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.

[Right Wing Professor]

Now that you know that, you can refrain from implying anything else.

Nope. Looks like common or garden sucking-up to me.

[katnip]

It entitles me to FREE memebership LOL.

[Syncro]

How true.

Coincidently, I am working with the Institute of Phenomonology to create a song parody.

It'll be funny, but not particularly directed at the real young audience.

It will be in the form of a DVD and be finished in about a month.

Watch for it's debut here on FR.

[deadhead]

"Deadhead and I agree on everything. What a bore, now I know I gotta go."

LOL, are you calling me boring?

It would be boring if we agreed on everything :-)

Torie, I like to think that I have been a great influence on my siblings in certain areas :-) And, yes...I have learned a lot from John, and for that I am grateful.

[PhilDragoo]

Actually, not. Government's number one job is to protect our rights. In both of these examples, government was doing just the opposite. In Elian's case they were depriving him of his right to liberty. And in Terri's case they deprived her of all rights, including the right to life. The government should not have seized Elian and they should not have killed Terri. Just my opinion.

350 posted on 04/04/2005 9:45:38 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

~~~

Well, I wish either of the Bush's had stepped up and said that this law is wrong and must be rewritten. It is wrong to order the death of an innocent and helpless person and this must be stopped.

I think an executive decision in this case holds just as much water as a judicial opinion. The branches have equal powers and both (or all three including the legislative branch) are entrusted with defending the constitution and our rights. The very worst thing that would've happened is Terri may have been permitted to live long enough to allow the legislators to try to get it right. And, of course, if the people thought the executive abused his power then he might be subject to impeachment. That's the way the founders set up the system.

425 posted on 04/04/2005 10:14:52 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

~~~

To err on the side of life means that life is the default rather than death. It means the same thing as choosing life. The government should defend the right to life above all else. Can't have liberty without life. Can't have any rights at all without life.

