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.
"That's his group to impeach Pres Bush and VP Cheney? If that is the case, what is this site coming to?"
GET A GRIP ON REALITY!
THIS GROUP IS ATTACKING PRESIDENT BUSH!
Agreed. That's the classy way to leave a party when it's no longer to one's liking.
Private farewell FReepmail to favorite posters is also appropriate.
But making a big stink and drawing attention to oneself, especially during a FReepathon, is strictly low-budget.
I did the same thing when I first went to that thread (VFP). Just read the first 10 or so comments and didn't see much else so I stopped reading.
There were pictures of her on a cross? I must have missed them. Somebody wanted her starved and dehydrated. At least there was secondhand information stating such.
So, changing the subject entirely, did you watch the game? :-)
Have fun!
If it helps, I was turned off by the tone and content of many of the TS threads. I had to quit reading them, they quickly spiraled into thousand post echo-chambers....Total Chaos. I kept hoping that the mods would reign them in, but I guess they were overwhelmed just like we were.
Uhhh...I may be wrong, but I think he's opposing that group.
Are you writing a book?
:-(
Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!
I have been mousing over too and found they were either fairly new or much older posters with new screen names. Time after time I moused over and was amazed to see the older sign-on dates with names I have never seen on here.
Looks to me like the group that clobbered me when I first came on here for supporting then Gov Bush from Texas. Postings were about the same. I got clobbered the most when I objected to Alan Keyes talking abortion in an elementary school to a young girl in NH. I didn't think he had the right to go to an elementary school and describe abortion to a young person and made my thoughts known if it was my daughter, I would have gone through the roof. It was me and a few others against the vast majority of FR but even it wasn't as nasty as the past couple of weeks.
Calm down, Tonk. They just misunderstood your post.
"I did the same thing when I first went to that thread (VFP). Just read the first 10 or so comments and didn't see much else so I stopped reading."
Then lend a hand on this worthwhile effort for our wounded troops.
OUR FIGHT FOR OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1377363/posts
Heavens Ann- i have never called anyone a Nazi and I have been called a good many things around here latley. But I am not going to cry about it and remind everyone all day -on every thread.
Get over it. Stop carrying it around like some badge of honor. People said things- yes they did. They are words- not arrows, or bullets.
And it was on both sides.
No one ever told you FR was a tea party. People have emotions and feelings and make mistakes. And many of the folks on your side were just as bad.
Deal... quit bringing it up over and over and over.
The drama is over the top.
I had a really good day today- I wasn't shot at by a terrorist, nor did any one I love get killed on foreign soil.
There is real life crap going on "out there"
Can this really be that big of a deal?
Yes, I did.......can't you see me smiling? :-) (And I am not even a Carolina fan, as you know!)
LOL. Yes.
I had forgotten about the Contrails -- you have me laughing over that one.
I would miss you, Lisa/FRiend. :-)
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