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.
Thanks for sharing.
There is a vast difference between being critical and being downright insulting. If you don't know the difference you're part of the problem.
Your Student Council sensitivities shine thru.
That's actually rather disgusting. Thanks.
Thanks a blasted lot.
I support the war fully and would never say or do or even think of doing anything to harm our soldiers or our efforts over there.
However, that Yushchenko will pull Ukraine's *massive* 1600-troop force out of Iraq does not seem to me to be a viable reason to support his sleazy, corrupt, even evil opponent.
I, frankly, cannot make heads nor tails of that statement.
No, we wouldn't want you to "lift a finger"...
... It might distract the other four fingers from doing to yourself what you've done to Free Republic with this ridiculous vanity.
After seeing nearly 350 posts, I'm starting to think that this is a technique by some to distract us from using this site as intended. Perhaps the best thing to do is let this guy find a more suitable site, and stop giving him the satisfaction of annoying us.
A note to Mr. Robinson might also be in order here.
I'm sorry if that bit seemed harsh (in retrospect, it probably was), but as I noted a little back, I fully support our efforts and soldiers in Iraq, but do not see Yushchenko's promised withdrawal of Ukrainian support as a viable reason to support Yanukovich.
Neither does George Soros.
Doesn't anyone let the kittens play with the mice anymore before bringing down the hammer ?
You lost me there. Trying to make an issues argument in a vanity like this blew your credibility with me.
hehehehehehehehehehehehe :-)
Remember 9/11? NO? Get lost troll. You don't belong here.
He's still here.............the hammer hasn't come down yet......we need to let the kittens play!!!!
Chunga: Yes, he seems to have left the building.
Nope. Still alive and kicking, but I'm honored you would consider me worthy of such a horrid insult. Blech. Go wash your mouth out with soap, and thanks for proving me right.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say how approprate I find that graphic of yours. It sums things up rather nicely.
It is quite appropriate. Thank you kindly.
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