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.
I am soooo sorry that someone on this forum would say such a hurtful thing to you about your Dad. Unexcusable.
Hang in there!
And added a smarmy message in her post #2 about the WWPPF. Definitely stirring the pot and trolling for trouble. Thankfully, she got what she deserved/earned.
She is accusing me of killing my dad right now on another thread. She's nuts.
Not just nuts, she's mean and evil.
Her accusation to you is reprehensible, but typical of her.
I have been flamed a lot. It doesn't bother me. When you have over 60000 folks registered here, why do you expect all of them to be civil? It doesn't work like that in the real world and on the world wide web, civility is not a particularly strong point.
I agree with you that the world could use a bit more civility but I am content to be civil myself for its own sake.
Take care Long Cut.
Arioch7 out.
She sure did. She said I hastened my Dad's death for inheritance money. She did it several times. That I approved of killing Terri because I had just killed my dad for money.
Then the typical denial that she said it, even though the posts are right there.
I was shocked. I told her that I thought she was a twisted, evil freak.
I'd never had any dealings with her before, so I'm glad to see that you all have seen her as mean also.
I'm thrilled that she's gone. I hope it's permanent.
I agree onyx, the WPPFF was a brilliant idea. That thread was the only thing that kept most of us here, me included.
>>>She is accusing me of killing my dad right now on another thread.
I would like to read it.
Could you give a link to the actual post you are referring to?
Look it up yourself. You are only interested in reading my posts and trying to start a fight with me over Terri Schiavo.
If you're going to be accused of being a member of the Evil Death Cult Kill Terri Nazi crowd, then you should at least read the thread. Perhaps you should post on it so you can be what you've been accused of being.
I don't know if I'm ready to join, but I must say I certainly enjoyed toying with a certain BykrBayb before she suddenly disappeared. :-)
You have mail.
No need to "join" that thread. It's been dormant for quite some time. A lot of the regular posters on that thread don't post on FR anymore, either.
Hi newgeezer.
I am actually Pro-Life, but am part of the WPPFF because I wanted an opportunity to talk about the Terri situation WITHOUT the screaming.
Didn't matter: I got branded anyway, by people I might otherwise have been allied with.
I just updated my profile today.
You can see my non-too subtle rant there are about the entire fiasco.
Tell me a thing: did BB also accuse you of being "anti-Troops"?
That was a favorite trick of hers to anyone who disagreed with her.
Wow I see onyx has found out about what goes around also comes around! Maybe you should learn that lesson as well, texasflower.
What in the hell are you talking about?
My page? See the smiley face?
Fake FReeper homepage, fake FReeper!
"Faked" you out, but you're way too easy.
What is that supposed to mean? For one thing, onyx's page is fake and what the hell did I do to you?
I haven't spoken to you in awhile. Do you just want to start something?
Pay attention to your own issues. I've never done anything to get suspended for. Just because you and I don't get along doesn't mean that it's that way with everyone. You on the other hand seem to have trouble with lots of people.
I'll have to check that out!
No, we didn't get anywhere near that subject.
I hope her time away from FR results in her getting her head straightened out. I think I saw where her son is supposed to be home from Iraq soon; that might help, too.
She's not the only one who seems to have gone off the deep end regarding the Terri Schiavo case here on FR. It seems like they look at everything through Terri Schiavo glasses, and anyone who doesn't is the enemy.
FWIW, my take on the T.S. case is that there were two sides with two different stories about what T.S.'s wishes were. In effect, the court decided her husband's testimony was as good as a living will. Thus, while BB and her ilk insist it the case was all about the right to life, I maintain it was neither a right-to-life nor right-to-die case. It seems to me that the Schiavo case was more about who speaks for a person when that person cannot speak for herself.
But, BB & company wouldn't hear of it.
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