I have mostly lurked on FR for 10+ years and don’t post that often. So you don’t know who I am. For your first reply, people can say what they want to say under certain circumstances. If they are at work, or on a website like this which they do not own, they do not. If they are at home or in a place where somebody else does not have authority then go at it. And I was not implying that FR is racist. However, I was implying it was tolerant of such behavior. Again, I hope I am wrong and that I was being over sensitive to some of the replies. Like you said, you would not make such comments because they are in bad taste. That is sound advice for all imo. In real life I’m a blunt man who speaks out loud too often. There is little PC about me. I could benefit myself from following your advice above.
As for your second post, you scold me good. LOL. One, for trying to appeal to emotion. If replies appear to be racist, how likely is it that a minority will feel at home on this site? I haven’t read the mission statement of FR, if it exists at all. But I have always assumed it exists in part to help change minds.
I’m sorry you think its disturbing I would want to see the right appeal to more people. Winning elections is part of the process to get a conservative agenda enacted. Thus appealing to more ppl is self evident. If you have a better idea of how to enact conservatism without appealing to more people, I’d love to hear it.
Finally you said you don’t care where ppl come from. So you are 1) agreeing with my point that this country is founded on an ideal. And 2) That is the most non-racist thing you could say. That would appeal to minorities who might be lurking on this site, yet mindful of all the propaganda against the right. Ghetto this and double bagger that, in this post is unfortunately not appealing.
It is found at the top of the main forum screen every time you login.
People do not come to Free Republic to be "liked". They come to Free Republic because it is someplace you can speak your mind and voice an opinion with a minimum of political correctness. You can say whatever you like here, but you should expect to be challenged on it and defend it.
Many use this site as I do, as a sounding board, a a way to be able to frame issues and have them held up to criticism and analysis.
Some use it as news.
And for some, it is entertainment. For many of us, it serves all of these purposes.
One of the main problems with the Republican party is that they want people to "like" them. Quality and integrity have a "likeability" that is inherent. Liberalism has to pander to people, because it is fundamentally flawed. It appeals to the weak minded, to those who cannot think critically and to those whose emotions rule their actions.
That is why I found that segment of your post disturbing. "Like" is an emotion, and if we have to find ways to make people "like" the right side of the political spectrum or "like" conservatism, then what people are going to like doesn't amount to a hill of beans, because it won't be conservative.
As for whether this site tolerates racism, I expect you have been here long enough to read the text under each post: "Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts."
I also find that what is missing is equally important. It doesn't say "Do not offend other posters." If it is not a personal attack, is not racist or violent, it is fair game.
As conservatives, we understand there is no right in the Constitution to NOT be offended, and we embrace that here.