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.
Hi, G.
Leaving FR.
Thre's great people like you and the others I mentioned, but the entire forum is up in arms and some people I really like haveexhibited some really nasty behavior over the whole Terri thing.
Just not a lot of fun to hang out on FR anymore.
:-(
OK, late to the party (as usual) but THANK YOU. The irrationality on this board the past two weeks has been nuts. (as demonstrated by some of the subsequent posts to this thread)
THANKYOU! THANKYOU! THANKYOU!
Consider me a proud member of the Coalition of the Sane.
Bingo. You nailed it, malakhi. However, pointing that out is useless because it's easier to get people worked up over "judicial activism" - a pet cause for many - so people throw it around... No basis in fact, in this case, but why let fact get in the way? Ya know?
What is a good term for a social moderate who favors fiscal restraint? (I mean, aside from the obvious "death cultist" and "spawn of Satan)
If there should ever be a third party in this country, it should be a center party. Leave the kooks on the right and the kooks on the left out on the fringes.
I have certainly changed my mind now that I know more about this case.
46 posted on 03/31/2005 2:54:00 AM CST by Jim Robinson
Wow. And I was just sitting here wondering if FR is worth continuing to donate to. Do you know what context he said this in?
that is what a liberal might say, but the distinction is INNOCENT life.
I understand the point of 'righteous anger' though. It has to be focused and constructive. That's beeen sorely lacking from the discussions. I did say a few times that after last week, the discussion would go off the deep end.
The Threadbearer DID exactly that. Which you ignored and flamed.
Thanks for the bump.
To all: Is a Threadbearer like a Ringbearer? Sometimes it feels that way.
I am quite appalled at the statements made by people who think they are "good Christians". Advocating the deaths of the judges, the lawyer Felos, and Schiavo and the torture of his children is just shocking to me.
Or anyone else for that matter! What happened to the guts of you people! Doesn't anyone have a fighting spirit anymore? We all did so well during the leadup to the election, now you're gong to bail??
This is sad.
Alright, we'll consider you.
/smart alec
Oh, I expect that they'll figure out a way to make an exception. You aren't really expecting logical consistency, are you?
He's not the only one contemplating...
There is indeed a chill wind blowing...Unfortunately I believe the posters on the Manifesto side have lost this battle.
If there was a terrorist attack tomorrow, I bet fully half of FR would say "Bush did this to get his failure in the Schiavo case off the front page! That bastard!"
gong=going...sheesh.
No, I haven't seen Mark Steyn's take on it. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
What Would Pol Pot Do?
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