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.
If somebody agreed with everything I think, I would find that frightening. I would begin to ponder more seriously the issue of cloning, about which I have not given much thought. But I will will say this. My influence on my siblings has been marginal, highly marginal. You must be a more effective advocate. You missed your calling by not becoming a member of the guild.
Just why there is such a need for affirmation, rather than calm expressions of opinion and conscience, just typed out a letter at a time, baffles me. What I enjoy most is typing out something that is more coherent than usual for me, that few may agree with, but may provoke thought. It gives me personal pleasure. It empowers me. That is why I am here.
Another one gone. FR is not the better for his or any of the departures of late.
Oh?!
I don't dislike you at all. I dislike the way you call everyone you disagree with names, but I can over look that.
Well OK, if that's the way you all are going to be about it, then I'm going to quit too.
I really mean it. I'm outta here. HTB. ALC. AMF. All of it.
No, really, I'm gone.
Well, since I'm receiving so many private email requests to stay, maybe I'll think about it. I get to draft anyone's tagline for my own if it's really funny.
I'll think about it. but some of you guys have been kinda mean. Those remarks you make, they hurt, they REALLY hurt, you know.
I'll see what kind of mood I'll be in the AM.
Oh crap, I've already donated my $25 to the fund-raising drive. Gotta stay for my money's worth.
Just everybody needs to get a long. I'd like the world to sing a song of unity and lust, with AlQaeda, all Wahabists, theorthodox Jews, the fundy Christians, the shake and bakers, we could even use some from dee rustafyin band. We'll all sing Koombahya da bomb.
:]
Good fortune to you & yours.
A very eloquent farewell.
Alphabetically. :o)
I wish LC the best, but odds are LC will be back here within a week or two simply to cruise the headlines lurking. Why give up such a fine news source over something like that?
If he/she goes it's their loss, not mine.
SBIT
If those nasty people don't get purged this won't be the last of people leaving either!
Are you leaving because of disagreements over the Terri Schiavo case?
Why?
There's a lot more to this case than meets the eye.
I've been doing research on the changes to the Florida law, as it appears that there is a Model Act which was adopted, looking to see who is behind it. It is said that the big push is by the managed care companies, although I haven't nailed it down yet.
There's a movement that is pretty scary called "futile care theory" that is pushing an agenda where it's "for the best" to kill people if caring for them is "futile" in the eye of the beholder.
If we're being killed off because the cost of our care is too "burdensome" for insurance companies, isn't that a reason to be pissed off, armed, and dangerous?
We don't have to agree about everything.
Well, if you don't feel happy unless you are among those who agree with you, maybe it's better that you go. You just did not strike me as that type of person.
What am I, chopped liver? I wanna be a treasure too dammit.
I still embrace the Rule of Law -- guess that puts me in the minority around here!
Dang. Now i'm REALLY never gonna graduate.
Keep a simple manner for a happy life Long Cut.
You'll be missed.
:o)
"It's a rare breed that's tough on immigration, pro-gun, pro-science, and against theocratic 1st amendment revisionism."
Hey- I'm rare at something! Woohoo!
Thank you for displaying exactly what has happened to this place.
Consider all the things you MIGHT be doing right now, or the nice or kind thing you might have written, or the fact that you could have possibly said NOTHING, seeing as you "never heard of LC.
But no; possessing short of what some would call a LIFE, you had nothing better to do than be an ass on a thread, when you could have said nothing and kept your self-loathing a secret.
When people like you act that way in public, instead of the nice security of being behind the Internet; they get their asses kicked. Do you remember the last time? You wont have to for long, because like most idiots; you wont be able to keep from pissing off someone right in front of you. Damn, I hope its me.
You are so smart.
"I don't get it. You are leaving because people disagree somewhat with you? That is not a good reason to go. People who only converse with like minded individuals are in danger of losing their minds."
The lynch mob probably zeroed in on him. Here, when people disagree, name calling ensues and people are accused of being terrible things. Personal insults abound as well. I don't blame Long Cut. There is not a good dialog or debate when someone questions the status quo here, and that is the truth. An independent, free-thinking person has been run out of here, and all should be alarmed because the intellectual level of FR has just gone down a little more. I am sure the replies to my posts here will confirm the reason LC left. Yes, I just insulted some people, but for every insult I hurl, it is in reponse to 200 I have endured.
Concur 100%.
BUMP.
Well stated and true.
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