See Y'all Later...

Me | 4APR05 | Long Cut

[Long Cut]

Well, that time has come for me. I’m leaving FR. However, I do not consider this an “opus”, as I am NOT going to use it to rehash old slights or arguments, or to give my personal opinion of what “should be done around here”. As has been so often pointed out, this is Jim Robinson’s site, and he runs it as he sees fit. Rather, all I’m going to do here is give a general reason for my departure, and say a hearty-but-sad “GOODBYE!” to all the folks here who have enriched my life in the past four years.

I am a small-government, national-security and military supporting, pro-gun, economic conservative who also likes to enjoy the life I have to its fullest. I believe that the government does its best work when it restricts itself to the things it is supposed to do vis a vis the Constitution. That is, it should restrict itself at this time to shooting terrorists and delivering the mail, as well as doing its level best to ensure that the rights of one citizen are left untrampled by another. I hold that the government should stay as far as possible from any entanglements with religion, organized or not, save to ensure that ALL are treated fairly by the law. I also hold that the government should NOT be in the business of making laws regarding the personal, private behavior of its free citizens, so long as such behavior harms no other.

In these past months, it has become plain to me that this position is NOT that of a majority of FReepers, nor of the management itself. So, rather than “tilt at windmills”, I shall simply go my own way. I have no comments about this circumstance or its origins; it is simply the way I see things.

Also, I have grown as a person on FR. When I first joined, I’d be right in there flaming with the best of ‘em. As the years have past, I have come to realize the value of simple, civil discourse, for it is in that sort of discourse that a man may actually learn things, both about the topic at hand, and about himself and what being a true gentleman means.

As before, in the past months, the majority seems to prefer it to be otherwise. Again, no comments, just stating what I see.

Before I leave, however, I wish to do two things.

First and foremost, I wish to thank Mr. Robinson for providing this site…despite the necessity of leaving now, I have truly learned a great deal here, too much for words. I was able to “vent my spleen” on issues that mattered to me, talk about mutual interests with like-minded people, and get to know some absolutely terrific folks. Mr. Robinson, you did a good job. Sorry indeed am I that I must part ways. Nonetheless, as one old Sailor to another, “Fair Winds And Following Seas, Shipmate!”

Second, I wish to thank, and bid farewell to, some of the most outstanding people it has ever been my pleasure and honor to know.

- The folks over at the FReeper Canteen, shepherded by 68-69tonkingulfyachtclub. I was drawn to the Canteen almost on my first day here, as there exists there an outpouring of support and affection for this nation’s military (of which I am a part) the likes of which have seldom seen equal. From the first, they took me in as if I were one of their own families, and the regular posters there were with me with prayers and support, as well as joy and salutes, through many dark days indeed, and many bright ones.

I am an agnostic, religiously, but that did not matter to my Canteen Friends…they were there with prayers and, well, love when my wife and I lost our first baby. They shared in the joy we had when we finally had a healthy son. They prayed again, selflessly, for me when I went on deployment. Then, they welcomed me home again with open arms, and more prayers, as I came home to bury my dear mother. In doing this for someone they knew was not religious himself, and in doing it without any hesitation, they showed a non-believer the BEST side of Christianity one could possibly ask for. To the Canteen, including Ms. Behavin, Ms. Poohbear, La diva loca, trussel, Tonk, Spotsy, Bentfeather, KathyinAlaska, and all the rest too numerous to name, I say without any sense of irony at all, “BLESS YOU”.

- The many unbelievably intelligent scientists and science-lovers over on the Crevo and science threads, ably pinged by PatrickHenry. From you ladies and gentlemen of BOTH sides, I have expanded my scientific knowledge and thinking by an order of magnitude. Ichneumon, Vade, Junior, Radio Astronomer, Right wing Professor, Betty Boop, Alamo-Girl, and all the rest of the maniacs over there made it an edifying experience that could never have been acquired in a school.

- The HTT list. I thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent “raisin Hell”. Gabz, Formermilitarychick, exnavychick, and the rest shared many a laugh with this old Heathen.

- Archy, Squantos, Travis McGee, Glock Rocks, Joe Brower, criminall number 18f, and all of the guys and gals on the gun or “Bang List threads. I learned a ton of good gouge from you guys over the years. I’m gonna miss you, but with your advice I shan’t miss much else with a pistol!

- The Republican Party Reptiles. The Big B and company showed quite well that not ALL conservatives are stick in the muds. Many of us actually LIKE looking at pretty women in few clothes. B, I hope the party lasts a bit longer fer y’all.

- The WPPFF. Y’all know who you are, and why. All I can say is, we tried. And we tried long past what any normal person would have, to our credit.

- My individual Friends…DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet, Veronica, peach, the incomparable PukinDog, Wild Turkey, and about a hundred others I could take a couple of days naming. I’ll miss y’all sumpin’ turible.

Anyhoo, this has gotten longer than I ever thought it would. Anyone with me on their ping lists can go ahead and remove my name, if you wish. Those whose wish it is to gloat, say “good riddance”, and other such juvenile nonsense are welcome to begin, thus confirming my reasoning.

‘Bye, all. Godspeed.

[Smartaleck]

"I think the donate to Jesse Jackson and RP was the final straw with me deciding this place had gone nuts! :) "

Scorn the adulterer and father of out of wedlock children but,
send money to this one doesn't make sense? LOL

[Smartaleck]

"Blah blah blah."

