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.
Good point. But some just can't stand the heat.
"I don't call everyone I disagree with names. After spending a stone week being called a Nazi death merchant, et al, who wouldn't get defensive?"
I do not know about this dispute, but I have been called a "followerofmohammad" and accused of being under the influence of an unholy spirit for: telling the truth, that Islam, like Christianity and Judaism, has several wings, and that Mislims are not all terrorists or terrorist sympathizers, and for questioning some passages in the bible
that contradict the love and kindness of the New Testament.
When faced with this situation, after a while anyone would get mad and strike back.
(erhm... I'm not the one leaving: Long Cut is)
Substitute "euthanasia, or abortion" for slavery in the following statement by Lincoln, and it fits quite well:
"Slavery [Euthanasia/abortion ] is founded on the selfishness of man's nature--opposition to it on his love of justice. These principles are in eternal antagonism; and when brought into collision so fiercely as slavery [euthanasia/abortion] extension brings them, shocks and throes and convulsions must ceaselessly follow." (Abraham Lincoln)
If you want to continue down this road, the next stop in this slippery slope in active euthanasia, is lethal injection; as in the Netherlands, where they are giving lethal injections to retarded children...sometimes without even consulting the parent.
Please note that I did not use "theology" to argue my point.
Thanks for the ping...still, I have little sympathy for someone who gets gone when the going gets a little tough, even for Long Cut.
writing opuses, calling names and demanding their way. They have been throwing hysterical temper tantrums, they have been divisive and they been pushing and bullying the conservatives, moderates and people of faith around here by ganging up on them on threads with their little "group" and becoming downright hysterical at the words, God, Rights. and Freedom.
IT has been childish, disrespefful and I will say this carefully Not the American way. That is not until the Liberals paved the way for sleazy fighting.
Just thought I would share.
There is a TON of projection and dirty fighting going on around here.
LOL
I actually LIKE both of those songs.
Oh, well...
I think you should know your nose is a rather becoming shade of brown.
*SIGH* God Speed, my friend.....
8^(
Nobody cares what you "think" - learn to live with it.
Bump.
"Government's number one job is to protect our rights. In both of these examples, government was doing just the opposite."
And then tarleelswamprat wrote the following--and I would like put it in bold, as xsmommy did:
"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."
And "xs" wrote the following, of which I am in FULL agreement:
"this is the best statement exposing the fallacy of the "rule of law" argument that i have seen yet. bravo."
Bravo, indeed.
I'm sorry that you don't have a high opinion of the founder that most here have.
And I don't care what you think either. So there we have it.
What's up? Can't seem to resist poking the bear through the fence?
Nobody does "funny" songs anymore. How sad for today's kids.
Common courtesy on this site is to ping a person when you say something about them.
Now that you know that, you can refrain from implying anything else.
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