;o)
Lando 
Posted on 10/06/2005 12:38:56 PM PDT by Pukin Dog
A few days ago, after I created a thread expressing my disappointment in the selection of Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court, a fellow FReeper asked me if there would be an “Opus” coming from me in the near future, to which I expressed bewilderment. Obviously that FReeper understood how things work here better than I do.
This is NOT an ‘Opus’ as some might call it, but a final opportunity to share a few thoughts and feelings with some of you who have welcomed and befriended me before I say a final goodbye. I hope this won’t be seen as some sort of exercise of ego, when in reality, I think it would be rude not to mention anything about leaving Free Republic or why I am choosing to do so.
So since this is the last vanity, I hope those who have objections to my various rants or other posts will just bear with me, or deal with it, knowing this is the last one they will need to endure.
Those of you who have known me on this forum know that my tenure here has been rocky at times, where I expressed anger often and tact much less often. I even at one time banned myself from this site until I could find a way to better deal with my ‘issues’. Some of you also know that I spent time fighting depression, stemming from my unsuccessful attempt to get back in fighters as a member of the reserves, and finding that my (considerable) flying skills were not as important to those who would decide as my (barely noticeable) political skills would be in getting a flying slot.
As much as I love the 777, something about flying a jet that really doesn’t need me around to do what it does, leaves something to be desired. I often wished I could roll the thing just once to give my passengers a lasting memory, but then there would be the problem of the other jerk sitting next to me who would probably tell on me.
So many of you found yourselves conversing with a perpetually pissed-off Pukin, and it wasn’t pretty. I hope it is noticeable lately that I have calmed down and rediscovered a sense of humor, though there are still those who might take personally some of the slights, slings and arrows directed at them from the formally-angry me. Due to my choice of employer, I have had lots of idle time to chat with you folks, even though I have twice accepted pay cuts from the wounded-duck of an airline that I only occasionally work for.
So, why am I leaving?
One of the things that I think most of you know about me is that I have always been optimistic and hopeful about the Conservative agenda. I have spent hours here, trying to encourage Freepers to keep the faith, stay positive and keep working hard in the support of our President, our Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, and most of all, our beliefs. Two things have occurred which have lead me to the conclusion that much of my efforts have been wasted.
The first was the President’s selection of Harriet Miers; the second was the reaction of Freepers to those of us who oppose that selection. I find it unacceptable to be labeled both a “Bush-Bot” and a “Bush-Hater” within a three-day time frame only on the strength of a single opinion. I clearly remember my early days as a FReeper after a long period of lurking where most of my posts consisted of an “agree with me, or you are a jerk” attitude. I became so disgusted with my own behavior that I banned myself from the site for quite some time.
At this time, I have to say that the President has knocked the positive winds from my sails, and I don’t have the energy or inclination to try to understand some of the decisions being made. I remember early on lots of posts defending the President’s immigration plan. Upon further review, I no longer can. Indeed, I can’t fathom why he has not taken a more proactive approach to border security. You folks already know my opinion on Miers, so I won’t belabor the point.
The reason that I am writing this note to Freepers is that I believe that the level of calumny over disagreements has reached a new and dangerous low point. At times, I think we forget that we are to an overwhelming degree on the same side of the fence in our attacks. Last night’s Ann Coulter thread should be an embarrassment to all of us.
I want to thank Jim and John Robinson for providing a forum where we have the opportunity to share our ideas, and discuss events of the day. This place is addictive, and I will not stop coming here to find out the latest information in our political world. I am going to rejoin the world of the lurkers and no longer post or respond to pings directed my way.
Free Republic plays a very important role in our society. This is the place that keeps the bastards worried on the other side. This is the place where politicians and their staffs come to get the pulse of the Conservative movement. But lately, this has also become the place where disagreement is not tolerated in a respectful way. Again, I have been guilty of this myself, but I have worked hard to be less abrasive and disrespectful to other Freepers. I only used the word ‘idiot’ twice last week, and trust me, that is major personal progress.
I am standing with Conservatives who love and respect our President, but when disagree feel compelled to say so, and to say so with respect. I will not join the chorus of Freepers who suggest that Bush is not a Conservative. I will not join those who believe Bush does not care what we think. I believe that often there are reasons why Bush does things that are based on facts and information that you and I are not privy to. I wish he would explain things better to us, but then again, his job is to lead, and not to make me feel good.
I also want to thank those of you who have befriended me. I would name names, but I would be afraid to leave someone out. A special thanks must go to Rokke, Arasina, Peach, Long Cut, Grandma Pam, and others who have been in my corner all along, but also told me when they thought I was wrong. If I did not mention your handle, it aint because I don’t remember you, trust me.
Do me a favor, Freepers?
Remember, no matter your level or version of Conservatism, try harder to remember who your friends are, and don’t stoop to calling your allies your enemies just because they might not agree with you on a particular issue. Don’t let your zeal cause you to resemble the nuts on the other side of the political aisle, for which disagreement is tantamount to betrayal.
I will continue to support Conservative principles in all that I do, and I will not turn against George Bush when he disappoints me, and I hope you wont either. Bush is not perfect, nor is he the Ronald Reagan type that I hoped he would prove to be. There will never be another Reagan I fear, but we can hope, dream and pray for a close approximation.
Anyone wishing to contact me may do so by sending me Freepmail, and requesting my personal email address.
Be positive, Freepers. Our agenda is correct, our mission is clear, and our task is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States in our votes, our actions and our prayers. Now as I leave you to sit by the phone hoping that JetBlue has not lost my phone number, I ask you all to respect each other, and play like a team.
Pray for our President that God guide him and keep him.
Your friend always, Pukin Dog.
Well said, and much appreciated. Please reconsider staying to post as well as lurk, because your insights ARE valuable.
