Posted on 09/24/2002 10:51:10 AM PDT by Texaggie79
Well, it was a fun ride and I made a LOT of great friends on Free Republic... including one who came to my wedding. But nothing lasts forever, and maybe in a way it's a *good* thing, 'cuz there's no convincing some people that no increase in power makes that power any more pure.
JimRob has drummed me out of Free Republic. Here's the reason he put on the screen that popped up on my end:
Your posting privilege has been revoked.
Reason: Democrat
Now, I'm not a Democrat. Haven't been one since 1994 when I changed to Republican, and haven't changed that (yet).
If JimRob is now banning people because he believes they are Democrats, he's obliterated any credibility that Free Republic has as a *conservative* forum. Conservatism espouses a free marketplace of ideas. A dissenting idea isn't something a conservative tries to muzzle: a conservative will articulate why it that idea is wrong, make his point as convincing as possible, and let the chips fall where they may. It's LIBERALS who shut off people they disagree with from entering into debate.
I've been accused of being a Democrat, an agitator, a disruptor... any number of things. I've done my damndest to promote this site in what meager ways I've been left with these past few years. Hell, I stood for four hours - for the most part alone except for an hour with another fellow Freeper - on a summer day when the mercury hit 102, to protest an UN-Constitutional practice by a nearby city. On my sign was "FreeRepublic.com". My own money, my own principles, and no one ever asked me to do it. I'll wager that that as small a thing that was, it's a helluva lot more than what most people have done in their time on Free Republic.
Today, I presented an idea - one that wasn't Republican or Democrat, or any other party's notion - that is apparently unwelcome on this forum. My belief is this: that we cannot trust a political party - ANY political party - with any great amount of power, because political parties are about nothing but power. Given enough power, the Republicans would become as corrupt and evil as the Democrats. Maybe it was my comparing the Bush-bots to the Clintonistas. Maybe it was my stating that Free Republic is fast becoming as wildly extremist as Democratic Underground. Or maybe it was my admission that, yes, I *will* vote for Erskine Bowles for U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Between the two major contenders, Bowles is the only one who is a real resident of this state... and my sentiments for North Carolina far outweigh the "needs" of any political party.
For whatever reason it was, JimRob banned me... but if it was for the crime of *once* being a Democrat, that demonstrates how shallow Free Republic is becoming. I've no love or loyalty for the Democratic party and the Republicans have given me no reason why my trust should be placed with them.
I suppose there's no room at Free Republic anymore for those of us who see America's freedom as a gift from God's grace rather than man's pride.
Sincerely, Christopher Knight "Darth Sidious"
Worth repeating.
I thought I had an ulcer! LOL! Best argument yet for wholehearted adoption of the RNC, and I don't have any intention of voting for indies, but I still fear the bannings are going to wipe out FR's reputation faster than you can say 1st amendment. And Anyone who doesn't think a drop in funding will follow that is welcome to my options on the Brooklyn Bridge! Everything must go, Act NOW!
That should be feel fri.
I agree.
These cults of personalities who enjoy lying against the President should be avoided.
Why does this ring of Dassholes charge that Bush is politicizing the war on terrorism? I guess Tommy doesn't want to be a part of a personality cult, either.
The pleasure and joy which you might derive from ridiculing morality in no way balances out the suffering which immorality brings to the broad masses of people.
Why does this ring of Dassholes charge that Bush is politicizing the war on terrorism? I guess Tommy doesn't want to be a part of a personality cult, either.
I see you're responding to my post at #413, where my only comment about the President is that "Bush is a good and decent man."
Is this what you'd characterize as "lying against the President?"
Or was there something specific you'd like to say?
146 posted on 9/24/02 1:51 PM Pacific by AppyPappy
173 posted on 9/24/02 2:04 PM Pacific by Texaggie79
207 posted on 9/24/02 2:20 PM Pacific by tomkat
212 posted on 9/24/02 2:22 PM Pacific by Lazamataz
If Lazamataz had slurred you, I would take him to task. If someone does, ping me please. But don't cry wolf.
try easin' up on the Cuervo about midnight-ish ?
Hummm... That is an interesting jump of conclusion. I would bet a dollar to a donut that more so called "Republicans" have stood on street corners and protested than other parties here on this site. I have stood on a street corner myself (alone, darth did have one person with him). I held my "SoreLoserman" poster high, got questioned/presured by the police, and did so in hot weather also. But I did not make a huge deal out of it like Darth did. I did post to a couple of other threads about it, but did not make my own article post.
Now on the other hand, I liked Darth too, but he sure got in a lot of unnessary scuffles over silly things. He got his feeling hurt (in the process of trying to hurt others of different views) about a year ago it seems. He went after some Bush bots on a thread and never let it go. IMHO. He just got more and more bitter after that point and seemed to just take the devil's advocate position more and more. His latest few posts are a perfect example, he was losing control and just lashing out.
Now his opinions are often like mine, not very popular at times (Try going on a pro-drug thread as a WODer). Decorum was not part of his game plans of late and everyone knows you have to sometimes bite the bullet instead of getting caught up in a squabble. I also hope he comes back refreshed and not bitter. (I too have been warned myself over breaking forum policy, and it took a bit to understand it was for the good of the forum). He just wanted to test the line I believe, and he found it. Now the true test of his character is coming, I hope he can overcome it. I know I sorta sizzled like a piece of bacon in the pan over my warning, but I did come to realise what I did was wrong. Darth Sidious, the gangly tall newlywed and an intellegent funny contributor to FR for a few years now, I truely hope that "that" Darth returns.
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