Posted on 04/04/2005 8:07:34 PM PDT by 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.
but do those that cloak themselves so tightly in the RULE OF LAW argument get it?
Too much emotion is assumed while reading peoples posts. I try to be patient with my writing and apologetic with my tone. To me at least, that way it seems I'm just talking around a campfire instead of just yelling across the aisle.
Bookmarking
The last FReeper who Opused in November of 2004 was posting two days later. Hope to see you back.
Free Republic has been an ugly place in the past month, and it's not improved by having significant contributors leave.
When FR recovers its senses, which I believe it will, I hope you'll reconsider your decision.
4? My count so far: Poohbah, Hhutch (or whatever his name was) and now Long Cut. Who am I missing?????
No. Thats why you seee the argument being made that a: Congressional Intervention was Anti-Conservtive etc. or B:That the Husband was in fact still a hisband, when neither of those propostiions when put to a test of logic, or philosophy could be accurate.
i believe it is returning to normal as well. i have seen freepers who were at each others throats on terri threads coexisting pleasantly on Pope threads. there are hurt feelings aplenty on both sides of this, because the vitriol was equally harsh issuing forth from both sides. But if anyone is looking to have their behind kissed and their viewpoint validated, well i just don't see that happening. i suppose people can leave, or they can GET OVER IT, stay and behave better. threads like this are keeping the flames fanned, IMO.
Thanks for everything.
I just "met" you but learned a lot from you and sure appreciated your presence the last few weeks.
Take care.
I don't know what touched this off, but in nearly seven years here, I don't think I been in the majority on anything except for my opinion of the Clintons. I'm always most nervous when I find myself siding with the majority.
The recent "troubles" go beyond mere disagreement.
*sigh* I know.
"Wildfire"...IMHO, the worst song of the 20th century...except for maybe "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo."
That won't help
A bright light I'll truly miss...
I wish people whose feelings were hurt or who became disillusioned with FR over the Terri affair would just take some time off instead of writing off the forum entirely. The finger-pointing has largely died off and most people seem willing to put it behind them.
I hope so. There are plenty of intelligent folks here who got into heated arguments in recent weeks who have decided to stick it out, because FR is the premier forum for conservative discussions.
i think if everyone can get over feeling they are entitled to an apology or waiting for some official pronouncement that their views were the correct one, that we can move on. the nuts are never going to apologize for being nuts. and everyone else on both sides of this was firmly convicted in their views on the subject. i know i was right and i am sure everyone else feels the same way. so we need to stop whining and bawling about it and move on. guess what? LIFE IS MESSY and SO IS FR!
My sister got ahold of that when she was "pony age" and I swear I was going to bleed out the eyes and ears after a couple of weeks. Must have really infected her as she went on to become an Equine Veterinary Tech and have a thouroughbred farm in KY...
You also have something to razz them with when they come back ;-)
Why do you keep trying to associate whackjobs with Christian conservatives? You discredit Christians with the association.
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