Posted on 04/01/2005 4:26:00 PM PST by Poohbah
First, this is NOT an April Fool's joke.
I am leaving Free Republic.
Over the past two years, civility and thoughtful discourse has vanished from this site, replaced with demands for ideological conformity that are straight out of Stalinist Russia or China's Great Cultural Revolution, and unrelenting uncivility if said conformance is not forthcoming. This trend began with the California recall election, where certain posters were allowed to flame the living beejezus out of those who didn't wholeheartedly support Tom McClintock, or thought that he wasn't running a campaign capable of winning. It extended into the Keyes campaign last year, where any critique of Keyes' campaign strategy was shrilly flamed, despite the obviously flawed execution of his campaign.
(Aside: one person who flamed me during the Keyes mess later said that he hadn't intended to start a fight with his remarks that accused me of homosexuality, pedophilia, and other evils; I was instantly reminded of the time I had to bail one of my Marines out of the local lockup. "Honest, Sarge," this Marine told me, "I didn't mean to start a fight when I called that Army Ranger a faggot." My response was not [and still isn't] suitable for public consumption.)
Since then, the Terri Schiavo case has pushed FR over the edge. We had posts calling for people to ensure that "accidents" to befall Schiavo and Judge Greer. We had posts praying that Iran would soon develop nuclear weapons, so that they could destroy the United States. And until the FBI started making arrests, those posts were allowed to stay up, completely abnegating Free Republic's standards.
We had people on both sides of the issue point out that the Schindlers were associating with some people of extremely low character, and that our uncritical embrace of these parties would not rebound to our favor. Rather reasonable attitudes to take, actually; but the loudest of the loud were in no mood to think.
My personal favorite was the following exchange:
The issue is not legality, but public opinion. Which will not be helped in this case if the pro-Terry side becomes associated in the media with Christian Identity, white supremicists, neo-nazis, racists and/or anti-semites.
Diva Betsy Ross made a valiant attempt to...ahem...whitewash Christian Identity, but it didn't work.
To top things off, we had people embracing as some sort of conservative icon, to the extent of posting a fundraising link.
I always thought that conservatism valued thinking over feeling, careful contemplation of facts over wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For a while, Free Republic met those criteria in spades.
Those days are long gone, and I have serious doubt as to whether or not they're coming back.
I know that many of the usual suspects will cheer this on, as their longtime nemesis is leaving them the field.
Be careful what you wish for; you are in the process of getting it. You may succeed in driving the folks who disagree with you from the site; but you will end up being just another collection of shrill voices in Bedlam. When everything is an over-the-top scream, no one will be heard.
Farewell.
My daughter often says ... "just get over yourself" ...
and she is usually correct ... try it ...
Free Republic needs all the voices of sanity and reason, it can get. The worse thing is for good people to do nothing. It awards the others to be winners when we know they aren't.
Be cool and stay.
I've often thought that there is a kind of Gresham's Law of internet posting, where dimwits drive out thoughtful, intelligent posters.
And I try to fight against it every chance I get. Please stay.
Huge, I hear you ad God Bless you, bump.
"good and bad coin cannot circulate together" bump
Grate idea.
May I suggest requiring the plebes to wear suits while they read?
(Honour system, natch.)
P.S.: Yes, I know. But it was a pun, you see.
I, too, am saddened that Poohbah -- whom I know to be a sane and rational poster, overall -- would pull what amounts to (let's not mince words, here) a "drive-by" of another FReeper, while simultaneously bemoaning a newly-discovered "lack of civility" here on the FR boards.
Diva's posting, IN ITS ENTIRETY, was as follows: There is absolutely nothing wrong with Terri's fight being associated with Christianity. She never once even so much as mentioned "Christian Identity," for sweet pity's sake.
She made no racist remarks of any sort, whatsoever; and is (unquestionably) owed an apology... one made as publicly as was the original libel.
Poohbah is infinitely better than this.
New tag line. :)
I have been gone for a while.
Same reasons as you.
Just dropped by to see who is left.
best of luck p/b...
The protection of FR is my only concern in this. Hopefully you are right.
Thanks, hugs, and God Bless in return.
However I don't need an apology- for I was not harmed in any way.
Anyone who thinks I support White Supremacists, after reading that post, is wrong BUT they are entitled to their opinion. I know that I am not a racist- people who know me know I am not a racist.
It is unfortunate that Poohbah chose that post to point out.
However ,that makes him look foolish-not me.
I hope by now you see the ridiculousness of that statement.
( My response was not [and still isn't] suitable for public consumption.)
Perhaps you can now hone your debating skills so you can have responses that can be shared.
Since then, the Terri Schiavo case has pushed FR over the edge.
Why do you lump a few people's problems into all of Free Republic? FR has not been pushed over the edge. A few people have, including you apparently, who were probably teetering anyway...
And until the FBI started making arrests, those posts were allowed to stay up, completely abnegating Free Republic's standards.
