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.
Yick.
That's like lite beer.
To the extent that anyone has turned this into a Republican cause, or a Christian cause, or even a pro-life cause, they have missed the boat.
The case of Terri Schiavo-and I respect the opinions of people who may differ in this regard-comes down to someone's fundamental "due process" rights being disregarded by-to modify a popular liberal phrase-an imperial judiciary.
When someone can't even be safe in their property-in this case, their own body-than there is something amiss with the way our Constitution is being interpreted.
Whether or not this helps the Democratic pols-who for the most part, tacitly or explicitly agree with their Republican counterparts-is immaterial.
Once you start measuring the merit of a particular core philosophical belief according to its popularity among the masses, you're well on the road to political oblivion.
Think we'll see Crier on Scarborough Country in the near future?
Admittedly, she kicked his butt all over the tv!
Bumping that!
Mybe I'm reading what you wrote, but are you saying that if someone produces the letter from the Nobel committee saying he isn't a nominee, and never was, that you wouldn't believe it because they are in on the Death Cult Conspiracy?
I'm thinking we may need to make a list of the people and groups NOT involved. It would be a far shorter list...
Now, I am REALLY going to take a shower...BBL
sw
If the moonbats continue to dominate the forum with the approval of management, it would be stupid to stay and then I'll have to find a more sane place to discuss events and conservative issues.
I'm willing to give it another week or two. If it's not substantially better, I'm outta here and so is my money. The lunacy today was inevitable, so I'm willing to ignore it, but if there's been a fundamental shift at FR that is permanent I need to know.
I've been called names too. You sound burned out. Perhaps you should simply take time off. That's what I'm going to do. Tomorrow, my better half and I are leaving to spend the weekend in beautiful Palm Springs. :)
Know what ya mean... I only scan it.....quickly.
It's not unusual, although it's reached newly extreme and idiotic heights over the Schiavo case. Other issues which can and have brought out the worst in people on FR include illegal immigration, anything to do with Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Elian Gonzalez case, and the California recall, to name a few.
I don't know, with the way Joe has been acting lately. He may find rational people too busy to come on his show. He may get stuck with 2nd tier guests for a while.
He angered me with his takes on the Republicans during the RNC Convention.
I am not sorry I caught his show last night.
woo hoo!
That should change the subject!
I'm way behind you all, but slowly catching up.
Yikes! You mentioned the autopsy!
I've had beluga and shark, both delicious.
Thoughts?
He who gnashes his teeth, rips his own clothing, and wails the loudest is the winner. Anyone who posts with a more moderate viewpoint is the enemy. Anyone who believes that Terri really didn't want to live as a vegetable is either Hitler or Satan. Repeat ad nauseam.
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