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.
Yep
Maybe we need to start a private e-mail list.
sw
That, or it would "It's God's retribution!"
Bump. Could not have said it better.
BTW, despite our disagreements over seal-bashing, I've always found you to be a good sort. I did like your country while I was there. Y'all have some GREAT P-3 crews.
I remember you saying that, and I think we talked about it privately, too.
That's a good idea.
A perusal on the other threads reveals a recycling of the same hysterical BS as well as newly conceived BS. In the final analysis it remains BS.:-)
Laura Ingraham and Glenn Beck have lost their minds of late.
This case will end up hurting the conservatives more than anyone else.
If all this "Nazi" talk doesn't come to a screeching halt, the rest of the country is going to be scared to death of anybody who calls himself "conservative."
You wouldn't have to bother "logging on" if you never left the side of your personal computer.
(Reclusive, hermit Smiley.)
:0)
-good times, G.J.P. (Jr.)
I'm too stubborn to pull out.
Likely I'll end up like old Socrates.
"I drank WHAT?!"
Here's the thread...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1374363/posts
Well, there are exceptions Howlin, creeps like Zarqawi, bin Laden and Hussein needs to be killed, as well as traitors in a time of war. National security matters.
That would make a heck of a tagline.
I'm still thinking about it.
Part of my problem is I am very sleep-deprived, depressed over what's happening here, and I'm findding it difficult to remain positive.
Perhaps if I manage to get some sleep tonight, i will feel differently.
I agree. That's a good idea. Malakhi since it was your idea. How about you start circulating a freepmail and collect everyone's private email and we can all have a list. We will pledge to keep it private and not distribute it to any other site. It's just for contacts in case someone goes AWOL or gets suspended.
...then I'll leave.
Oh they've already given exceptions. Just mention anyone over the age of 60 having life support removed and they'll defend it.
Mike, if you DO go, FR will lose a HUGE resource.
If I stay, I will miss reading your posts, and I will miss your ping lists.
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