Thank you for the contributions over the years and the words of wisdom now. Wish you well and please consider coming back when things have had some time to calm down.
I'll miss the rants. I think you oughta stay.
1. Stay on FR..just lurk for a while..
2. Ignore the idiots here
3. Switch to decaf
4. Have sex more often
5. Take a glider flight...
;o)
Lando
I loved your thread on the Miers nomination and will miss your wisdom.
PING
Hate to see anybody go, so I wish you were staying.
But you have to do what keeps your sanity.
I am incapable of understanding how worked up some people get over attacks on 3rd parties. I like Ann Coulter, but don't lose sleep over people thinking differently. And I think a review of her words justified the vitriol thrown at her yesterday. But not the personal attacks.
Anyway, we need the spirited debates, and we apparently have to take the personal attacks with the sound arguments. And if that cost of doing business is too high for you to take, you should take a break. I think the personal attacks have been out-of-bounds, so don't think I'm justifying them, but we each choose how to respond in our own way.
Take care, and come back when it seems calmer.
You know that FR needs thoughtful. . .articulate and even 'funny' Freepers. . . but most importantly, it needs caring, politically-passionate 'Freepers'. Without all the above; FR does not move forward. So. . .you will be missed. . .
Winds always change. . .I hope when your sails are full again; you will return. (ITMT; I hope your life 'feels better soon' ;^)
Freepers that have to announce theatrically that they are leaving get on my nerves. We are all equal here, so if you want to go, go. If you want to lurk, lurk. If you want to take a break, take one. Just quit making the Big Announcement already.
Haven't you done this before? or am I thinking of someone else? I have had my frustrations with this place in the last year and I have been here for six-years. I have been suspended for 3-7 day periods after posting stories in the incorrect forums by over zealous moderators...and one just happened 12 hours after I donated to the quarterly fundraiser!
What are you gonna do? Sell Amway? C'mon...cut the crap...call the people out on the site that need to be called out and stand up man...this b.s. about opus epics and people bailing because of one or two issues has got to stop.
It's bad enough we have the amount of spineless GOP members in power as it is who do nothing. Face it..we are the force and the fury of politics now. We don't need our ranks breaking down because a bunch of hacks come in here and start crap a few months down the road.
Does Bush deserve hell right now? You bet. There are a dozen better qualified judges available that he passed over. His appointment is insulting to people like Brown and Garza.
Bush also is spending like Mr.Potter and George Bailey put together on a rainy day and could care less about the borders. These things NEED to be addressed on here.
Butch up Pukin Dog.
Don't make me send your former squadmates out to return you :-)
Dang it, PD, it just won't be the same place without ya! Real good advice for all, and hope to see you back around again...
Fight on.
Regards, Ivan
A story told to me by the son of a now deceased American Airlines executive. I was a classmate of the son, and my dad was a corporate peer of my classmate's grandfather, so we knew the family quite well.
According to this story, his dad, a former AF pilot (trash haulers?) was deeply involved in AA approving the purchase of the Lockheed L1011s for their fleet. A preface to this next, I know for a fact he was rated for everything that AA flew at the time, but I don't know if that makes this next "legal" or believable. During one demo flight with several other AA execs and some Lockheed brass and techs he asked to take the controls. As he flew the airplane he asked several questions about the physical capabilities of the airplane. He finally said "so it can do a roll, if necessary?" The Lockheed pilot said "sure."
Yep. You guessed it. According to this story my friends dad promptly did a barrel roll in an L1011. Worked perfectly. They bought more planes than they had been planning. However, his dad left AA not long afterwards. No connection.
Oh, and don't leave.
The mistake most people make in public forums is thinking that success is changing everybody else -- rather than achieving your own highest understanding, in clarifying and articulating it. If, through your participation and interaction with others, you become a better person, that is what society and culture is all about. And I do think we've all become better through the freerepublic. Fully 95% of those things said here, would otherwise not be seen anywhere else.
It seems over the last several years that most people who follow the news and political developments, think the object is to tell the president what to do, how to run the country -- instead of being president themselves, and having the right and responsibility of making those decisions. But more importantly, everybody has their own part to play, and in doing that, makes their greatest contribution because even the president can't be doing everything -- yet that seems to be the expectation and perception -- that only the president can do anything, and the rest can only try to sway his decisions. That vision of society and government is a very inefficient and ineffective one -- fostered by the seniority-heavy newspapers, at which everyone has reached the top-tier and so nobody goes out and does any investigation and interviews, and lacking that information, the easiest thing to do is bash-Bush because that's what all the other columnists are doing.
So because they've lost their ability to find out, they spend all day, as ignorant people are wont to do, expressing their unsolicited advice and opinions on what the president (and everybody else for that matter), ought to be doing for them, to please them. In another age, these were regarded as simply imperious, senile people, but because of increased life spans and no-layoff contracts no matter how demented they become, they are allowed to crowd out all the talented young voices of merit. That is why we need forums like these and your participation.
What's the old saying? "If you aren't taking any flak you aren't over the target"?
I've seen lots of anger and disagreement on several threads lately, especially over the Miers appointment, but it's hardly worth leaving over any of it. Of course, if you leave, there are plenty of other good FReepers to take your place on the forum. Good luck to you.
Ironic that a comment like this would be made on a forum dedicated to discussing politics. What? We can discuss only so long as we praise the Administration? If you don't want to read give-and-take regarding politicians, you sure picked the wrong place.
I suspect it's because of foolishness like this that the thread was authored.
Wolf
Hey PD don't be pulling that ejection handle so fast ... just because you had a flame out doesn't mean you can't re-start. We need you here to help us fight the good fight. Besides .... remember what a Martin Baker will do to your spine
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