A Comment on the Atmosphere of FR

A concerned FReeper | December 30, 2004 | K1avg

[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.

[Redleg Duke]

AMF, Troll!

[varon]

Klavg is probably a limey.

A dashing limey at that ;-)

[hole_n_one]

Explain this post of yours......

Who do you suppose becomes the Dem capitano after Daschle loses? My money's on Reid, although Dodd and Hildebeest can't be counted out either...

[DixieOklahoma]

You idiot, they have vidoe of government police beating voters that support the opposition leader. THAT is why we are for him go back to DU you little troll.

[K1avg]

Ummm...is it true that you are 16 years old?

Completely true. Where did you hear it?

[K1avg]

Posting a vanity to chastise an entire forum for the perceived incivility of a few is destined to provoke flames, ridicule and zot bait.

Entirely, entirely true. My posting this was meant only to give my opinion on those few. Folks who are not guilty can just move along their merry way.

Between you, me, and the rest of the forum, though, I think some of the reponses here have proven nearly every point I made much better than I ever could've written.

[K1avg]

Jeez--the first time I've ever seen you post anything and you come off all pompous and holier-than-thou. That will get you nowhere around here.

Back at ya. This place is freakin' big, and it's unsurprising this is the first you've heard from me. First I've heard from you too, and I could apply approximately the same comment to you...

[K1avg]

good grief, this is a live one...

Lost on more than some, apparently. I can't tell you how gratifying it is to see one's points proven so succinctly, without lifting a finger...

[libs_kma]

"To: harrowup I'm a "he," thank you very much, jackass. 325 posted on 12/30/2004 5:13:15 PM PST by K1avg"

*Sigh*...its just so hard to find civility around here anymore... Guess this is one of those superior intellect posts. Must be very nuanced because I fail to see the hidden intellect.

[Gabz]

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!

You beat me to it!

[BobL]

Considering the way we've been treated and humiliated by the MSM for our entire lives (in most cases), I think the people here are incredibly reserved and congenial.

Yea, we may blow off some steam once in a while, but I'll put the civility of this web site up against ANY Democratic site. Maybe Booknotes (on the CSPAN site) is more civil, but that's about it.

Calling Dems the names you mentioned is harmless. Personally, I'd call them traitors and sellouts, but that would distract from my postings. But I do respect that rights of others to use names that they feel comfortable with - as long as they meet the FR rules, I'm not about to tell them how to post.

[K1avg]

I do so very much hope you realize I'm on that ping list. ;-)

[hole_n_one]

Between you, me, and the rest of the forum, though, I think some of the reponses here have proven nearly every point I made much better than I ever could've written.

---

To: harrowup

I'm a "he," thank you very much, jackass.

325 posted on 12/30/2004 5:13:15 PM PST by K1avg (Dino for Senate '06!)

[K1avg]

Hi.....are you from England? I'm being serious here..

No. Proud American.

[K1avg]

Going down the thread, I've been neglecting to respond to the more nonsensical ones, but your's deserves a super-big ellipsis. Haven't seen another quite that arrogant yet. Precisely what I'm talking about.

[bruinbirdman]

"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."

Agreed. Call 'em what they are, COMMIES.

[K1avg]

Thanks to a fellow teen for sticking up. I guess our humor is just lost on the aged. ;-)

[K1avg]

Chill.