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.
But of course!
:)
O good grief!
I guess some people feel it's necessary to announce their arrival or departure. I don't get it either. It's getting a little tired
You know, you've said some really dumb things but this one takes the cake. The whole point of the thread was not to escape from the Terri Schiavo case, but to discuss it rationally and civily. And I guess you didn't qualify on either count.
And maybe if you wouldn't have spent so much time obsessing over that thread, you might have made some worthwhile contribution on another one. But then again, maybe not.
Wow, you came back several days after following another out the door just to post this:
Posted by Chad Fairbanks to Kryptonite
On News/Activism 04/05/2005 12:08:18 AM CDT · 401 of 641
Blah blah blah. Still the sanctimonious ****, aren't you.
No wonder others posters chuckled at some of my responses.
I don't. I've had him on my Bozo Filter for quite some time.
Why do you refuse to admit the truth?
You made the claim that he will be missed, I am just asking what did he post that was so insightful. You can't come up with one example. I rest my case.
Now your talking!
Don't say anything nasty or I'll send you a virus that will blast Journey songs out of your computer all day. =P
Absolutely not. But I do know that especially on that daily thread, anybody who dared to ask a question even to clarify something got their head handed to them.
When I first went on them, trying to find out the details, and stupidly thinking I might actually have something of importance to add to the conversation, I posted that my sister had weaned herself off food and water her last week because she was ready to die.
I wasn't arguing about it; just thinking I might add some information to the conversation for others to consider.
I was told in short order that I might just as well have dragged her out to the garage because "carbon monoxide is quicker, you know."
I pretty much stayed away from them from then on.
Well, why not? You are. Someone had to say it.
Well put.
What was it, I missed it!
Have you?
After all of the work accomplished by Freerepublic, especially the election of George W, I would hardly call Freerepublic, a site of fanatics.
I will be posting a thank you letter written by George W in his own hand, thanking me and others for our service.
This site has broke the back of the DNC especially with the Swift Boat Vets, and all you can do is leave.
Well I am sure as you read on you will see Freerepublic once again, winning more votes and bringing on more supporters, of Truth, Justice, and the American Way!
God BLess all who stay, and those who Go.
Ops4 God Bless America!
It's OK to have threads that are not exactly the same as all the other threads. It's OK for Freepers to have conflicting opinions on some things. The important thing is we get along on MOST things. If we start cutting each other's heads off, there will be nobody left to fight the good fight and the things we all CAN agree on.
Did I hear a call go out for the Troll Patrol?
I don't want any trolls messing up my FRiends goodbye.
We have enough folks here to start arguments amongst us without outside help.
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