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.

[stands2reason]

Then you should have expected it.

[N. Beaujon]

It's one thing to fight the left, and hopefully accomplish something, it's another to simply throw insults at them, usually accomplishing nothing.

What are you honestly trying to accomplish viz a viz the left? A "dialogue"? Where is our common gound? What possible interests do we have with a group of people that hate this country, hate our president, undermine our troops in time of war and would rather destroy this country than lose their crippling, sickenng death grasp on their dwindling power. What is it you want to "accomplish" viz a viz Hillary Clinton and her ilk?

Complete annihilation of the Democratic party is too generous a fate.

What bothers me is the unwillingness of some conservatives to challenge some of our dogma within the "umbrella" that is conservatism. There is a range here on conservative viewpoints that ought not to be marginalized so quickly by those who adhere only to scripture for example as the foundation for their beliefs. The important thing is that the Right stays united in defeating the left, not in continuing anymore useless and mush headed dialogue with a bunch of morally bankrupt traitors.

[BobL]

"Doesn't anyone let the kittens play with the mice anymore before bringing down the hammer ?"

It was only a suggestion (letting Mr. Robinson in on this). I'm pretty new here, so I'll leave it up to the veterans as to how to handle this. But I just hate to see so many people give this guy the dignity of their time. After all, anyone of us could put up a posting like this just to incite others into wasting their time (in my opinion).

[Ciexyz]

I prefer the term "Demopukes" myself. Or simply, the "pukes" or "the RAT pukes".

[af_vet_1981]

Almost you persuade me to vote for John McCain ...

Not

[af_vet_1981]

The correct term is Democrooks.

[K1avg]

What's up with all the sensitive newbies lately?

Seems everybody that's got thin skin and thinks we're rude joined in the fall of this year.

I joined in spring. Do I still qualify?

[Stew Padasso]

LOL! You should have been around here in 98 - 2000. This is pattycake stuff.

[jackbill]

I just dashed this off real quick, having been meaning to do so for several days

Haste makes waste. There is enough waste on the Internet. Why do you want to make more?

[hole_n_one]

From now on, I'm calling you Eddie Haskell.

[K1avg]

Thank you for providing one of the few civil responses in disagreement.

I'll let the last sarcastic line pass since I've been dishing out so much of it myself... ;-)

[buccaneer81]

From now on, I'm calling you Eddie Haskell.

He's dumber than the Beaver.

[K1avg]

they think they've found your Mororcycle helmet in the lost-luggage section of their airport, said something about it being full of "mush?"

Thanks for proving correct everything I just said.

[buccaneer81]

Go back to DU.

[K1avg]

Not being a rocket scientist, I admit I could be dead wrong, but I don't think holding hands and singing Kumbaya will change the Regressives for the better.

Sorry, I don't remember suggesting that. That's a completely false and entirely hyperbolic dilemma.

It's one thing to oppose the left, it's completely another to uselessly insult them.

[Gabz]

It's one thing to oppose the left, it's completely another to uselessly insult them.

The truth is never useless, and if the truth hurts...........too bad.

[buccaneer81]

It's one thing to oppose the left, it's completely another to uselessly insult them.

Only a true leftist could make such a statement.

[K1avg]

so what about those of us who have stood up to these people on the streets, seen their hatred for America up close, and continue to witness their insane attepts to overturn the election, to turn their backs on GW on Jan. 20th, etc.?

Having done all those things, I still stand by every word I've posted today.

[K1avg]

Noob

No.

[Gabz]

OOOOOOOO don't do that..........it's jst starting to catch up with the great comments - we don't want to spoil the kitties' fun too soon........