 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 in England but sadly of late, idiocy has found a new home here. We can raise the quality of the debate in the Colonies. We can use the public 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 speaking to think about what we’re about to say. Does it insult needlessly? Does it raise the level of the debate? Is it a good reflection of our Patriotic principles? Does it add fuel to the perceptions of others that the class of landed Men is made up of heartless, mean luddites?

Rather than sinking to the lowest common denominator, let’s all try to lead by example. Ok, tar and feather away!

190 posted on 02/04/2016 2:43:56 PM PST by matt1234 (Note to GOPe lurkers: I and thousands like me will NEVER vote for Jeb Bush)
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To: HangnJudge

Very true! Thanks


191 posted on 02/04/2016 2:59:07 PM PST by billphx
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To: HonorInPa

It's all out war and war is hell. Just remember to tell your fellow FReepers you love and care about them no matter how infantile, nasty or wrong they are.

The future belongs to those who show up.

192 posted on 02/04/2016 3:22:35 PM PST by Theophilus (The GOPe are dealers. The Marxist Democrats are duelists.)
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