Posted on 10/04/2004 2:33:37 AM PDT by borntobeagle
I am appalled.
I want you "old-Timers" take a good hard look at how each and every one of you are welcoming the "newbies" to this very Site called FREEREPUBLIC.
Isn't the very idea of enlightening the public to the ideas of conservatism of any relevance to you? I witnessed a fellow Freeper downright insult a "newbie" on this board by telling the poster to "take a hike".
Is this how you want to represent the Republican/Conservative ideas that we adamantly believe are better for our Nation? Simply stated, it is both offensive and insulting to anyone who may wish to learn more, use what they learn, and become involved.
Yes, I too, am considered a "newbie". I have lurked here since 2000, but recently added my screenname to make a few comments and get added to ping lists of importance to me. But don't be decieved by thinking I am ignorant or any less valid than any old-timer. I proudly served in the Gulf War 1 under George HW Bush. I work diligently campaigning for Bush's re-election. I consistenly walk the turf to register new Republicans to vote, and remain active with HSLDA's Generation Joshua to raise a future generation of Americans with conservative values. And I avidly fight any legislation that affect my rights to homeschool my children.
A newbie by adding a screen name here, yes. A newbie to the world of conservatism, maybe not, you just cannot determine that by the date a person registers to Freerepublic. But invalidating our efforts and intents by telling us to "take a hike" because we are new should be scorned by all.
Many of you have locked yourselves into a "Freeper Club" mentality, which could prove to becoming rotten fruit in turning away those who want to become part of the process, instead of part of the problem.
I highly suggest that as more of us "newbies" come, you can feel honored in knowing your message is getting out. And now that you are getting them here, please show the consideration of welcoming, training, and acknowledging their questions and concers. Any good Conservative should feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so.
This says more about the psychological inferiority of some of the oldtimers. it makes them feel superior to bully newbies
remember the school bully who felt the need to pick on people smaller than him in order to boost his own self-worth? 'nuff said.
Welcome aboard, and thank you for your service to our country..that is if you're legit, newbie :o)
i will give this "newbie" the benefit of the doubt of being conservative until she posts something that indicates otherwise...then...ZOT.
Some of us old-heads are getting a little cranky. Ever since the Dan Rather Fiasco brought us a little bit of fame here at FreeRepublic, we have been flooded with Newbies. And like Newbies everywhere, it takes a little time to get used to the rules of the road -- like no vanities, please! If you have a point to make, find an article worthy of posting and then throw in your comment.
Too many Newbies are bad for the digestion! ;)
I lurked since the very beginning of FR and did not get the strength to post until my sign up date. I truly felt I did not have enough knowledge to post or comment other then saying I agree up until then.
LOL!
I admit 4 years is LONG, but now it seems everyone posts immediately.
90% of all vanity posts are trash. (I don't consider live Freeper reports as a vanity post - they are genuine news).
Of the 10% of the vanity posts that are good reading, half are from one author (John Huang).
100% of newbie vanity posts have been trash. 99% of them are the post-and-run types. The 1% that stayed with their thread to defend their position turned out to be agenda driven posters (advertisers, people promoting a website/blog, DUmmies, white supremicists) or those who whine about the Free Republic procedures/moderators.
This newbie post hasn't changed that percentage.
YES, Damn you!! 4 Years!! Hubby has his own SN and now I have mine.
I am fed up with thess troll/newbie attempts to make yourselves feel somewhat smarter, prettier, or better.
BE NICE!!!
I was blasted for posting the mod rules link on a question posted in news...without any snide comment from me..just cut and pasted the rule for vanities from the mod link...The poster himself was gracious..he's been here far longer than I and said he had made a mistake...
I told a fellow poster who got after yet another vanity poster pretty hard..don't insult, instruct!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1213304/posts
Thin skin doesn't work very well around here...Put on your armor and realize if you post a fact be prepared to source it, an opinion, be prepared to have it challenged, a position, be prepared to defend it .
There are many threads that are posted regularly that are more "interest" threads and a great place to get to"know " the members here..and many are always ready to pray for our fellow posters, our military,our President and our country.
Some complain because their "freedom of speech" isn't respected.Why all the rules, etc..Jim's house ,Jim's rules.This forum would not be the excellent source for the latest news and opinion it is without a few rules!
This isn't a chat room...although there are threads of special interest where one does just that...Just please do not put it in as a"news" article.
As it should be. And that is what I ask. Show courtesy until a newbie proves deserving otherwise.
Many Old-Timers are so disrespectful, I can't imagine you saying the things you do to a person's face, so why say it on the internet. Is it any less rude?
Do you think the Newbies respect you for insulting them?
BE NICE and let us learn, share, and have the right to speak just as you do. If you don't like where they post or how they post, correct them. Everyone is capable of learning your Freeper etiquette, unless their only motive to be here to make trouble.
A hike with the kids! Great time of year for it. Every Freeper and Freeper family should go take a hike!
Some posters are obviously trolls, just looking for trouble, and they get it. Some posters are genuine newbies. They are usually treated with a bit of skepticism, maybe even hazed a little, but if they have something intelligent to add to the forum they are quickly welcomed in. A little thick skin may be in order for newbies the first few weeks. Big deal! Sticks and stones, as they say.
BITF, when you first signed on, what was your impression of the way you were treated?
That being said, the Vanities are getting out of hand. Sometimes the best way for a newbie to get involved in FR is to post replies to active topics rather than start a vanity post, which immediately gives the Viking Kitties hairballs.
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