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A Comment on the Atmosphere of FR
A concerned FReeper | December 30, 2004 | K1avg

Posted on 12/30/2004 12:26:25 PM PST by K1avg

For the past several months, fate has conspired to keep me away from the computer. I haven't posted nearly as much on FR as I used to. With the holidays, though, I've had an opportunity to catch up a bit.

What I found on my return is a bit disconcerting. While there's always been an element here that refuses to reason and does little more than insult Democrats and RINOs, it seems that this mentality has taken over a large portion of our membership. I've encountered more shrill, radical nonsense in the past couple of days than I had in the months before my absence.

Certainly it's acceptable to gloat a bit after our enormous gains on November 2, but I do believe it's about time to get back to normal business.

Referring to Democrats as “Rats” or some variant thereof may be somewhat amusing, but seeing the reference in nearly every other post really gets annoying at times. Pet names for Democrats and RINOs may be funny the first time, but quickly get old. It's one thing to respect someone, and it's certainly acceptable to not do so for one reason or another, but it's never alright to be downright incivil.

Just the other day, I was in an argument here with some other members who were supporting Yanukovych over Yushchenko because Yush had pledged to remove Ukraine's 1600-some-odd-strong force from Iraq and was *gasp* more liberal than Yanukovych. Seriously, that's absurd. I'd be happy to debate with you here, but anyone can tell you Yushchenko as president will be much better for the Ukrainian people, our interests in Iraq be damned.

But I'm getting away from the subject at hand. These are just a few examples of the devolution of discourse here. While everyone is certainly allowed to have their own opinions, there is a certain level of civility that should be maintained, regardless of the context.

This is the sort of stuff you find at DU, not here. I recognize there's plenty of good, civil users here, and I'm thankful for that. To those guilty, though, it would be nice if you could tone it down a bit.

I love being here. Things like the Undead Thread, Daily Dose, and crushkerry's Lib Pundit tournament, along with the usual daily banter of normal news, makes FR like no other political site on the web. Let's keep it that way. Thanks for your time, and have a lovely day.


TOPICS: Free Republic Policy/Q&A
KEYWORDS: aconspiracyguy; aselectfewareguilty; assassk1avgassass; assholeoftheyear; assk1avg; assk1avgass; assk1avgassass; backlaterthisevening; calledaway; cantweallgetalong; civilitycischmility; crazynutjob; dashthisoffquick; democratsasrats; devolutiondiscourse; dirtyrats; dopeykidstuff; dufusrats; effete; emilypost; failsasanopus; filthyrats; fopus; gimmeabreak; girlieman; goldwaterite; havealovelyday; hoipolloi; iloveyou; immolationbyzot; intercourseevolution; itisaphase; k1avg; k1avgass; keepaneyeonhim; knowledgeandwisdom; krusgnet; letskeepitthatway; manyaholeshere; missmanners; molassesmiasma; nance; needabetteropus; needagoodopus; needsopuslessons; noopusrequirements; noratsplease; nostinkinopushere; notagoodopus; onetowatch; opus; opusrus; peckerhead; pleasebeniceplease; poofter; pooropus; possiblyinthefuture; rats; ratsratsratsratsrats; rottenapple; samnastytoright; sandinhisvagina; sorelosers; superiorintellect; sweetsixteen; switchhitter; thanksforyourtime; thatboysnotright; troll; vanitymyarse; wellcraftedposts; whatdoesincivilmean; whativealleged; youdirtyrat; youwillgrowoutofit; zotbait
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To: Mad Mammoth

Al Gore looks like he's about to spew green vomit and his head will start spinning.


281 posted on 12/30/2004 2:35:43 PM PST by jellybean (Free Ol' Crusty!)
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To: trisham
Thanks! Virtual popcorn is not as satisfying but on the upside, the keyboard and mouse don't get greasy.
282 posted on 12/30/2004 2:36:25 PM PST by OSHA (The only thing better than ZOTTING trolls is WHINER whompin!)
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Comment #283 Removed by Moderator

To: jellybean

Another typical day in the life of Al Gore.....


284 posted on 12/30/2004 2:37:05 PM PST by FirstKlassAct
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To: K1avg

Why wasn't this listed as a "Vanity" post? Even as a "Newbie" I'd know that if I were just going to ramble on about my "feelings" it should be listed as "Vanity."

I just found this place, and it suits me fine. I deal with Rats all week long. They're delusional, self-absorbed, worry-warts and conspiracy theorists. As a Red Woman in a (sadly) Blue State (only needed 12K more votes to be RED) this place is my Escapist Island compared to my Real World!

