Lando 
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.
The post doesn't seem to fit the dictionary or thesaurus designations of 'opus'.
HA! What has happened to this place are these stupid announcement of bailers, that's what happening. Let's see you've been registered since 2003? Please, people posting to this site have been pissing each other off since the very beginning. Too bad you can't handle it. I love to piss people like you off in public. I do it all the time, and I video tape reactions too. Many NY freepers remember pissing off people during protests in Times Square in 2000 (Sore Loserman 2000) Let's go more recent, how about being jumped by anarchists during the inauguration after qustioning their patriotism?...wait..I forgot I like to sit behind my computer (my blankey) and piss off some nobody like you who sits comfortably behind a computer and calls me an idiot for criticizing a self-aggrandizing post of somebody who has to make an annoucement of their exit of FR...which is probably doubtful in its sincerity anyway.
Thanks Big B,for telling all four treasures to stop arguing!
Well, wait till some of these religious nuts have a family member in constant pain, in a deathbed, in hospice. Wait till they go through weeks and months of wasted efforts on a body that is alive but a soul that has left.
I don't wish a dying relative on anyone, let alone a 15 year nightmare that will never, ever, ever get better.
But hey, what the hell, Jeebus is more important than the constitution, all them theocracies do ok, don't they? Its just them nasty muslims that opress.
"Several" not all.
You're right.
It is bleaker.
As someone once said, "It's not really punishment per se if the person asks for it." :o) I just wish all the acrimony would go away. :o(
I have somehow missed it. What is the WPPFF?
Yes, I think we will do Chiang Mai for sure before too long...no worries about tsunamis there.
Nobody needs to straighten me out.
Some people need to remember what conservatives use to stand for.
I had to see it to believe it.
I find that humor lightens the load around here MEG33! :)
Lando
Well, you can go and post with Cal, just watch out for Keyes, he has his eye on your wallet!
Mr. Okie keeps me in line. Not to worry, B.
You will be missed around here, Long Cut. We all disagree sometime to the point that we just have to agree to disagree and move on.
Have you already located a place of eternal agreement among the mambers or are you searching for such? If such a place exists and you find it, I'll bet you will be bored to death.
Why don't you leave your acccount open here and just go and search as long as you please, and then come on back home if you discover there is no such place.
Not helpful.
I guess you missed the recall threads. :-)
I am.
WEll, what you said was NOT TRUE; nobody wanted her starved to death.
We just didn't like seeing pictures of her on the cross; I hope THAT doesn't offend you.
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