[RonBush]

I am disturbed by the tone of this article and many of the responses. Just because we disagree with with a political position doesn’t mean we have to insult the people who hold it. The way to change minds is through intelligent, logical debate, not through insults and name calling.

I know people of all political points of view who I like and respect, including liberals.

I joined Free Republic a few days ago looking for a thoughtful discussion of conservatism and free market theory. At this point it seems like this is more a place for venting anger. I am disappointed.

[MestaMachine]

But you are not disturbed by the hypocrisy this article describes? What would you have *calmly discussed* with this flaming liberal who made an embarrassing scene while you were having dinner in a public place?

[PhilosopherStone1000]

If you’re serious, hang in there. People are (or become) conservatives for many reasons.

Some were born conservative. Some became conservative through routes that other conservatives don’t like (Like you, I became conservative through reading Ayn Rand).

We don’t always agree. Nor are we (on what is, after all, an anonymous message board) always tolerant of beliefs which differ (perhaps quantitatively rather than qualitatively) from ours.

We are living in an era in which many, many conservatives feel that their entire way of life, entire belief system is under attack by “regressives”. We are angry. Some of us are violently angry. But if you are on our side, you are on our side - even if it might take a little time (trust me, more than a “few days” on FR) to fit in.

Stick with it. Respond intelligently and intelligent FReepers will respond back.

[TigersEye]

In post #37 I put up some links to some thoughtful intelligent articles that examine the question using logical analytical means. You will enjoy them I’m sure.

[Absolutely Nobama]

I am disturbed by the tone of this article and many of the responses. Just because we disagree with with a political position doesn’t mean we have to insult the people who hold it. The way to change minds is through intelligent, logical debate, not through insults and name calling. There are some who would accuse you of trolling and call for a moderator, but I am not one of those people. I will handle this personally. LOOK AROUND YOU! Liberalism is destroying America at every turn. The Authoritarian Left wants to destroy religion and impose secular humanism on the United States. The government has spent us to the brink of disaster. We have a President (or socialist dictator, if you prefer.) that wantonly disregards the Constitution and is currently aiding al-Qaeda in Libya and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. We have a Congress that is completely useless and a judicial system that thinks legislating from the bench is acceptable. Yet, you're "disappointed" in my tone and the tone of my fellow FReepers ? The time for civility has passed. (For the vile left, it never really started, but I digress.) We need to call out the Left for what it really is: Communism. The days of lukewarm Gerald R. Ford "conservatism" have passed. The only way we will save the Republic is to have the same fire and passion the Founders had when they told the British to take their tea and shove it. I'm not talking about violence of course, but I am most definitely talking about having a fighting spirit. The days of Conservatives being punching bags are over. I know people of all political points of view who I like and respect, including liberals. If this is your position, then perhaps FR is not for you. I'm sure Myth Romney has a discussion board and you'll be happier there.