General advice for newcomers to Free Republic

[MalPearce]

Speaking as a Brit who's just joined...

[Dr. Sivana]

If a seven year member can be threatened with a ban simply for being a pragmatist instead of a dogmatist,

I don't recall that particular poster pushing the homosexual agenda in any other posts, so it could just be the first time it came up.

In any event, we all have things that we are dogmatic about, and ought to be, and things that we aren't. We can all have a discussion as to whether the tax cut will be 10% or 15%, or if it should be on consumption, income or wealth. We can have a difference of opinion of the motivations of a foreign power, or on the facts as reported (e.g. Kosovo).

But, you chose two topics that do not lend themselves to splitting the difference among conservatives in the U.S. We are citizens, not subjects. We have guns because we are primarily responsible for our own defense, and the police have no legal requirement to provide it for us (their profession is noble, and they do decent work after the fact sometimes, to find the bad guys). This defense includes, if necessary, against our own government.

Most conservatives have an intuitive respect for the natural law. It is where we get rules like "Thou shalt not steal," that even non-religious people know as it is written on our hearts, and intrinsic to our nature. It is most certainly a fact of natural law that sodomy, the crime against nature, is contrary to the proper use of our bodies, is evil, and is not to be condoned. We are well past the point of the quiet "confirmed bachelor" keeping his vice to himself. The folks who are promoting it are much more dogmatic, and are forcing it into the media and school systems, etc.

You don't happen to like to read "The Economist," do you? I could never understand how that smug, condescending, contemptible publication can ever be labeled by anyone as "conservative."

[little jeremiah]

Many people on FR promote non-conservative stuff but sort of fly under the radar - don’t push it too much, toss a few comments and then leave the thread, beat around the bush, use duplicity, and so on.

Sooner or later those ones generally get outed.

Any particular reason you looked up the keyword Homosexual Agenda? What is your point of view about it, the agenda, I mean.

[Publius6961]

First of all, I don't buy your ASV BS.

I do admire your courage at attacking the grand poohbah, right off the bat. If I were him, I'd nuke you on general principle.

Common courtesy should keep noobs from crashing into a room and demand that their opinions and assertions are preeminent. In the real world they should be seen and not heard until they know for sure if he's among murdering bikers or old women's quilting club.

By the way, "I don't agree with G" is not argument; it is opinion, no response is necessary nor should it expected.
My response to the delusional poster is to ignore them The only value they DO have is they draw out the older Freepers as immature as themselves.

Good luck.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“To be honest, even the most hardline right-wing God-fearing pro-life pro-family fiscal conservative in Britain would probably fail to qualify to be a Freeper if being *enthusiastically* pro-gun ownership was one of Jim Robinson’s “three line whips”.”

yea, well, that explains the condition of your country...

[little jeremiah]

If a seven year member can be threatened with a ban simply for being a pragmatist instead of a dogmatist, then I do wonder exactly how LITTLE you have to be off-message in order to get the boot

Just noticed that comment. Auntie isn't a pragmatist, he spouts more or less Liber(al)tarian nonsense. If you'd read the whole thread including all his comments, and all mine and others to him, you'd see exactly what I mean.

[little jeremiah]

One more thought - then I guess you’d call me a “dogmatist”, since I was arguing with him.

What do you mean by a dogmatist?

[MalPearce]

i Are you f’ing kidding me. You are disrespecting jimrob?

Not at all; I asked a perfectly legitimate question. Like I said, Jim’s entitled to his view.

My dad used to say, “Where’s the cricket bat?” when he wanted me to shut up. For all I know, Jim’s comment could be the American equivalent.

Incidentally, I was under the impression that “disrespecting” is a term used by disaffected kids who’re playing at being “ghetto”. Note to self: get an English - American dictionary.

To-MAY-toe, to-MAR-toe, and all that. Pip pip!

[avacado]

"We all agree on Article I Section 8 of the US Constitution
and the 10th Amendment."

No we don't.

Tell me more?

[rabidralph]

You should be ashamed of yourself!

[50mm]

It's not a matter of opinion.

Aluminum pronounced correctly

Schedule pronounced correctly

I insist you Brits stop bastardizing (or "bastardising" as you gun-fearers prefer) words.

[Daffynition]

Welcome. Jump in. The water's fine!

[Eepsy]

Oh, and if you tack “width=10000” at the end of your html, everyone will see your pictures, really, really well....

[DreamingWest]

I’ve always just said what I feel, haven’t been on here long, but my parents have. If I’m not “conservative” enough, so be it. Not everyone can be from CA. :P Welcome!

[trisham]

Like I said, Jim’s entitled to his view.

************************

How gracious of you.

[MalPearce]

What would they use for weapons to fight for their families and their country?

Very sharp wit? Fair point though - it's not as if we can toddle off down to Asda (Wal-Mart) and buy something suitably destructive. If it helps, we have a village store here that stocks just about everything you'd ever need if snowed in or had to retreat to a bunker, but the only thing you can't get there is a good firearm. Pitchforks, garden forks, spades and club hammers are always in stock though. For close quarter combat, cordless hedge trimmers work great especially if you pull a manic grin as you swing it around with one arm.

[jusduat]

I just checked and he’s still here. After a hundred+ posts
and attracting your attention ( and troll pronouncement)!

[Lazamataz]

Speak your mind,

Nope.

tell the truth,

Nope.

do not post without reason or for its own sake or for your own sake,

Nope.

but post only when you can contribute value added,

Nope.

never post out of malice,

Nope.

ad hominem, or pique.

Nope.

Do not troll for disputes or to be pointlessly argumentative,

Nope.

or to shore up your own ego,

Nope.

but defend your good name and reputation to the last extreme.

Nope.

Post as though every word were to be read and measured by a young mind seeking a political ideology and your post alone will fix his future worldview forever.

Nope.

Finally ask yourself, what would that half born American, Winston Churchill, say?

Nope.

I am ZERO FOR ZERO on your list of suggestions.

[50mm]

Is that you mom?

[humblegunner]

Your sarcasm detector is busted.

[Publius6961]

Both of my grandfathers were ready to fight for their families and their country...

You are certainly off to a flying start.
However, making nonsensical assertions arouses immediate suspicion. What on earth does "ready to fight for their families" mean when you lump it together with "and their country?"
That implies a disconnect with the real world. Like suggesting that if an armed burglar shows up in the middle of the night you would arrange a declaration of war somehow and deal with him as you would an enemy combatant in a war.

Americans tend to have a more direct approach to threats to their families. Cast iron skillets and cricket bats are not considered adequate means to protect ones family here.

Sorry. You picked a sorry example to showcase British understatement.