494 posted on 04/04/2005 10:32:08 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

~~~

[jwalsh07]

BUTTTTTTTTTTTTT, my point was for illustration only. Deadhead and I sometimes disagree. We are not, as rumor has it, clones.

[YourAdHere]

Can't wait.

My Book, Bradypalooza

[nopardons]

How interesting! Please ping me, when you put a thread up about your DVD. :-)

[Miss Behave]

Long Cut, all:

I wanted to mention a couple more things. First and foremost, Long Cut, thank you for your brave and selfless service to our great country, which I know you so dearly love. Second, I'd like to call attention to a part of *what* you are in large part about, (aside from your other admirable attributes)--and in illustration, I hope that everyone visits one of Long Cut's favorite spots. That spot being Dru Blair's site:

http://www.drublair.com/.

It's definately worth everyone's while to go there and browse through the links--it will completely LIFT YOU UP. And what I wrote about Long Cut's directing me there was this:

What an AWESOME website. Absolutely FABULOUS artwork. My favorites are the F-14 entitled "Tomcat!," the F-15 entitiled "Eye of the Eagle," the B-1B entitled "Power," the B-1B entitled "Low Level Lightning," and the M1A1 Abrams in the "New Paintings Section" entitled "...and Hell's Comin With Me," about which its gifted artist, Michael Harris, writes was "inspired by the late David Bloom's accounts as he traveled with the 3rd Infantry across the desert."

Thanks, Long Cut. What a treat--can't wait to show my dad. I hope everyone who's interested in beautiful U.S. Military machinery visits the site.

You will see a big part of the good and decent man, Long Cut, and his deep love of country and its beauty, and the artwork's beauty, there. I know I still don't know how to properly do quick links (site simpleton here,) but PLEASE go to that site. It WILL lift you up.

And thank you again, LC.

-K

And Mr. JimRob, I thank you for this great forum, and this is the last time I will bother you...today. Promise. Heh heh. :-)

[EllaMinnow]

Here's a direct link for you:

http://www.drublair.com/.

[MeekOneGOP]

bump! bump! bump!

[pollywog]

The government should not have seized Elian and they should not have killed Terri. Just my opinion.

A your opinion is RIGHT!!!!!!!!! The government was WRONG in both cases!!!

[Smartass]

"To err on the side of life means that life is the default rather than death. It means the same thing as choosing life. The government should defend the right to life above all else. Can't have liberty without life. Can't have any rights at all without life."

AMEN

[Miss Behave]

Thanks a bunch, EllaMinnow.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I am certain that you meant that in the most civil and diplomatic way possible, considering the gentlemen you have shown yourself to be.. however the statement begs to be made:

[mother22wife21]

Try,just once, to attempt to comprehend what I am saying to you,without then putting words in my mouth, which were NOT there, nor posted to this thread.

Someone else raised the case that two "better" newbies would replace any and all now leaving/left posters. Oh, since you are utilizing their post shouldn’t you have identified them? Would have been helpful. This is not the case and you are a prime example. I did not then, nor am I stating, ipso facto, now, that your main intent of joining FR was to "replace" the now departing/departed from FR long time members.

From your post #801 from this thread “And if she's an example of who is coming here to replace Long Cut, this is certainly NO improvement over his posts!”

See your own post # 801,

This isn't about you …..and it wasn’t about you, however, you jumped in and immediately got it wrong. See posts #696,739,788,744,973,991

Evidently you are much more interested in your own verbosity, than in much of anything else.Pity that. LOL, goodness, that hurt.

1. CCPing a laundry list of Chads' previous posts, was sadly, nothing more than an exercise in HTML, cherry picked as they were, and was no refutation,nor balm with which to salve your bruised ego. see post #991, read again, you didn’t get it. Also, it’s already been decided I have an ego that is Peterbuilt, so it’s not bruised or even scratched. ;)

They only show that you are 1)skilled at CCPing Thank you, I enjoy learning a new skill, good of you to notice 2)have far too much spare time on your hands Nah, if you notice the times, insomnia was the culprit of the evening and of course, this riveting and revealing discourse with you where you accused me of erroneously posting to a person, called me a liar, a retread, insinuated that I was an inferior freeper and exemplified the diminishing returns of open membership to this forum and had not reached some transformative longevity on the site.

( hint...scouting down someone else's old posts is time consuming Gotta hint of my own, if you click on the persons name and go to in forum on their homepage, makes it a whole lot easier. Besides,I knew what I was looking for.

and in this instance, did not validate your chortling,smarmy, sneering posts about another FREEPER)

3) were unnecessarily provocative. I’ll try to be necessarily provocative next time. ;)

Unfortunately for you, attempting to bait me hasn't worked. Well, that’s good, because it wasn’t about you and I would have had to throw you back. ;)

Do go off to bed, by all means; you've wasted far too much of your own time, bandwidth, and otherwise valuable space. I did and slept well. It will always be worth my time, bandwidth and valuable space to correct someone who has called me a liar. Even if I do have to get some sleep.

This 'conversation' stops here, for me. I've done my best to show you how we got to this point.

[bvw]

Brave perhaps, but selfless not.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

hehe! i enjoy your posts!

You are going to be a GREAT freeper. So wanna be my friend??? We could start our own group and have our own thread! LOL! ( Open to all members of course..)

[nopardons]

Ahhhhhhhh...another finely honed skilled of yours put to use,yet again; BLOVIATION.

Every post of yours on this thread is about you,you,YOU. How boring and pathetic that that's all there is of you. Pity that.

You aren't even valuable for bait, so there's no need at all to "throw you back."

[Sam Cree]

"In these past months, it has become plain to me that this position is NOT that of a majority of FReepers"

You may be right about that, and in fact I think your thoughts may be applicable to "conservatism" in general. Which means that conservatism and leftism have much more in common than their adherents may imagine.

I think you ought to stay around, FR is still lots of fun and the things you found praiseworthy are still alive. I don't think you should leave the site to the thoughtless.