I love you, Freepers!


285 posted on 12/30/2004 2:39:35 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: FirstKlassAct

I LOVE it!!!!!!!!

dementedCrats.........SUPER!!!!!!!!


286 posted on 12/30/2004 2:39:36 PM PST by Gabz (Happy New Year)
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To: Arizona

I am expectedly call away (I have to go to work), I will not be around for a few hours so may not respond any time soon. I just wanted to dash this off to you before I dash off. Ta!


287 posted on 12/30/2004 2:39:37 PM PST by jellybean (Free Ol' Crusty!)
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To: Gabz

I figured it kinda fits with all these liberals that are seeking therapy nowadays... ;-) *GRIN*

FKA


288 posted on 12/30/2004 2:42:48 PM PST by FirstKlassAct
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To: K1avg

Frazier Crane is REAL! Or is that Frazier Klavg?


289 posted on 12/30/2004 2:43:41 PM PST by Blue Collar Christian (And McCain's opinion is important because....? ><BCC>)
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To: K1avg

I agree, and it's one of the many reasons I try not to resort to cutesy spellings for effect. If nothing else, it diminishes the credibility of the speaker/poster.


290 posted on 12/30/2004 2:44:43 PM PST by Melas
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To: JoJo Gunn
And in case you didn't notice, we almost had Hanoi John in the White House.

Two things:

1) Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and nuclear bombs.

2) The system worked. Two candidates were presented, the better man won, he's due to be inaugurated in a just a few weeks. What more could we possibly want?

291 posted on 12/30/2004 2:46:26 PM PST by Melas
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To: trisham

Thanks! I love your ZOT and cat pictures!


292 posted on 12/30/2004 2:47:21 PM PST by Tax-chick (To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.)
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To: FirstKlassAct

I hadn't thought of it that way - but you are SOOOOOOO correct!!!!!


293 posted on 12/30/2004 2:48:58 PM PST by Gabz (Happy New Year)
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To: Tax-chick

I noticed it took you a little while to bless his bowels! ms. niceness nazi................Yes I've read through the entire thread before posting :)


294 posted on 12/30/2004 2:49:59 PM PST by Gabz (Happy New Year)
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To: Melas
What more could we possibly want?

Intellectual honesty from the leftists and the MSM. (Oh, I would also like to have huge pectoral muscles). Ain't gonna happen. The Sox won the series. Miracles over.

295 posted on 12/30/2004 2:50:32 PM PST by buccaneer81 (Rick Nash will score 50 goals this season ( if there is a season)
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To: Fiddlstix
In addition to A+Bert and Illbay there was another Freeper who was constantly getting banned. Short name - the subject of many 'alerts'

Help someone! it's driving me nuts trying to remember the name.

296 posted on 12/30/2004 2:50:39 PM PST by Churchillspirit
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To: Gabz

I know the poster, so I was being Extra Nice!


297 posted on 12/30/2004 2:50:59 PM PST by Tax-chick (To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.)
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To: K1avg

The usage RAT has been around on FR since 2000, when Bush got bashed soundly for "subliminal" ads which had a millisecond zoomout on the word RAT of DEMOCRATS. (Funny, I didn't see the media reporting on their own use of subliminal ads in 2004, such as the cameraman that purposefully cropped out part of the word "Families" to make it look like "Bush Lies".) Maybe you haven't been seeing it because you signed up at a time when we were focused on Kerry, Moore, Moveon, etc. I see it as a return to the normal routine of FR.


298 posted on 12/30/2004 2:51:04 PM PST by Nataku X (There are no converts in Islam... only hostages.)
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To: mewzilla; K1avg
Oh, I don't know. As a recovering 'Rat I find the name quite apropos :)

As a recovering *lib* (never registered full-fledged 'rat but straddled the fence as an Independent) I *agree*!

299 posted on 12/30/2004 2:51:53 PM PST by dansangel (Thank you Veterans past and present!)
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To: K1avg
Referring to Democrats as “Rats”

Give me a one word adjective that better desribes these lying, lowlife, slimy and anti-American scumbags. If you can come up with one word that better labels anyone claiming to be a DemocRAT better than "RATS", please send it my way. I will consider it.

300 posted on 12/30/2004 2:51:56 PM PST by Dont_Tread_On_Me_888 (John Kerry--three fake Purple Hearts. George Bush--one real heart of gold.)
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