Posted on 03/29/2005 8:58:34 AM PST by Long Cut
We, the Witness Protection Program For Freepers, aka the Wild Turkeys, aka the Coalition of the Sane, have through mutual discussion and rigourous thought, determined that:
1. The discussion threads regarding Terri Schiavo (hereafter referred to as "TS") have become too full of innuendo, rumormongering, hyperbole, hysteria, namecalling, paranoia, and general poor behavior to warrant participation.
2. Said threads have degenerated into "echo chambers", wherein the same, common thoughts are continually posted again and again, and the same old disreputable, unconfirmed and/or false urban myths are propagated.
3. Anyone who joins in said theads with alternative viewpoints to the most extreme posts are routinely driven away with slander, accusations, and vile namecalling.
4. No data or evidence contrary to the "prevailing opinions" are accepted, considered, or discussed; and in fact are rejected outright in most instances.
5. That the continued calls for armed insurrection, military or paramilitary involvement, impeachements of politicians and judges, and death threats are embarassing, stupid, shortsighted, doomed to failure, and contrary to most if not all conservative thought prior to this case, as well as damaging in the extreme to FR and the conservative movement as a whole.
6. That such emotional, hyperbolic, and propaganda-driven hysteria is in fact contrary to all conservatives USED to stand for.
7. That the holding up of swastika and other Nazi imagery towards the police and the Bushes, the use of children as political props, and the disruption of the peace at the Woodside Hospice can only reflect badly on conservatives in general, and should be discouraged.
8. That the pursuit of this issue to the exclusion of all others by the GOP has damaged, perhaps beyond repair, the pursuit of other important issues as well as the reputation of the GOP, FR, and conservatism.
The WPPFF is NOT of one mind as to the case of TS or its correct outcome. In fact, wide disagreement exists within our little group. However, we are united in our wish that reason and sanity be respected in the discussion, as well as the rights of all parties involved or participating. We wish to discuss this as adults and intellectuals, as conservatives and as FRiends, not as children screaming past each other on some playground of hysteria. We wish for facts and evidence to be provided, discussed reasonably, and considered fairly.
We reject all accusations of Naziism, "death cultism", or other slander as methods of debate. We reject the practice of "spamming" multiple threads, of posting unending vanities, and the posting of propaganda and calls for violence. We reject, in fact, all unseemly and childish behavior which has come to characterize this case on FR.
We DO invite others to come and reasonably discuss the issue. We have no problem with FReepers who wish to debate in a rational and fair manner, and with due respect for their fellow FReepers. We have NO problem with those whose views are formed by religion; however we reject "preaching" or "being beaten with a Bible" as legitemite debate tactics. Not all of us are Believers, and such tactics only cheapen the source.
If a FReeper finds this an acceptable meansd to discuss this and other issues, they are welcome to join in and participate. Those who find pleasure in attacks, flame-baiting, slander, stalking, and personal atacks will be ignored, and their egos will go unfed.
We assume this thread to be a zone of sanity in an overheated atmosphere. Thus, a general amnesty is in effect. If posters conduct themselves within the guidlines above, we will be happy to discuss and debate with you. If a poster wishes to apologize for past slips of the tongue, or for possible "over-the-top" statements to another, it will be graciously accepted, and your company welcome.
Please bring a sense of humor; we feel that too many have been taking themselves too seriously lately.
Let the discussion begin!
Signed,
The WPPFF, aka The Wild Turkeys, aka the Coalition of the Sane.
It would appear so.
Ditto.
sw
I hope it won't last long. Anyway, it's a beautiful day today, warm and sunny, so I don't need to be sitting here at my computer. The outdoors beckon.
You're a much kinder person than I am.
(and more optomistic, too!)
Just to "out" myself, I happen to be one of the people who felt that MS should have divorced Terri, and let the Schindler's take her home. they wer willing to accept responsibility for her and care for her.
So I don't agree with some posters on this thread, but I have tried hard to be polite and not get into stupid pissing contests with anyone.
That said, I have had a very rude awakening about some folks on FR.
Perhaps it is the relative anonymity of being able to hide behind a monitor..some of the zanies on BOTH sides have hurled words that I wouldn't say to my worst enemy.
The crazieness demonstrated by some people on FR reflects badly on us all and I believe it will hurt the Conservative movement in the long run.
I fear posting anything on the main forum for at least three days. By then, the inciting to riot crowd should be sleeping it off.
That's what I thought yesterday as I drafted my own living will.
Same here.
Just hearing now the priest saying Michael was guilty of heartless cruelty, and this was murder.
It's stunning - they gave this woman no peace even at the end they're out there exploiting her. Shameful behavior- no matter what side one sees this from.
If we do, then all the work we have done will be for nothing!!!
I have no choice but to forgive.
No. But this thread is.
Hopefully her family can now find peace as well.
Like I said, you're a much kinder person than I am.
sw
Ironic, then, that this thread has produced the most civil, non-flaming discussion I've seen on this subject on FR.
Suffice it to say, you have a higher opinion of yourself than you should. I thought I knew you from the Ashley threads. I didn't.
I hope that all who have exploited the death of this poor woman have a moment of clarity wherein they realize what they have done.
I'm still shocked at the hucksterism of the selling of the "deathbed" videos and donor lists by the grieving parents.
Hey I have big-time Catholic guilt. It works! :)
"the craziness demonsrated by some people on FR..." I think that any time such an emotional issue is debated there are going to be people who allow their emotions to overtake their civility. I think that a lot of people related to Terri, her family, or Michael. I think it's our own deep seated fears about this happening to us or one of our loved ones. That's why I feel sorry for those who are amongst the crazies. Maybe in time they will go on with their lives and find peace.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.