I missed that. Maybe someone can inform me of which FR posters were arrested.
I always thought that conservatism valued thinking over feeling, careful contemplation of facts over wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For a while, Free Republic met those criteria in spades.
It still does. If all you see is rumor repetition etc you are making the right decision.
Those days are long gone, and I have serious doubt as to whether or not they're coming back.
I still don't get why you and others look at it that way. You're totally wrong. It looks like you are long gone, not the mission and viability of FR.
I know that many of the usual suspects will cheer this on, as their longtime nemesis is leaving them the field.
Is that why you wrongly slammed Diva Betzy Ross? No one is so important that their leaving allows others to express themselves.
Be careful what you wish for; you are in the process of getting it. You may succeed in driving the folks who disagree with you from the site; but you will end up being just another collection of shrill voices in Bedlam. When everything is an over-the-top scream, no one will be heard.
More rhetoric. It seems like you are expecting FR's demise to substantiate your bogus claims about the site.
The last time I encountered you I believe was some months ago on a Keyes thread or two.
You and some others had no problem ganging up on myself and a couple of other people. No, you had no valid reason to do so.
DaughterofanIwoJimaVet continued to berate others because she had no response to the reasoned posts on the thread.
Fairbanks spread lies about me and posted false accusations. You seemed to have no problem with that going on as it was coming from your supporters. You and they had no problem throwing civility out the window in your collective emotional responses.
You will be missed by some truly nice people, and also by most of your cohorts who break any rules they want to while chastizing others that do the same.
Everyone that leaves has a good reason even though as in your case the reasons have no merit. That's reason enough for you to leave and as you have chosen to do so, bon voyage.
Bump for book mark, Poobah, I will miss you.
RE: 04/01/2005
Hmmmmmmm ......
Poohbah, i've always thought you would be better off spending more time reading the works of Ann Coulter, and less time on FR. maybe that will happen now.
*LOL*
I have to agree the Schiavo case was chocked full of issues. Her death found it's way to congress for their review of this case and what if anything they can do to make a difference should another case such as this one come along.
I have yet to see it.
I HAVE seen conservative against conservative, republican against republican. I separate the 2 because many do just that. Talking heads on various cable channels were inserting the Schiavo case when either side had nothing of substance to say. If this continues I worry of the next elections. Folks will tire of this, if there is no inroads to improve the system as it stands now?
I cannot understand the rudeness and thoughtfulness to other's that differ in their opinion.
It is in my opinion to treat one another Christ like. But, that is not what I am seeing, not only on FR, but other threads and talking heads. Folks that are always on the same page are now divided over their beliefs of the Schaivo case?
I have and will remain of the thought, as the law was written, as the congress offered their help, as the courts rendered opinion after opinion it seemed hands were tied, that all was done that could be done. I am sympathetic to the family. Both sides. But, they had pursued this case for many years. As someone who respects the rule of law, well I had to do it in this case.
Actually, had this been the coverage they received back when Michael decided to invoke Terri's wishes I somehow think the end result would have been different.
I am not some evil person, but, where we (collective) came into the picture many issues had been decided. That folks could have challenged many things that were no longer available at the end of her life.
So, here were are. Please make one hell of a living will. Make sure that you decide to either use or not use man made machines to continue life for any reason. To use man made equipment to keep your shell of body so loved ones can visit you. To decide who has final word for your body.
If you think that spouses who after years of working with their loved one finds them in the arms of another should be an automatic "removal of guardianship". I just do not know and frankly I am open to all thoughts. We need to offer thoughts on any and all proposed legislation.
It is obvious, and I would yell this from the mountain tops, that if there were some document that said she no longer wanted to be a part of this life where she could not interact with her family, there would still be an outcry over the decision, more to the point. the method of her leaving this world.
So, we do not have assisted suicide for terminally ill. But, we do give evil folks on death row a merciful death, our pet's can have a merciful death, should we not think about this as more machines can keep us alive, longer? It is a thought, not a mandate.
It seems, we are all good folk. We care about our country, freedom, family and many other issues how bout we try to work together to see what we can do as a collective to either prevent a similar situation or to have help for a family who has to go through this.
I really do enjoy and respect many on FR. I appreciate that I have always been treated the same, so thank you.
Lastly, how can we disagree with your final comments. As the old saying goes, if we don't hang together we will surely hang separately. it is something to think about.
I think you offer words for many to think about, thank you.
Yes, they offer some thoughts as to the reason for their departure but if read in the spirit it was intended, I think it was to offer ways to make FR better. To allow those who do not sign on much an opportunity to chat about years past. Maybe that is selfish or egotistical but from where I sit, I appreciate their thoughts.
I hope some return, that the course of their lives bring them back to Free Republic but it is a journey that only they can take. I for one will be glad to welcome them back no matter the time away.
Again, thanks for your thoughtful and kind observations on the subject.
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