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!
I did not think FR was going to survive August, 2012.
We have not gotten that low yet.
But you point is well taken.
I think that is exactly what is going on. I named a half dozen of seemingly-paid shills on posts earlier today. You can see them on my ping list.
Thanks! I did write it Word and copied, forgetting about the formatting issues.
Its only moderate/liberals that never tolerate dissent because they never, ever have an answer and don't want to be questioned about their choice.
Intolerance if their opinion, is their deadly sin!
Here, we can tell, shout and scream our differences, just like family but in the end, we love one another, pray for one another and cry and mourn with one another!
Sorry if you find that upsetting.
Being a middle child, I learned very early in that there would be nothing left if I didn't grab my share and guess what, if my just barely little brother, whined, mom made me "share" with him! Guess what, when he finished, there wasn't anything left!
I,m with you. And I live in New Jersey where we are always civil. Especially in Newark, Camden, East Orange, ET AL.
I agree.
Depends on your computer and what ASCII characters are interpreted by the server’s software.
https://askleo.com/why_do_i_get_odd_characters_instead_of_quotes_in_my_documents/
Well said and sadly way too true. I have been here since 1998 and have seen the same decline in the quality and civility of many of the posts and posters. It seemed to me to have started with the Bushbots who wouldn’t broker any discussion that wasn’t politically oriented and pro “W”. Gone are the days of intelligent threads about mythology, science, history and philosophy. Yes FR is and has always been a political driven forum, but it was nice in the past when we engaged in conversations about other intelligent issues.
I was once asked a general question about the demographics of freepers and was amazed at the diversity in age, careers, geography and educational experience. A true mosaic of intelligent thoughtful people. I’m afraid those days are gone.
How do I check your ping list please?
He typed it in word, cut and pasted it into the thread...
I’ve noticed the same thing.
I assumed it was a temporary malady which will be cured at the Republican convention. Then, we’ll be one big happy dysfunctional family again.
At least, that is my hope.
No I got it thanks. In all things there is a time for war and a time for peace.
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
Ben Franklin
Name one. I’ve been a member since 2000 and a lurker even longer and I agree. Since Trump entered the fray, it’s been a precipitous decline.
Don the asbestos undies, it could get warm in here.
5.56mm
I was wondering the same thing. He must have typed it up on Word or similar and then copy/pasted it here.
I agree completely. I almost posted a similar set of thoughts but figured it would take 10 replies or less before the name calling started.
You butthead :)
I’ve had a taste of the venom lately and appreciate what you said here.
Kudos to you, FRiend!
- Megan
This election season beats the hell out of mittens vs McCain.
I for one am glad we don’t have a bunch of guys knuckling over to each other, showering each other with platitudes. “Your great. No your great.”
“I’ll gladly relent to the esteemed gentleman from so and so.”
Seems that the importance of this particular election has Sunk in to damn near everyone here. If one candidate is a liar. He’s being called on it.
If one candidate is a blowhard he’s being called on it. If another candidate can’t wake up or another is a closet lefty poser, he’s being called on it.
There’s no BS this time around and I like it. The other way of picking our masters has yeilded us a $19 trillion dollar hole.
Thank you for your post.
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