Posted on 05/06/2005 8:22:41 AM PDT by Duff
Perhaps some of you would like to wish him well.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1397821/posts#comment?q=1
Is there something I said to warrant the tone of your response?
I offer your post up as an example of what's been going on. I didn't say anything worthy of mockery.
Some of the "debates" here remind me of those chocolate vs. strawberry arguments in grade school. It's a matter of personal preference.
Sorry, but you are missing the gist of the problem.
It's being articulated so please do not dismiss others' concerns out of hand.
Speaking about France...Has anyone seen Atlantic Friend lately?
Man, I forgot about that. I think the only survivor from that was Doughty1. At least when it gets too hot he just agrees to disagree. You may not like his position, but at least he's always a gentleman.
Raycpa is right. This ain't nuthin compared to earlier brawls. It's just that people are more sensitive now.
I'm completely familiar with the other stories that generated "brawls" and I disagree with you that the current atmosphere is the same.
People aren't more sensitive but some are more hostile.
Noticing that does not mean one has a thin skin.
I think of myself as a constitutionalist who is just sort of traveling with the Pubs.
As Ann Coulter said: there are many bad Republicans but no good Democrats.
I haven't and I can't blame him either for not hanging around.
What are we arguing about? A woman who is dead and some jokes? Big deal. If people get all upset with each other about that, they need a hobby.
My feeling is that these people use the keyboard to unleash the wrath the feel and they wish they could handle in their real life.
Yep- I see lots of that around here and all over the Internet as a matter of fact, by all sorts of people.
I think there are some folks who are just looking for a reason to fight and don't even care what they are fighting about- and something to fill their lonely days with.
BTW- I am only referring to you ,in particular, here if you fit the description (you decide for yourself), otherwise it is a general statement.
Here is a clue to getting along on an Internet message board: You can not read "tone" in a post on a message board which has been made by someone you do not know- and it is foolish to react to said post as if you can.
And another thing. I stayed out of the Schiavo and Laura threads just like I tend to stay away from threads involving drugs because that is where the assholes congregate. If people get upset because someone makes the bad face at them, they may want to follow that same path.
Look how many folks just recently got banned in the border debate. It's no more civil than it was then. And the purge was hefty.
A major point of concern has been the criticism of republicans and the President in particular. Back before 2000, the focus was on Clinton. More people singing off the same page. Except during the primary of 2000.
The forum did tame down after the election was settled but was starting to heat up until 9/11 happened. Then again, there was more harmony as the country pulled together. Add to that the build up for the invasion of Iraq and then the re-election, people were more together than usual.
But the election is over, Iraq has been invaded and life is beginning to go on after 9/11. So the claws have once again started to come out. The rhetoric is heated as what should be a slam dunk from the executive and legislative has turned into many things that conservatives aren't and the agenda seems stalled. We're in control of those branches and yet the deficit is up and programs have been added and......well you get my drift. Some very serious conservatives have issues about that. Some very conservative social conservatives have issues with the first lady's foray into comedy central the other night. Some social conservatives feel betrayed by the Schiavo loss. Security conservatives believe the borders are more pourous than the bottoms of my socks. Each one of these are serious issues and each one has people who are very passionate about those issues. Fiscal conservatives have their issues, business conservatives have theirs......each has something to gripe about and the party in power is ours. That's probably why it seems more uncivil than before.
But trust me, had 9/11 hadn't happened, this forum would have been just as rough and tumble if not more so much earlier say late 2001 or 2002. 9/11 patched conservatives for a moment. That patch has worn away and those with positions are now being heard. Those who look adoringly at the President and certain congressional members are now feeling the forum has become uncivil. It's always been this way, and would have returned to it's rough and tumble nature much sooner had 9/11 not happened.
I've always appreciated your posts.
Having Scots/Irish roots, your perspective on daily events from that side of the pond has been of interest.
There are @holes on most threads, and it does seem we've had an especial run on 'em since the '04 election.
You've been here long enough (longer than me) to know it's always been cyclical.
But if you can't be dissuaded, most of us will miss you and wish you happy trails . . .
I remember a poll Was it wrong to kill Terri Schiavo?, which isn't the same thing. Did I miss one?
I'm sorry. I'll try to be nicer.
1. Never knew the Laura Bush Speech threads were so contentious. In fact, now I'm starting to find writer's parody thread from earlier today even funnier because of it.
2. We're still talking about (fighting over) Terri Schiavo around here? Some are still letting that influence their judgement of others? Sheesh. I'm even more glad now I stayed out of that debate!
3. Now we have people bashing the UK? As I said on the thread where MadIvan announced his departure, don't the bashers of the UK remember how much she has stood by us post-9/11? Come on! Talk about being a fair weather friend.
Anyway, even after all this I'm still not going to stop coming here, even IF most of you are American Idol fans. ;) This is the best forum, bar none, for breaking news and insightful opinion from around the world. Not to mention the tech help! God knows where my computer would be without me learning about spyware, and where did I learn about spyware?
Right here baby! FR rules maaaaaan!
He is mad!
See to it.
Oh, who am I kidding. I can't change. I just might as well be me.
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