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.
You bet I'll be your friend. *wink* Must freepmail about the decoder ring and secret handshake though.
LOL, thanks for your support, you get it and that was the point.
BUMP!!
I'm sorry to see you go, shipmate...:(
Fair winds and following seas. Take care of yourself, but I hope you'll be back.
I have gotten into several disagreements with people here. I am not disturbed by it in the least. If people call me names I don't care, sweat off my back. The world hated Him before it hated me. There is no other forom like this whare you can get things off your chest without being labelled a nazi or anything else, so little arguments and petty name calling don't bother me a bit.
You noticed that too?
The "fiscally conservative/social liberals" can't take the heat at FR.
Big honkin' Babies.
ROFL...it was tongue in cheek Kent!
Great...I've been tagline challenged as of late!
:-) cool posts, enjoyed very much, thanks!
Rap is funny in a warped kind of way.....and you get to dress like a clown and make big bucks off of idiots dressing just like you?
Puff Daddy Zoo........now that would sell!
God Bless the USA...
Aaaahhhh!!! I'm flashing back to boot camp! :)
Hee hee.
(Thanks, that was fun.)
True, I really hate it when they make a mountian out of a mole hill over issues like, Sponge Bob square pants, Kid rock, or President Bush saying something decent about American Muslims. . . drama queens.....
I stand by my vote. :)
Wanted to say that I am sorry you felt you had to leave. Since you weren't real clear on why, I can only guess, but I bet my guess is spot on. I suppose replying is silly since you are obviously gone from here and not reading this, right? Godspeed.
Yep, and you know the funniest thing? These opus-writers were rarely if ever *on* the fiscal conservatism (SS, Medicare, tax cut) threads. Go figure!
Believe it or not, there is a certain faction of folks who delight in attacking Christian conservatives in the news media and on FR.
Sounds like you might be one of 'em too.
I submit that when it comes to causing a woman to die when she is not terminally ill and her parents are willing and able to care for her fits your criteria of 'behavior that harms another.'
I figured it wouldn't be long before your opus, LC. I have been a registered Freeper for over seven years, and know the signs. Posting a "Manifesto" and practically unionizing people with one point of view on a volatile issue (on a conservative website!) isn't one I have seen before, but it's recognizable as a red flag (no pun intended) nonetheless.
On my FR home page, I make it clear that I don't hate people who disagree with me. To wit:
I can't promise that everyone will like what I have to say, but I will say it the best way I can, and hope that you all understand that there is no personal malice involved. Some of the folks here I have had my fiercest battles with have said things I agreed with wholeheartedly hours later.
Something that Jim Robinson can attest to is that you have to be careful when you invite people to take up your cause and they are less careful than you are; in addition to the disruptors, sometimes JimRob has to give tenured Freepers the boot, such as one that -- in support of his argument that Jeb Bush should have taken armed state police to force the feeding of Terri -- also said that former Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus should have called for a militia of armed white men to battle the 101st Airborne when Eisenhower sent them to Little Rock to ensure the integration of Central High.
You say, "we tried" re the so-called WPPFF, but not everyone was trying. Many gave back as good as they got, and then rationalized the violation of their own code by saying, "they started it." Saying the fight ends only after you get in the last lick has never worked. You are, as David Bowie once put it, "putting out fires with gasoline."
I have seen newbies post their last threads, and I have seen legendary Freepers -- such as Clinton's a Liar, Trixie, and Clarity -- go without an opus. I think it is wise of you not to make this permanent. If you return determined to tear FR asunder, do us all a favor and stay away. If you want to sweat out the invective, and come back with a loaded opinion, I will welcome you back as if there was no problem, for what that's worth.
Pretty much.
And it's an invitation to his libertarian/social liberal soulmates to get a piece of the social conservative-bashing action in the process.
This thread and the Terri Schiavo caper have served to emphasize the ugly ever-present truth that social liberals and social conservatives live in fundamentally different worlds philosophically and the distance between themvis growing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.