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.
Guess we are not so "mushy middle" after all! :)
Sooo revealing, isn't it?
There is a common theme stretching back a few weeks. As someone who has read the threads, let me be the first to say you have nailed it.
LOL!
Oh yeah, Keysters...lol.
Gosh, we could have some real fun
going down memory lane...lol....
This is how the whackjobs have disrupted us the most. I'd like to shout it out, devote Christians are not whackjobs and shouldn't be tarred with the whackjob brush! It is unfortunate that most whackjobs use the Christian church as a front for their bizaritude.
Doesn't matter if it's pulled or not; what she s was not the truth.
So be it, just move beyond it. I stayed off the flamefest threads, because they'll totally pointless. Anyone willingly diving in gets what they should have expected, and thus should be able to deal with.
I know and understand why you're leaving. And yes, we tried. That's sometimes all we can do. I know you'll be a great addition to any forum. Good luck and God bless.
enjoy your lurking.........I do...*smile
Good bye - have a happy life.
Why people feel the need to engage in this "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!" business is beyond me. If you don't want to be here anymore, just quit posting. I left FR for a bit myself once - and I didn't make a post announcing it - I just quit posting.
The "job", from Nov 2nd, is NOT done.
How about some of this "energy" used here.
Veterans Group Calls on Congress
to Impeach George W. Bush and Richard Cheney
04/03/2005
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1376873/posts
If that doesn't suit you
Then try this instead.
OUR FIGHT FOR OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1377363/posts
I don't recall reading any of your posts but your opus (sorry, that's what it is) caught my eye because, like you, I am agnostic and have a number of unFReeper-like opinions, probably more than you.
I've been tolerated here I think.. I guess my core beliefs are not too far off from the FR ideal.
Anyway, the point is that certain issues do tend to draw out certain bad elements of FR. Once those issues fade, so do the bad elements and the truly good posters remain.
I've witnessed this cycle several times since I've been around.
I wouldn't trade this site for anything and I value my reputation here. So I do bite my tongue on some matters and avoid certain threads... and I get along ok.
From the response here, I'd say you're popular which, in this crowd, probably means you're a pretty sharp guy. You ought to stick around.
I dove Hurghada in Egypt, never to Maldives, but Bangkokair flys from Bangkok to Maldives now, but its damn expensive there.
I like Thailand, where $16 a night is good, and that amount in Nam is palatial!
Chaing Mai is Bangkok at half price, the night market and sunday market are amazing, and if you like temples, its the place. Good drive north to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle.
Next trip there will be to Yangoon and through Burma, yeah its a dictatorship, but what the hell?
It was never like this; neither are the immigration threads.
The whining splitters of FR.
That sounds like a great idea! Beautiful part of the State up there.
It was windy here but actually felt good when I was mowing grass. Think the wind was stronger to the north and northeast. I planted my early garden as well over the weekend. I noticed boats heading for Lake Thunderbird on the weekend.
I don't call everyone I disagree with names. After spending a stone week being called a Nazi death merchant, et al, who wouldn't get defensive?
Your "as if you would know" post wasn't very nice, either.
RKBA ping.
another fine mind has decided to leave FR.
one of our own.
Long Cut.
many of you have already been pinged to this via other lists, but just in case: fyi
Maybe not at everyone's, but that's to be expected. This place was never for the delicate, and there are times when people you thought you knew as civil turn out to be unjust, accusative, and frightening. You either slough that off or you move on when it the juice isn't worth the squeeze any longer.
Me, I'm hanging. But I must say that you are correct about learning here on FR, even if sometimes what you learn is the dark side of a seemingly enlightened soul. Not all learning is delight; a fair measure of it is real pain. Anyone who is not proud of his or her participation on this site is unfortunate and probably misplaced; anyone who has not been ashamed of something he or she has written and hit the unforgiving Post button on without due reflection is either not participating or a fool.
My email addy's in my profile, Long Cut. Best to you.
I am still fairly new to FR,but I do agree with you!
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