Never forget what unites us.
Posted on 04/05/2007 8:46:45 PM PDT by Pistolshot
I came here in 1998 looking for conservative, logical, thoughtful conversation and debate on the things that matter to us the most. I was a Reagan Republican. One of those who had watched in horror as our embassy staff in Tehran was taken by fanatics. The answer should have been overwhelming force, but it was Carter, that limp-wristed, can’t-we-just talk-this-out, weakling who had made the military a shambles, and stripped it of its soul because of VietNam. I knew from the beginning that there was no room in this world for weakness and that was the beginning of my road to conservatism.
Now here we are, in the beginnings of a campaign to deny the Democrats not only the White House, but the two houses of Congress. It is extremely early in this race, the leading candidates that have announced are far from acceptable to a large majority of us. Yet, day after day on this site we have the Rudy machine, the McCain people, Mitt’s people, and every other supported candidate backer posting missives about their guy. Some are repeated vitriol that has no debatable content, and only begs to be ignored. Some of it is the adage of ‘Don’t like it, too bad. He will be our candidate.’ In the past I’ve seen posters here who were thoughtful, logical, literally passionate about impeaching Clinton, but with a HUGE degree of civility.
What is taking place here, and I am guilty of it too, so don’t think I am pointing fingers here, is the destruction of what is good about this site. WE ARE CONSERVATIVES, first and foremost. We have our passions that lead us to the candidates we have running. Debate is the give and take of ideas to reach a consensus about a direction. A direction we should all look at for the country, not because of the ‘he can beat Hillary’ dogma, but because the candidate we choose is THE one to carry what our hopes and dreams are for this great nation. I have seen posters here demean others, insult integrities, bash people they DON’T EVEN KNOW ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, and generally look like some of the slime that lurks on DU.
We are supposed to be better than that. It’s time we stop acting like we cannot debate without insult, stop treating each other as if our opinions don’t matter or our vote. It’s time that Jim starts looking around and suspending or closing some accounts for this type of behavior until it gets under control.
We are not DU here. The candidate we vote to carry the platform will be the one who reaches out to the most diverse among us. If that doesn’t happen for your candidate, I’m sorry. But to stoop to some of the tactics I’ve seen here based on a persons opinion or religion is despicable and speaks poorly for all of us.
Great rant and I couldn’t agree more. The ad hominem attacks have to stop. Those who are guilty don’t even seem aware that they are doing it. If people have personal beefs, take it to freepmail or step away from the computer for awhile. No one wants to hear it and it is distracting and annoying.
You’re exactly right; I think for myself and don’t need talking points from a bunch of losers to tell me what to think.
oh man, I took a look at that thread and whoever posted the link to the exact same page as being ‘already posted here’ is an evil genius
No, it's not. Free Republic isn't even representative of the Republican party.
If it’s true that there are millions like you, that would sooner hand the Country completely over to the Democrats if you don’t get the exact kind of candidate you want, then this is all for nothing anyway. Then this is not the party I thought it was and this country, not even worth fighting for.
Only if you let her win.
I'm hoping to vote for a Republican in November 2008. I will not vote for any candidate who advocates abortion or who claims it is a constitutional right.
This is the hill I have chosen to die on. The country survived 8 years of Bill Clinton and as a result we won both houses of congress and the presidency in 2000. Four years of another democrat is a small price to pay if that is the cost of principle. Often when we live by principle we pay a heavy price, but those who compromise their core principles for temporary expediency pay a much heavier price and one that is often too greivous to bear.
So?
When you have nightmares, are they about those scary “principles”?
No. You missed the point completely.
On abortion and the second amendment, Giuliani v. Clinton is a tossup. There's no light between them.
You’re right. It’s not a FR-unique problem. It’s a structural problem for the reasons you described. (Short, flippant posts.)
There is also a lot of pent-up frustration in people in general. We’re being told the world’s going to end unless we enact top-down socialist programs. Even self-described Republicans and some conservatives can’t resist the seduction of using and growing government for their own means.
Frankly, I think these fights are healthy.
Sure. Yeah. *Rolling my eyes*
I’m with you.
Agree. Well said.
You have no better response. Best to evade the point.
Gotcha.
No, they're about creepy people like you who think you know what's best for the rest of us.
I’ve just come from a trip to the White House — and a private tour of the West Wing, and the very thought of a democrat in that revered place and seat of world power is unthinkable.
LOLOL!!
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