Bout sums it up. ROFLMBO

[xsmommy]

Frequently during the last few weeks of incendiary debate I have gotten the distinct impression that what many posters meant when they spoke of their support for the "Rule of Law" would have been more precisely stated as support for the "Process of Law", i.e. due process. There seemed to be an implicit assumption that "the Law" is an entity separate from philosophical ideas and principles, that its implementation did not really require that the human beings who were charged with operating the levers and pushing the buttons of "the Law" be guided by those ideas and principles.
Of course, everyone was in full agreement that such guidance was desirable, but sometimes there just isn't time, you see. It's unfortunate, but as long as a minimally sufficient amount of ingredients (testimony, affadavits, etc.) were dumped into the hopper, and the attorneys and judges turned the crank the correct number of times (hearings, appeals), and something resembling sausage popped-out, then "the Law" had been upheld. The fact that the end product was a revolting contradiction of the basic principles upon which "the Law" was built, and which it was supposed to serve, was regrettable, but irrelevant

this is the best statement exposing the fallacy of the "rule of law" argument that i have seen yet. bravo.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Ok..They count my birthdays by carbon dating..so there!

My life is so pathetic, the only date I could get was a carbon date! *rimshot*

[kevkrom]

Why should we? Before this issue, we've always been able to argue WITHOUT those kinds of names and out and out lies. We've always been able to disagree and still be civil and come together on other threads. These are new kinds of vitriolic postings.

It comes and goes in cycles. Certain topics bring out the worst in some people, and someof the worst people are drawn to those topics. (Ever seen one of the Linux vs. Microsoft threads? Creationism vs. Evolution?)

Unfortunately, we haven't had a thread in weeks that somebody didn't drag that Terri threads onto.

If it weren't that, it'd be a series of dissertations on how Bush is failing to defend the Mexican border, or how outsourcing will make us a third-world country, etc.

Some people are bound and determined to drag their own agenda into any topic, regardless of applicability. The best course of action is to ignore them, because getting into arguments with them give them exactly what they want. There's plenty of great material on this site, I'd hate to go without it just because of a few [redacted].

[Clara Lou]

This thread wasn't here when I went to bed last night, and now look at it!

I appreciate you and the things you've had to say. Pleeeeezz come back later!! You're needed here.

[sauropod]

Somehow I missed this one. Fun keywords.

[Smartaleck]

"You're a poopy head."

LOL.........Holy poop on a stick!

[BigSkyFreeper]

HeHe! :)

[BibChr]

The keywords are the best part.

("Notbreastfed"? Ouch!)

Dan

[Smartaleck]

"is there anything lamer than a "Im leaving" post on a message board?"

"Responding to it with a post like that?"

Took the words right off my keyboard albeit so much more pithy. LOL

[BigSkyFreeper]

is there anything lamer than a "Im leaving" post on a message board?

Oh I dunno. Registering with the screen name "stuck_in_new_orleans", then clicking the thread headline of allegeed lame thread on the front page, then reading 711 posts and finally eliciting your own response which ended up being post #712. Congrats Einstein.

[ContraryMary]

I hope that someday in the future you will reconsider your decision and come back. You will be missed. There are far too few of us who are willing to look at fact and become informed before making judgements.

All the best to you.

CM

[Joe Brower]

Take it easy, LC. As one can see from some of the keywords added to this thread, much of what you say about the negative aspects of too many FReepers is true, unfortunately.

[Right Wing Professor]

We'l miss you, Long Cut. And I never knew you were in the military, so a heartfelt thanks for your service.

[ContraryMary]

If they lied, they lied. Calling someone a liar when they have lied is not calling names.

Unfortunately, many are called a liar even when what they are saying is true. Some people just don't want to hear the truth. It has happened to me many times.

[Smartaleck]

"Confirming your reasoning??? You mean you are leaving because of a few juvenile gloating nonsensers who might say good riddance? "

Sounds like a job for Dr. Zoo!

[foreverfree]

bump

[Smartaleck]

"Ray Stevens "Ahab The Arab"!"

Now that's a classic.

Anyone have a good midi of Gregorian chants or the Edmund Fitzgerald?

[hobbes1]

Frequently during the last few weeks of incendiary debate I have gotten the distinct impression that what many posters meant when they spoke of their support for the "Rule of Law" would have been more precisely stated as support for the "Process of Law", i.e. due process. There seemed to be an implicit assumption that "the Law" is an entity separate from philosophical ideas and principles, that its implementation did not really require that the human beings who were charged with operating the levers and pushing the buttons of "the Law" be guided by those ideas and principles. Of course, everyone was in full agreement that such guidance was desirable, but sometimes there just isn't time, you see. It's unfortunate, but as long as a minimally sufficient amount of ingredients (testimony, affadavits, etc.) were dumped into the hopper, and the attorneys and judges turned the crank the correct number of times (hearings, appeals), and something resembling sausage popped-out, then "the Law" had been upheld. The fact that the end product was a revolting contradiction of the basic principles upon which "the Law" was built, and which it was supposed to serve, was regrettable, but irrelevant
this is the best statement exposing the fallacy of the "rule of law" argument that i have seen yet. bravo.

Amen. Bravo.